Selenium mobilization

该项目将调查和确定尾矿池和处理系统释放目前被隔离的硒的条件。采矿作业在尾矿池和处理系统中使用厌氧条件，以尽量减少金属和类金属向环境的释放。以加拿大某些地质区域富集的类金属硒为例，在加拿大西部煤矿开采的尾矿中发现了浓度升高的现象。尽量减少尾矿和处理系统中硒的调动，对于防止对该地区共生的水生生物、动物和鸟类造成伤害至关重要。虽然硒在低浓度下是所有生物必需的元素，但浓度高时硒就会中毒。因此，了解可能导致稳定硒动员的条件对于防止未来的问题是重要的。该项目将调查eH、pH和共污染物在尾矿和处理系统中硒的形态和流动性中的作用。

This project will investigate and identify the conditions under which tailing ponds and treatment systems will release currently sequestered selenium species. Mining operations use anaerobic conditions in tailings ponds and treatment systems to minimize the release of metals and metalloids to the environment. In the case of selenium a metalloid which is enriched in some geological regions in Canada, there is an elevated concentration found in the tailings from coal mining in Western Canada. Minimizing the mobilization of selenium from the tailings and treatment systems is essential for preventing harm to aquatic life, animals and birds that cohabit in the region. Although selenium is an essential element for all organisms at low concentrations, selenium becomes toxic at higher concentrations. Thus understanding the conditions that could cause mobilization of the stabilized selenium is important in preventing future problems. This project will investigate the role of eH, pH and co-contaminants in the speciation and mobility of selenium from tailings and treatment systems.