Understanding and Responding to Hazardous Substances at Mine Sites in the Western United States

This volume documents interesting approaches, techniques, and practical scientific considerations associated with mine site remediation. It also highlights how various federal, state, and local agencies and organizations are trying to bring the best science possible to bear on this serious problem. Some chapters focus on specific methods for characterization, particular contaminant issues, and impacts from the release of hazardous substances from mine and mill sites. Others describe successful response actions, technologies, or practical approaches for addressing contaminant releases to the environment.
Strategies to predict metal mobility in surficial mining environments
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Published:January 01, 2007
Abstract
This report presents some strategies to predict metal mobility at mining sites. These strategies are based on chemical, physical, and geochemical information about metals and their interactions with the environment. An overview of conceptual models, metal sources, and relative mobility of metals under different geochemical conditions is presented, followed by a discussion of some important physical and chemical properties of metals that affect their mobility, bioavailability, and toxicity. The physical and chemical properties lead into a discussion of the importance of the chemical speciation of metals. Finally, environmental and geochemical processes and geochemical barriers that affect metal speciation are discussed. Some additional concepts and applications are briefly presented at the end of this report.
- bonding
- cation exchange capacity
- chemical elements
- chemical fractionation
- chemical properties
- concentration
- disposal barriers
- ecology
- environmental management
- geochemistry
- heavy metals
- ions
- leaching
- migration of elements
- mobility
- oxidation
- pH
- pollution
- precipitation
- prediction
- reactivity
- risk assessment
- sediments
- solubility
- solutes
- surface water
- suspended materials
- theoretical models
- transport
- waste disposal
- water quality