Waste rocks (WRs) from a lignite-producing coalfield and fly ash (FA) produced from the same lignite have been investigated in this study with a primary objective to determine the potential for co-disposal of WRs and FA to reduce the environmental contamination. Mixing WRs with FA and covering WRs with FA have been investigated. Particle size effect caused ≤2 mm particles to produce low pH (~2) and metal-laden leachates, indicating higher sulphide minerals’ reactivity compared to larger particles (≤10 mm, pH ~ 4). Co-disposal of FA as mixture showed an instantaneous effect, resulting in higher pH (~3–6) and better leachate quality. However, acidity produced by secondary mineralisation caused stabilisation of pH at around 4.5–5. In contrast, the pH of the leachates from the cover method gradually increased from strongly acidic (pH ~ 2) to mildly acidic (pH ~ 4–5) and circumneutral (pH ~ 7) along with a decrease in EC and elemental leaching. Gradually increasing pH can be attributed to the cover effect, which reduces the oxygen diffusion, thus sulphide oxidation. FA cover achieved the pH necessary for secondary mineralisation during the leaching experiment. The co-disposal of FA as cover and/or mixture possesses the potential for neutralisation and/or slowing down AMD and improving leachate quality.

Riverine Fe input is the primary Fe source for the ocean. This study is focused on the distribution of Fe along the Lena River freshwater plume in the Laptev Sea using samples from a 600 km long transect in front of the Lena River mouth. Separation of the particulate ( >  0.22 μm), colloidal (0.22 μm–1 kDa), and truly dissolved (<  1 kDa) fractions of Fe was carried out. The total Fe concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 57μM with Fe dominantly as particulate Fe. The loss of >  99% of particulate Fe and about 90% of the colloidal Fe was observed across the shelf, while the truly dissolved phase was almost constant across the Laptev Sea. Thus, the truly dissolved Fe could be an important source of bioavailable Fe for plankton in the central Arctic Ocean, together with the colloidal Fe. Fe-isotope analysis showed that the particulate phase and the sediment below the Lena River freshwater plume had negative δ⁵⁶Fe values (relative to IRMM-14). The colloidal Fe phase showed negative δ⁵⁶Fe values close to the river mouth (about -0.20 ‰) and positive δ⁵⁶Fe values in the outermost stations (about +0.10 ‰). We suggest that the shelf zone acts as a sink for Fe particles and colloids with negative δ⁵⁶Fe values, representing chemically reactive ferrihydrites. The positive δ⁵⁶Fe values of the colloidal phase within the outer Lena River freshwater plume might represent Fe oxyhydroxides, which remain in the water column, and will be the predominant δ⁵⁶Fe composition in the Arctic Ocean.

Lignite fly ash (FA) and waste rocks (WRs) were mixed in three different ratios (1:1, 1:3 and 1:5) and studied to compare the effects of adding FA on acid mine drainage generation from coal mining WRs, leachability of elements and the potential occurrence of the secondary minerals. FA mixed with WRs showed significant differences in pH levels compared to previous research. The 1:1 mixture performed best of all the three mixtures in terms of pH and leachability of elements, mainly due to the higher proportion of FA in the mixture. The pH in the 1:1 mixtures varied between 3.3 and 5.1 compared to other mixtures (2.3–3.5). Iron and SO₄²⁻ leached considerably less from the 1:1 mixture compared to the others, indicating that the oxidation of sulphides was weaker in this mixture. Aluminium leached to a high degree from all mixtures, with concentrations varying from mg L⁻¹ to g L⁻¹. The reason behind this increase is probably the addition of FA which, due to acidic conditions and the composition of the FA, increases the availability of Al. For the same reason, high concentrations of Mn and Zn were also measured. Geochemical modelling indicates that the 1:1 mixture performs better in terms of precipitation of Al³⁺ minerals, whereas Fe³⁺ minerals precipitated more in mixtures containing less FA. These results suggest that, with time, the pores could possibly be filled with these secondary minerals and sulphate salts (followed by a decrease in sulphide oxidation), improving the pore water pH and decreasing the leachability of elements. Since grain size plays a crucial role in the reactivity of sulphides, there is a risk that the results from the leaching tests may have been influenced by crushing and milling of the WR samples.

The present study addresses the geotechnical and chemical properties of sealing materials using a paper mill by-product, fly ash, on top of sulfide-bearing mine waste tailings after 5 years of field application. From a geotechnical perspective, the low in situ bulk density (≤ 1500 kg/m³) ensured a high degree of water saturation (90.2%) for the field-applied ash. The chemical characteristics and behaviors of the fly ash samples reflected a high long-term leaching capacity (liquid-to-solid ratio of 10 cm³/g) and high alkalinity (liquid-to-solid ratio of up to 500 cm³/g). The laboratory leaching results suggested that none of the elements released from the field-applied ash exceeded the EU limits for inert materials, and the concentrations of elements were far below the limits for hazardous materials at landfill sites. Based on the in situ and laboratory characterizations of the field-applied ash, the fly ash sealing material was considered geotechnically stable. However, a number of geotechnical parameters could not be measured due to the cementation of the ash. Moreover, the chemical composition of the field-applied ash exhibited considerable variations when compared with that of the raw ash generated from the same paper mill. Overall, the field-applied ash displayed high alkalinity and effectively buffered the acid generated from sulfidic tailings for long-term sealing purposes.

Isotopic information may provide powerful insight into the elemental cycling processes which occur in natural compartments. Further implementation of isotopic techniques in natural sciences requires a better understanding of the range of elemental and isotopic compositional variability in environmental matrices. This study assesses the local-scale concentration and isotopic composition variability of nine elements: boron (B), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), strontium (Sr), thallium (Tl), and zinc (Zn) in lysimetric waters, mushrooms, litter, needles, leaves, and lichens. Sequential extractions were also performed on soil samples from 6 depth profiles providing more detailed information on the variability of elemental concentrations and isotope ratios between the elemental pools present in soil. For most of the sample types studied the range of isotopic variability between samples spans almost the entire ranges reported in the literature for natural samples. These results represent a starting point for discussing the role of natural variability in isotopic studies (for example, as a limiting factor in the use of isotopic mixing models) and a baseline for future in-depth studies examining the controls on isotope fraction in natural systems

Sealing layers made of two alkaline paper mill by-products, fly ash and green liquor dregs, were placed on top of 50-year-old sulfide-containing tailings as a full-scale remediation approach. The performance and effectiveness of the sealing layers with high water content for an oxygen barrier and low hydraulic conductivity for a sealing layer in preventing the formation of acid rock drainage were evaluated 5 years after the remediation. The leaching behavior of the covered tailings was studied using batch leaching tests (L/S ratio 10 L/kg). The leaching results revealed that, in general, the dregs- and ash-covered tailings released relatively lower concentrations of many elements contained in acid rock drainage compared to those from the uncovered tailings. A change in the chemical composition and mineralogical state of the tailings was observed for the tailings beneath the covers. The increase in pH caused by the alkaline materials promoted metal precipitation. Geochemical modeling using PHREEQC confirmed most of the geochemical changes of the covered tailings. Both the ash and dregs showed potential to function as sealing materials in terms of their geochemical properties. However, mobilization of Zn and Ni from the lower part of the dregs-covered tailings was observed. The same phenomenon was observed for the lower part of the ash-covered tailings. Ash showed advantages over dregs as a cover material; based on geochemical studies, the ash immobilized more elements than the dregs did. Lysimeters were installed below the sealing layers, and infiltrating water chemistry and hydrology were studied to monitor the amount and quality of the leachate percolating through

Green liquor dregs (GLD), a residual product from sulfate paper mills, was blended with tailings, fly ash, and bark sludge with the aim of improving the material’s physical properties so that it could function as a sealing layer in dry covers on sulfidic mine waste. Geotechnical and geochemical investigations, including weathering cell tests, were carried out on GLD with admixtures to assess their effectiveness. Due to its alkaline character, GLD was shown to have the potential to improve leachate quality by decreasing metal mobility when blended with tailings. The admixtures showed favorable sealing layer properties such as high water retention capacity and low hydraulic conductivity. However, caution must be exercised when the dregs are blended with tailings containing large amounts of As and Mo, since increased leaching of these elements may be expected.

