Dispersal and attenuation of trace contaminants downstream of the Ajka bauxite residue (red mud) depository failure, Hungary

Mayes, William M.; Jarvis, Adam P.; Burke, Ian T.; Walton, Melanie; Feigl, Viktória; Klebercz, Orsolya; Gruiz, Katalin

Abstract

This paper identifies the spatial extent of bauxite processing residue (red mud)-derived contaminants and modes of transport within the Marcal and Raba river systems after the dike failure at Ajka, western Hungary. The geochemical signature of the red mud is apparent throughout the 3076 km(2) Marcal system principally with elevated Al, V, As, and Mo. Elevated concentrations of Cr, Ga, and Ni are also observed within 2 km of the source areas in aqueous and particulate phases where hyperalkalinity (pH < 13.1) is apparent. Although the concentrations of some trace elements exceed aquatic life standards in waters (e.g., V, As) and fluvial sediments (As, Cr, Ni, V), the spatial extent of these is limited to the Torna Creek and part of the upper Marcal. Source samples show a bimodal particle size distribution (peaks at 0.7 and 1.3 mu m) which lends the material to ready fluvial transport. Where elevated concentrations are found in fluvial sediments, sequential extraction suggests the bulk of the As, Cr, Ni, and V are associated with residual (aqua-regia/HF digest) phases and unlikely to be mobile in the environment. However, at some depositional hotspots, association of As, Cr, and V with weak acid-extractable phases is observed.

Citation

Mayes, W. M., Jarvis, A. P., Burke, I. T., Walton, M., Feigl, V., Klebercz, O., & Gruiz, K. (2011). Dispersal and attenuation of trace contaminants downstream of the Ajka bauxite residue (red mud) depository failure, Hungary. Environmental Science and Technology, 45(12), 5147-5155. https://doi.org/10.1021/es200850y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 6, 2011
• Online Publication Date: May 18, 2011
• Publication Date: Jun 15, 2011
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: Environmental science & technology
• Print ISSN: 0013-936X
• Electronic ISSN: 1520-5851
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 5147-5155
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/es200850y
• Keywords: Steel slag; Neutralization; Adsorption; Chromium; Vanadium ; Removal; Quality metals; Tailings
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/462371
• Publisher URL: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/es200850y
• Additional Information: Copy of article first published in Environmental science & technology, 2011, v.45, issue 12
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2014