Work

Experimental Study on the Evolution Law of Pb in Soils and Leachate from Rare Earth Mining Areas Under Different Leaching Conditions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In the exploitation of ion-adsorption rare earth ores, the environmental effects of leaching agents are key constraints for green mining. Understanding the release behavior of typical heavy metals from soils under leaching conditions is of great significance. Laboratory column leaching experiments were conducted to systematically investigate the effects of three leaching agents—(NH4)2SO4, Al2(SO4)3, and MgSO4—as well as varying concentrations of Al2(SO4)3 on the release and speciation transformation of heavy metal Pb in mining-affected soils. The results revealed a three-stage pattern in Pb release—characterized by slow release, a sharp increase, and eventual stabilization—with environmental risks predominantly concentrated in the middle to late stages of leaching. Under 3% (NH4)2SO4 and 3% Al2(SO4)3 leaching conditions, Pb concentrations in soil increased significantly, with a higher proportion of labile fractions, indicating pronounced activation and risk accumulation. Due to its relatively weak ion-exchange capacity, MgSO4 exhibited a lower and more gradual Pb release profile, posing substantially lower pollution risks compared to (NH4)2SO4 and Al2(SO4)3. Pb release under varying Al2(SO4)3 concentrations showed a nonlinear response. At 3% Al2(SO4)3, both the proportion of bioavailable Pb and the Risk Assessment Code (RAC) peaked, while the residual fraction declined sharply, suggesting a threshold effect in risk induction. All three leaching agents promoted the transformation of Pb in soil from stable to more labile forms, including acid-soluble, reducible, and oxidizable fractions, thereby increasing the overall proportion of active Pb (F1 + F2 + F3). A combined analysis of RAC values and the proportion of active Pb provides a comprehensive framework for assessing Pb mobility and ecological risk under different leaching conditions. These findings offer a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of heavy metal risks in the green mining of ion-adsorption rare earth ores.

Source: Earth

DOI: 10.3390/earth6030103

Authors: Zhongqun Guo, Shaojun Xie, Feiyue Luo, Qiangqiang Liu, Jun Zhang

Institution: Jiangxi University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Heavy metals in environment

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,448