Mobilization of arsenic from mine tailings through reductive dissolution of goethite influenced by organic cover

Mine tailings at the former Delnite gold mine in northern Ontario were characterized to assess the impact of a biosolids cover on the stability of As species and evaluate options for long-term management of the tailings. Arsenic concentrations in the tailings range from 0.15 to 0.36 wt% distributed among goethite, pyrite and arsenopyrite. Pyrite and arsenopyrite occur as small and liberated particles that are enveloped by goethite in the uncovered tailings and the deeper portions of the biosolids-covered tailings. Sulfide particles in the shallower portions of the biosolids-covered tailings are free of goethite rims. Arsenic occurs predominantly as As5+ with minor amount of As1− in the uncovered tailings. Coinciding with the disappearence of goethite rims on sulfide particles, the biosolids-covered tailings have As3+ species gradually increasing in proportion towards the cover. Leaching tests indicated that the As concentrations in the leachate gradually increase from less than 0.085 to 13 mg/L and Fe from 28 to 179 mg/L towards the biosolids cover. These are in sheer contrast to the leachate concentrations of less than 0.085 mg/L As and 24–64 mg/L Fe obtained from the uncovered tailings confirming the role of biosolids-influenced reduction and mobilization of As in the form of As3+ species. The evidence suggests that reductive dissolution of goethite influenced by the biosolids-cover caused the mobilization of As as As3+ species.