Geochemical Behavior of Heavy Metals in Soils and Waters from Mining Sites

Dear Colleagues,

The mining industry is one of the most important economic activities for many countries. However, mining activities (e.g., prospecting, exploration, operation), expansion, and abandonment may have several environmental impacts. Among these impacts, soil and water contamination by heavy metals in mining sites and the surrounding ecosystems have been widely reported. Accordingly, the main heavy metal sources from mining activities are metal-rich tailings, which may be spread in the environment by disasters or improper disposals.

The fate of heavy metals within soil and water systems depends on the environmental geochemistry (e.g., pH, redox potential, ion concentration, organic matter content, plant activity). In soil and water, a high concentration of heavy metals may cause pollution, enter trophic chains, and lead to the animal mortality and threats to human health.

Therefore, understanding the geochemical behavior of heavy metals in the soil and water affected by mining activities is a key step for the environment, including both the monitoring and development of greener mine technologies.

Dr. Hermano Melo Queiroz
Prof. Dr. Tiago Ferreira
Dr. Xosé Lois Otero-Pérez
Prof. Dr. Juan Antelo
Guest Editors

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• environmental contamination
• mine soils
• soil contamination
• abandoned mine sites
• groundwater contamination
• trace elements
• human health
• environmental geochemistry
• water pollution
• remediation techniques
• phytoremediation
• tailings
• waste production
• anthropogenic soils