Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Heavy metal pollution caused by cyanide gold leaching: a case study of gold tailings in central China

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is known that the tailings of gold mines have brought serious heavy metal pollution; however, the heavy metal pollution caused by gold tailings in specific geological environments and extraction processes still must be studied. This study investigated the distribution, speciation, bioaccumulation, and pollution of heavy metals in soils from the Yueliangbao gold tailings area in central China, where gold was extracted by cyanidation. The results show that the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Mo, and Cd in the soils of the tailings pond were higher than those in the local background. The concentrations of heavy metals related to mineralization activities, such as Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mo, varied with the distance to the tailings pond center. There was a decreasing trend of tailings pond center > tailings pond entrance > surrounding environment. This study’s gold tailings pond differed from those of other regions because of its high content of unextracted Cu remaining in the pond. The proportion of non-residual Cu in the tailing pond soil was much higher than that of residual Cu, indicating it was likely to migrate to the surrounding environment. The pollution assessment indicated that the tailings pond soils were heavily polluted by Cu, and the level of heavy metal pollution in soils was positively correlated with the distance to the tailings pond center. Consequently, this tailings pond may become a source of Cu pollution in the surrounding environment, thus endangering environmental safety and human health. The study of heavy metal concentrations in the dominant plants showed that Chinese brake (Pteris vittata L.), Ramose scouring rush (Equisetum ramosissimum), and Manyflower silvergrass (Miscanthus floridulus) had the potential to be used for the phytostabilization of Cu.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Antoniadis V, Levizou E, Shaheen SM, Ok YS, Sebastian A, Baum C, Prasad MNV, Wenzel WW, Rinklebe J (2017) Trace elements in the soil-plant interface: Phytoavailability, translocation, and phytoremediation-A review. Earth Sci Rev 171:621–645

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Atafar Z, Mesdaghinia A, Nouri J, Homaee M, Yunesian M, Ahmadimoghaddam M, Mahvi AH (2010) Effect of fertilizer application on soil heavy metal concentration. Environ Monit Assess 160(1-4):83–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baker AJ, Brooks R (1989) Terrestrial higher plants which hyperaccumulate metallic elements. A review of their distribution, ecology and phytochemistry. Biorecovery 1(2):81–126

  • Bempah CK, Ewusi A, Obiri-Yeboah S, Asabere SB, Mensah F, Boateng J, Voigt HJ (2013) Distribution of arsenic and heavy metals from mine tailings dams at Obuasi municipality of Ghana. Am J Eng Res 2(5):61–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Bing H, Wu Y, Li J, Xiang Z, Luo X, Zhou J, Sun H, Zhang G (2019) Biomonitoring trace element contamination impacted by atmospheric deposition in China’s remote mountains. Atmos Res 224:30–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao R, Zhan L, Guo JC, Ma ZD, Hou GJ (2007) Geological characteristics of Yueliangbao quartz vein type gold deposit in Zigui, Hubei Province. Gold 02:16–19 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Lei C, Yan B, Li LL, Xu DM, Ying GG (2018) Spatial distribution and environmental implications of heavy metals in typical lead (Pb)-zinc (Zn) mine tailings impoundments in Guangdong Province, South China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25(36):36702–36711

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Du Y, Chen L, Ding P, Liu LL, He QC, Chen BZ, Duan YY (2019) Different exposure profile of heavy metal and health risk between residents near a Pb-Zn mine and a Mn mine in Huayuan county, South China. Chemosphere 216:352–364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fashola MO, Ngole-Jeme VM, Babalola OO (2016) Heavy metal pollution from gold mines: environmental effects and bacterial strategies for resistance. Int J Environ Res Public Health 13(11):1047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fei JC, Min XB, Wang ZX, Pang ZH, Liang YJ, Ke Y (2017) Health and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals pollution in an antimony mining region: a case study from South China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24(35):27573–27586

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao ZX (2018) Evaluation of heavy metal pollution and its ecological risk in one river reach of a gold mine in Inner Mongolia, Northern China. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 128:94–99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gu S, Kang X, Wang L, Lichtfouse E, Wang C (2019) Clay mineral adsorbents for heavy metal removal from wastewater: a review. Environ Chem Lett 17(2):629–654

