Mineralogy-dependent sulfide oxidation via polysulfide and thiosulfate pathways during weathering of mixed-sulfide bearing mine waste rock. (15th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bao, Zhongwen; Bain, Jeff; Saurette, Emily; Zou Finfrock, Y.; Hu, Yongfeng; Ptacek, Carol J.; Blowes, David W.
• Is Part Of: Geochimica et cosmochimica acta. Volume 317(2022)
• Page Start: 523
• Page End: 537
• Publication Date: 2022-01-15
• Subjects: Sulfur speciation -- XANES -- Polysulfide pathway -- Thiosulfate pathway -- Waste rock; Geochemistry -- Periodicals; Meteorites -- Periodicals; Géochimie -- Périodiques; Météorites -- Périodiques; Geochemie; Astrochemie; Electronic journals; 551.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2021.10.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-7037

Abstract

Abstract: Tracking the S oxidation pathway in sulfide-bearing mine waste-rock piles is complicated by variations in water content, O2 and Fe 3+ concentrations, microbial diversity, mineralogy, the occurrence of a variety of S species associated with incomplete oxidation, and nonlinear coupling between physicochemical processes. Synchrotron-based S K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy facilitates the identification and quantification of S species ( i.e., S 2−, S2 2−, S8, S2 O3 2−, and SO4 2− ) in a weathered mine waste-rock pile containing pyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite. Mineralogy-dependent polysulfide and thiosulfate pathways both affect the S oxidation within the waste-rock pile. Currently, the polysulfide pathway, with S8 as the intermediate S species, generates high concentrations of dissolved metals (from the rapid oxidation of monosulfides including sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite). As these monosulfides are depleted, the thiosulfate pathway of pyrite oxidation, including intermediate oxidation products ( i.e., S8 and S2 O3 2− ), will become the dominant oxidation pathway, resulting in the potential for generation of additional acidic drainage. This information highlights the importance of identifying the sulfide-mineral oxidation reaction pathways when attempting to estimate acid generation potential, and when developing remediation strategies for the storage and management of sulfide-bearing waste rock.