Analysis of heavy metals in a tailing impoundment of abandoned Mn mine by using two sequential extractions

Abstract

The tailing impoundment was investigated for vertical distribution of minerals by X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and two sequential extraction methods. It was found that Si, Mn, and Fe occupied over 80% in mass balance of XRF, and present as constituents of clay minerals, oxides, and pyrite, respectively. Therefore, the sampling site was regarded as chemically stable. Two sequential extraction methods were complementary to each other, therefore, the combination of two methods is useful for further analysis of sediments including variable minerals.