ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE AMD BUFFERING PROCESS ON THE GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN THE TRZEBIONKA ZINC-LEAD MINE VICINITY (SOUTH POLAND)

摘要

The Chrzanow ore district is one of the most important areas of Zn-Pb ore mining in Poland. Long-lasting drainage of the Triassic carbonate aquifer has caused changes in hydrodynamic and also hydrogeochemical conditions of the study area. Collected hydrochemical data indicate that in the Triassic carbonate aquifer, within the mining area of the Trzebionka Zn-Pb mine, high-sulphate groundwater is present. Important geochemical processes that can affect sulphate and some trace elements concentrations in this system include oxidation of the sulphides (mainly pyrite and marcasite), sulphuric acid buffering and dissolution of the calcium, magnesium and iron sulphate minerals.