scholarly journals Remediation scenario of the abandoned Kettara mine site (Morocco): acid mine drainage (AMD) transport modeling

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meriem Lghoul ◽  
Karim Sbihi ◽  
Abdelkabir Maqsoud ◽  
Rachid Hakkou ◽  
Azzouz Kchikach
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Groundwater Contamination ◽  
Flow Model ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Groundwater Flow Model ◽  
Mine Site ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Kettara Mine Site ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn this study, we present the efficiency of remediation scenario to attenuate the impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) contamination in the Kettara abandoned mine site. The study focuses on the AMD groundwater contamination of the Sarhlef shists aquifer. To predict the evolution of AMD groundwater contamination in the Kettara mine site under remediation scenario, a model of groundwater flow and AMD transport was performed.Piezometric heads were measured at the dry and wet periods from eleven wells located downstream of mine wastes. To elaborate a conceptual groundwater flow model, we faced with to the heterogeneity and anisotropy of fractured Sarhlef shists aquifer. Consequently, the study focused on the use of various approaches: 1. The inverse modeling by the CMA-ES algorithm is adopted as an alternative approach to determine hydraulic parameters indirectly, and 2. the model is treated as an equivalent porous media (EPM). The groundwater flow model was carried out in steady-state and transient conditions in the dry and wet periods using the PMWIN interface. The obtained results are satisfactory and show an excellent correlation between measured and computed heads. Contaminant transport model is used to solve the advection–dispersion equation and to generate the AMD concentration by MT3D via the PMWIN interface. A sensitivity analysis of the dispersivity coefficient is carried out. The AMD transport simulation was computed during periods of 1, 5 and 10 years, and the performed model indicates that the simulated concentrations under remediation scenario are reduced 1000 times comparing to the current concentrations. The study revealed a necessary approach in addressing an environmental issue for the AMD contamination. The results of the study will be a start-up for further research work in the study area and implementing it for the prevention of AMD propagation plume.

scholarly journals Induction of a geochemical barrier for As, Fe and S immobilization in a sulfide substrate

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 671-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Rodrigues de Assis ◽  
Luiz Eduardo Dias ◽  
Emerson Silva Ribeiro Jr ◽  
Walter Antônio Pereira Abrahão ◽  
Jaime Wilson Vargas de Mello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Geochemical Barrier ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Element Mobilization ◽  
Co Precipitation ◽  
The Impact

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is an environmental concern due to the risk of element mobilization, including toxic elements, and inclusion in the food chain. In this study, three cover layers were tested to minimize As, Fe and S mobilization from a substrate from former gold mining, containing pyrite and arsenopyrite. For this purpose, different layers (capillary break, sealant and cover layer) above the substrate and the induction of a geochemical barrier (GB) were used to provide suitable conditions for adsorption and co-precipitation of the mobilized As. Thirteen treatments were established to evaluate the leaching of As, Fe and S from a substrate in lysimeters. The pH, As, Fe, S, Na, and K concentrations and total volume of the leachates were determined. Mineralogical analyses were realized in the substrate at the end of the experimental period. Lowest amounts of As, Fe and S (average values of 5.47, 48.59 and 132.89 g/lysimeter) were leached in the treatments that received Na and K to induce GB formation. Mineralogical analyses indicated jarosite formation in the control treatment and in treatments that received Na and K salts. However, the jarosite amounts in these treatments were higher than in the control, suggesting that these salts accelerated the GB formation. High amounts of As, Fe and S (average values of 11.7, 103.94 and 201.13 g/lysimeter) were observed in the leachate from treatments without capillary break layer. The formation of geochemical barrier and the use of different layers over the sulfide substrate proved to be efficient techniques to decrease As, Fe and S mobilization and mitigate the impact of acid mine drainage.

scholarly journals The impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) on the distribution of selected radionuclides in the sediments of two pit lakes in the Muskau Arch (western Poland)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilona Sekudewicz ◽  
Michał Gąsiorowski ◽  
Šárka Matoušková ◽  
Jan Rohovec ◽  
Karolina Kaucha
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Pit Lakes ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Formation and characterization of acid mine drainage in the Madzharovo ore field, Southeastern Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Svetlana Bratkova
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sulfide Minerals ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Zinc Cadmium ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Cadmium Lead ◽  
The Impact

The formation of acid mine drainage (AMD) is a serious environmental problem in areas with mining and processing industries worldwide. Their generation is associated with chemical and biological processes of oxidation of sulfide minerals, mainly pyrite. Sources of AMD can be deposits of sulfide minerals and coal with a high content of pyrite sulfur, mining waste and some tailings. The impact of AMD on surface and groundwater in mining areas continues for decades after the cessation of extraction. An example of the negative impact of generated acid mine drainage on the state of surface waters is in the region of Madzharovo. Years after the cessation of mining, the waters at the discharge points "Momina Skala", "Harman Kaya" and "Pandak Dere" are characterized by low pH values and high concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and manganese.

Preliminary geotechnical assessment of the potential use of mixtures of soil and acid mine drainage neutralization sludge as materials for the moisture retention layer of covers with capillary barrier effects

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 828-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamert Mbonimpa ◽  
Médard Bouda ◽  
Isabelle Demers ◽  
Mostafa Benzaazoua ◽  
Denis Bois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Capillary Barrier ◽  
Moisture Retention ◽  
Mine Site ◽  
Barrier Effects ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Geotechnical Assessment ◽  
Site Rehabilitation ◽  
Water Contents

Lime treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) generates sludge that is commonly stored in ponds for dewatering. The use of soil-aged sludge-based mixtures for mine site rehabilitation can allow the emptying of existing basins, thus extending their storage capacity, reducing the volume of the borrow soil pit required for mine site rehabilitation, and consequently reducing the mine footprint. The authors investigated the geotechnical properties of silty soil–sludge mixtures (SSMs) as possible components of covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBEs) to prevent AMD generation from mine waste. SSMs with β values of 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% sludge (β = wet sludge mass / wet soil mass) were studied. Two water contents were considered for each of the mixture components: 175% and 200% for the sludge and 7.5% and 12.5% for the soil. Results indicate that saturated hydraulic conductivity (ksat) values were in the range of 10−5 cm/s for the soil and SSMs at void ratios ranging from 0.28 to 0.53, with values decreasing slightly when β was increased from 0% to 25%. The air-entry value (AEV) increased from 20 kPa for the soil alone to 35 kPa for the SSM with β = 25%. These values of ksat and AEV are comparable to those of materials used in the moisture retention layers of existing efficient CCBEs. However, the volumetric shrinkage increased from about 2% for the soil alone to values ranging between 24% and 32% for the SSM with β = 25%, depending on the initial water contents of the components. Tools are provided to estimate to which extent the use of sludge in SSMs can reduce the volume of borrow natural soil required for a moisture retention layer of a CCBE.

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