Assessment of heavy metal pollution in abandoned Giap Lai pyrite mine (Phu Tho Province)

Giap Lai pyrite mine had been exploited in the period 1975 - 1999, and abandoned after the mine became closed. This work is conducted with the aim to evaluate the impacts of the abandoned mine to the environment. 23 surface water, 15 ground water and 20 soil samples from the mining area were collected for experiments. Acid production potential and metal leaching of waste materials from tailings were tested. Results show that acid rock drainage (ARD) in the old mining area still occurs, with sulfide-rich tailings and waste rocks being sources of ARD, causing elevated metal concentrations in downstream water bodies. Surface water shows significant pollution of Fe, Mn, Ni and partially As. In the rainy season, the percentage of surface water samples having low pH values as well as metal contents in samples is higher than in the dry season. Metal concentrations in ground water are generally low, but many samples have low pH values, indicating the influence of the ARD. The geo-accumulation index reveals that soil from mining area is moderately contaminated with Ni, Cu, Hg and partially As. Most of the polluted samples are located near old mining pits, waste dumps and tailing ponds. The study also shows that negative effect of Giap Lai pyrite mine on the surrounding water and soil has been ongoing. However, no post-closure remediation measures have been applied at the mine, so there must be appropriate solutions for the acid mine drainage treatment before its being discharged to the environment. Given the facts revealed by this study, it is recommended that the Environmental Protection Law should be fully implemented at mining sites not only during the exploitation but also after their closures.References AMIRA, 2002. ARD Test Handbook. Project P387A Prediction Kinetic Control of Acid  Mine Drainage. AMIRA international May 2002, 42p. Çevik, F., Göksu, M. Z. L.,  Derici, O. B., Fındık,  Ö., 2009. 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Study on active tectonic faults using soil radon gas method in Viet Nam

This paper presents the results of soil radon gas measurement in three areas, including Thac Ba and Song Tranh 2 hydropower plants, and the planned locations of the nuclear power plants Ninh Thuan 12 using solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) with the aim of clarifying the activity of tectonic faults in these areas. The activity of tectonic faults was assessed through radon activity index KRn (the ratio between anomaly and threshold), which was divided into 5 levels as follows ultra-high (KRn 10), high (10≥KRn 5), high (5≥KRn 3), medium (3≥KRn 2) and low (KRn≤2). Soil radon gas measurement results showed that in the radon gas concentrations in the Thac Ba hydropower plant area ranged from 72 Bq/m3 to 273.133 Bq/m3 and maximum radon activity index KRn reached 9.75 (high level). High KRn indexes show Chay River fault active in recent time and the sub-meridian distribution of Rn anomalies suggested a right-slip motion of the fault. Rn concentrations in the Ninh Thuan 12 areas ranged from 6 Bq/m3 to 52.627 Bq/m3, however, the KRn indexes were mostly low (KRn≤3) and the highest value was only 3.42, suggesting that expression of activity of the tectonic faults in this region is not clear, even no expression of fault activity. In the Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant and adjacent areas, radon concentrations ranged from 29 Bq/m3 to 77.729 Bq/m3 and maximum KRn index was 20.16 (ultra-high level). The faults having clearer activity expression are Hung Nhuong - Ta Vy, Song Tra Bong and some high order faults, especially the northwest - southeast segments of these faults or their intersections with the northwest - southeast faults. In addition, the high values KRn in the mentioned intersections can be evidenced for the activeness of northwest - southeast faults at the present time. The studies on active faults using soil radon gas method were performed in areas with very different geological and structural features, but the results are well consistent with the results of previous investigations obtained by other methods. It confirmed the effectiveness and capability of soil radon gas geochemistry applying to study active tectonic faults.ReferencesAl-Hilal M., Al-Ali A., 2010. The role of soil gas radon survey in exploring unknown subsurface faults at Afamia B dam, Syria. Radiat. Meas, 45, 219-224.Amponsah,   P.,   Banoeng-Yakubo,   B.,   Andam,   A., Asiedu, D.,  2008. Soil  radon  concentration along fault systems in parts of south eastern Ghana. J. Afr. Earth Sci. 51, 39-48.Asumadu-Sakyi A.B., Fletcher J.J., Oppon O.C., Qua- shie F.K., Wordson D.A., Adjei C.A., Amartey E.O., Darko E.O. and Amponsah P.,  2011. Preliminary Studies on Geological Fault Location Using Solid State Nuclear Track Detection. 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