• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.211-217
• /
• 2016

There have been found mine tailings, wastes, and mining drainage scattered in the area of Nakdong River due to the improper maintenance of the abandoned mines. These contaminants can flow into rivers during the heavy rain periods in summer. Along the study area beginning Seokpo-myeon, Bonghwa-gun of Gyeongsangbuk-do untill Dosan-myeon, Andong-si, there are one hundred five mines including sixty metalliferous mines and forty-five nonmetal mines, which can adversely affect the adjacent rivers. To verify the contamination, we collected sediments, seepage water and surface water for a year both in rainy season and dry season. This study found that sediments, containing high concentrations of heavy metals caused by mining activities, are dispersed throughout the entire river basin (68 sample points with pollution index, based on the concentration of trace element, (PI) >10 among the total of 101 samples). The results of river water analysis indicated the increased concentrations of arsenic and cadmium at branches from Seungbu, Sambo, Okbang and Janggun mine, which concerns that the river water may be contaminated by mining drainage and tailing sediments. However, it is difficult to sort out the exact sources of contamination in sediments and waters only by using the chemical compositions. Thus the control of mining pollution is challenging. To prevent water from being contaminated by mining activities, we should be able to divide inflow rates from each origin of the mines. Therefore, there should be a continued study about how to trace the source of contaminants from mining activities by analyzing stable isotopes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.87 no.3
• /
• pp.466-474
• /
• 1998

This study was conducted to evaluate heavy metal concentrations(Cd, Cu, Z, and Pb) in the soil of two zinc mines and to correlate heavy metal contents between the soils and trees growing near the mines. Soils and leaves, stems, and roots of five tree species(Corylus heterophylla, Pinus rigida. Populus alba${\times}$glandulosa, Rhododendron mucronulatum, and Robinia pseudoacacia) were collected from Sambo Zinc Mine located in Hwasung and Gahak Zinc Mine in Kwangmyung city in Kyonggido. Soils near two zinc mines were not seriously contaminated by heavy metals, but Zn and Pb concentrations were at toxic level. The heavy metal concentration in soils decreased in the order of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd, and decreased with increasing distance from zinc mining sites. Among the five tree species, Populus alba ${\times}$ glandulosa showed the highest heavy metal concentrations in the tissue except for Pb. Particulars, leaves of the species contained the high concentrations of heavy metals to reach the maximum of 91ppm Zn. The roots of Corylus heterophylla contained high concentrations of Cu and Pb. The order of heavy metal concentrations in the tree species was Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. The concentration of heavy metals in the tree tissues showed a positive correlation with that in soil in which trees are growing. The ratio of heavy metal concentration of trees to that of soils(concentration factor : CF) was highest in Zn and lowest in Pb. Populus alba${\times}$glandulosa had the highest CF value among the five tree species. It was concluded that Populus alba${\times}$glandulosa, based on the high metal uptake ability, could be used for decontaminating of heavy metals from contaminated soils, and Pinus rigida could be used to reflect the level of contamination in soils.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 1993

Stream sediment samples were collected in the vicinity of the Sambo Pb-Zn-barite mine in order to investigate dispersion patterns and pollution levels of heavy metals, and to find out their mode of occurrences. Those samples were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn by using partial extraction and sequential extraction methods. Stream sediments of this studied area has been contaminated severely by Pb, Zn, and Cd. Dispersion patterns of heavy metals in those sediments are different according to their pollution source and sampling distance from the mine. The stream sediment pH is generally neutral in control area, and is slightly acidic in the lower part of tailing dam. The main pollution source of stream sediments was confirmed as tailing and mine drainage. Their pollution level depends mainly on inflowed water and distance from the mine. The tolerance index ranges from -0.9 to 0.7. The mode of occurrances of heavy metals in polluted stream sediment are identified as Fe-Mn oxides, organic bounded and carbonate-bounded compound which show high potential of bioavailablity.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.171
• /
• pp.101-111
• /
• 2005

The objectives of this study we to assess the extent and degree of environmental contamination and to draw general conclusions on the fate of toxic elements derived from mining activities in Korea. 인t abandoned mines with four base-metal mines and four Au-Ag mines were selected and the results of environmental surveys in those areas were discussed. In the base-metal mining areas, the Sambo Pb-Zn-barite, the Shinyemi Pb-Zn-Fe, the Geodo Cu-Fe and the Shiheung Cu-Pb-Zn mine, significant levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in mine dump soils developed over mine waste materials, tailings and slag. Furthermore, agricultural soils, stream sediments and stream water near the mines were severely contaminated by the metals mainly due to the continuing dispersion downstream and downslope from the sites, which was controlled by the feature of geography, prevailing wind directions and the distance from the mine. In e Au-Ag mining areas, the Kubong, the Samkwang, the Keumwang and the Kilkok mines, elevated levels of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in tailings and mine dump soils. These levels may have caused increased concentrations of those elements in stream sediments and waters due to direct dis-charge downstream from tailings and mine dumps. In the Au-Ag mines, As would be the most characteristic contaminant in the nearby environment. Arsenic and heavy metals were found to be mainly associated with sulfide gangue minerals, and mobility of these metals would be enhanced by the effect of oxidation. According to sequential extraction of metals in soils, most heavy metals were identified as non-residual chemical forms, and those are very susceptible to the change of ambient conditions of a nearby environment. As application of pollution index (PI), giving data on multi-element contamination in soils, over 1.0 value of the PI was found in soils sampled at and around the mining areas.