Barium and radium discharged from coal mines in the Upper Silesia, Poland

Abstract

 Waters discharged from coal mines in the Upper Silesia in Poland cause contamination of rivers and their sediments. Saline waters discharged from coal mines of the southern region contain elevated barium and radium. The discharge of these elements can be reduced by treating these waters with sulphates in mine workings. Sources of sulphate used in treatments include gypsum, anhydrite and industrial wastes such as: fly ash, slags and flotation tailings. Gypsum and anhydrite are used in the coal mine workings as components of the fire protection walls. Industrial wastes from power plants are stored in the mine workings as fire- and methane-protection agents. Sulphates precipitate barium and radium from saline waters inflowing into the mine workings. The waters can be treated by flowing them through old mine workings. In this case, the source of sulphates is the natural oxidation of pyrite. Mining activities and the natural process of desulphurisation of the Carboniferous rocks reduce the amount of barium and radium that is discharged in the southern region of Upper Silesia. The processes for reducing the environmental impact of toxic discharges from the mines should be monitored.