Article
Ecology
E. Chavez-Garcia, B. Gonzalez-Mendez, F. Molina-Freaner
Summary: Biochar is a carbon-rich material that has potential for reclamation of mine tailings in drylands. This review examines the effect of biochar production conditions and its benefits in arid and semiarid environments. The results show that biochar improves soil properties and metal retention in mine tailings, but the choice of feedstock and production conditions are important factors. Further research is needed to understand the behavior and efficiency of biochar under different conditions.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alan U. Loredo-Jasso, Mario Villalobos, Daniela B. Ponce-Perez, Teresa Pi-Puig, Diana Meza-Figueroa, Rafael del Rio-Salas, Lucas Ochoa-Landin
Summary: Acidic water-soluble efflorescent salts in mining residues can contaminate the environment and affect human health due to potentially toxic metals and high solubilities; these salts primarily consist of soluble sulfates of various metals, with diverse crystal characteristics; the study findings can enhance thermodynamic databases and aid in predicting phases formed after pH neutralization.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haoxuan Yu, Izni Zahidi, Chow Ming Fai
Summary: This paper suggests that abandoned tailings ponds can be transformed into fertile agricultural land through effective reclamation efforts. Serving as a discussion paper, it explores the environmental and health risks associated with tailings ponds, as well as the potential and obstacles in repurposing them for agriculture. The discussion concludes that while there are significant challenges, there are encouraging prospects with the implementation of comprehensive efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yangxi Zhang, Lifei Wei, Qikai Lu, Yanfei Zhong, Ziran Yuan, Zhengxiang Wang, Zhongqiang Li, Yujing Yang
Summary: Improper slag discharge from mining pollutes surrounding soil and becomes an important global issue. The content of available copper (ACu) in polluted soil is crucial for plant growth. In this study, a UAV equipped with a hyperspectral sensor was used to predict ACu and soil organic matter (SOM) in a tailings area in China.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alison S. Cramer, Wendy M. Calvin, Scott W. McCoy, Ronald J. Breitmeyer, Marja Haagsma, Christopher Kratt
Summary: The study explores the use of Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPASs) to map the spatial and temporal changes of potentially acid generating material (PAGM) across mine waste rock piles on abandoned mine lands. Supervised and unsupervised classification algorithms show benefits, with unsupervised methods requiring less user input. RPAS carrying a broadband multispectral sensor can be extensively applied to abandoned mine lands, promising to increase spatial and temporal coverage of accurate maps critical for environmental monitoring and reclamation efforts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hassay Lizeth Medina-Diaz, Irene Acosta, Martin Munoz, Francisco Javier Lopez Bellido, Jose Villasenor, Javier Llanos, Luis Rodriguez, Francisco Jesus Fernandez-Morales
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the bioleaching of abandoned mine tailings using autochthonous mesophilic microbial culture at different pulp densities, with a focus on the ferrous-iron oxidation process and the kinetic parameters. The experimental results were analyzed using a mathematical model, and significant values such as the maximum ferrous-iron oxidation rate and biomass yield were determined. The bioleaching experiment showed promising metal recovery rates, especially at 1% w/v pulp density.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Justin A. McCann, David A. Keith, Richard T. Kingsford
Summary: Measurement of plant biomass variation is crucial in addressing ecological and evolutionary questions. This study utilized a low-cost drone system to estimate the biomass of individual shrub-sized plants, allowing for rapid data collection and non-destructive sampling. The results showed that the drone method was more accurate than simple dimension measurements for certain plant species, providing potential for large-scale data collection and answering complex ecological and evolutionary questions.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Krista J. Jacob-Tatapu, Simon Albert, Alistair Grinham
Summary: Gold mining activities can lead to arsenic contamination in waste tailings, posing environmental risks if not managed properly. This study found that sediments in the tailings storage facility may contribute to elevated arsenic concentrations in surface waters during mine closure. Geochemical interactions in abandoned mine sites should be considered for effective management of tailings storage facilities.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
V Rey, C. A. Rios, L. Y. Vargas, T. M. Valente
Summary: Tailings facilities and associated waters often lead to environmental concerns. This study in Colombia focused on acid mine drainage from gold exploitation. Results showed efficiency of low-cost natural zeolite-rich tuff for treatment of the contaminated water.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Wei Han, Ruifeng Zhao, Wanrong Liu, Yujing Wang, Shuai Zhang, Kang Zhao, Jinglei Nie
Summary: China possesses abundant lead-zinc mineral resources, but mining activities often result in severe heavy metal contamination. This study comprehensively evaluated the contamination levels of eight heavy metals in mine tailings, soil, and groundwater from 27 contaminated sites in China. The levels of contamination were assessed using various indices, and the results showed high concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd, posing significant environmental risks. The study also highlighted the correlation between heavy metal content in soil, groundwater, and mine tailings, identifying them as the primary pollution sources and transport pathways. The findings provide valuable insights for assessing the pollution levels in lead-zinc mining regions and guiding the remediation activities for abandoned mining and tailings in China.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Srecko Bevandic, Rosie Blannin, Alexandra Gomez Escobar, Kai Bachmann, Max Frenzel, Alvaro Pinto, Jorge M. R. S. Relvas, Philippe Muchez
