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Characterization of tungsten distribution in tungsten-rich slag and sediment via leaching experiments

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Abstract

The adverse environmental effects of tungsten have been underestimated for a long time. Recent studies have demonstrated that dissolved tungstate is mobile in aqueous environments and exhibits severe toxicological impacts. Large amounts of tungsten-rich substances produced by anthropogenic activities will cause tungsten pollution to the surrounding environment via the effect of leaching. In this study, samples of tungsten-rich slags and sediments were collected from Chenzhou, Loudi and Tengchong (China), with the highest tungsten content up to 378.1 mg/kg. To investigate the fate and transport of tungsten in tungsten-rich slags/sediments as a result of their leaching, the combination of sequential fractionation procedures (SEPs) and batch leaching experiments were conducted. The result indicated that the Tessier SEP underestimated the proportions of the metal oxide-bound fraction and the potential risks of tungsten. In contrast, the Wenzel SEP was superior to the Tessier SEP in terms of extracting the hydrous oxide-bound fractions of tungsten due to the use of more suitable extraction reagents. The leaching experiments demonstrated the tungsten concentrations in the leachate samples were up to 105.6 μg/L. Notably, leaching of tungsten from the tungsten-rich slags and sediments under acidic conditions was less effective than under alkaline conditions, which was attributed to the strong adsorption of tungsten onto Fe/Mn (hydro) oxides under acidic conditions.

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Funding

This research was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant numbers 42077278, 42111530023, 41772370, 41861134028).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Studies, State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, People’s Republic of China

    Hongyu Song, Zheyan Miao, Hao Luo & Qinghai Guo

  2. Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China

    Yaowu Cao

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  1. Hongyu Song
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  2. Yaowu Cao
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  3. Zheyan Miao
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  4. Hao Luo
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  5. Qinghai Guo
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Correspondence to Yaowu Cao or Qinghai Guo.

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Song, H., Cao, Y., Miao, Z. et al. Characterization of tungsten distribution in tungsten-rich slag and sediment via leaching experiments. Environ Earth Sci 82, 52 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10727-9

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