Immobilization of Chromium by Iron Oxides in Nickel-Cobalt Laterite Mine Tailings.

ABSTRACT: Mine tailings generated from hydrometallurgical processing of nickel-cobalt laterite deposits contain high levels of chromium (Cr), with the hexavalent species being a toxic pollutant and carcinogen. However, the partitioning, speciation, and local bonding environment of Cr in the mine tailings remain largely unknown, hindering our ability to predict its toxicity and long-term behavior. Coupling detailed mineralogical, spectroscopic, and geochemical characterization with sequential extraction of tailings from active and rehabilitated dams, we show that Cr is present in its least toxic form, Cr(III), and largely immobilized by recalcitrant minerals. This immobilization also regulates dissolved Cr concentrations in the interacting waters to levels up to five times lower than the global regul

SUBMITTER: Delina RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11948461 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature