LAPSE:2020.0181
Published Article
LAPSE:2020.0181
Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Pollution from Mineral Processing Steps at Xikuangshan Antimony Plant, Hunan, China
February 12, 2020
We evaluated the direct release to the environment of a number of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from various processing nodes at Xikuangshan Antimony Mine in Hunan Province, China. Sampling wastewater, processing dust, and solid waste and characterizing PTE content (major elements Sb, As, Zn, and associated Hg, Pb, and Cd) from processing activities, we extrapolated findings to assess wider environmental significance using the pollution index and the potential ecological risk index. The Sb, As, and Zn in wastewater from the antimony benefication industry and a wider group of PTEs in the fine ore bin were significantly higher than their reference values. The content of Sb, As, and Zn in tailings were relatively high, with the average value being 2674, 1040, and 590 mg·kg−1, respectively. The content of PTEs in the surface soils surrounding the tailings was similar to that in tailings, and much higher than the background values. The results of the pollution index evaluation of the degree of pollution by PTEs showed that while dominated by Sb, some variation in order of significance was seen namely for: (1) The ore processing wastewater Sb > Pb > As > Zn > Hg > Cd, (2) in dust Sb > As > Cd > Pb > Hg > Zn, and (3) surface soil (near tailings) Sb > Hg > Cd > As > Zn > Pb. From the assessment of the potential ecological risk index, the levels were most significant at the three dust generation nodes and in the soil surrounding the tailings reservoir.
Keywords
antimony, mineral processing, pollution characteristics, potentially toxic elements
Suggested Citation
Zhou S, Deng R, Hursthouse A. Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Pollution from Mineral Processing Steps at Xikuangshan Antimony Plant, Hunan, China. (2020). LAPSE:2020.0181
Author Affiliations
Zhou S: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China [ORCID]
Deng R: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China
Hursthouse A: Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Shale Gas Resource Utilization, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China; School Computing, Engineering & Physical Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK [ORCID]
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
8
Issue
1
Article Number
E29
Year
2019
Publication Date
2019-12-25
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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Original Submission
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PII: pr8010029, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2020.0181
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doi:10.3390/pr8010029
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Feb 12, 2020
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Original Submitter
Calvin Tsay
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