title: Geochemical modelling of the evolution and fate of metal pollutants arising from an abandoned gold mine tailings facility in Johannesburg.
abstract: Analytical techniques were combined with geochemical modelling to study the release mechanisms of pollutants from an abandoned gold mining tailings storage facility near Johannesburg. Inverse modelling of sampled tailings pond water and experimental single extractions using various solutions indicated which combination of naturally occurring leaching solutions were likely to give rise to the observed pond water quality. The potential fate of metals in the pond was predicted by modelling the formation of efflorescent crusts and adsorption onto hydrated iron oxide minerals.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail: bronwyn.camden-smith@students.wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: B P C
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Camden-Smith
authors.affiliation: Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail: bronwyn.camden-smith@students.wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tutu
mesh_terms: D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008906:Mining; D008956:Models, Chemical; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D006046:Gold