• • Tailings leakage events release up to 4.3×10^7 m³ of tailings (e.g., Samarco 2015), with suspended particulate matter (SPM) dispersing over 668 km, causing prolonged turbidity stress lasting months to years, far exceeding natural sediment-driven turbidity events.
• • Tailings contain elevated concentrations of heavy metals (e.g., Zn, Pb, Cd, As) with high bioavailability; active forms dominate, leading to significant bioaccumulation and toxicity in aquatic organisms, as evidenced by long-term declines in benthic species richness.
• • Combined physical (turbidity) and chemical (heavy metal) stress from tailings leakage induces synergistic toxicity through mechanical damage, light limitation, and oxidative stress, resulting in severe and often irreversible ecological damage, such as impaired fish swimming behavior and benthic community collapse.
• • Bibliometric analysis (2000–2025) shows a rising global research trend on tailings toxicity, with China's publication output increasing significantly, reflecting growing attention to tailings dam leakage risks and their ecological impacts.