Arsenic and Heavy Metals in Sediments Affected by Typical Gold Mining Areas in Southwest China: Accumulation, Sources and Ecological Risks.

ABSTRACT: Gold mining is associated with serious heavy metal pollution problems. However, the studies on such pollution caused by gold mining in specific geological environments and extraction processes remain insufficient. This study investigated the accumulation, fractions, sources and influencing factors of arsenic and heavy metals in the sediments from a gold mine area in Southwest China and also assessed their pollution and ecological risks. During gold mining, As, Sb, Zn, and Cd in the sediments were affected, and their accumulation and chemical activity were relatively high. Gold mining is the main source of As, Sb, Zn and Cd accumulation in sediments (over 40.6%). Some influential factors cannot be ignored, i.e., water transport, local lithology, proportion of mild acido-soluble fraction (F<

SUBMITTER: Chen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9859441 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature