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Formation Process of Silicate-Iron Oxyhydroxide Complex and Its Influence on the Distribution of Heavy Metals in Mining Area

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Abstract

Silicate-iron oxyhydroxide complex formed by mineral weathering has an important influence on the geochemical reactions of heavy metals in mining areas. In this work, tailings were collected from an abandoned iron tailings pond, and the physicochemical properties and distribution of heavy metals were studied under natural weathering and hydraulic processes. The results showed that Fe2+ in the iron tailings were transported to the surface during the weathering process, and then the iron oxyhydroxide formed by mineralization adsorbed Cu2+ and Zn2+. Silicic acid and exchangeable acid were released during the formation of binary agglomerates between hydroxy iron oxide and kaolin, then they migrated to the lower area of a tailing pond via surface runoff. Finally, silicate-iron oxyhydroxide complex were formed. The heavy metals were replaced by H+ and penetrated to the bottom layer with water. This research provides an important scientific basis for the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution in mining areas.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully appreciate the financial support of the National Key Research and Development Project of China (2018YFC1802603) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41761072).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 727 South Jingming Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China

    Qun Zhao, Jiangtao He, Xinrui Yan, Chen Li, Jie Li, YingJie Li, Senlin Tian, Jianhong Huang & Ping Ning

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  1. Qun Zhao
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  2. Jiangtao He
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  3. Xinrui Yan
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  4. Chen Li
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  5. Jie Li
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  6. YingJie Li
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  7. Senlin Tian
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Correspondence to Senlin Tian.

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Zhao, Q., He, J., Yan, X. et al. Formation Process of Silicate-Iron Oxyhydroxide Complex and Its Influence on the Distribution of Heavy Metals in Mining Area. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 107, 990–995 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03300-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03300-w

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