Zdzislaw M. Migaszewski
Jan Kochanowski University, Poland
Title: The use of stable isotopes and rare earth elements for solving environmental issues in acid mine drainage areas (south-central Poland)
Biography
Biography: Zdzislaw M. Migaszewski
Abstract
WiÅ›niówka Mt., located approx. 5 km north-east of Kielce (south-central Poland), belongs to the most interesting acid mine drainage (AMD) areas throughout the world. It is built of Upper Cambrian terrigenous rock formations with pyrite and hematite-goethite mineralization zones. The principal raw material is quartzite/quartzitic sandstone that has been extracted for over a century leaving abandoned quarries, tailings piles, mineral settling tanks and acid water bodies. The generation of AMD waters is initiated by oxidation of predominant As-rich gel-pyrite whose secondary products trigger subsequent reactions with metal- and REE-bearing minerals. The AMD lakes, ponds and pools are characterized by different geochemistry which patterns mineralogy and lithology of country rocks. Of the AMD water bodies, the PodwiÅ›niówka acid pit lake is highlighted by a low pH in the range of 2.2–2.4 and high concentrations of sulfates, Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and REE. However, some strongly acidic seeps and pools contain even higher contents of trace elements, for instance As and REE up to 370 and 17.6 mg/l, respectively. It is noteworthy that two acid pit lakes show different NASC-normalized REE concentration patterns with positive medium REE (PodwiÅ›niówka) and heavy REE (WiÅ›niówka) anomalies. Both S and O stable isotopes also display different delta values. These isotopes, REE, Y and some trace elements have been used as geochemical signatures for pinpointing localization of “hot” spots in the mining area as well as for determining a detrimental impact of acidic seeps and water bodies on neighboring rivers and farmer’s wells.
Acknowledgements: This study was funded by the National Science Center, a research grant #2015/17/B/ST10/02119.