Rare-earth elements in groundwater of the abandoned Levikha copper mine (Middle Urals, Russia)

Abstract

The distribution of REE in groundwater of the catchments, which were formed during the long-term operation of copper mines in the Middle Urals (Russia), was studied. The groundwater composition reflects a significant removal of REE from water-bearing rocks, which leads to their enrichment by several orders of magnitude relative to the oceans, surface water and groundwater. Maximum REE values (up to 15 mg/L) were recorded in groundwater discharged to the surface in the collapse zone (pH=3.5). In mine shafts REE values do not exceed 0.3 mg/L. Water of mine wastes occupy an intermediate position: here REE content varies from 0.5 to 6.5 mg/L. The degree of REE fractionation in mine waters is lower than in oceanic, surface and underground waters of the active water exchange zone at much higher contents. The chemical composition of groundwater of the abandoned copper mine is determined by hypogene processes and structure of the mineralized supergene zone, its mineralogical composition, and oxidation-reduction conditions.