As and S speciation in a submarine sulfide mine tailings deposit and its environmental significance: the study case of Portmán Bay (SE Spain)

Abstract

The dumping of an estimated amount of 57 million tons of hazardous sulfide mine waste from 1957 to 1990 into Portmán's Bay (SE Spain) caused one of the most severe cases of persistent anthropogenic impact in Europe's costal and marine environments. The resulting mine tailings deposit completely infilled Portmán's Bay and extended seawards on the continental shelf, bearing high levels of metals and As. The present work, where Synchrotron XAS, XRF core scanner and other data are combined, reveals the simultaneous presence of arsenopyrite (FeAsS), scorodite (FeAsO₄·2H₂O), orpiment (As2S3) and realgar (AsS) in the submarine extension of the mine tailings deposit. In addition to arsenopyrite weathering and scorodite formation, the, the presence of realgar and orpiment is discussed, considering both potential sourcing from the exploited ores and in situ precipitation from a combination of inorganic and biologically mediated geochemical processes. Whereas the formation of scorodite relates to the oxidation of arsenopyrite, we hypothesize that the presence of orpiment and realgar is associated to scorodite dissolution and subsequent precipitation of these two minerals within the mine tailings deposit under moderately reducing conditions. The occurrence of organic debris and reduced organic sulfur compounds evidences the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and provides a plausible explanation to the reactions leading to the formation of authigenic realgar and orpiment. The precipitation of these two minerals in the mine tailings, according to our hypothesis, has important consequences for As mobility since this process would reduce the release of As into the surrounding environment. Our work provides for the first time valuable hints on As speciation in a massive submarine sulfide mine tailings deposit, which is highly relevant for similar situations worldwide.