An analytical procedure allowing multi-elemental analyses and isotope ratio measurements of eight of these (B, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Sr, Tl and Zn) in matrices relevant for bio-monitoring using a single highpressure acid digestion was developed. Method blanks, separation efficiency of matrix elements, repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated using sets of preparation blanks, certified reference materials and duplicate samples prepared and analyzed over a period of several months. The method was used to assess the natural variability of concentrations and isotopic compositions in bio-indicators (tree leaves, needles and mushrooms, over 240 samples) collected mainly from a confined area in North-East Sweden. Ranges found from leaves and needles were compared with data obtained for limited numbers of samples collected in Spain, Italy, France, United Kingdom and Iceland.

Sewage sludge residue (biosolids) was investigated for its potential as a long-term tailings cover. Biosolids may prevent oxygen diffusion into underlying sulfide tailings through microbial aerobic biodegradation of organic matter. Biosolids were investigated at laboratory-, pilot-, and field-scale using analysis of total organic matter (TOM) mass reduction and O2, CO2, CH4 concentrations to quantify the biodegradation rate. A 156-day, open microcosm experiment, in which the loss of biosolids mass over time at differing temperatures, mimicking ambient (20–22 °C), mesophilic (34 °C), and thermophilic (50 °C) conditions, indicated that TOM biodegradation was best in the mesophilic temperature range, with 14.8, 27.2, and 26.7 % mass depletion at ambient, mesophilic, and thermophilic conditions, respectively. The data was correlated to field-scale data that evaluated biodegradation rates via decreasing O2 and increasing CO2 concentrations. Field biodegradation rates were less than laboratory rates because lower mean annual temperatures (0.6–0.7 °C) diminished microbial activity. A calibrated model indicates that 20 % of a field application of biosolids will degrade within 2 years. However, the rate declines with time due to exhaustion of the most readily degradable organic fraction. If biodegradation cannot be maintained, the long-term effectiveness of biosolids as a covering material for mine tailings remains a concern.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) due to the oxidation of sulphide bearing waste rock (WR) is a common environmental problem associated with coal extraction. Therefore, WRs from a lignite producing coal field in Pakistan and Lignite (PK), bituminous (FI) and biomass (SE) fly ashes (FAs) were mineralogically and chemically characterised to i) estimate the potential of WRs for generating AMD ii) estimate their deteriorating effects on natural waters, and iii) evaluate the FAs for their potential to minimise the impacts of WRs by preventing and/or neutralising AMD. The WRs were composed of quartz, pyrite, arsenopyrite, kaolinite, hematite and gypsum with traces of calcite, malladerite, spangolite, franklinite and birnessite. The major elements Si, Al, Ca and Fe were in the range (wt. %) of 8 – 12, 6 – 9, 0.3 – 3 and 1 – 10, respectively, with high S concentrations (1.94 – 11.33 wt. %). All FAs contained quartz, with iron oxide, anhydrite and magnesioferrite in PK, mullite and lime in FI and calcite and anorthite in SE. The Ca content in SE was 6 and 8 times higher compared to PK and FI, respectively.The WRs had considerable potential for generating AMD with net neutralisation potential corresponding to-70 to-492 kg CaCO3 tonne-1. FAs showed to have sufficient acid neutralisation potential corresponding to 20 – 275 kg CaCO3 tonne-1 , SE being the most alkaline probably due to the higher Ca content. The element leaching varied between the WRs due to their chemical and mineralogical composition and pH conditions during the weathering cell test for 28 weeks. However, in general, the leachates from the more acidic WRs were enriched about 3 to 4 orders of magnitude for certain elements compared to the less acidic WRs. The concentrations of Ca, SO42-, Na and Cl in the leachates were much higher compared to other elements from all FA samples. Iron, Cu and Hg were not detected in any of the FA leachates because of pH ranging from 9 to 13.Overall, the WRs had considerable potential for AMD generation and element leaching, therefore, deteriorate natural waters within the mining area. FAs, on the other hand, possess potential to minimise the impacts of WRs on the environment, due to their buffering capacity. However, the FAs vary in chemical composition and buffering capacity depending on their source, which makes it a possible challenge for utilisation.

To gather further data about metal mobility in accumulated sediments in stormwater treatment facilities, metal mobility in sediments from sedimentation tanks, gully pot sediment traps, and sedimentation ponds was investigated using the sequential extraction procedure. This method allows distinguishing the metal speciation between ion-exchangeable, carbonate-associated, reducible, organic matter/sulfide-associated, and residual fractions. The metal fractionation reveals that, for all treatment facilities, the majority of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn and a significant amount of Ni were in potentially mobile forms. Cd, Pb, and Zn are, to a large extent, associated with Fe-Mn oxides while Cu is commonly present as Cu–organic matter complexes. The metals in these potentially mobile fractions may represent a potential environmental hazard, e.g., due to release during maintenance (sediment removal) when the chemical phase distribution might change.

Different alkaline residue materials (fly ash, green liquor dregs, and lime mud) generated from the pulp and paper industry as sealing materials were evaluated to cover aged mine waste tailings (

Acid mine drainage (AMD) due to the oxidation of sulphide bearing waste rock (WR) is a common environmental problem associated with coal extraction. Therefore, WRs from the Lakhra coal field in Pakistan, were studied to i) perform a mineralogical and chemical characterisation, ii) determine the AMD generating potential and iii) estimate the leachability of elements. The chemical and mineralogical composition was studied using ICP, XRF, XRD and SEM. Acid base accounting and weathering cell test determined the acid producing potential of WRs. Besides organic material, the WRs were composed of quartz, pyrite, kaolinite, hematite and gypsum with varying amounts of calcite, lime, malladerite, spangolite, franklinite and birnessite. The major elements Si, Al, Ca and Fe were in the range (wt.%) of 8–12, 6–9, 0.3–3 and 1–10, respectively, with high S concentrations (19.4–113.3 g/kg). Trace elements were in the range (mg/kg) As (0.3–8), Cd (0.2–0.4), Co (15–75), Cr (67–111), Cu (25–101), Hg (0.1–0.2), Ni (50–107), Pb (8–20) and Zn (75–135). The AMD potential of WRs ranged from − 70 to − 492 kg CaCO3/tonne. During the test period of 192 days, the pH of leachates from very acidic WRs was maintained from 1 to 2.5, whereas, the less acidic WRs produced leachates of mildly acidic (2.7) to neutral (7.3) pH. The leachates from very acidic WRs ranged in the element concentrations of Fe, SO42 − and Al from mg/L to g/L and As, B, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn from μg/L to mg/L. However, the leachates from less acidic WRs contained all major elements in mg/L and trace elements in μg/L concentrations except for B and Mn that ranged from μg/L to mg/L. The results show that the studied WRs have mild to strong acid producing potential and have the capacity to deteriorate natural water quality significantly. Therefore, necessary preventive or/and acid neutralising measures are strongly suggested.

