Column leaching heavy metal from tailings following simulated climate change in the Arctic area of Norway

Abstract

This study aimed to assess how the current climate change perspective, with various air temperature (4°C, 10°C, 14°C and 18°C) affected metal releasing from tailings. Heavy metals pollution from tailings leaching are of increasing concern. Column leaching experiment was conducted for 15 weeks to a series of tailings with 20 mm/week water leaching four temperature situations. Leachate chemical physics properties and concentrations of Fe, Ni, Mn and Zn in leachates measured at each cycle. Multivariate statistical approaches to evaluate potential risk variations in leachate quality and identify temperature effect on heavy metals leaching in the Arctic area. Results showed higher temperature encourage oxidation and sulfuration in tailings that promoted heavy metal release from tailings through runoff and erosion. Ni, Zn and Mn have the similar resource from tailings and positive correlation in the leaching activity. The leaching of Fe was closely related to temperature change and affect the leaching of other metals. Temperature, however, increased risk by heavy metal leaching from tailings by temperature change should be caught more attention.