OPÓŹNIENIE MIGRACJI POTENCJALNIE TOKSYCZNYCH PIERWIASTKÓW (PTP) JAKO WYNIK OCHRONY ŚRODOWISKA WODNEGO W REJONACH DEPONOWANIA ODPADÓW RUD METALI

Abstract

RETARDATION OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS (PTE) MIGRATION AS A RESULT OF THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION IN DISPOSAL SITES OF METAL ORE EXTRACTIVE WASTESAbstract. The study was aimed to elucidating barrier capacity of sulfide extractive wastes (exemplified in silicate waste from floatation dressing of copper ore) with respect to metals generated in the weathering zone, which migrate in a waste layer with infiltration waters. It was carried out as a flow-through long-term experiment in the simulated 4-years’ cycle in a column of waste 1 m thick, to which doses of simulatedpolymetallic ARD (Acid Rock Drainage) of pH 1.5 and the highest envi, Mn, Cd, ronmentally relevant concentrations of metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were applied. The waste showed high binding capacity with respect to Cu, Cr, Fe and Pb, in particular at leachate pH > 6.0. Waste sorption capacity for Cd appeared to be also relatively high, although exceeding MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) due to incomplete binding might be a critical factor. The practical lack of binding properties of the waste for Mn, and poor binding of Ni and Zn was though observed. Occurrence of these metals in the leachate from a waste dump should thus be considered as a factor determining the range and scale of prevention measures and their efficiency. Giving consideration to retardation of metal migration due to sorption in a waste layer would allow adequate planning of a waste dump construction program and technical solutions for protection of a groundwater chemical status.