The environmental impact of historical Pb-Zn mining waste deposits in Slovenia

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 308; p. 114580
• Main Authors: Miler, Miloš, Bavec, Špela, Gosar, Mateja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15-04-2022
• Subjects: Characterisation; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Geologic Sediments; Lead; Metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Mineral solubility; Mining; Rivers; Slovenia; Stream sediment; Stream water; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Zinc - analysis; Slovenia; Stream water; Characterisation; Stream sediment; Metals; Mineral solubility
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114580

Mining waste deposits (MWDs) represent significant and constant pollution source for the environment worldwide, thus it is very important to identify and diminish their environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to determine long-term environmental impacts and their temporal variations of MWDs in Pb–Zn mining districts in Slovenia and assess stability of potentially harmful element (PHE)-bearing phases in stream water. The results showed that investigated MWDs are important source of PHEs in stream sediments and that PHEs mostly occur as fine-grained and liberated PHE-bearing ore minerals. MWDs have generally stronger impact on sediments of smaller streams draining MWDs and main streams close to their confluences, however, fine-grained PHE-bearing material is transported along major watercourses over long distances causing regional pollution. Main ore minerals are mostly soluble in stream water. However, measured PHE leaching potential of MWDs is negligible. PHE levels in stream waters are thus low, demonstrating that drainage of MWDs predominantly contributes to PHE pollution in solid particulate form. Possible long-term remediation solution that would reduce environmental impact is recovery of metals from fine grain size fractions of MWDs, which could become an effective practice in sustainable management of historical MWDs. However, further studies of MWDs’ secondary resource potential, processing technology and evaluation of environmental aspects of extraction are needed.
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•Mining waste and stream sediments are heavily burdened with PHEs.•Leaching of PHEs from mining waste is negligible.•Impact of MWDs is stronger on stream sediments than on water.•Main ore minerals are mostly soluble in water of streams draining MWDs.•Metal recovery from fine MWD fractions is possible long-term remediation solution.