Environmental impacts of mining of Ni-Mo black shale-hosted deposits in the Zunyi region, southern China: Preliminary results of the study of toxic metals in the system rock-soil-plant

 

Authors: Pašava J, Kříbek B, Žák K, Li Chaoyang, Deng Hailin, Liu Jiajun, Gao Zhenmin, Luo Taiji, Zeng Mingguo

Published in: Bulletin of Geosciences, volume 78, issue 3; pages: 251 - 260; Received 4 June 2002; Accepted in revised form 21 March 2003;

Keywords: environmental impacts, mining, Mo-Ni ores, black shale, soil, crop plants, southern China,

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Abstract

The Zunyi region in Guizhou province (southern China) is well known by the occurrences of Mo-Ni-polyelement black shales that are locally mined and processed for Mo. The preliminary results of our environmentally oriented study covering the vicinity of the Xiao-Zhu mine, Jiepo-Ling and Tuan Shan Bao Mo-Ni prospects can be summarized as follows: [1] The studied surface soil samples from all three Ni-Mo prospects are characterized by increased Mo, Ni, As, Cd, Zn and Cu concentrations and lower Pb values when compared to the worldwide averages for normal soil (Bowen 1979). [2] Maximum Mo concentration was found in rice stalk and maximum As and V concentrations in the bulb of turnip close to the Xiao-Zhu Mo-Ni mine. Peak Ni, Zn and Hg concentrations were detected in corn grain of the Jiepo-Ling area. Cd accumulates preferentially in tobacco leaves where it reaches maximum values. [3] Rice grains from the Xiao-Zhu area contain anomalous concentrations of Cd and rice grains from the Tuan Shan Bao area contain anomalous concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn. [4] Corn grains from the Jiepo-Ling area bear anomalous concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu, Mo and Ni.