Hydrogeochemical Aspects of the Behavior of Elements at the Development of the Albynskoe Gold Field, Amur Basin

Abstract

Сomposition of chemical elements in natural waters and rocks of the Albynskoe Gold Field have been studied to elusidate the possible environmental effects of open cast mining. The ore has been found to contain a group of environmentally hazardous elements, which, either because of a considerable concentration in the ore (As, Sb, Mo, W), or because of the high toxicity class (Cd, Be, U) can cause a considerable geochemical load onto the regional ecogeosystem. The natural watercourses in the zone of influence of the field show an excess of the MPC for water bodies used for fishery (MPC_fish) in terms of Мо, W, As, as well as high concentrations of Sb and U; the overwhelming majority of the microelements show concentrations below the respective MPC_fish or below their detection limits. The analysis of the results of laboratory experiments, simulating the processes of biochemical weathering of ore material by various natural agents, showed that toxic and extremely toxic elements can be leached and dispersed in the zone of influence of deposit development.