『Abstract
Pyrite and pyrrhotite are the principal minerals that generate
acid drainage in mine wastes. Low-pH conditions derived from Fe-sulfide
oxidation result in the mobilization of contaminant metals (such
as Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr) and metalloids (such as As) which are of
environmental concern. This paper uses data from detailed mineralogical
and geochemical studies conducted at two Canadian tailings impoundments
to examine the mineralogical changes that pyrite, pyrrhotite,
sphalerite and magnetite undergo during and after sulfide oxidation,
and the subsequent release and attenuation of associated trace
elements. The stability of sphalerite in tailings impoundments
generally is greater than that of pyrrhotite, but less than pyrite.
Dissolved Ni and Co derived from Fe sulfides, and to a lesser
extent, dissolved Zn and Cd from sphalerite, are commonly attenuated
by early-formed Fe oxyhydroxides. As oxidation progresses, a recycling
occurs due to continued leaching from low-pH pore waters and because
the crystallinity of Fe oxyhydroxides gradually increases which
decreases their sorptive capacity. Unlike many other elements,
such as Cu, Pb and Cr, which form secondary minerals or remain
incorporated into mature Fe oxyhydroxides, Zn and Ni become mobile.
Magnetite, which is a potential source of Cr, is relatively stable
except under extremely low-pH conditions. a conceptual model for
the sequence of events that typically occurs in an oxidizing tailings
impoundment is developed outlining the progressive oxidation of
a unit of mine waste containing a mixed assemblage of pyrrhotite
and pyrite.』
1. Introduction
2. Oxidation of the sulfide minerals
2.1. Trace-element mineral associations
3. Mineralogical and geochemical behavior
4. Progression of sulfide alteration
5. Geochemical variations with depth
6. Generalized paragenesis
7. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References