Transport of metals from mine tailings impoundments and release to surface waters : final report : May 31, 2002, TSRI project number 192 / Carol J. Ptacek and David W. Blowes.: En13-5/03-173E-PDF

"There are over 10,000 abandoned mine sites in Canada which have the potential to release unacceptable concentrations of metals to groundwater and surface waters for many decades to centuries after mining activities cease. When mine wastes are exposed to the atmosphere, the sulfide minerals in the waste oxidize and release acid and metals to the environment. The release can take place over several decades to many centuries. The timing and duration of peak discharges vary from site to site, depending on the rate and extent of sulfide oxidation, acid neutralization, metal attenuation and release reactions, the groundwater velocity and length of the groundwater flow path. Many oxyanion forming elements such as arsenic, behave quite differently than cation-forming metals, because of their higher mobility under near-neutral pH conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the geochemical, hydrogeological and microbiological mechanisms controlling the long-term release of (H+), sulfate (S04), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) from mine waste sites"--Abstract.

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Publication information
Department/Agency Canada. Environment Canada.
National Water Research Institute (Canada)
Title Transport of metals from mine tailings impoundments and release to surface waters : final report : May 31, 2002, TSRI project number 192 / Carol J. Ptacek and David W. Blowes.
Series title NWRI contribution ; no. 03-173
Publication type Series - View Master Record
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) Digitized edition from print [produced by Environment and Climate Change Canada].
Includes bibliographic references.
Abstracts in French and English.
Publishing information [Burlington, Ont.] : Environment Canada, [2003]
Author / Contributor Ptacek, Carol Jane, 1959-
Blowes, David, 1956-
Description 41 p. : figures.
Catalogue number
  • En13-5/03-173E-PDF
Subject terms Geochemistry
Mining industry
Groundwater
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