Environmental Geochemistry of Electrolytic Manganese Slag Ponds in Karst Regions

Abstract

Leakage of electrolytic manganese slag (EMS) ponds is a long-lasting and serious threat to environmental health worldwide, particularly in karst areas where the ecosystems are highly sensitive to geochemical perturbations. However, the mechanisms of Mn mobilization and migration are insufficiently known. In this study, we combine systematic field investigations, laboratory column experiments and geochemical analyses to clarify the environmental geochemistry and controlling factors of leaching of Mn in the karst areas of southwestern China. While the Mn slag ponds as a whole had shown a low permeability, release of free Mn²⁺ and NH₃-N is significantly facilitated by the synergies of seepage infiltration, microbial activities and environmental acidification. With the increase of depth, the mineralogical composition of the slag undergoes significant alteration, and redox conditions change from acidic-oxidizing to acidic-reducing environments, which will accelerate the mobilization of Mn further and increase the risk of groundwater contamination. In addition, the presence of clay mineral colloids in Mn slag changes the migration properties of Mn, which introduces complexity in the geochemical behavior of Mn. Our findings highlight that Mn transformation and migration are controlled by dynamic, depth-dependent geochemical processes and the interplay of both internal and external factors. This research consolidates mechanistic foundation of deciphering Mn environmental behaviors in karst regions, reinforcing the urgency of preventing and rehabilitating electrolytic Mn slag leakage.

Keywords

manganese / transformation and migration / mineral facies / redox shift / slag pond leakage / groundwater pollution

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China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, Part of Springer Nature