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Geochemical characteristics of mine water from abandoned iron ore mining and its environmental impacts
Arumansawang A.
Aip Conference Proceedings
Abstract
Accumulation of heavy metals in the environment had been rising recently by several sources, including abandoned mining. Discharging water or runoff from abandoned mining may induce environmental pollution and harm the ecosystem and humans. The present status of the geochemical characteristic of mine water from abandoned mining is important to be identified in order to control negative impact in surrounding area. Therefore, this present study is conducted to determine the geochemical characteristic of water or runoff surrounding abandoned iron ore mining site, Bone Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The water samples were collected in October 2021 during the dry season. Analyzing of sampling water was performed by Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The concentration of heavy metals such as Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb in water samples was detected in water samples. The most enriched heavy metal was Manganese (Mn). The result revealed that heavy metals concentration from the void toward the river showed fluctuate trend. It might be due to the occurrence of seepage along with the sampling point and the degree of the weathering process. This weathering behavior could influence the heterogeneity of water. The heavy metal tends to be accumulated environment and in humans for a long time period due to non-biodegradable properties. The occurrence of heavy metals in water may generate severe disease and might be toxic for plants, animals, and humans if it exceeds the requirement.