Waste from mines make up one of the largest waste streams by volume in Europe and often contain high levels of aluminium (Al). An EU-funded initiative investigated the role played by the two main sulphate minerals controlling the mobility of Al in the environment.
Aluminium (Al) is one of the main elements found in waters affected by acid drainage from mines, in poorly-buffered lakes receiving acid rain and in the pore-water of acid sulphate soils. In these environments, Al plays a key role in mobilising other potentially polluting elements that can have a serious impact on ecosystems and even human health (for example Alzheimer’s disease).
Further details: Aluminium mobility and mine waste