Mineralogical analysis: The light-induced oxidation driving mechanism of heavy metals in lead-zinc smelting slag

IF 4.6 2区地球科学 Q1 GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS

Journal of Geochemical Exploration Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-03 DOI:10.1016/j.gexplo.2025.107912

Hanjing Yu, Chenchen Li, Jin Yan, Yaoqiang Ma, Xinyu Zhou, Wanquan Yu, Huiying Kan, Qi Meng, Ruosong Xie, Peng Dong

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Abstract

Heavy metals (HMs) pollution in lead‑zinc (PbZn) smelting slag is a widespread environmental issue. However, the weathering and toxic leaching behavior of PbZn smelting slag under strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly in plateau areas, has rarely been studied. The interaction between HMs and minerals in PbZn smelting slag under intense sunlight remains unclear. In this study, we simulate and analyze for the first time the oxidative stress process of HMs, melilite, and pyrite in PbZn smelting slag under natural environmental conditions, considering the unique mineralogical and climatic characteristics. Notably, UV radiation acts as an energy source, exciting pyrite and promoting the migration of electrons (e⁻) and holes (h⁺), which triggers redox reactions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as intermediates, converting As(III) to the more stable As(V). Due to the differing symbiotic relationships, the Pb-containing mineral (galena) is directly oxidized to PbSO₄ by ROS (H₂O₂), increasing the leaching rate of Pb by 12.4 % and 29.3 %. This also accelerates Zn release by 3.5 % and 21.1 %. This study offers new insights into the migration and transformation behavior of heavy metals in PbZn smelting slag.

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矿物学分析：铅锌冶炼渣中重金属光致氧化驱动机理

铅锌冶炼渣中的重金属污染是一个广泛存在的环境问题。然而，对于PbZn冶炼渣在强紫外线辐射下的风化和毒性浸出行为，特别是高原地区的研究很少。强光下PbZn冶炼渣中HMs与矿物的相互作用尚不清楚。本研究首次模拟分析了PbZn冶炼渣中HMs、melilite和黄铁矿在自然环境条件下的氧化应激过程，考虑了PbZn冶炼渣独特的矿物学和气候特征。值得注意的是，紫外线辐射作为一种能量源，激发黄铁矿，促进电子（e−）和空穴（h+）的迁移，从而引发氧化还原反应。活性氧（ROS）作为中间体，将as （III）转化为更稳定的as (V)。由于不同的共生关系，含铅矿物方铅矿被ROS （H₂O₂）直接氧化为PbSO₄，Pb的浸出率分别提高了12.4%和29.3%。锌的释放速度分别提高了3.5%和21.1%。本研究对铅锌冶炼渣中重金属的迁移转化行为有了新的认识。

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来源期刊

Journal of Geochemical Exploration 地学-地球化学与地球物理

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

7.70%

发文量

148

审稿时长

8.1 months

期刊介绍： Journal of Geochemical Exploration is mostly dedicated to publication of original studies in exploration and environmental geochemistry and related topics. Contributions considered of prevalent interest for the journal include researches based on the application of innovative methods to: define the genesis and the evolution of mineral deposits including transfer of elements in large-scale mineralized areas. analyze complex systems at the boundaries between bio-geochemistry, metal transport and mineral accumulation. evaluate effects of historical mining activities on the surface environment. trace pollutant sources and define their fate and transport models in the near-surface and surface environments involving solid, fluid and aerial matrices. assess and quantify natural and technogenic radioactivity in the environment. determine geochemical anomalies and set baseline reference values using compositional data analysis, multivariate statistics and geo-spatial analysis. assess the impacts of anthropogenic contamination on ecosystems and human health at local and regional scale to prioritize and classify risks through deterministic and stochastic approaches. Papers dedicated to the presentation of newly developed methods in analytical geochemistry to be applied in the field or in laboratory are also within the topics of interest for the journal.