Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
06:29
A Method to Preserve Wetland Roots and Rhizospheres for Elemental Imaging
Published on: February 15, 2021
Geospeciation of arsenic using MINTEQA2 for a post-mining lake
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia. adelila@gmail.com
Summary
This study tracked arsenic cycling in a post-mining lake, finding that arsenic oxides remain highly soluble across pH levels 5-7, impacting health risk assessments for nearby populations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Geochemistry
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Post-mining lakes can act as reservoirs for contaminants.
- Understanding arsenic cycling is crucial for assessing environmental and health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate arsenic cycling in the water column of a post-mining lake.
- To inform health risk assessments for populations near the lake.
Main Methods:
- Total arsenic concentration determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrophotometry (ICP-MS).
- Arsenic speciation analyzed using Capillary Electrophoresis (CE).
- Arsenic, iron, and manganese speciation predicted using the MINTEOA2 model (USEPA).
Main Results:
- Arsenate (As(V)) speciation, particularly HAsO4-, increased between pH 5 and 7.
- Iron (Fe(II)) and Manganese (Mn(III)) also increased within this pH range.
- Predicted arsenic oxide phases (FeAsO4, Mn3(AsO4)) showed high solubility and did not precipitate.
Conclusions:
- Arsenic oxides in the studied post-mining lake exhibit high solubility.
- The solubility of arsenic species influences their environmental mobility and potential health risks.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Microbial Leaching
Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten aquatic...
01:17Precipitation and Co-precipitation
Precipitation and coprecipitation methods can be used to separate a mixture of ions in a solution. In qualitative inorganic analysis, ions that form sparingly soluble precipitates with the same reagent are separated based on the differences in solubility products. For example, consider the separation of Cu(II) and Fe(II) ions by precipitation as insoluble sulfides. First, copper(II) sulfide is precipitated by the addition of acidic H2S, where the dissociation of H2S is suppressed. Adding H2S...
01:25Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...