Selenium mobilization

该项目将调查和确定尾矿库和处理系统释放目前被隔离的硒物种的条件。采矿作业在尾矿库和处理系统中使用厌氧条件，以最大限度地减少金属和类金属向环境的释放。在加拿大一些地质区富含类金属硒的情况下，加拿大西部煤矿的尾矿中发现了浓度较高的硒。最大限度地减少尾矿和处理系统中的硒动员，对于防止对在该区域共同生活的水生生物、动物和鸟类造成伤害至关重要。尽管在低浓度时，硒是所有生物体的必需元素，但在高浓度时，硒就会变得有毒。因此，了解可能导致稳定的硒动员的条件对于预防未来的问题很重要。该项目将调查Eh、pH和共同污染物在尾矿和处理系统中硒的形态和迁移中的作用。

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.