Author(s): B. Elberling
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Oxidation of sulphide minerals by oxygen can give rise to environmental problems. Acidification and release of heavy metals are among the most serious effects. Tailings consisting of sulphide minerals have been deposited at several locations in permafrost areas in the Arctic. This study aims to evaluate processes controlling oxygen diffusion and oxygen uptake in tailings deposited at Nanisivik on Baffin Island in North Canada. Field measurements indicate that oxygen uptake rates in unfrozen mine tailings deposited on land are of the same order of magnitude as rates observed in temperate climates. Acidification and heavy metal release must therefore be considered an environmental problem in relation to tailings deposited in the Arctic. Laboratory measurements of diffusion coefficients show that freezing of tailings at high water content significantly limit the diffusion of oxygen. This implies that the Arctic environment may offer unique opportunities for disposal of tailings with limited environmental impact.
Year: 1998