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hakanson L (1980) An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control. A sedimentological approach. Water Res 14(8):975–1001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He K, Sun Z, Hu Y, Zeng X, Yu Z, Cheng H (2017) Comparison of soil heavy metal pollution caused by e-waste recycling activities and traditional industrial operations. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24(10):9387–9398

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hołtra A, Zamorska-Wojdyła D (2020) The pollution indices of trace elements in soils and plants close to the copper and zinc smelting works in Poland’s Lower Silesia. Environ Sci Pollut Res 1–14

  • Hu Y, Cheng H (2016) A method for apportionment of natural and anthropogenic contributions to heavy metal loadings in the surface soils across large-scale regions. Environ Pollut 214:400–409

  • Huang GX, Luo XM, Li DM, Li ZT, Chen ZX, Zhu M (2019) A multidisciplinary investigation on bio-oxidation gold mine tailings from Dandong, China as a potential arsenic pollution source. J Geochem Explor 196:33–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Inam E, Khantotong S, Kim KW, Tumendemberel B, Erdenetsetseg S, Puntsag T (2011) Geochemical distribution of trace element concentrations in the vicinity of Boroo gold mine, Selenge Province, Mongolia. Environ Geochem Health 33(1):57–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabata-Pendias A (2011) Trace Elements in Soils and Plants, 4th edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaksonen AH, Mudunuru BM, Hackl R (2014) The role of microorganisms in gold processing and recovery-A review. Hydrometallurgy 142:70–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kusin FM, Awang NHC, Hasan SNMS, Rahim HAA, Azmin N, Jusop S, Kim KW (2019) Geo-ecological evaluation of mineral, major and trace elemental composition in waste rocks, soils and sediments of a gold mining area and potential associated risks. Catena 183:104229

  • Li HX, Ji HB (2017) Chemical speciation, vertical profile and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soils from coal-mine brownfield, Beijing, China. J Geochem Explor 183:22–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li ZY, Ma ZW, Van der Kuijp TJ, Yuan ZW, Huang L (2014) A review of soil heavy metal pollution from mines in China: pollution and health risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 468-469:843–853

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu B, Sun H, Peng T, Duan T (2020) Transport and transformation of uranium and heavy metals from uranium tailings under simulated rain at different pH. Environ Chem Lett 18(2):495–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu S, Yang B, Liang Y, Xiao Y, Fang J (2020) Prospect of phytoremediation combined with other approaches for remediation of heavy metal-polluted soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res 1–17

  • Lottermoser BG (2010) Mine Wastes: Characterization, treatment and environmental impacts. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Macnair MR (1993) The genetics of metal tolerance in vascular plants. New Phytol 124(4):541–559

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mao YD (2012) The study of geochemical characteristics of South Huangling anticline-a case study of Yueliangbao Gold Ore deposit. Dissertation, China University of Geosciences (In Chinese)

  • Martínez J, Hidalgo MC, Rey J, Garrido J, Kohfahl C, Benavente J, Rojas D (2016) A multidisciplinary characterization of a tailings pond in the Linares-La Carolina mining district, Spain. J Geochem Explor 162:62–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller FS, Kilminster KL, Degens B, Firns GW (2010) Relationship between metals leached and soil type from potential acid sulphate soils under acidic and neutral conditions in Western Australia. Water Air Soil Pollut 205(1-4):133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) (2018) Soil Environmental Quality Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Agicultural Land (GB 15618-2018). Environmental Science Press of China, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Nemerow NL (1991) Stream, Lake, Estuary, and Ocean Pollution, 2nd edn. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ngole-Jeme VM, Fantke P (2017) Ecological and human health risks associated with abandoned gold mine tailings contaminated soil. PLoS ONE 12(2):e0172517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu LL, Yang FX, Xu C, Yang HY, Liu WP (2013) Status of metal accumulation in farmland soils across China: From distribution to risk assessment. Environ Pollut 176:55–62

