Environmental impact of the stored dust-like zinc and iron containing wastes

Abstract

Effects of the stored dust-like zinc and iron containing wastes of the mining and processing industry consist of the loss of valuable components and environmental pollution. Thus, the goals of the research were to analyse ecological conditions under the technogenic impact at the waste storage site and to study transformations of the stored dust-like zinc and iron containing wastes in the active supergene zone. Materials are based on the physical laboratory-modelled infiltration of the atmospheric precipitation waters through the zinc and iron containing wastes. Methods include systematically- structured analysis of wastes and disposal site and laboratory techniques (X-ray fluorescence and atomic emission spectrometry). On the basis of laboratory research and field observations of the environmental components in the impact area of the storage of dust-like zinc and iron containing wastes, the article describes regularities of formation of hydrogeochemical halos of contamination by heavy metals and iron. The results also include the description of changes in physico-chemical groundwater composition under the storage area.