• Characterization of Mineralogical and Physicochemical Properties of Soils Contaminated with Metals at Gahak Mine
  • Lee, Choong Hyun;Lee, Seon Yong;Park, Chan Oh;Kim, Jong Won;Lee, Sang Hwan;Park, Mi Jeong;Jung, Moon Young;Lee, Young Jae;
  • Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Korea University;Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Korea University;Korea Resources Corporation;Geotechnical Department, Byucksan Engineering Corporation;Institute of Mine Reclamation Technology, Mine Reclamation Corporation;Institute of Mine Reclamation Technology, Mine Reclamation Corporation;Department of Bio & Environmental Eng., Semyung University, Choongbuk;Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Korea University;
  • 가학광산 주변 중금속 함유 토양입자의 이화학적·광물학적 특성연구
  • 이충현;이선용;박찬오;김종원;이상환;박미정;정문영;이영재;
  • 고려대학교 지구환경과학과;고려대학교 지구환경과학과;한국광물자원공사;벽산엔지니어링(주) 지반사업부;한국광해관리공단 광해기술연구소;한국광해관리공단 광해기술연구소;세명대학교 바이오환경공학과;고려대학교 지구환경과학과;
Abstract
Soil samples collected in an area of Gahak Mine were investigated for the characterization of mineralogical and physicochemical properties of contaminants in soils. It is found that soils in the study area are contaminated by lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), in which their concentrations are 595.3 mg/kg, 184.9 mg/kg, 712.8 mg/kg, and 10.64 mg/kg, respectively. All the concentrations exceed the concern criteria of Korean standard. Upon distribution patterns of metals identified by the sequential extraction procedure, our results show that more than 50% of metals are found as a residual type, and 30% are accounted for the association of Fe/Mn oxides. Interestingly, XRD results show that minium (Pb3O4) and cuprite (Cu2O) are identified in the soil samples, suggesting that the sources of the contaminants for Pb and Cu are these minerals. In SEM images, tens of µm of Pb oxides and Pb silicate-minerals are observed. We, therefore, note that the contamination of metals in the study area results from the direct influx and disturbance of tailings. Our findings indicate that the characterization of physicochemical and mineralogical properties of contaminated soils is a critical factor and plays an important role in optimizing recovery treatments of soils contaminated in mine development areas.

Keywords: Mineralogical properties;Contaminant speciation;Tailings;heavy metals;Soil contamination;

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This Article

  • 2015; 20(4): 83-89

    Published on Aug 31, 2015

  • 10.7857/JSGE.2015.20.4.083
  • Received on Jun 30, 2015
  • Revised on Jul 20, 2015
  • Accepted on Aug 3, 2015