Understanding the mobilisation of metal pollution associated with historical mining in a carboniferous upland catchment

Valencia-Avellan, M, Slack, R, Stockdale, A and Mortimer, RJG ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1292-8861, 2017. Understanding the mobilisation of metal pollution associated with historical mining in a carboniferous upland catchment. Environmental Sciences: Processes & Impacts, 19 (8), pp. 1061-1074. ISSN 2050-7887

Preview

Text PubSub9072_Mortimer.pdf - Post-print Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Point and diffuse pollution from metal mining has led to severe environmental damage worldwide. Mine drainage is a significant problem for riverine ecosystems, it is commonly acidic (AMD), but neutral mine drainage (NMD) can also occur. A representative environment for studying metal pollution from NMD is provided by Carboniferous catchments characterised by a circumneutral pH and high concentrations of carbonates, supporting the formation of secondary metal-minerals as potential sinks of metals. The present study focuses on understanding the mobility of metal pollution associated with historical mining in a Carboniferous upland catchment. In the uplands of the UK, river water, sediments and spoil wastes were collected over a period of fourteen months, samples were chemically analysed to identify the main metal sources and their relationships with geological and hydrological factors. Correlation tests and principal component analysis suggest that the underlying limestone bedrock controls pH and weathering reactions. Significant metal concentrations from mining activities were measured for zinc (4.3mg/l), and lead (0.3 mg/l), attributed to processes such as oxidation of mined ores (e.g. sphalerite, galena) or dissolution of precipitated secondary metal-minerals (e.g. cerussite, smithsonite). Zinc and lead mobility indicated strong dependence on biogeochemistry and hydrological conditions (e.g. pH and flow) at specific locations in the catchment. Annual loads of zinc and lead (2.9 and 0.2 tonnes/year) demonstrate a significant source of both metals to downstream river reaches. Metal pollution results in a large area of catchment having a depleted chemical status with likely effects on the aquatic ecology. This study provides an improved understanding of geological and hydrological processes controlling water chemistry, which is critical to assessing metal sources and mobilization, especially in neutral mine drainage areas.

Item Type:	Journal article
Alternative Title:	Understanding the mobilization of metal pollution associated with historical mining in a carboniferous upland catchment
Publication Title:	Environmental Sciences: Processes & Impacts
Creators:	Valencia-Avellan, M., Slack, R., Stockdale, A. and Mortimer, R.J.G.
Publisher:	Royal Society of Chemistry
Date:	19 July 2017
Volume:	19
Number:	8
ISSN:	2050-7887
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1039/c7em00171a DOI
Divisions:	Schools > School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	13 Sep 2017 15:39
Last Modified:	19 Jul 2018 03:00
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/31593

Actions (login required)

Edit View

Statistics

Views

Downloads