Lignite (PK), bituminous (FI) and biomass (SE) fly ashes (FAs) were mineralogically and geochemically characterised, and their element leachability was studied with batch leaching tests. The potential for acid neutralisation (ANP) was quantified by their buffering capacity, reflecting their potential for neutralisation of acid mine drainage. Quartz was the common mineral in FAs detected by XRD with iron oxide, anhydrite, and magnesioferrite in PK, mullite and lime in FI, and calcite and anorthite in SE. All the FAs had high contents of major elements such as Fe, Si, Al and Ca. The Ca content in SE was six and eight times higher compared to PK and FI, respectively. Sulphur content in PK and SE was one magnitude higher than FI. Iron concentrations were higher in PK. The trace element concentrations varied between the FAs. SE had the highest ANP (corresponding to 275 kg CaCO3 tonne-1) which was 15 and 10 times higher than PK and FI, respectively. The concentrations of Ca2+, SO4 2-, Na+ and Cl- in the leachates were much higher compared to other elements from all FA samples. Iron, Cu and Hg were not detected in any of the FA leachates because of their mild to strong alkaline nature with pH ranging from 9 to 13. Potassium leached in much higher quantity from SE than from the other ashes. Arsenic, Mn and Ni leached from PK only, while Co and Pb from SE only. The concentrations of Zn were higher in the leachates from SE. The FAs used in this study have strong potential for the neutralisation of AMD due to their alkaline nature. However, on the other hand, FAs must be further investigated, with scaled-up experiments before full-scale application, because they might leach pronounced concentrations of elements of concern with decreasing pH while neutralising AMD.

One of the mining industry's main concerns is the management of waste rock and tailings generated by sulfide ore extraction. Upon exposure of atmospheric oxygen, iron sulfides oxidize generating acidity. Infiltrating water form a metal-rich acidic leachate called acid mine drainage (AMD), that can cause serious environmental problems. Green liquor dregs (GLD) is a material that resists the passage of oxygen and water and could thus be used to seal mine wastes, preventing their oxidation and AMD formation. To enable its use in dry mine waste covers, the long-term efficiency of such GLD sealing layers must be evaluated. In this study, fresh GLD and GLD aged for 3 to 13 years was collected from two sites and analysed to determine how aging affects its chemical and physical properties. Aged and fresh GLD were very similar with respect to all the properties important in a sealing layer. In particular, there was no evidence of calcite dissolution in aged GLD samples. Aged GLD also exhibited high water saturation (>91%) and chemical stability, both of which are important for effective long-term sealing. The shear strength of GLD deployed in the field increased over time but not sufficiently to ensure the long-term physical integrity of a pure GLD sealing layer. The development of hybrid materials with improved shear strength will therefore be necessary.

A common solution to minimize formation of acid rock drainage in sulfide-bearing mine waste is to construct a composite cover comprising till. Due to a shortage of fine-grained till close to mines, other sealant materials must be considered. Here, the feasibility of using green liquor dregs (GLD), an alkaline and inorganic residual waste, as an additive to improve low quality till in the construction of sealing layers in cover system designs was studied. GLD was blended with three types of till in a pilot scale study. 10–15 % (wet weight) GLD was found to be sufficient to take full advantage of the physical properties of the residual waste. Different mixing techniques were also evaluated. The results showed that the quality of till, i.e., hydraulic conductivity and water retention capacity, could be improved by addition of 10 % GLD. Short duration and efficient mixing was preferred as vigorous mixing released water bound in the GLD, resulting in increased w and reduced compaction efficiency, making the blended material difficult to apply and use in sealing layer constructions.

To evaluate the potential suitability of digested sewage sludge (frequently termed biosolids) for use as underwater cover material for mine waste tailings, the degradability of biosolids at 20 − 22 °C under flooded anaerobic conditions was evaluated during incubation for 230 days. Leaching of elements from the flooded anaerobic system was also evaluated. Biosolid degradation was confirmed by the generation and accumulation of CH4 and CO2. Specifically, approximately 1.65 mmoL gas/g biosolids was generated as a result of incubation, corresponding to degradation of 7.68 % of the organic matter, and the residue was stable at the end of the laboratory experiment. Under field conditions in northern Sweden, it is expected that the degradation rate will be much slower than that observed in the present study (Nason et al. Environ Earth Sci 70:30933105, 2013). Although the majority of biosolid fractions (>92 %) were shown to be recalcitrant during the incubation period, long-term monitoring of further degradability of residue is necessary. The leaching results showed that most of the metals and metalloids leached from the biosolids at day 230 were below the limit value for non-hazardous waste, although Ni was the only element approximately three times higher than the limit value for inert material at the landfill site. In conclusion, biosolids have potential for use as covering material for underwater storage of tailings based on their biodegradability and leaching of elements.

Bioleaching is an important process in metallurgy and in environmental sciences, either for the acquisition of metals or for the formation of acid rock drainage. In this study the implications of the processes during bioleaching of a pyritic chalcopyrite concentrate were analysed regarding its Cu and Fe isotope fractionation. The development of the redox potential during the bioleaching experiment was then simulated in an electrochemical cell in absence of microorganisms to investigate the effect of microbial activity on the Cu and Fe isotope fractionations. The leaching experiments were performed for 28 days at 45 °C with a solid content of 2.5% (w/v) at pH 1.5. It was found that Cu dissolution efficiency was similar in both experiments and the leaching curves were linear with no sign of passivation due to presence of pyrite. The heavy Cu isotope (δ65Cu) was leached more easily and as a result the leachate was enriched with the heavy Cu isotope at the beginning of both experiments and as the leaching progressed δ65Cu values in the leachate became similar to the ones of the chalcopyrite concentrate, confirming an equilibrium fractionation happening in a closed system. There was no distinct difference in the Cu and Fe isotope fractionations in absence and presence of microorganisms. Finally based on Cu and Fe isotope signatures, a simplified method is suggested for the estimation of the leaching extent during the oxidisation of sulphide materials in natural systems.

The in situ dynamics of repeated percolation of rainwater through unoxidized mine tailings was simulated using a modified column test to predict long-term weathering characteristics. Fly ash, green liquor dregs, and lime mud waste materials from the paper mill industry were used in the column tests to assess the effect of alkaline paper mill residue on pH buffering and controlling the mobility of metals and semi-metals from the tailings. The experiment was continued for 15 cycles, each comprising reaction, leaching, and idle steps (1 week per step). The cumulative percolated water through the tailings represented a liquid:solid ratio of 1.6. The leached content of inorganic elements decreased with time in both the covered and the uncovered tailings. The presence of the alkaline materials consistently reduced the mobility of most contaminants (e.g. Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn), but not As. The leachate was modeled using PHREEQC. XRD analysis of the remaining tailings samples after termination of the test showed detectable variations in mineral composition. The alkaline residue products all fulfilled the requirements as a cover material from a geochemical prospective, with the exception of As. The green liquor dregs and lime cover increased the pH of the tailings more rapidly than did the fly ash.

