Geochemical fractionation and mineralogy of metal(loid)s in abandoned mine soils: Insights into arsenic behaviour and implications to remediation

Abstract Trace elements contamination from abandoned mine sites is a major threat to the environment. The distribution of trace elements in various particle sizes fractions of soils from abandoned mine sites plays a critical role in designing remediation approaches. This study investigated the geochemical distribution of trace element enrichment and mineralogical composition in various particle size fractions from contrasting abandoned mine sites (Webbs Consols, Halls Peak and Mole River, Australia). Results revealed that arsenic and other element concentrations increased with decreasing particle size for samples from Webbs Consols and Halls Peak. The highest arsenic (3.05 %), lead (3.23 %) and zinc (1110 mg/kg) were found in the finest fraction (