Valorizing (cleaned) sulfidic mine waste as a resource for construction materials.

Proper management and storage of mine waste, e.g., tailings and waste rock, is one of the main issues that mining industries face.

Environmental and human health risk assessment of sulfidic mine waste: Bioaccessibility, leaching and mineralogy.

Sulfidic mine waste can pose environmental and human health risks, especially when it contains high levels of mobile metal(loid)s. To assess the environmental and health risks of mine waste originating from three historic and active sulfidic Pb-, Zn- and/or Cu-mines in Europe, mineralogical and chemical characterizations were conducted in combination with in vitro bioaccessibility tests, sequential extractions and leaching tests. Results indicated that most samples contained highly elevated levels of metal(loid)s and key minerals consisting of pyrite, sphalerite and cerussite.

High geogenic arsenic concentrations in travertines and their spring waters: Assessment of the leachability and estimation of ecological and health risks.

Travertines and their springs are rarely investigated as a source of toxicity. Remarkably high contents of As (up to 10 g/kg) have been found in travertine deposits and associated spring waters, nearby Ghorveh city (western Iran). Two types of travertines were distinguished: (i) Fissure ridge travertines, in areas with a carbonate-dominated basement, are characterized by a relatively low content and leaching of As.