Potential application of oxygen-18 and deuterium in mining effluent and acid rock drainage studies

Abstract

 Oxygen-18 (¹⁸O) and deuterium (D, or ²H) are routinely used in hydrologic, climatologic and geothermal studies. In hydrology, stable isotopes provide information on the type and topology (altitude and latitude) of the recharge waters and the historical effects on water, related to such physical processes as evaporation (in ponds), melting (of snow or ice), condensation, evapotranspiration and mixing. In geothermal studies, stable isotopes provide key information related to recharge and the various temperature-dependent water/rock isotope exchange reactions. The latter is assessed through the oxygen shift in the ¹⁸O/D correlation. At acid rock drainage (ARD) sites, water/rock interactions are primarily controlled by pH and oxidation potential. Using the isotopic characteristics of the rocks and the recharge waters as a basis, the relative oxygen shift of the ARD effluent can provide information on: (1) the residence time, (2) the rate of water/rock reactions, and (3) the actual pH at the rock/water interface. This paper offers a methodology for conducting oxygen and hydrogen isotope studies related to ARD and other mineral effluent problems. The methodology is based on: (1) comprehensive sampling of regional waters, ARD effluent and major contributing minerals and rocks, (2) isotopic and elemental analysis, and (3) data interpretation on the basis of a zero-dimensional (mass balance), multi-component mixing model.