Uptake and cycling of nitrogen (N) in the littoral zone of a lake-receiving nutrient-rich mine water located in Boliden, northern Sweden, was investigated. Stable isotope tracer solutions of 15N as NH4 + (NAM mesocosm) or NO3 − (NOX mesocosm) were added to mesocosms enclosing plants of common reed (Phragmites australis). The 15N abundance in various plant parts was measured at pre-defined time intervals over an experimental period of 22 days. During the course of the experiment, plant parts from the NAM mesocosms were significantly more enriched in 15N than plant parts from the NOX mesocosms. On day 13, Δδ15N values of the fine roots from the NAM mesocosms had reached +8220 ‰, while the maximum Δδ15N value in NOX roots was considerably lower at +4430 ‰. Using 15N values in macrophyte tissues present at the end of the experiment enabled calculations of uptake rates and % of tracer N recovered in the plant (%tracerNrecov). Maximum tracer uptake rates were higher for the NAM mesocosms (1.4 µg g−1 min−1 or 48 mg N m−2 d−1) compared to the NOX mesocosms (0.23 µg g−1 min−1 or 8.5 mg N m−2 d−1). Calculations of %tracerNrecov indicated that 1–8 and 25–44 % of added N was assimilated by plants in the NOX and NAM mesocosms, respectively. Hence, P. australis was more effective in assimilating NH4 +, and a larger portion of the tracer N accumulated in the roots compared to the other plant parts. Consequently, macrophyte N removal is most effective for cold-climate aquatic systems receiving mine water dominated by NH4 +. For permanent removal of N, the whole plant (including the roots) should be harvested.

Novel solutions for sulfide-mine tailings remediation were evaluated in field-scale experiments on a former tailings repository in northern Sweden. Uncovered sulfide-tailings were compared to sewage-sludge biosolid amended tailings over 2 years. An application of a 0.2 m single-layer sewage-sludge amendment was unsuccessful at preventing oxygen ingress to underlying tailings. It merely slowed the sulfide-oxidation rate by 20%. In addition, sludge-derived metals (Cu, Ni, Fe, and Zn) migrated and precipitated at the tailings-to-sludge interface. By using an additional 0.6 m thick fly-ash sealing layer underlying the sewage sludge layer, a solution to mitigate oxygen transport to the underlying tailings and minimize sulfide-oxidation was found. The fly-ash acted as a hardened physical barrier that prevented oxygen diffusion and provided a trap for sludge-borne metals. Nevertheless, the biosolid application hampered the application, despite the advances in the effectiveness of the fly-ash layer, as sludge-borne nitrate leached through the cover system into the underlying tailings, oxidizing pyrite. This created a 0.3 m deep oxidized zone in 6-years. This study highlights that using sewage sludge in unconventional cover systems is not always a practical solution for the remediation of sulfide-bearing mine tailings to mitigate against sulfide weathering and acid rock drainage formation

The efficiency of biogeochemical mapping for identifying acid sulphate soils (AS soils) was studied by sampling and analysing water, transplanted aquatic moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) and leaves of the vascular plant Calamagrostis purpurea at two sites in a stream in northern Sweden with AS soils in its drainage area. One upstream sampling station (Mårtsmarken) was situated in an area dominated by till, and a downstream station (Persraningen) was situated in an area where AS soils are common. Metal contents in F. antipyretica and C. purpurea at these sites were compared to those in water (both unfiltered samples, and samples subjected to 0.22 μm membrane filtration and 1 kDa ultrafiltration to obtain data on metal speciation and its effects on uptake). Oxidation of sulphides with associated increases in acidity and release of metals were clearly reflected by differences in the water samples. At Persraningen the pH was lower than at Mårtsmarken, and the unfiltered concentrations of Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, S, Sr, Y and Zn were higher. At the upstream station, Mårtsmarken, the suspended fraction was an important carrier of Fe and P, and the colloidal concentrations were higher than or similar to the dissolved concentrations for all determined elements except Na and K. At Persraningen the low pH resulted in changes of speciation, so that the dissolved concentrations were higher than the colloidal concentrations for most elements. For Al, As, Cr, Cu, Pb and Y, the dissolved and colloidal concentrations were similar. For Fe, the colloidal concentration was usually higher than the dissolved concentration, and suspended Fe was detected. Aluminium, Cr, Cu, Fe and Y concentrations were significantly higher in Fontinalis antipyretica at Persraningen than at Mårtsmarken. In addition, concentrations of Al and Fe in C. purpurea were significantly higher at Persraningen. Our results highlight the potential of biogeochemical mapping for predicting the occurrence of AS soils. A limitation is the strong pH dependence of the uptake of metals in the aquatic mosses resulting in that only a few of the elements typically occurring at high concentrations in waters draining AS soils are enriched in the macrophytes. A combination of maps showing both absolute concentrations and elemental ratios would be useful for this, including not only ratios of previously suggested utility (e.g. Y:Pb and Ni:Pb), but also others, such as Y:Ca, Al:Ca, Cu:Ca, Y:Mg, Al:Mg and Cu:Mg. © 2014 AAG/The Geological Society of London.

Various stages of an analytical method for high-precision cadmium (Cd) isotope ratio measurements by MC-ICP-MS (sample preparation, matrix separation, instrumental analysis and data evaluation) were critically evaluated and optimized for the processing of carbon-rich environmental samples. Overall reproducibility of the method was assessed by replicate preparation and Cd isotope ratio measurements in various environmental matrices (soil, sediment, Fe-Mn nodules, sludge, kidney, liver, leaves) and was found to be better than 0.1‰ (2σ for δ114Cd/110Cd) for the majority of samples. Cd isotope ratio data for several commercially-available reference materials are presented and compared with previously published results where available. The method was used in a pilot study focusing on the assessment of factors affecting Cd isotope composition in tree leaves. A summary of results obtained for a large number (n > 80) of birch (Betula pubescenes) leaves collected from different locations in Sweden and through the entire growing season is presented and potential reasons for observed variability in Cd isotope composition are discussed. Seasonal dynamics of element concentrations and isotope compositions in leaves were also compared for Os, Pb, Zn and Cd.

Using alternative materials such as residual products from other industries to mitigate the negative effects of acid rock drainage would simultaneously solve two environmental problems. The main residual product still landfilled by sulphate paper mills is the alkaline material green liquor dregs (GLD). A physical, mineralogical and chemical characterization of four batches of GLD was carried out to evaluate the potential to use it as a sealing layer in the construction of dry covers on sulphide-bearing mine waste. GLD has relatively low hydraulic conductivity (10−8 to 10−9 m/s), a high water retention capacity (WRC) and small particle size. Whilst the chemical and mineralogical composition varied between the different batches, these variations were not reflected in properties such as hydraulic conductivity and WRC. Due to relatively low trace element concentrations, leaching of contaminants from the GLD is not a concern for the environment. However, GLD is a sticky material, difficult to apply on mine waste deposits and the shear strength is insufficient for engineering applications. Therefore, improving the mechanical properties is necessary. In addition, GLD has a high buffering capacity indicating that it could act as an alkaline barrier. Once engineering technicalities have been overcome, the long-term effectiveness of GLD should be studied, especially the effect of aging and how the sealing layer would be engineered in respect to topography and climatic conditions.

