Long-term Evolution of Pyrite Pollution and Its Cumulative Effects on the Environment

Zhouyuan Zhang

doi:10.54097/0r1ne212

Authors

Zhouyuan Zhang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/0r1ne212

Keywords:

Pyrite Pollution, Cumulative Environmental Impacts, Heavy Metal Speciation, Acid Mine Drainage, Ecosystem Resilience Thresholds

Abstract

Pyrite, as an important mineral resource, causes severe pollution during its exploitation and utilization, characterized by long-term persistence and complex cumulative environmental effects. This paper comprehensively reviews the process of pyrite pollution from its generation to long-term evolution and analyzes its cumulative impacts on environmental components such as soil, water, and atmosphere. The study reveals that pyrite pollution undergoes three stages: initial contamination, mid-term diffusion, and long-term accumulation and stabilization. These stages exert significant cumulative effects on various environmental elements, including soil acidification, heavy metal accumulation, water pollution, and atmospheric acid rain, severely damaging the structure and function of ecosystems. Although progress has been made in pollution control and mitigation, numerous challenges remain. The findings of this study hold significant importance for advancing research and governance of pyrite pollution, providing theoretical support and references for related efforts.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Adams, R. (2007). Environmental impacts of pyrite mining: A case study of the Davis Mine. Journal of Environmental Management, 84(3), 345-356.

[2] Aguilar, J., Dorronsoro, C., Fernández, E., Fernández, J., García, I., Martín, F., & Simón, M. (2004). Soil pollution by a pyrite mine spill in Spain: Evolution in time. Environmental Pollution, 132(3), 395-401.

[3] Bonnail, E., Sarmiento, A. M., Nieto, J. M., & DelValls, T. A. (2016). Assessment of metal contamination, bioavailability, and toxicity in sediments from the Guadiamar River (Iberian Pyrite Belt). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(17), 17351-17361.

[4] Cánovas, C. R., Olías, M., Nieto, J. M., Sarmiento, A. M., & Cerón, J. C. (2007). Hydrogeochemical characteristics of the Tinto and Odiel rivers (SW Spain). Science of the Total Environment, 373(1), 363-374.

[5] Fernández-Caliani, J. C., Barba-Brioso, C., González, I., & Galán, E. (2009). Heavy metal pollution in soils around the abandoned mine sites of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (Southwest Spain). Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 200(1-4), 211-226.

[6] Gabari, V., Fernández-Caliani, J. C., & Cantano, M. (2017). Long-term stability of metal immobilization by soil amendments in a contaminated minesoil. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 182, 247-255.

[7] Gál, N. E., Fernández-Caliani, J. C., & Miras, A. (2003). Geochemical characterization of acid mine drainage in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Applied Geochemistry, 18(3), 409-421.

[8] Hilson, G. (2000). Pollution prevention and cleaner production in the mining industry: An analysis of current issues. Journal of Cleaner Production, 8(2), 119-126.

[9] Hilson, G. (2003). Defining pollution prevention in the context of mining. Minerals Engineering, 16(4), 305-312.

[10] Hinojosa, M. B., Carreira, J. A., García-Ruíz, R., & Dick, R. P. (2008). Soil moisture pre-treatment effects on enzyme activities as indicators of heavy metal-contaminated and reclaimed soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40(7), 1556-1563.

[11] Li, C., Zhao, L., Chen, P., Ye, S., Yang, H., Gu, Y., Liu, S., Yang, Z., Hu, X., & Tan, X. (2024). Pyrite functionalized Black Soldier Fly feces biochar for mine soil quality improvement and heavy metals immobilization. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 191(Part A), 40-51.

[12] Liu, J., Wang, J., Qi, J., & Wang, C. (2010). Evaluation of thallium contamination from an open-mined Yunfu pyrite deposit, China. Environmental Earth Sciences, 61(4), 735-743.

[13] Lu, L. (2005). Environmental implications of heavy metal release from pyrite oxidation. Environmental Geology, 48(7), 874-880.

[14] Ma, T., Luo, H., Sun, J., Dang, Z., & Lu, G. (2024). The effect of heavy precipitation on the leaching of heavy metals from tropical coastal legacy tailings. Waste Management, 186, 1-10.

[15] Martín, F., Simón, M., García, I., & Dorronsoro, C. (2014). Pollution of carbonate soils in a Mediterranean climate due to a tailings spill. European Journal of Soil Science, 65(3), 321-330.

[16] McKibben, M. A., & Barnes, H. L. (1986). Oxidation of pyrite in low-temperature acidic solutions: Rate laws and surface textures. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 50(7), 1509-1520.

[17] Nieto, J. M., Sarmiento, A. M., Olías, M., Canovas, C. R., Riba, I., Kalman, J., & DelValls, T. A. (2007). Acid mine drainage pollution in the Tinto and Odiel rivers (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain). Environment International, 33(4), 445-455.

[18] Nordstrom, D. K., & Alpers, C. N. (1999). Geochemistry of acid mine waters. In The Environmental Geochemistry of Mineral Deposits (pp. 133-160). Society of Economic Geologists.

[19] Pagnanelli, F., Mainelli, S., & Toro, L. (2004). Heavy metal speciation in mining residues amended with reactive materials. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 110(1-3), 109-116.

[20] Romero, A., González, I., & Galán, E. (2006). The role of effluents from abandoned mines in the degradation of water quality in the Odiel River Basin (SW Spain). Environmental Geology, 50(8), 1231-1242.

[21] Sarmiento, A. M., Nieto, J. M., & Olías, M. (2009). Hydrochemical characteristics and seasonal influence on acid mine drainage in the Odiel River Basin (SW Spain). Applied Geochemistry, 24(4), 697-714.

[22] Singer, P. C., & Stumm, W. (1970). Acid mine drainage: The rate-determining step. Science, 167(3921), 1121-1123.

[23] Wang, C., Chen, Y., Pan, J., Zhang, P., & Qi, J. (2012). Speciation analysis of metals in pyrite cinder from Yunfu Mine, China. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 31(2), 215-222.