Post-rehabilitation environmental hazard of Cu, Zn, As and Pb at the derelict Conrad Mine, eastern Australia

Environ Pollut. 2007 Jul;148(2):491-500. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.12.016. Epub 2007 Jan 31.

Abstract

A post-rehabilitation audit of the derelict Conrad base metal mine, eastern Australia, indicates ongoing environmental hazard regarding acid mine drainage and concentrations of arsenic and lead to 3 wt% in the soil and sediment. In order to rehabilitate remote contaminated sites effectively, on-site analyses should be carried out to ensure that the materials used to rehabilitate the site are not contaminant-bearing. Understanding the geomorphic setting of the rehabilitated areas is also important in understanding where, and for what period, contaminated materials might be stored in fluvial systems downstream of mine workings. Chemical and geomorphic audits should form a fundamental part of all rehabilitation works to ensure favourable environmental outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Arsenic / analysis
  • Copper / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Geologic Sediments*
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lead / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis*
  • Mining*
  • New South Wales
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Soil / analysis
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis
  • Water / chemistry
  • Zinc / analysis

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Water
  • Lead
  • Copper
  • Zinc
  • Arsenic