The Source, Mobility and Fate of Bismuth (Bi) in Legacy Mine Waste, Yxsjöberg, Sweden-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

The Source, Mobility and Fate of Bismuth (Bi) in Legacy Mine Waste, Yxsjöberg, Sweden

Published:2024-01-24 Issue:2 Volume:14 Page:122
ISSN:2075-163X
Container-title:Minerals
language:en
Short-container-title:Minerals

Author:

Hällström Lina P. B.¹,Gustafsson Jon Petter²

Affiliation:

1. Applied Geochemistry, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden

2. Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7014, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

The usage of bismuth (Bi), a critical and strategic raw material, has increased in the last 10 years. At present, the knowledge of Bi geochemistry is too limited to develop accurate mine waste and water management strategies to prevent environmental impact. Therefore, its geochemistry was studied in historical tailings in Yxsjöberg, Sweden. Intact tailings cores and shore samples were geochemically and mineralogically analyzed. Groundwater was sampled between 2016 and 2021 and analyzed for 71 elements and (SO4, F, Cl). The results were correlated with metals and dissolved organic matter (DOC), which have been previously published. The total concentrations, sequential extraction and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) mapping indicated that Bi had been mobilized from the primary mineral bismuthinite (Bi2S3). In the oxidized tailings from both the cores and shore, Bi was hypothesized to have adsorbed to iron (Fe) (hydr)oxides, which prohibited high concentrations of Bi leaching into the groundwater and surface water. Dissolved Bi in groundwater was significantly correlated with DOC. In surface water, dissolved Bi was transported more than 5 km from the tailings. This study indicates that Bi can become mobile from legacy mine waste due to the oxidation of bismuthinite and either be scavenged by adsorption of Fe (hydr)oxides or kept mobile in groundwater and surface water due to complexation with DOC.

Funder

Geological Survey of Sweden

Vinnova

Center of Advanced Mining and Metallurgy (CAMM2) at LTU

Publisher

MDPI AG

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/2/122/pdf

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