About this Research Topic
Mine tailings from metallic and coal sources constitute a potential pollution source of heavy metals and metalloids (HMM) with an almost worldwide ubiquitous presence. In many places, tailings dams have polluted the environment (soils, sediments, superficial and groundwater) due to a continuous release of HMM that occurs during tailings-water-air-bacteria interactions. Episodes of huge discharges of acid mine drainage or dams' failures are also common. Diverse mineralogical and biogeochemical processes occur within tailings that determine their potential release of HMM to the environment. Efforts are dedicated to prevent and remediate the environmental problem caused by mine tailings from a microbiological, mineralogical, and biological point of view. Concepts of Circular Economy are also applied to improve the usage of natural mineral resources and to reduce the amount of mining waste in the Environment. Since mineral resources exploitation continue to be needed for the development of our society strong efforts are also needed to preserve and improve healthy environments.
The goal of this Research Topic is to address the recent progress made on geochemical processes of HMM in tailing impoundments, coal waste rock piles, and acid mine drainage (from metallic and coal sources), as well as novel approaches to remediation and prevention strategies resulting from laboratory, field studies, and geochemical modeling. New concepts and examples on prevention and reduction of Environmental Impacts of HMM such as different practices of Circular economy and Green economy are also welcome.
This Research Topic 'Nature-based Remediation Options to Environmental Impacts of Mine Tailings' will focus on the environmental impacts of mine tailings from metallic and coal sources and aspects regarding remediation such as the use of geologic or vegetal materials, the geochemical processes involved and performance resulting from laboratory, field studies, and geochemical modeling. We invite authors to participate with contributions in the various aspects, including the identification of the gaps, solving the current problems and addressing challenges to move forward.
We welcome a range of article types, including Original Research, Review and Perspectives.
The goal of this Research Topic is to address the recent progress made on geochemical processes of HMM in tailing impoundments, coal waste rock piles, and acid mine drainage (from metallic and coal sources), as well as novel approaches to remediation and prevention strategies resulting from laboratory, field studies, and geochemical modeling. New concepts and examples on prevention and reduction of Environmental Impacts of HMM such as different practices of Circular economy and Green economy are also welcome.
This Research Topic 'Nature-based Remediation Options to Environmental Impacts of Mine Tailings' will focus on the environmental impacts of mine tailings from metallic and coal sources and aspects regarding remediation such as the use of geologic or vegetal materials, the geochemical processes involved and performance resulting from laboratory, field studies, and geochemical modeling. We invite authors to participate with contributions in the various aspects, including the identification of the gaps, solving the current problems and addressing challenges to move forward.
We welcome a range of article types, including Original Research, Review and Perspectives.
Keywords: mine tailings, environmental impacts, acid mine drainage, heavy metals, bacteria, mining, bioremediation, phytoremediation, Circular Economy, sulfide minerals, geochemistry
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