Summary: The study investigated the deportment of lead and zinc in the Plombie`res mine site using the MLA and EPMA methods. It identified the main sources of lead as different slag types and Pb oxides phases, while different types of slags and fraipontite were found to be the main sources of zinc. The results were validated by comparing with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. The integrated approach applied in this study shows promising potential for studying other metals and waste deposits.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raquel Juan-Ovejero, Jose Alvarez-Rogel, Antonio Penalver-Alcala, Rudo A. Verweij, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, M. Nazaret Gonzalez-Alcaraz
Summary: Abandoned metal(loid) mine tailings create hostile conditions for above- and below-ground communities due to high metal(loid) levels, organic matter and nutrient deficiency, which is exacerbated in semiarid areas. However, spontaneous plant colonization of these tailings can promote the presence of soil microarthropod communities and contribute to improving ecosystem functionality.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose alvarez-Rogel, Antonio Penalver-Alcala, M. Nazaret Gonzalez-Alcaraz
Summary: This study evaluated the consistency of soil improvement caused by natural vegetation colonization in abandoned metal(loid) mine tailings in semiarid areas throughout seasons. The results showed that the improvement in soil conditions induced by vegetation colonization was consistent throughout seasons, especially in more complex vegetation patches. However, bare soils and simpler soil-plant systems exhibited stronger seasonal variability in temperature, moisture content, salinity, and water-soluble metals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Gokce Gurtekin, Erkan Aydar
Summary: This study investigated the abandoned Balya Pb-Zn mine tailing in Turkey and analyzed the mineralogical, structural, and elemental migration characteristics of the tailings. The results showed that oxidation caused the formation of vertical zones with different physical, mineralogical, and chemical properties. The precipitation of secondary minerals changed the textural properties and oxidation rate of primary sulfides, affecting the long-term behavior of the tailings.
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yusuke Toda, Akito Kaga, Hiromi Kajiya-Kanegae, Tomohiro Hattori, Shuhei Yamaoka, Masanori Okamoto, Hisashi Tsujimoto, Hiroyoshi Iwata
Summary: This study focused on using growth models with a few parameters to analyze remote sensing data and investigated if a multitrait GP model using these parameters could improve soybean biomass prediction accuracy.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
T. Grijalva-Rodriguez, M. Valencia-Moreno, T. Calmus, R. Del Rio-Salas, M. Balcazar-Garcia
JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2017)
Article
Geology
Rafael Del Rio-Salas, Lucas Ochoa-Landin, Martin Valencia-Moreno, Thierry Calmus, Diana Meza-Figueroa, Sergio Salgado-Souto, Jason Kirk, Joaquin Ruiz, Hector Mendivil-Quijada
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
(2017)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Thierry Calmus, Martin Valencia-Moreno, Rafael Del Rio-Salas, Lucas Ochoa-Landin, Hector Mendivil-Quijada
REVISTA MEXICANA DE CIENCIAS GEOLOGICAS
(2018)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rafael Del Rio-Salas, Yessi Ayala-Ramirez, Rene Loredo-Portales, Francisco Romero, Francisco Molina-Freaner, Christian Minjarez-Osorio, Teresa Pi-Puig, Lucas Ochoa-Landin, Veronica Moreno-Rodriguez
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2019)
Editorial Material
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Calmus Thierry, Noury Melanie, Rafael Del Rio-Salas
JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Diana Romo-Morales, Veronica Moreno-Rodriguez, Francisco Molina-Freaner, Martin Valencia-Moreno, Joaquin Ruiz, Christian Minjarez-Osorio, Ernesto Hernandez-Mendiola, Rafael del Rio-Salas
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rene Loredo-Portales, Jesus Bustamante-Arce, Hector Ney Gonzalez-Villa, Veronica Moreno-Rodriguez, Rafael Del Rio-Salas, Francisco Molina-Freaner, Blanca Gonzalez-Mendez, Denisse Archundia-Peralta
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
G. Cruz-Jimenez, R. Loredo-Portales, R. Del Rio-Salas, V Moreno-Rodriguez, H. Castillo-Michel, L. R. Ramiro-Bautista, G. Aquilanti, Ma G. De La Rosa-Alvarez, D. O. Rocha-Amador
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
V. Moreno-Rodriguez, R. Del Rio-Salas, R. Loredo-Portales, A. Briseno-Beltran, D. Romo-Morales, J. Zepeda, M. Pena-Ortega, I. G. Espinoza-Maldonado, M. de la O-Villanueva
JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Arturo Morales-Perez, Veronica Moreno-Rodriguez, Rafael Del Rio-Salas, N. G. Imam, Blanca Gonzalez-Mendez, Teresa Pi-Puig, Francisco Molina-Freaner, Rene Loredo-Portales
Summary: The study revealed significant changes in the chemical forms of manganese in agricultural soils impacted by historical mine tailings, with high concentrations of soluble and exchangeable manganese indicating potential toxicity to organisms. X-ray Diffraction did not identify manganese-bearing mineral phases, suggesting manganese was predominantly present in low-crystalline forms.