Dust dispersal and Pb enrichment at the rare-metal Orlovka-Spokoinoe mining and ore processing site: insights from REE patterns and elemental ratios.
Different geological, technogenic and environmental samples from the Orlovka-Spokoinoe Ta-Nb-Sn-W mining site and ore processing complex in Eastern Transbaikalia (Russia), were analysed for Pb, Y, Zr, Hf and rare earth elements (REE) to assess the effect of dust and metal dispersal on the environment within the Orlovka-Spokoinoe mining site. Potential source material analysed included ore-bearing and barren granites, host rocks, tailing pond sediments, and ore concentrates. Lichens and birch leaves were used as receptor samples. The REE enrichment relative to chondrite, the extent of the Eu anomalies, the enrichments of heavy REE (HREE), and Zr/Hf and Yb/Y ratios suggest that tailings, barren granites, and metasedimentary host rocks are the main sources of dust in the studied mining environment. In addition, calculated lead enrichment (relative to host rocks) suggests that the environment is polluted with Pb. Our results clearly demonstrate the potential of REE patterns and elemental ratios as a reliable technique to trace dust and metals sources and dispersal within a confined mining area offering a new tool for environmental assessment studies.
Dolgopolova
Alla
A
Centre for Russian and Central EurAsian Mineral Studies (CERCAMS), Department of Mineralogy, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK. allad@nhm.ac.uk
Weiss
Dominik J
DJ
Seltmann
Reimar
R
Dulski
Peter
P
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry / Q000379:methods*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008669:Metallurgy; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000737:chemistry*; D008906:Mining / Q000379:methods; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012426:Russia
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D007854:Lead