Understanding the Environmental Impact of a Mine Dam Rupture in Brazil: Prospects for Remediation
| Autor: | M. B. Menezes, Juni Cordeiro, Maria Rita Scotti, G. S. França, Márcio Benedito Baptista, F. G. Sobreira, R. C. Trindade, Priscilla Moura, M. C. Ferreira, M. Alves, O. S. H. Santos, I. M. Yoshida, F. C. Avellar |
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| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Environmental Engineering
Environmental remediation Chemical Hazard Release Industrial Waste 010501 environmental sciences Management Monitoring Policy and Law Risk Assessment 01 natural sciences Mining Soil Nutrient Rivers Waste Management and Disposal Environmental Restoration and Remediation 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Water Science and Technology Riparian zone geography geography.geographical_feature_category Soil organic matter Soil chemistry Beneficiation 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences Pollution Tailings Environmental chemistry Soil water 040103 agronomy & agriculture 0401 agriculture forestry and fisheries Environmental science Brazil |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Environmental Quality. 48:439-449 |
| ISSN: | 0047-2425 |
| DOI: | 10.2134/jeq2018.04.0168 |
| Popis: | The rupture of the Fundão mine dam in Mariana municipality, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, spilled the tailings across the Doce River basin. These tailings, composed of residues discarded from the beneficiation of iron ore, are rich in SiO and AlO, as well as some ether amine compounds and NaOH. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of these sediments, as well as their effect on the riparian zones reached, as compared with preserved sites. Sediment deposition in the river resulted in a morphological change from a meandering profile to a braided aspect. The nutrient and mineral content (P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and NO) and soil organic matter of the sediments were depleted, whereas NH, Na, and pH increased. A random presence of ether amines in the sediments was confirmed by quantitative and chromatographic analyses, with concentrations ranging from 0 to 57.8 mg kg; Na reached values as high as 150 mg kg. The impact of the dam tailings on biota was assessed by estimating total microbial biomass (phospholipid fatty acids), which were depleted in sediments relative to soils from preserved sites. Overall plant mortality, as well as a low resilience capacity, were also observed. Ether amines and Na present in the sediments had a strong toxic effect in the environment. Identification of these substances as the main impact factors will help guide future remediation efforts. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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