Hydrogeochemical assessment of mine-impacted water and sediment of iron ore mining

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science 2018-04, Vol.140 (1), p.12023
• Main Authors: Atirah Affandi, Fatin Nur, Mohd Kusin, Faradiella, Aqilah Sulong, Nur, Madzin, Zafira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acidic lakes; Cadmium; Chromium; Copper; Ecology; Environmental risk; Heavy metals; Hydrogeochemistry; Iron; Iron compounds; Iron ores; Manganese; Mine drainage; Mine tailings; Mine wastes; Mine waters; Mining; pH effects; Ponds; Risk; Sediments; Tailings; Trace elements; Water analysis; Water sampling
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/140/1/012023

This study was carried out to evaluate the hydrogeochemical behaviour of mine-impacted water and sediment of a former iron ore mining area. Sampling of mine water and sediment were carried out at selected locations within the mine including the former mining ponds, mine tailings and the nearby stream. The water samples were analysed for their hydrochemical facies, major and trace elements including heavy metals. The water in the mining ponds and the mine tailings was characterised as highly acidic (pH 2.54-3.07), but has near-neutral pH in the nearby stream. Results indicated that Fe and Mn in water have exceeded the recommended guidelines values and was also supported by the results of geochemical modelling. The results also indicated that sediments in the mining area were contaminated with Cd and As as shown by the potential ecological risk index values. The total risk index of heavy metals in the sediment were ranked in the order of Cd>As>Pb>Cu>Zn>Cr. Overall, the extent of potential ecological risks of the mining area were categorised as having low to moderate ecological risk.