Black Sands and Brown Maters - A Hydrochemical View of the Mineral Sands Mining Areas of the New South Wales Coast

Abstract

A survey of the chemical characteristics of waters in mineral sands mining areas along the New South Wales coast has revealed a wide range of water systems associated with coastal Quaternary sand masses. The nature of these water systems is intrinsically related to the diverse elements of the coastal environment. Direct and indirect marine influences are the dominant factors controlling the chemical character of coastal waters. Continental factors also contribute to the water composition but the specific sources and processes are rarely known. Mineral sands mining operations were found to induce both chemical and hydrological effects on the water systems. The effects were individual to each mining operation and were determined by the specific environmental characteristics of each site.