Fractionation ofFe and heavymetals in abandoned mine wastes at the Estero Domingo Rubio (Huelva)

Two samples of mine wastes were selected from an abandoned deposit at the Natural Park Estero Domingo Rubio, in order to determine the fractionation and relative mobility of some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn). The chemical partitioning of elements was conducted by a six-step sequential extraction scheme developed for Te-rich materials. The results showed high pseudototal concentrations of heavy metals (up to 3249 mgL1 Pb, 1670 mgL1 Zn and 625 mgL1 Cu). A large proportion of these potentially toxic metals are easily mobilisable at the present acidic and oxidant conditions, because most of them are bound to soluble and/or exchangeable phases (up to 84% Pb) and oxidisable phases (up to 91%Zn, 83% Cd and 71% Cu) ofthe wastes