ABSTRACT
The forms of metal(loid)s, their transformation processes, and geochemical environments are very important to evaluate the potential metal(loid) mobility at mining sites. Understanding the geochemical processes that influence metal(loid) mobility, distribution, and bioavailability can aid in forecasting the potential ecological effects of metal(loid)s in mining environments. This chapter examines the dynamics of heavy metal(loid) in mine soils and how these soils can act as a source and as a sink of metal(loid)s. It explains the major physicochemical and biological processes in relation to metal(loid) dynamics in mine soils. The chapter describes acid mine drainage and the mobilization/immobilization processes related to metal(loid) dynamics and finally presents a few recent case studies in mine sites. Ecological risk assessments are becoming increasingly important in evaluating the effects of historical mining activities as well as in predicting the potential effects of present and future mining.