Previous studies showed that 85 % of total organic matter (TOM) in digested sewage sludge (biosolids) used as a sealing layer material over sulfide tailings at the Kristineberg Mine, northern Sweden had been degraded 8 years after application, resulting in a TOM reduction from 78 % to 14 %. To achieve a better understanding of the field observations, laboratory studies were performed to evaluate biodegradation rates of the TOM under anaerobic conditions. Results reveal that the original biosolid consisted of ca. 60 % TOM (48.0 % lignin and 11.8 % carbohydrates) that had not been fully degraded. The incubation experiments proved that 27.8 % TOM in the biosolid was further degraded anaerobically at 20-22 C during the 230 d incubation period, and that a plateau to the biodegradation rate was approached. Based on model results, the degradation constant was found to be 0.0125 (day-1). The calculated theoretical gas formation potential was ca. 50 % higher than the modeled results based on the average degradation rate. Cumulated H2S equated to 0.65 µmoL*g-1 of biosolid at 230 d. However, the large sulfurous compounds reservoir (1.76 g SO42- kg-1 biosolid) together with anaerobic conditions, can generate high concentrations of this gas over a long-term perspective. Due to the rate of biodegradability identified via anaerobic processes, the function of the biosolid to serve as an effective barrier to inhibit oxygen migration to underlying tailings, may decrease over time. However, a lack of readily degradable organic fractions in the biosolid and a large fraction of organic matter that was recalcitrant to degradation suggests a longer degradation duration, which would prolong the biosolid material’s function and integrity.

The potential to use the alkaline residue products fly ash, green liquor dregs, and lime mud originating from paper mills as dry cover materials to seal tailings has been investigated. Metals concentration in lime mud and fly ash had the lowest and highest contents, respectively. The tailings (less than 1% sulfur content, primarily pyrite) were disposed about 50 years ago and originated from the former Rönnskär mine site in Sweden. The results of chemical composition analysis shows that the raw unoxidized tailings are active towards oxidation, while the components of the adjacent oxidized tailings are not. To quantify the release of metals from the tailings and to evaluate the effect of a sealing layer on oxidation and weathering of the tailings, batch leaching tests were conducted in which leachate from alkaline residue materials was fed to the tailings. The results show that a higher concentration of most trace elements is leached from the unoxidized tailings than from the oxidized tailings. Except As and Cr, the rest of analyzed metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb) became immobilized in response to the increased pH as a consequence of the amendment. The three tested alkaline amendments show a similar potential for preventing the release of metals (with the exception of As and Cr) from the tailings. Under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions, microbial activity was found to be of minor importance. XRD analysis of the field samples revealed that it was feasible to use alkaline residue products in covering tailings, and that it was advantageous to use ash as a cover material more than dregs.

At Kimheden, a small copper mine in northern Sweden, reclamation of the two open pits was investigated using ground penetrating radar and geoelectrical multiple-gradient array measurements. The pits had been backfilled with waste rock, with a dry cover being applied on top in 1996 in order to reduce the influx of oxygen to the sulphidic mine waste and the subsequent production of acid mine drainage. The dry cover consists of a sealing layer of clayey till and a protective layer of unsorted till. As geochemical sampling in the drainage from the pits had previously revealed the continued release of contaminating oxidation products, the purpose of the geophysical survey undertaken in 2010 was to identify deficiencies in the cover or other pathways for oxygen to reach the waste rock. The radar images did not reveal any damage in the sealing layer but risks of deterioration of the cover in the long term were identified with both the radar and geoelectrical data. The radar localised regions of thinner protective layer where the sealing layer could be exposed to frost action. The geoelectrical measurements indicated the existence of seepage through the dry cover that presented a risk of erosion of the sealing layer. 2-D inversion of geoelectrical data also imaged some pathways of groundwater around the main pit. The results from the geophysical investigations were used together with other site data in order to show that both deficiencies in the cover and superficial fractures in the pit walls may explain an ongoing influx of oxygen to the mine waste.

River-aquifer interfaces are essential for ecosystem functioning in terms of nutrient exchange and biological habitat, but are greatly threatened world-wide. This study examined geochemical aspects of river-aquifer interaction in one regulated and one unregulated boreal river in Northern Sweden to determine whether the geochemical functioning of the hyporheic zone is affected by hydrological alterations, e.g. regulated river discharge and river-aquifer connectivity. In the unregulated Kalix River, the hyporheic pore water was well-oxygenated with orthogonal fluxes (≈0.6-0.7 m d-1) and acted as a sink for Fe, Mn, Al, NH4, and Ca, with fractional losses of 95%, 92%, 45%, 31%, and 15%, respectively. A corresponding elevation in the concentrations of these elements in the hyporheic sediment was observed, with higher saturation indices of Fe-, Mn-, and Al-bearing secondary minerals in hyporheic waters. In the regulated Lule River, hydraulic connectivity at the river-aquifer interface was altered by the presence of a clogging layer (0.04 m d–1). In addition, the river discharge oscillated daily, severely reducing exchange flows across the riverbed (<0.01 m d-1). As a result, the hyporheic pore water was suboxic, with elevated concentrations of filtered Fe and Mn (fractional increase of ≈3700% and ≈2500%, respectively) and other solutes (NH4, Si, S, Ca). A conceptual model revealed functional differences between geochemical features of the hyporheic zone of regulated and unregulated rivers. Overall, the results showed that hyporheic processes are altered along regulated rivers, with resulting impacts on the geochemistry of riverine, riparian and related marine ecosystems.

Using hydrogeochemical analysis of two large boreal rivers (pristine Kalix and hydropower regulated Lule) discharging into the Gulf of Bothnia, the major impacts of regulation on water discharge, element transport, and their seasonal redistribution have been assessed. The pre-regulation hydrogeochemical features were assumed to be similar for the two rivers. For the Lule River, the average maximum runoff was almost halved, while the average minimum was tripled as a result of the regulation. The fraction of winter transport of total organic carbon (TOC), Fe, Si, suspended Mn and P in the Lule River was, according to a conservative estimate, two to three times higher than in the pristine river. Longer residence time in the Lule River delayed arrival of the suspended Mn peak and dissolved Si decline to the river mouth. During summer, the suspended C/N ratio in the regulated river was 10-20 compared to <10 for the pristine, suggesting presence of predominantly old organic material. This was supported by a virtually constant suspended P/Fe ratio throughout the year in the Lule River, indicating low abundance of phytoplankton. TOC varied irregularly in the Lule River suggesting temporal disconnection between the river and the upper riparian zone. The disappearance of the spring flow maximum, a shift of element transport from spring to winter, and supply of mainly old organic material during the vegetation growth season may have a pronounced impact on the ecosystem of the Gulf of Bothnia and the river itself.

