Aluminium solubility in acid waters of the abandoned open pyrite mine at

The study of chemical composition of waters in the abandoned open pyrite mine at WieSciszowice (the Rudawy Janowickie Mts., the W Sudetes, SW Poland) has been canied out with the aim of detennining the conditions of mobi1i7..ation and solubility of aluminium. Both the ion activities and the saturation of water samples with respect to mineral phases have been calculated using the WATEQ4F computer program. Sulphate waters have been found in the mine area. with total dissolved solids g-DS) in the range of 1500--5800 mgll,low pH (2.50--2.98) and high concentration of aluminium, from 1.18 . 10to 6.52 . 10M (31.9-176 mgll AI). The analysis of ion activities and chemical equilibrium of waters from the mine area indicates thD.t aluminium solubility is controlled by the basic aluminium sulphate, AIOHS04. On the other hand, clay minernls (most likely kaolinite) control AI content in waters occuning in the outcrop of pyrite-bearing schists oulo;;ide the mine area.