Acid Mine Drainage Precipitates at the Nanometric Scale – Properties and Environmental Role

Abstract

The mineral-water interactions responsible for mobilization of dissolved toxic elements in mine drainage often generate colloids that commonly occur at the nanometric scale. This study presents typical properties of these materials, mostly composed by iron-rich products. The samples were obtained in a variety of contexts, representing mine waters as well as natural acid rock drainage. It concludes by noting the potential influence of the waste and/or the host rocks on the hydrogeochemistry of the systems. Further, the water properties could control the morphology and mineralogy of this very fine material, and consequently its environmental role.