Sewage sludge can be a suitable, organic-rich substrate to promote vegetation ofsulfide-mine tailings, but it may contain contaminants, that, when oxidized, canadversely affect underlying groundwater systems. The geochemical impact of asurface application of 12,000 metric tons of anaerobically-digested sewage sludge on the groundwater quality of a remediated sulfide-tailings impoundment in northern Sweden was evaluated to determine if sludge-borne metals and nitrate were released to the underlying groundwater system. Two years of data from a field-scale groundwater monitoring programme initiated just before the sludge application was compared to groundwater data from 1998-2006. Grass was successfully established within two years. However, until that occurred, elevated concentrations of sludge-borne metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) were released to the underlying groundwater. In addition, the release of nitrate likely exacerbated metal concentrations by providing an oxidant for pyrite in the underlying tailings. The release was periodic due to the establishment of the grass, which immobilized metals and nitrate in the sludge. Metals bound asorgano-metallic complexes, due to dissolved organic carbon released from the sludge, migrated across the tailings impoundment. Model simulations indicate that the plume will take six years to exit the groundwater environment. Though the impacts are relatively short-term, this type of application should be reconsidered in the future.

There is a broad correlation between the εNd values for rivers (including both the water and the particulate material it carries) and the age of the source terrain. This paper presents Nd isotope distribution data for soil, soil water, groundwater, and stream water samples gathered in a small catchment in northern Sweden. The results show that the release of Nd and Sm from boreal forests into streams and, eventually, into the oceans is more complicated than previously realized. The weathering of till causes changes in both the Nd isotopic composition and Sm/Nd ratios. Both the Sm/Nd ratio and εNd were higher in strongly weathered soils horizons than in less weathered till, since minerals with high Sm/Nd ratios were, on average, more resistant to weathering than those with low Sm/Nd ratios. In contrast to the situation for the main minerals and the major elements, the weathering of rare earth elements (REE) was not restricted to the E-horizon: the measured REE concentrations continued to increase with depth in the C-horizon. In addition, REE released by weathering in the upper parts of the soil profile were partly secondarily retained at deeper levels. Therefore, the dissolved Nd released by weathering in the upper soil horizons was trapped and did not enter the groundwater directly. Rather, the Nd in the groundwater largely originated from weathering within the groundwater zone. However, this was not the only source of Nd in the stream water. The Nd isotope composition and Sm/Nd ratio were determined by the mixing between of Nd and Sm in the groundwater and REE-carrying organic material washed out of the soil profile. The groundwater close to the stream reaches the upper soil horizons during high discharge events such as snowmelts, and organic matter carrying Nd and Sm is washed out of the soils and thus released into the stream. Therefore, the Nd exported from catchment is derived from both the weathering within the groundwater zone, and the organic matter washed out from the soil. If longer timescales with more advanced weathering stages in the groundwater zone are considered, it cannot be ruled out that there will be a shift towards more radiogenic values in the exported Nd. Recorded shifts in the Nd isotopic composition in the ocean may thus not only reflect changed source regions, but also the weathering history of the same source region

Gruvindustrins betydelse för samhällsutveckling och infrastruktur i Sverige och inte minst i Norrbottens län är mycket stor. De geologiska förutsättningarna att hitta nya brytvärda förekomster i Norrbotten är goda. Länet är tillsammans med Västerbotten en av Europas viktigaste regioner för utvinning av metaller. Det syns också i den nyligen framtagna regionala mineralstrategin för Norrbotten och Västerbotten. Visionen för den regionala mineralstrategin: ”Genom långsiktigt hållbart nyttjande av Norrbottens och Västerbottens läns mineralresurser har ytterligare tillväxt skapats i regionen och hela Sverige. Vi har utvecklat och stärkt vår ställning som ledande gruv- och mineralnation.”Eftersom framtidspotentialen för gruvnäringen är mycket god men okunnigheten hos både allmänhet och beslutsfattare om näringens betydelse för innovation och samhällsutveckling är stor, kopplat med en utbredd oro för miljöpåverkan, måste dessa viktiga framtidsfrågor belysas. Med finansiering från Länsstyrelsen i Norrbotten bedrevs därför under första hälften av 2014 en förstudie som syftade till att sammanfatta kunskapsläget om framtidens gruvindustri i Norrbotten. Resultaten av förstudien redovisas i den här rapporten. En viktig slutsats är att det under nästa strukturfondsperiod (med start 2015) behövs ett framtidsinriktat forskningsprogram för att belysa de möjligheter som finns. Denna förstudie utgör grund för en kommande ansökan till strukturfonderna. Kompetensen som finns vid Luleå tekniska universitet, Sveriges centrum för gruvrelaterad forskning och utbildning, bör användas för att studera troliga framtidsmöjligheter och hur de ska kunna användas för att få en så positiv utveckling som möjligt för länet. Projektet bör innehålla följande tre huvudinriktningar, som naturligtvis hör ihop:Vilka malm- och mineralresurser finns det potential för i Norrbotten, och vilka kommer sannolikt att exploateras i framtiden?Vad kommer den exploateringen att ha för betydelse för innovation och samhällsutveckling?Vad kommer den exploateringen att få för miljöeffekter och hur ska man göra för att minska miljöbelastningen?En annan slutsats är att nedlagda gruvområden inte måste ses som förstörd natur. Betydande mervärden som gruvturism skulle kunna skapas om vilja, kreativitet och beslutsamhet finns. Detta är ett givet utvecklingsområde där småföretag och entreprenörer kan göra stor insats om de politiska och myndighetsmässiga förutsättningarna finns. Dessa aspekter skulle också kunna belysas i det föreslagna forskningsprogrammet eller i ett eget projekt.

Organic C and total N concentrations, C/N ratios, δ15N and δ13C values in 210Pb-dated sediment cores were used to reconstruct historical changes in organic matter (OM) accumulation in three Swedish lakes receiving nutrient-rich mine waters. Ammonium-nitrate-based explosives and sodium cyanide (NaCN) used in gold extraction were the major N sources, while lesser amounts of P originated from apatite and flotation chemicals. The software IsoSource was used to model the relative contribution of soil, terrestrial and littoral vegetation, and phytoplankton detritus in the lake sediments. In one lake the IsoSource modelling failed, suggesting the presence of additional, unknown OM sources. In two of the lakes sedimentary detritus of littoral vegetation and phytoplankton had increased by 15–20% and 20–35%, respectively, since ~ 1950, when N- and P-rich mine waters began to reach the lakes. Today, phytoplankton is the dominating OM component in these lake sediments, which appears to be a eutrophication effect related to mining operations. Changes in the N isotopic composition of biota, lake water, and sediments related to the use of ammonium-nitrate-based explosives and NaCN were evident in the two studied systems. However, N isotope signals in the receiving waters (δ15N ~ + 9‰ to + 19‰) were clearly shifted from the primary signal in explosives (δ15N–NO3 = + 3.4 ± 0.3‰; δ15N–NH4 = − 8.0 ± 0.3‰) and NaCN (δ15N = + 1.1 ± 0.5‰), and direct tracing of the primary N isotope signals in mining chemicals was not possible in the receiving waters. Systems where mine waters with a well known discharge history are a major point source of N with well-defined isotopic composition should, however, be suitable for further studies of processes controlling N isotope signatures and their transformation in aquatic systems receiving mine waters.

