Investigating the potential impact of efflorescent mineral crusts on water quality: complementing analytical techniques with geochemical modelling
By: Bronwyn Camden-Smith, Raymond H. Johnson, Robert Richardson, David Billing, and Hlanganani Tutu
Edited by: Adrian Brown, Linda Figueroa, and Christian Wolkersdorfer
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Abstract
Efflorescent crusts are a common feature forming on the surface of gold mining sites
and tailings storage facilities during the dry season. Their dissolution at the start of the wet sea-
son releases an acidic pulse of water rich in metal pollutants. The composition of the crusts is
indicative of the water from which they precipitated. This study aimed at assessing the crust
formation and dissolution processes that result in episodic changes in receiving water quality.
The approach involved characterising the composition of the crusts by analytical techniques
(powder X-ray di2raction (PXRD)) and establishing compositional discrepancies by modelling
the formation and dissolution processes.
Suggested Citation
Camden-Smith, B., Johnson, R.H., Richardson, R., Billing, D., Tutu, H., 2013, Investigating the potential impact of efflorescent mineral crusts on water quality: complementing analytical techniques with geochemical modelling, in Annual International Mine Water Association Conference: Reliable Mine Water Technology, v. I, p. 281-286.
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Investigating the potential impact of efflorescent mineral crusts on water quality: complementing analytical techniques with geochemical modelling |
| Volume | I |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | International Mine Water Association |
| Contributing office(s) | Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference publication |
| Larger Work Title | Annual International Mine Water Association Conference: Reliable Mine Water Technology |
| First page | 281 |
| Last page | 286 |