The contribution of industrial minerals to solving environmental issues

Abstract

Mitigation of environmental issues and decontamination of land by using a variety of industrial minerals mainly immobilizes contaminants in solution, whether in polluted water or contaminated soils and sediments. That is because a variety of minerals, in particular carbonates, clays and zeolites, have a significant capacity to ad/absorb harmful ions and to react to form precipitates. Phosphates, iron hydroxides, some silica minerals and lime-derived products can also be used to solve environmental issues. This paper focuses on the amendment of soils and sediments affected by the impact of mining or by waste landfills, with some reference to the use of minerals in cultural heritage conservation. An example of actions leading to the amelioration of contaminated land is provided after describing some current pilot experiences  on highly polluted wastes derived from mining in SE Spain.