Copper and iron isotope fractionation by plant uptake and translocation is a matter of current research. As a way to apply the use of Cu and Fe stable isotopes in the phytoremediation of contaminated sites, the effects of organic amendment and microbial addition in a mine spoiled soil seeded with Helianthus annuus in pot experiments and field trials were studied. Results show that the addition of a microbial consortium of ten bacterial strains has an influence on Cu and Fe isotope fractionation by the uptake and translocation in pot experiments, with an increase in average of 0.99‰ for the δ65Cu values from soil to roots. In the field trial, the amendment with the addition of bacteria and mycorrhiza as single and double inoculation enriches the leaves in 65Cu compared to the soil. As a result of the same trial, the δ56Fe values in the leaves are lower than those from the bulk soil, although some differences are seen according to the amendment used. Siderophores, possibly released by the bacterial consortium, can be responsible for this change in the Cu and Fe fractionation. The overall isotopic fractionation trend for Cu and Fe does not vary for pots and field experiments with or without bacteria. However variations in specific metabolic pathways related to metal-organic complexation and weathering can modify particular isotopic signatures.

Within the EU-project GENESIS (2013), aiming to provide scientific basis and technical guidance for the update of the EU Groundwater Directive, Luleå University of Technology is investigating possible effects of hydropower regulation on surface water (SW)- groundwater (GW) exchange. The study compares SW, GW and hyporheic processes for the unregulated Kalix River and the regulated Lule River. Hydropower has long been regarded a fairly green energy source but today negative effects have become obvious (Renöfält et al. 2010).The hyporheic zone (HZ) accommodates most of the SW-GW exchange of solutes just beneath and along a river, dampens heat fluxes, processes pollutants and is essential for ecosystems.The study observes SW and GW (in wells orthogonal to the river) at one site in each river. In these, hydrological (water level, hydraulic conductivity, tracer test) and geochemical (temperature, electrical conductivity, water/soil chemistry) measurements were performed during several seasons.The presence of natural high-flow events in the Kalix River removes fines from the river bed, maintaining good SW-GW connectivity that favours hyporheic exchange (Brunke and Gonser 1997). Altered discharge of the regulated river (reduced flow peaks and velocity, daily discharge fluctuations) facilitated deposition of fine sediments at the river bed forming a “clogging layer” (Blaschke et al. 2003). The bed in the regulated river has two orders of magnitude lower hydraulic conductivity than that at the unregulated site and restricts the SW-GW exchange.Reduced hydraulic connectivity between SW and GW at the regulated Lule River site suggests decreased fluxes across the river-aquifer interface (Siergieiev et al. 2013), and thus reduced size of the HZ which is not always the case in regulated rivers (Sawyer et al. 2009).Decreased hyporheic velocities led to increased residence time and favored prolonged contact between water and soil matrix that stimulated biogeochemical transformations. As a result, the electrical conductivity of hyporheic water of the Lule River was higher than that of the surrounding water.Deteriorated connectivity and extended travel time reduced the dissolved oxygen concentration, which is functionally ecologically essential for hyporheic habitat. In addition, complete consumption of nitrate found at the regulated site, suggests formation of a suboxic zone extending several meters inland which promotes metals release reflected in high dissolved Fe and Mn in the HZ. The conditions of SW-GW exchange control nutrients processing and their export to SW. Thus, the HZ in the Lule River acts as a source of dissolved metals, while in the Kalix River much of the metals are removed by hyporheic processes due to good SW-GW connectivity.SW-GW connectivity plays an important role for hyporheic exchange and hyporheic water quality. Hydropower regulation in the Lule River has altered this connectivity, which may have far reaching implications for biogeochemical processes in the river.

Previous research has shown that Cu and Fe isotopes are fractionated by dissolution and precipitation reactions driven by changing redox conditions. In this study, Cu isotope composition (65Cu/63Cu ratios) was studied in profiles through sulfide-bearing tailings at the former Cu mine at Laver and in a pilot-scale test cell at the Kristineberg mine, both in northern Sweden. The profile at Kristineberg was also analysed for Fe isotope composition (56Fe/54Fe ratios). At both sites sulfide oxidation resulted in an enrichment of the lighter Cu isotope in the oxidised zone of the tailings compared to the original isotope ratio, probably due to preferential losses of the heavier Cu isotope into the liquid phase during oxidation of sulfides. In a zone with secondary enrichment of Cu, located just below the oxidation front at Laver, δ65Cu (compared to ERM-AE633) was as low as -4.35 ± 0.02‰, which can be compared to the original value of 1.31 ± 0.03‰ in the unoxidised tailings. Precipitation of covellite in the secondary Cu enrichment zone explains this fractionation. The Fe isotopic composition in the Kristineberg profile is similar in the oxidised zone and in the unoxidised zone, with average δ56Fe values (relative to the IRMM-014) of -0.58± 0.06‰ and -0.49 ± 0.05‰, respectively. At the well-defined oxidation front, δ56Fe was less negative, -0.24 ± 0.01 ‰. Processes such as Fe(II)-Fe(III) equilibrium and precipitation of Fe-(oxy)hydroxides at the oxidation front are assumed to cause this Fe isotope fractionation. This field study provides additional support for the importance of redox processes for the isotopic composition of Cu and Fe in natural systems.

The question of the limiting nutrient(s) for production of phytoplankton and macrophytes was explored in two contrasting freshwater systems receiving N- and P-rich mine effluents from the Boliden and Kiruna mine sites, northern Sweden. For both sites, total N (TN), total P (TP) and TN:TP mass ratios in water, sediment and macrophytes were used to examine (1) spatial variations within the systems, (2) differences between the systems and (3) seasonal variations. The TN concentration from the discharge point at the Kiruna site was about seven times higher than at the Boliden discharge point, while the TP concentration was 10 times lower than in the discharge point at the Boliden site. The majority of the studied lakes showed elevated biomass of phytoplankton, with maximum values found in Lake Bruträsket (Boliden). Mining activities have affected the nutrient regime of the two recipients by contributing to elevated TN and TP concentrations and TN:TP mass ratios as well as elevated production of phytoplankton and macrophytes compared to the reference sites. Depending on the NH4 concentration in the effluent at the Boliden site, water column TN:TP mass ratios shifted from being >22, indicating P-deficiency, to between 9 and 22, indicating a transition from N- to P-deficiency (co-limitation). However, water column TN:TP mass ratios at the Kiruna site always indicated P-deficiency, while TN:TP mass ratios of macrophytes indicate that both sites may vary from N- to P-limitation. The study suggests that for the design of efficient monitoring programmes and remediation measures, it is important to consider the major N and P species in water, phytoplankton, sediment and macrophytes.

The main objectives of this study were to (a) study the interaction between N and P cycles in mining-affected aquatic systems and (b) to quantify release rates of sedimentary soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) that may be related to this interaction. Sediment cores and water from Lake Bruträsket (Boliden, northern Sweden) were collected and a time series of water sampling and flow measurements was conducted in the Brubäcken stream connected to the lake. Factors affecting SRP release were studied in a sediment incubation experiment and water column experiments. Field and laboratory measurements indicated that pH and dissolved oxygen are two important factors for SRP release. At the end of the low-oxygen incubation, an SRP concentration of 56 μg L-1 resulted in a sedimentary flux of 1.1 mg SRP m-2 day-1. This is ∼10 times higher than the flux of 0.12 mg SRP m-2 day-1 obtained from depth integration of vertical SRP profiles measured in the lake, and ∼100 times higher than the external flux of 0.014 mg SRP m-2 d-1 into the lake (based on catchment area). Field measurements indicated that oxidation of organic matter and mining-related chemicals (ammonium and thiosulphates) may result in increased internal SRP flux from the sediment. Increased P loading in the lake as a result of low-oxygen conditions could change water column total nitrogen/total phosphorus ratios from 27 to 17, consequently changing the lake from being P-limited to be co-limited by N and P. The obtained findings point to possible interaction between the cycles of nitrogen (oxygen consumption) and P (flux from sediment) that may be important for nutrient regulation in mine water recipients.

