Hydrochemical Characteristics, Controlling Factors and Groundwater Sources of Zaozigou Gold Mine

Wenqiang Jiang, Baozhu Li (), Zhen Zhang and Ying Zhang
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Wenqiang Jiang: Department of Geology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
Baozhu Li: Department of Geology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650032, China
Zhen Zhang: The Third Geological and Mineral Exploration Institute of Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Lanzhou 730050, China
Ying Zhang: The Third Geological and Mineral Exploration Institute of Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Lanzhou 730050, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-19

Abstract: The Zaozigou gold deposit is recognized as one of the largest and most significant independent gold deposits in northwest China, representing a colossal orogenic gold-antimony deposit. It is imperative to delve into the hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors within the mining area to unveil the groundwater circulation evolution process and enhance water resource management. In 2018, a comprehensive collection of 50 groups of groundwater samples was conducted, alongside 17 groups of surface water and underground mine water samples in 2023. Compositional descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, Piper three-plot, Gibbs map, ion ratio method, hydrogeochemical simulation and PCA methods were employed to reveal the chemical characteristics and evolution process of groundwater in the Zaozigou gold mine. Furthermore, employing water isotopes theory allowed for the identification of recharge sources and circulation conditions within the Zaozigou Gold Mine. The findings indicated a transition from HCO 3 -Na·Ca type polluted water in 2018 to primarily the SO 4 -Ca·Mg type and HCO 3 ·SO 4 -Na·Ca·Mg type groundwater hydrochemistry types by 2023. The hydrochemical characteristics of the study area are closely related to the mining depth and time. The chemical characteristics are influenced by various factors such as rock weathering, mineral dissolution, cation exchange processes, atmospheric precipitation as well as human activities related to pollution from industrial mining activities.

Keywords: groundwater; hydrochemical characterisation; ion ratios; PCA; hydroxide isotopes; Zaozigou gold mine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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