Heavy Metal Pollution Problems in the Vicinity of Heap Leaching No. 3 of Sarcheshmeh Porphyry Copper Mine

摘要

Environmental damage resulting from the transport of heap-structure leachate containing elevated concentrations of heavy metals to the environment has occurred due to poor management during the planning, development and operation of the heap leaching process and misunderstanding of the detrimental impacts of heavy metals on human beings, aquatic flora and other creatures. In this paper, the effects of heavy metals discharged from the heap-leaching structure No. 3 of Sarcheshmeh copper mine were investigated by sampling and analyzing water from the Shour River. Samples were taken from upstream, from the entry of leachate into the river, and from downstream of it. Chemical analysis of the samples and field observations show that the concentrations of many heavy metals downstream in the Shour River are very high, which is harmful to the environment. The pH varies from 2.0 to 4.3, and its variations strongly control the mobility of dissolved heavy metals. Heavy-metal concentrations in the water decrease with distance from the heap facility due to dilution by uncontaminated waters and to an increase in pH. Fe is the most rapidly depleted species from the aqueous phase in the river.