Evaluating the water quality at reclaimed mines affected by acid mine drainage is an essential step in assessing and improving the performance of mitigation techniques. At the Kimheden copper mine in northern Sweden, reclamation involved the progressive backfilling of waste rock into the two small open pits and, in 1996, the application of a till dry cover that included a sealing layer. The data from both the long-term water quality monitoring by the mining company and the repeated sampling of the surface water and groundwater in 2009 and 2010 were used to assess the success of the reclamation in mitigating the acid mine drainage production from the mine waste. A substantial decrease in the concentrations of copper, zinc and sulphate ions by 95%, 81% and 81%, respectively followed by a rapid stabilisation of element concentrations was observed at the outlet of the receiving stream since early reclamation times. This trend initially suggested successful results for the reclamation, though another explanation for the diminution of contaminant release through depletion of the limited sulphidic source could not be neglected. However, in spite of the decrease, post-reclamation metal concentrations in the stream are still not satisfactory for the discharge of the mine drainage into the natural environment, indicating that the mitigation measures were insufficient. Seepage from one of the pits in 2009 had dissolved copper, aluminium and zinc concentrations of 1.6 mg/L, 4.4 mg/L and 0.45 mg/L, respectively and a pH of 3.0. Relatively high dissolved oxygen concentrations in the groundwater of the backfill in 2009 and 2010 (> 2 mg/L) suggest that the mixed outcome of the mitigation actions is due to on-going oxidation in the backfilled waste rock despite the dry cover. Moreover, stream discharge and dissolved sulphate and magnesium used as natural tracers in the drainage showed that water management in the form of ditches is not appropriate. In particular, due to poor sealing of the ditches, whilst a measurable part of the contaminated drainage in the collecting ditch is leaking to groundwater and dispersing in the surrounding natural areas, the water discharged to a treatment pond at the outlet of the stream is mostly uncontaminated background water.

The present study addresses the effectiveness of green liquor dregs (GLD, a residue from paper pulp-making) as a paste additive with different proportions in tailings for stabilizing mine waste by testing of uniaxial compressive strength and hydraulic conductivity. Selected samples were also investigated for freeze–thaw effect on hydraulic conductivity, and the water retention capacity was discussed based on previous results. Fly ash was also added to the paste to study the auxiliary functions such as solidification in the sealing material. GLD have the potential for use as a barrier layer material for stabilizing mine tailings by decreasing water percolation and improving water retention properties. However, the solidified paste of GLD-amended tailings possesses low uniaxial compressive strength, but the addition of fly ash to the paste increased the uniaxial compressive strength by up to 2–3 times 1 month after it was solidified, with a further two- to threefold strength increase after 3-months curing time. Although the hydraulic conductivity of the tailings paste decreased as a consequence of mixing with both GLD and FA, the difference was within one order of magnitude. The hydraulic conductivity was also reduced as the water/solid ratio of pure GLD decreased. The climatic freeze–thaw cyclic process led to 20 % increase in hydraulic conductivity. A proportion of 7:2:1 for tailings:GLD:FA was found to be a geotechnical satisfactory recipe to seal the mine waste. If porosity is reduced, improved water retention capacity and no cracking in the tailings can be assured, oxygen diffusion is limited, and oxidation of the mine waste is decelerated, thus mitigating acid rock drainage.

At the Kristineberg mine, northern Sweden, sulphidic mine tailings were remediated in an 8-year pilot-scale experiment using sewage sludge to evaluate its applicability as a sealing layer in a composite dry cover. Sediment, leachate water, and pore gas geochemistry were collected in the aim of determining if the sludge was an effective barrier material to mitigate acid rock drainage (ARD) formation. The sludge was an effective barrier to oxygen influx as it formed both a physical obstruction and functioned as an organic reactive barrier to prevent oxygen to the underlying tailings. Sulphide oxidation and consequential ARD formation did not occur. Sludge-borne trace elements accumulated in a reductive, alkaline environment in the underlying tailings, resulting in an effluent drainage geochemistry of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn below 10 μg/L, high alkalinity (810 mg/L) and low sulphate (38 mg/L). In contrast, the uncovered reference tailings received a 0.35-m deep oxidation front and typical ARD, with dissolved concentrations of Cd, Zn and sulphate, 20.8 μg/L, 16,100 μg/L and 1,390 mg/L, respectively. Organic matter degradation in the sludge may be a limiting factor to the function of the sealing layer over time as 85 % loss of the organic fraction occurred over the 8-year experimental period due to aerobic and anaerobic degradation. Though the cover may function in the short to medium term (100 years), it is unlikely to meet the demands of a long-term remedial solution

Green liquor dregs (GLD) are the largest waste fraction retrieved at the sulphate pulp mill. GLD has a low hydraulic conductivity and is alkaline which opens the possibility of using it for construction of sealing layers. Two sites have been sampled where the GLD age is known. The effect of aging on the material properties specifically the ability to function as a barrier against oxygen and its capacity to buffer in the long term was studied. The mechanical strength has also been evaluated to asses if it can withstand the pressures from the cover layer. Suction tests showed that the capillarity forces in GLD bind water strongly to the particles preventing it from drying. The high water content in GLD and the strength of the water bounding are major advantages for the use in sealing layers to create a water saturated layer preventing oxygen penetration. GLD is therefore believed to be an excellent barrier material in the sealing layer. The GLD’s buffering capacity is high and the results indicate that it will last for a long time which is consistent with its large reservoir of lime. The shear strength increased when the GLD is placed in field conditions.

Four metal speciation and fractionation techniques – DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films), 1-kDa ultrafiltration, 0.22-µm membrane filtration and aquatic moss – were simultaneously applied to a small, contaminated freshwater stream in northern Sweden to investigate differences and similarities between the methods regarding trace metal speciation and their dependence on geochemical water properties. The investigated metals comprise Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn. The normal DGT devices with Chelex cation exchanger were used. Shoots from the aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica L ex Hedw. were collected in a non-polluted brook and transplanted to the sampling site for exposure. It was evident that 0.22-µm membrane filtration, 1-kDa ultrafiltration and DGT generally measured different metal fractions where

Oxidation of iron sulfides in waste rock dumps and tailings deposits may result in formation of acid rock drainage (ARD), which often is a challenging problem at mine sites. Therefore, integrating an ARD management plan into the actual mine operations in the early phases of exploration, continuing through the mine life until final closure might be successful and decrease the environmental impact. A thorough characterization of ore and waste should be performed at an early stage. A detailed knowledge of mineralogical composition, chemical composition and physical properties such as grain size, porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the different waste types is necessary for reliable predictions of ARD formation and efficiency of mitigation measures. Different approaches to prevent and mitigate ARD are discussed. Another key element of successfully planning to prevent ARD and to close a mining operation sustainably is to engage the mine stakeholders (regulators, community and government leaders, non-governmental organization (NGOs) and lenders) in helping develop and implement the ARD management plan.