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Acid Generation and Heavy Metal Leachability from Lignite Spoil Heaps: Impact to the Topsoils of Oropos Basin, North Attica, Greece

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Abstract

The disposal of lignite spoil and tailings poses a major environmental problem in lignite mining sites which is associated with the oxidation of sulfide minerals contained in the primary ore. This process renders acidic effluents. Lignite mining in the Oropos Neogene basin, North Attica, Greece operated since the last century and ceased in the late 1960s. Piles of complex waste material are dispersed close to the mining sites. The high sulfur content and low Net Neutralization Potential, i.e. values < − 20 CaCO3 kg/t in most analyzed waste samples, indicate that the waste is prone to acid generation. The leachates (EN12457) from the lignite spoils showed high concentrations in Ni and Zn exceeding the EU regulatory limits for the non-hazardous wastes. GIS-based geochemical maps of the topsoil showed enrichment in Ni (Cr, V) associated with the regional geogenic enrichment but also local accumulation around the hot spot sites of lignite spoil heaps.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge V. Skounakis for support in performing the SEM/EDS analysis at the Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, NKUA and I. Megremi for assistance in the course of field sampling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geochemistry and Economic Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Ano Ilissia, 15784, Athens, Greece

    Evdokia Kampouroglou, Christina Stouraiti & Lamprini Arvaniti

  2. Laboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780, Athens, Greece

    Konstantinos Kollias & Nymphodora Papassiopi

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  1. Evdokia Kampouroglou
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Correspondence to Christina Stouraiti.

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Kampouroglou, E., Kollias, K., Stouraiti, C. et al. Acid Generation and Heavy Metal Leachability from Lignite Spoil Heaps: Impact to the Topsoils of Oropos Basin, North Attica, Greece. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 106, 465–474 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03122-w

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