title: Metal mobilization under alkaline conditions in ash-covered tailings.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine element mobilization and accumulation in mill tailings under alkaline conditions. The tailings were covered with 50 cm of fly ash, and above a sludge layer. The tailings were geochemically and mineralogically investigated. Sulfides, such as pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena along with gangue minerals such as dolomite, calcite, micas, chlorite, epidote, Mn-pyroxene and rhodonite were identified in the unoxidized tailings. The dissolution of the fly ash layer resulted in a high pH (close to 12) in the underlying tailings. This, together with the presence of organic matter, increased the weathering of the tailings and mobilization of elements in the uppermost 47 cm of the tailings. All primary minerals were depleted, except quartz and feldspar which were covered by blurry secondary carbonates. Sulfide-associated elements such as Cd, Fe, Pb, S and Zn and silicate-associated elements such as Fe, Mg and Mn were released from the depletion zone and accumulated deeper down in the tailings where the pH decreased to circum-neutral. Sequential extraction suggests that Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, S and Zn were retained deeper down in the tailings and were mainly associated with the sulfide phase. Calcium, Cr, K and Ni released from the ash layer were accumulated in the uppermost depletion zone of the tailings.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden. Electronic address: lvyuan0403@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Jinmei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Division of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alakangas
authors.affiliation: Division of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wanhainen
mesh_terms: D060729:Coal Ash; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008906:Mining; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012722:Sewage; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D060729:Coal Ash; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008670:Metals; D008903:Minerals; D012722:Sewage; D013440:Sulfides
keywords: Ash cover; Metal mobilization; Sulfide oxidation rate; Sulfide tailings