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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/137599
Type: | Thesis |
Title: | Biogeochemical investigation of the Mt. Gunson minesite and surrounding semi-arid environment |
Author: | Radulovic, D. J. |
Issue Date: | 2002 |
School/Discipline: | School of Physical Sciences |
Abstract: | Near surface mobility and fixation of metals and their effects on plant growth were evaluated at the Mt Gunson tailing dam. The driving force for base metal distribution in the upper metre of the tailings is evaporation and capillary migration. Oxidation and break down of sulphides result in mobilisation of bivalent metals which are concentrated in the upper 40cm of the tailings (having metal concentrations up to four times greater than below 40 cm). Base metals (Cu, Zn, Co and Pb) become mobilised at low pH, resulting in high element concentrations available to plants. Plant experiments on the tailings material showed that the high level of dissolved metals, high salinity and low pH are toxic to all species. Sampling of the adjacent Gunyah Lake and Pernatty Lagoon salt lakes showed that elevated metal concentrations in particular Cu and Pb could be traced within Gunyah Lake but were at background levels beyond 630m from the bund wall of the Mt. Gunson tailings site. |
Dissertation Note: | Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2002 |
Where: | Stuart Shelf, Adelaide Geosyncline, South Australia |
Keywords: | Honours; Geology; tailings; sulphide oxidation; metal dispersion; salt lake; vegetation |
Description: | This item is only available electronically. |
Provenance: | This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the author of this thesis and do not wish it to be made publicly available, or you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals |
Appears in Collections: | School of Physical Sciences |
Files in This Item:
File | Size | Format | |
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RadulovicDJ2002_Hons.pdf | 1.29 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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