Pollution Level, Ecological Risk Assessment and Vertical Distribution Pattern Analysis of Heavy Metals in the Tailings Dam of an Abandon Lead–Zinc Mine

Qiaoli Wang, Jiannan Cai, Feng Gao, Zijun Li () and Mengsheng Zhang
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Qiaoli Wang: School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Jiannan Cai: Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
Feng Gao: School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Zijun Li: School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Mengsheng Zhang: School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: Tailings dams in mining areas frequently experience the phenomenon of haphazard dumping and stacking of a large amount of tailings waste. Under the influence of surface runoff and groundwater infiltration, heavy metals from tailings waste can migrate to the surrounding areas and underground soil, resulting in extensive heavy metal pollution. To analyze the pollution level and ecological risk of heavy metals in an abandoned lead–zinc mine tailings dam, this study first employed X-ray fluorescence analysis to determine the vertical distribution patterns of heavy metals with depth. Then, the pollution levels of heavy metals were analyzed based on the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index and geoaccumulation index. Subsequently, the ecological risk of heavy metal pollution was further assessed using the potential ecological risk (PER) index. Finally, the sources and potential hazards of heavy metal pollution were investigated. The results reveal that (1) heavy metal pollutants are identified as lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and arsenic (As), displaying enrichment at the interface layer between the reclaimed zone and tailings layer with the highest concentrations; (2) the pollution degrees in each zone follow the order of interface layer > tailings layer > deep zone > reclaimed zone, and the pollution levels for the four heavy metals in decreasing order are Pb > Zn > As > Cu; (3) after considering the toxic effects of heavy metals, the potential ecological risk in each zone remains consistent with the ranking of pollution levels, and the contribution of the four heavy metals to PER changes to Pb > As > Zn > Cu, corresponding average E r i values of 913.928, 416.900, 96.462 and 47.998, respectively; (4) ecological risk of heavy metals originates from lead–zinc ore extraction, and heavy metal pollution poses potential risks to public water security and surrounding ecological resources.

Keywords: heavy metal; pollution level; distribution patterns; ecological risk assessment; pollution sources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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