Evaluation of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr and Ni mobility in the basal portion of a tailing deposit

• Grant number: 16/17114-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Valéria Guimarães Silvestre Rodrigues
• Grantee: Natalia Aparecida Killer
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Tailings from the processing of metal ores can contain significant amounts of potentially toxic metals. Thus, final disposal must be performed in an appropriate and controlled manner. Tailings from the processing of galena (lead ore), from various mines located in the Ribeira Valley region, were placed directly on the ground, without any previous treatment, in the city of Adrianópolis (PR), approximately 50 m from the Ribeira de Iguape river. Research conducted in the superficial portion of the tailings deposit (0-0.80 m), indicated high concentrations of Pb and Zn, and these were considered toxic to the biota. Therefore, in this project, aims to assess the basal portion of the tailing deposit of the ore beneficiation (samples collected at depths of 1.4 to 2.2 m), in 5 sampling points (RP4, RP5, RP6, RP7 and RP8). Thereby, mineralogical characterization (DRX and MEV/EDS), geochemical characterization (pH, Eh, CE e granulometry), leaching tests, solubilization tests and sequential extraction will be held. Then, intend to evaluate the chemical form and concentration of Pb, Zu, Cd, Cu, Cr and Ni in the tailings deposit base, as well as determining the degree of heterogeneity of the mining waste at the deepest portion of the deposit. The results obtained in this study will be compared with the results obtained in the superficial portion of this same deposit. (AU)