Environmental Impact of mine waste interactions with permafrost

矿山废物与永久冻土相互作用的环境影响

• 批准号: 8009-2013
• 负责人: Peterson, Ronald
• 金额: $ 1.97万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=544467
• 关键词: Environmental; Impact; mine; waste; interactions

This research program will investigate the phase relationships, reaction mechanisms, chemical variations, and observed natural associations of hydrated sulfate minerals and hydrated carbonate minerals as they occur in regions of the Canadian Arctic where permafrost exists. Mineral deposits are more accessible by sea than in the past. The impact of mining these deposits, and the waste that is generated in permafrost regions needs to be understood if we are to minimize the effects on the local ecosystem. The reactions that occur within mine waste that undergo freeze-thaw cycles or that are enclosed in permafrost are not well studied. These reactions will be investigated through a combination of laboratory experiments on, and field observations of, the stability and reaction mechanisms that involve these very reactive minerals. Field studies will investigate the reactions in or near permafrost by studying 1) natural gossan deposits, 2) ore deposits disturbed by mining exploration but not exploited and 3) mine waste that has been created in the Arctic region. Studying natural, undisturbed ore bodies provides a long-term experiment as these sluggish low- temperature reactions have been progressing since the retreat of the last glaciation. The fieldwork will be conducted by graduate students and supported by undergraduate students and will use a number of sophisticated portable instruments. In the laboratory, students will duplicate observed natural reactions under controlled conditions. Hydrated carbonate minerals also occur in permafrost regions and recently we have observed these minerals in fractures in rocks in permafrost west of Inuvik. The hydrous carbonates form near the permafrost surface and participate in the sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere. The surface of Mars is thought to contain sulfates. The NASA lander Phoenix discovered permafrost just below the surface and the work proposed in this application has direct relevance to mineral reactions in such a situation. The atmosphere on Mars is rich in CO2 and when combined with subsurface ice creates the unexpected opportunity for hydrated carbonates to exist on Mars.

该研究计划将调查相关系，反应机制，化学变化，以及观察到的水合硫酸盐矿物和水合碳酸盐矿物的自然协会，因为它们发生在加拿大北极地区永久冻土存在。与过去相比，通过海洋更容易获得矿藏。如果我们要尽量减少对当地生态系统的影响，就需要了解开采这些矿床的影响以及在永久冻土区产生的废物。在经历冻融循环或封闭在永久冻土中的矿山废物中发生的反应没有得到很好的研究。这些反应将通过实验室实验和现场观察相结合的方式进行研究，这些反应非常活跃的矿物涉及稳定性和反应机制。实地研究将通过研究1）天然铁帽矿床，2）受采矿勘探影响但未开采的矿床和3）在北极地区产生的矿山废物来调查永久冻土中或附近的反应。研究自然的、未受干扰的矿体提供了一个长期的实验，因为这些缓慢的低温反应自末次冰川消退以来一直在进行。实地考察将由研究生进行，并由本科生支持，并将使用一些先进的便携式仪器。在实验室中，学生将在受控条件下复制观察到的自然反应。在永冻土地区也有碳酸盐矿物的水合物，最近我们在因纽维克西部永冻土的岩石裂缝中观察到了这些矿物。含水碳酸盐形成于永冻土表面附近，参与大气中二氧化碳的封存。火星表面被认为含有硫酸盐。美国宇航局的凤凰号着陆器在地表下发现了永久冻土，这项申请中提出的工作与这种情况下的矿物反应直接相关。火星上的大气层富含二氧化碳，当与地下冰结合时，为火星上存在的水合碳酸盐创造了意想不到的机会。