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Characterisation, modelling and prediction of arsenic behaviour in the mine
environment
Arsenic is a phytotoxic element and a potential threat to human health.
Arsenic-rich industrial and mining by-products in several countries have
contaminated large areas, and in recent years there has been a growing
global concern about the arsenic contamination of agricultural soil,
surfacewater and groundwater.
Throughout the granite belt of northern New South Wales and southern
Queensland, derelict arsenic mines and processing sites present potential
sources of contamination for local and regional catchments. To date, there
is only limited information available on the environmental geochemistry of
these sites.
The CMLR is currently involved in a collaborative project with colleagues
in Earth Sciences at UQ to characterise, model and predict arsenic
behaviour, mobilisation, transport and bioavailability in the mine
environment. To do this, it is necessary to determine the mineralogy of
arsenic and understand its distribution in surface water, tailings,
sediments and soils through field measurements and laboratory analysis. The
findings of this study should provide useful information for reclamation of
polluted sites and evaluation of the environmental risks associated with
arsenic-rich mine waste.
Sponsor: Minerals Industry and Queensland State Government through
the SMI |
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