Traceability and dispersion of highly toxic soluble phases from historical mine tailings: insights from Pb isotope systematics.

ABSTRACT: Dispersion of potentially toxic elements associated with efflorescent crusts and mine tailings materials from historical mine sites threaten the environment and human health. Limited research has been done on traceability from historical mining sites in arid and semi-arid regions. Pb isotope systematics was applied to decipher the importance of identifying the mixing of lead sources involved in forming efflorescent salts and the repercussions on traceability. This research assessed mine waste (sulfide-rich and oxide-rich tailings material and efflorescent salts) and street dust from surrounding settlements at a historical mining site in northwestern Mexico, focusing on Pb isotope composition. The isotope data of tailings materials defined a trending line (R² = 0.9); the sulfide-

SUBMITTER: Del Rio-Salas R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11344714 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature