Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland

Hanna Tuovinen; Daniela Vesterbacka; Kai Kaksonen; Juhani Virkanen; David Read; Dina Solatie; Jukka Lehto

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12

| Peer-Reviewed |

Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland

Hanna Tuovinen, Daniela Vesterbacka, Kai Kaksonen, Juhani Virkanen, David Read, Dina Solatie, Jukka Lehto

Received: 21 August 2019 Accepted: 10 September 2019 Published: 27 September 2019

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Leaching of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb) and arsenic from mine wastes and their accumulation in waters, soils and sediments have been determined at the former Paukkajanvaara uranium mine in Eastern Finland. A small-scale test mine, operating in 1959-1960, generated 7,300m³ of waste rock and 12,000m³ of mill tailings, which were covered with soil and till in the early 1990s. These two materials, waste rock and mill tailings, were studied as possible sources for metal contamination in surrounding water systems. Water samples from a nearby pond and streams flowing from the site into the pond were collected. In addition, soil, pond sediment and mill tailings samples were taken and metals were leached from them with strong acids. Metal concentrations in the water samples and acid leachates were measured with ICP-MS. Nickel and arsenic concentrations in stream water were seen slightly elevated when compared to natural Finnish waters and metal concentrations in lake sediments show an increasing trend with time, both indicating long term leaching of metals from the waste deposits. All other metal concentration measurements revealed no elevated concentrations. In conclusion, we may state that the site is not a big if any threat to the environment and humans.

DOI	10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12
Published in	International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (Volume 7, Issue 4, August 2019)
Page(s)	85-92
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mill Tailings, Waste Rock, Mobilization, Potentially Harmful Metals, Uranium Mine

References

[1]	Masindi, V. and Muedi, K. L. 2018. Environmental Contamination by Heavy Metals, IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.76082.
[2]	Li, Z., Ma, Z, Janvan, van der Kuijp, T. J., Yuan, Z., and Huang, L. 2014, A review of soil heavy metal pollution from mines in China; Pollution and health risk assessment, Science of the Total Environment 468-469; 843-853.
[3]	Abraham, J., Dowling, K. and Florentine, S. 2018. Assessment of potentially toxic metal contamination in the soils of a legacy mine site in Central Victoria, Australia, Chemosphere 192; 122-132.
[4]	Ebenebe, P. C., Shale, K., Sedibe, M., Tiklili, P. and Achilonu, M. C. 2017. South African mine effluents; Heavy metal pollution and impact on the ecosystem, International Journal of Chemical Sciences 15 (4); 1-12.
[5]	Mustonen R., Ikäheimonen T. K., Salonen L. and Sillanpää T. 1989. Uraanin louhinnan ja rikastuksen radiologiset ympäristövaikutukset Enon Paukkajanvaarassa. Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Report STUK-B-VALO 61.
[6]	Colpaert A. 2006. The forgotten uranium mine of Paukkajanvaara, North Karelia, Finland. Nordia Geographical Publications 35; 31-38.
[7]	Räisänen K. 1961. Atomienergia Oy; n toimesta suoritetut uraanimalmien louhinta ja rikastuskokeilut vv. 1958-1961. Vuoriteollisuus – Bergshanteringen 2; 34-43.
[8]	Sillanpää T., Ikäheimonen T., Salonen L., Taipale T. and Mustonen R. 1989. Paukkajanvaaran vanhan uraanikaivos- ja rikastamoalueen ja sen ympäristön radioaktiivisuustutkimukset. Report STUK-B-VALO 56, Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
[9]	Tuovinen H., Pohjolainen E, Vesterbacka D., Kaksonen K., Virkanen J., Solatie D., Lehto J. and Reid D 2016. Release of radionuclides from waste rock and tailings at a former pilot uranium mine in eastern Finland. Boreal Environment Research 21; 471-480.
[10]	Dreesen, D. R., Williams, J. M., Marple, M. L., Gladney, E. S. and Perrin, D. R. 1982. Mobility and bioavailability of uranium mill tailings contaminants, Environmental Science and Technology 16; 702-709.
[11]	Landa, E. 1999. Geochemical and biogeochemical controls on element mobility in and around uranium mill tailings. In; Filipek, L., Plumlee, G. (Eds.) Environmental Geochemistry of Mineral Deposits, Part B. Case studies and Research Topics, Reviews in Economic Geology, Vol. 6B, Littleton, Society of Economic Geologists, 527-538.
[12]	Lottermoser, B. 2007. Mine wastes. Characterization, Treatment, Environmental Impacts. Second Edition. Springer, Berlin. 304.
[13]	Piirainen, T. 1968. Die Petrologie und die Uranlagerstätten de Koli-Kaltimogebiets im finnischen Nordkarelien. Bulletin of Geological Society of Finland. N; o 237, 99p.
[14]	Makkonen H. T., Mikkonen J. A., Ruotanen K. E., Tanskanen P. A.. Uusikartano A. J., Vuollo J. I. 1988. Paukkajanvaaran uraanimineralisaatiot. Pohjois-Karjalan malmiprojekti. Raportti 17. Oulu, Oulun yliopisto.
[15]	Tuovinen H., Vesterbacka D., Pohjolainen E., Read D., Solatie D. and Lehto, J. 2015 A Comparison of analytical methods for determining uranium and thorium in ores and mill tailings, Journal of Geochemical Exploration 148; 74-180.
[16]	Lahermo P., Väänänen P., Tarvainen T. and Salminen R. 1996. The Geochemical Atlas of Finland, Part 3; Environmental Geochemistry-stream waters and sediments. Geological Survey of Finland.
[17]	Koljonen T. (ed.) 1992. The Geochemical Atlas of Finland, Part 2; Till. Geological Survey of Finland.
[18]	Lehto J., Lusa M., Virkanen J., Paatero J., Várkonyi G., Heikkilä R., Kashevarov B. and. Ieshko E. 2010. Metal distribution in lakes surrounding the Kostomuksha iron mine and ore dressing mill in Northwestern Russia, Air, Soil and Water Research 3; 67-77.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Hanna Tuovinen, Daniela Vesterbacka, Kai Kaksonen, Juhani Virkanen, David Read, et al. (2019). Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 7(4), 85-92. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Hanna Tuovinen; Daniela Vesterbacka; Kai Kaksonen; Juhani Virkanen; David Read, et al. Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland. Int. J. Environ. Monit. Anal. 2019, 7(4), 85-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Hanna Tuovinen, Daniela Vesterbacka, Kai Kaksonen, Juhani Virkanen, David Read, et al. Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland. Int J Environ Monit Anal. 2019;7(4):85-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12,
  author = {Hanna Tuovinen and Daniela Vesterbacka and Kai Kaksonen and Juhani Virkanen and David Read and Dina Solatie and Jukka Lehto},
  title = {Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis},
  volume = {7},
  number = {4},
  pages = {85-92},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijema.20190704.12},
  abstract = {Leaching of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb) and arsenic from mine wastes and their accumulation in waters, soils and sediments have been determined at the former Paukkajanvaara uranium mine in Eastern Finland. A small-scale test mine, operating in 1959-1960, generated 7,300m3 of waste rock and 12,000m3 of mill tailings, which were covered with soil and till in the early 1990s. These two materials, waste rock and mill tailings, were studied as possible sources for metal contamination in surrounding water systems. Water samples from a nearby pond and streams flowing from the site into the pond were collected. In addition, soil, pond sediment and mill tailings samples were taken and metals were leached from them with strong acids. Metal concentrations in the water samples and acid leachates were measured with ICP-MS. Nickel and arsenic concentrations in stream water were seen slightly elevated when compared to natural Finnish waters and metal concentrations in lake sediments show an increasing trend with time, both indicating long term leaching of metals from the waste deposits. All other metal concentration measurements revealed no elevated concentrations. In conclusion, we may state that the site is not a big if any threat to the environment and humans.},
 year = {2019}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland
AU  - Hanna Tuovinen
AU  - Daniela Vesterbacka
AU  - Kai Kaksonen
AU  - Juhani Virkanen
AU  - David Read
AU  - Dina Solatie
AU  - Jukka Lehto
Y1  - 2019/09/27
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
SP  - 85
EP  - 92
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7667
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12
AB  - Leaching of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb) and arsenic from mine wastes and their accumulation in waters, soils and sediments have been determined at the former Paukkajanvaara uranium mine in Eastern Finland. A small-scale test mine, operating in 1959-1960, generated 7,300m3 of waste rock and 12,000m3 of mill tailings, which were covered with soil and till in the early 1990s. These two materials, waste rock and mill tailings, were studied as possible sources for metal contamination in surrounding water systems. Water samples from a nearby pond and streams flowing from the site into the pond were collected. In addition, soil, pond sediment and mill tailings samples were taken and metals were leached from them with strong acids. Metal concentrations in the water samples and acid leachates were measured with ICP-MS. Nickel and arsenic concentrations in stream water were seen slightly elevated when compared to natural Finnish waters and metal concentrations in lake sediments show an increasing trend with time, both indicating long term leaching of metals from the waste deposits. All other metal concentration measurements revealed no elevated concentrations. In conclusion, we may state that the site is not a big if any threat to the environment and humans.
VL  - 7
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Hanna Tuovinen

Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Daniela Vesterbacka

Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Kai Kaksonen

Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Juhani Virkanen

Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
David Read

Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey & National Physical Laboratory, Guildford, UK
Dina Solatie

Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Rovaniemi, Finland
Jukka Lehto

Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Hanna Tuovinen, Daniela Vesterbacka, Kai Kaksonen, Juhani Virkanen, David Read, et al. (2019). Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 7(4), 85-92. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Hanna Tuovinen; Daniela Vesterbacka; Kai Kaksonen; Juhani Virkanen; David Read, et al. Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland. Int. J. Environ. Monit. Anal. 2019, 7(4), 85-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Hanna Tuovinen, Daniela Vesterbacka, Kai Kaksonen, Juhani Virkanen, David Read, et al. Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland. Int J Environ Monit Anal. 2019;7(4):85-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12,
  author = {Hanna Tuovinen and Daniela Vesterbacka and Kai Kaksonen and Juhani Virkanen and David Read and Dina Solatie and Jukka Lehto},
  title = {Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis},
  volume = {7},
  number = {4},
  pages = {85-92},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijema.20190704.12},
  abstract = {Leaching of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb) and arsenic from mine wastes and their accumulation in waters, soils and sediments have been determined at the former Paukkajanvaara uranium mine in Eastern Finland. A small-scale test mine, operating in 1959-1960, generated 7,300m3 of waste rock and 12,000m3 of mill tailings, which were covered with soil and till in the early 1990s. These two materials, waste rock and mill tailings, were studied as possible sources for metal contamination in surrounding water systems. Water samples from a nearby pond and streams flowing from the site into the pond were collected. In addition, soil, pond sediment and mill tailings samples were taken and metals were leached from them with strong acids. Metal concentrations in the water samples and acid leachates were measured with ICP-MS. Nickel and arsenic concentrations in stream water were seen slightly elevated when compared to natural Finnish waters and metal concentrations in lake sediments show an increasing trend with time, both indicating long term leaching of metals from the waste deposits. All other metal concentration measurements revealed no elevated concentrations. In conclusion, we may state that the site is not a big if any threat to the environment and humans.},
 year = {2019}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Release of Base and Potentially Harmful Metals from Waste Deposits at a Former Uranium Mine in Eastern Finland
AU  - Hanna Tuovinen
AU  - Daniela Vesterbacka
AU  - Kai Kaksonen
AU  - Juhani Virkanen
AU  - David Read
AU  - Dina Solatie
AU  - Jukka Lehto
Y1  - 2019/09/27
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
SP  - 85
EP  - 92
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7667
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190704.12
AB  - Leaching of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb) and arsenic from mine wastes and their accumulation in waters, soils and sediments have been determined at the former Paukkajanvaara uranium mine in Eastern Finland. A small-scale test mine, operating in 1959-1960, generated 7,300m3 of waste rock and 12,000m3 of mill tailings, which were covered with soil and till in the early 1990s. These two materials, waste rock and mill tailings, were studied as possible sources for metal contamination in surrounding water systems. Water samples from a nearby pond and streams flowing from the site into the pond were collected. In addition, soil, pond sediment and mill tailings samples were taken and metals were leached from them with strong acids. Metal concentrations in the water samples and acid leachates were measured with ICP-MS. Nickel and arsenic concentrations in stream water were seen slightly elevated when compared to natural Finnish waters and metal concentrations in lake sediments show an increasing trend with time, both indicating long term leaching of metals from the waste deposits. All other metal concentration measurements revealed no elevated concentrations. In conclusion, we may state that the site is not a big if any threat to the environment and humans.
VL  - 7
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download