Zinc contamination in river water and sediments at Taisyu Zn–Pb mine area, Tsushima Island, Japan

Tsushima Island is one of the oldest zinc-lead mining areas in Japan. River water and sediment samples were collected mainly from Taishu area to determine the contamination level of Zn and to clarify its behaviour in the natural system. Among the water samples analysed, 64% exceeded the standard environmental limit of 0.03 µg ml− 1 for Zn. In most cases, Zn concentration in sediment samples also exceeded the standard value, and the concentration varied from 86.75–7490.07 µg g− 1. The mineralogical constituents in sediments were almost similar and quartz had the strongest peak, but the interior part of the ores had many minerals, with galena having the highest proportion. Considering the enrichment factor values (EFc), 12 samples have values of more than 50, indicating a high pollution load for Zn. This study revealed that the sulphide ores, and contaminated sediments, are the possible contamination sources of Shiine River, and Zn dissolution occurred by reactions, such as desorption and ion exchange.