Multivariate analyses and spatial distribution of Manganese minerals in soils close to an abandoned Manganese mine

Four hundred soil samples were obtained from a 4 km 2 area close to the abandoned Kgwakgwe Mn oxide ore mine in order to investigate the environmental association of Mn minerals and concentrations in the soils. Manganese minerals and Mn concentrations in samples were identified by X‐ray diffractometry and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively, and results statistically analysed. Bixbyte, Mn 2 O 3 ; braunite, Mn +2 Mn   6 +3 SiO 12 ; ramsdellite, MnO 2 ; pyrolusite, β ‐MnO 2 and cryptomelane, K 2 −  x Mn 8 O 16 were identified in soil samples at the study site but none of these minerals found in soil samples from the control site. Manganese concentrations in samples from the study area were significantly higher than those from the control site. Statistical data yielded seven clusters with distribution of the Mn minerals and concentrations as follows: cluster 1 dominated by Mn concentrations in soil, cluster 2 by none of the seven Mn minerals, cluster 3 by pyrolusite, cluster 4 by braunite, cluster 5 by cryptomelane, cluster 6 by bixbyite and cluster 7 by ramsdellite. Very weak associations of these minerals were depicted from their correlations. The clusters had a bearing on the spatial distribution of the different minerals. Comparing results obtained from the control site, and geological materials, to the soils from the study area, it is certain that Mn minerals and high Mn concentrations in soils originated from the surrounding geological materials. The mining activities most possibly have affected Mn concentrations' and minerals' occurrences in the soils at the study area. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.