Trace elements leaching from Pb Zn mine waste (Plombières, Belgium) and environmental implications

The geochemical and mineralogical characterization of mine waste provides essential information to understand the environmental health impacts adequately manage present historical sites. In study, samples from a former ZnPb mining site were subjected different types leaching tests, an in-vitro bioaccessibility test, analysis. characterized by elevated pseudo-total Pb (up 51,800 mg/kg), Zn 60,100 Cd 429 As 3170 mg/kg) concentrations, contained, among other minerals, cerussite (PbCO3) galena (PbS). Lead is not only in abundant but also highly bioaccessible forms, as determined test. This indicates high risks posed case ingestion fine dust particles. partial dissolution Pb-bearing minerals function pH was modeled using PHREEQC software compared with experimental data. release mainly controlled cerussite, even at natural values. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that amount decreased (by ?50%) all consequence water. Other dissolved when extracted water, magnitude cerussite. Although has been inactive for over 100 years, concentrations metal(loid)s within are still evident. Not metals mobile especially changes. study proved be understanding parameters controlling identifying potential threats poses human environment. From this overall assessment, proper methods effective recovery or reprocessing can further evaluated.