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okereafor U, Makhatha E, Mekuto L, Mavumengwana V (2019) Dataset on assessment of pollution level of selected trace metals in farming area within the proximity of a gold mine dump, Ekuhurleni, South Africa. Data Brief 26:104473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petelka J, Abraham J, Bockreis A, Deikumah JP, Zerbe S (2019) Soil heavy metal (loid) pollution and phytoremediation potential of native plants on a former gold mine in Ghana. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 230(11):267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redwan M, Bamousa AO (2019) Characterization and environmental impact assessment of gold mine tailings in arid regions: A case study of Barramiya gold mine area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 160:103644

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salt DE, Blaylock M, Kumar NPBA, Dushenkov V, Ensley BD, Chet I, Raskin I (1995) Phytoremediation: a novel strategy for the removal of toxic metals from the environment using plants. Bio-Technol (New York) 13:468–474

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samsuri AW, Tariq FS, Karam DS, Aris AZ, Jamilu G (2019) The effects of rice husk ashes and inorganic fertilizers application rates on the phytoremediation of gold mine tailings by vetiver grass. Appl Geochem 108:104366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sari A, Tuzen M, Citak D, Soylak M (2007) Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of adsorption of Pb (II) from aqueous solution onto Turkish kaolinite clay. J Hazard Mater 149(2):283–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sodré FF, Lima LC, Busato JG (2019) Copper and lead adsorption as influenced by organic matter in soils from a tropical toposequence with different chemical and mineralogical attributes. Arch Agron Soil Sci 65(3):334–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soltani N, Keshavarzi B, Moore F, Sorooshian A (2017) Distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tailings, soils, and plants around GoI-E-Gohar iron mine, a case study in Iran. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:18798–18816

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) (1990) Elemental Background Values of Soils in China. Environmental Science Press of China, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun ZH, Xie XD, Wang P, Hu YN, Cheng HF (2018) Heavy metal pollution caused by small-scale metal ore mining activities: a case study from a polymetallic mine in South China. Sci Total Environ 639:217–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szczepaniak K, Biziuk M (2003) Aspects of the biomonitoring studies using mosses and lichens as indicators of metal pollution. Environ Res 93(3):221–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tessier A, Campbell PG, Bisson M (1979) Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals. Anal Chem 51(7):844–851

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang PC, Li ZG, Liu JL, Bi XY, Ning YQ, Yang SC, Yang XJ (2019) Apportionment of sources of heavy metals to agricultural soils using isotope fingerprints and multivariate statistical analyses. Environ Pollut 249:208–216

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao R, Wang S, Li RH, Wang JJ, Zhang Z (2017) Soil heavy metal contamination and health risks associated with artisanal gold mining in Tongguan, Shaanxi, China. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 141:17–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong J, An LY, Lu H, Zhu C (2009) Exogenous nitric oxide enhances cadmium tolerance of rice by increasing pectin and hemicellulose contents in root cell wall. Planta 230(4):755–765

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Yang HH, Cui ZJ (2018) Evaluation and analysis of soil migration and distribution characteristics of heavy metals in iron tailings. J Clean Prod 172:475–480

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The Fundamental Research Funds financially supported this work for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan (grant no CUG170104).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Chao Zhang, Xing Wang, Shihao Jiang, Mengying Zhou, Fanglin Li, Xiangyang Bi, Shuyun Xie & Jinling Liu

Authors
  1. Chao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xing Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shihao Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mengying Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fanglin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xiangyang Bi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shuyun Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jinling Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization: Jinling Liu; Data curation: Chao Zhang; Xing Wang; Shihao Jiang; Mengying Zhou; Formal analysis: Chao Zhang; Shihao Jiang; Mengying Zhou; Investigation: Xing Wang, Fanglin Li, Shuyun Xie; Funding acquisition: Jinling Liu; Methodology: Fanglin Li, Xiangyang Bi; Resources: Xiangyang Bi, Jinling Liu; Supervision: Fanglin Li, Jinling Liu; Writing-original draft: Chao Zhang; Xing Wang; Shihao Jiang; Mengying Zhou; Writing-review and editing: Jinling Liu

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jinling Liu.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval and consent to participate

No applicable

Consent for publication

Not applicable

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

ESM 1

(DOCX 115 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, C., Wang, X., Jiang, S. et al. Heavy metal pollution caused by cyanide gold leaching: a case study of gold tailings in central China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 29231–29240 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12728-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12728-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation