Post-rehabilitation environmental hazard of Cu, Zn, As and Pb at the derelict Conrad Mine, eastern Australia

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2007-07, Vol.148 (2), p.491-500
• Main Authors: Gore, Damian B., Preston, Nicholas J., Fryirs, Kirstie A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid Mine Drainage; Applied sciences; arsenic; Arsenic - analysis; Chemostratigraphy; Conrad Mine; Copper - analysis; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; ecological restoration; ecotoxicology; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; environmental assessment; environmental degradation; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Fluvial geomorphology; fluvial soils; Geologic Sediments; geomorphology; Guidelines as Topic; Hydraulics; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Leaching; lead; Lead - analysis; Metals, Heavy - analysis; mine spoil; Mining; New South Wales; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; Oxidation-Reduction; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; sediment contamination; Soil; Soil - analysis; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - analysis; soil pollution; soil sampling; Wastes; Water - chemistry; Zinc - analysis
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.12.016

A post-rehabilitation audit of the derelict Conrad base metal mine, eastern Australia, indicates ongoing environmental hazard regarding acid mine drainage and concentrations of arsenic and lead to 3 wt% in the soil and sediment. In order to rehabilitate remote contaminated sites effectively, on-site analyses should be carried out to ensure that the materials used to rehabilitate the site are not contaminant-bearing. Understanding the geomorphic setting of the rehabilitated areas is also important in understanding where, and for what period, contaminated materials might be stored in fluvial systems downstream of mine workings. Chemical and geomorphic audits should form a fundamental part of all rehabilitation works to ensure favourable environmental outcomes. Post-rehabilitation audit of mine reveals ongoing As and Pb environmental hazard enhanced by acid drainage and site geomorphology.