scholarly journals Performance Evaluation of Fe-Al Bimetallic Particles for the Removal of Potentially Toxic Elements from Combined Acid Mine Drainage-Effluents from Refractory Gold Ore Processing

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 590
Author(s):  
Elham Aghaei ◽  
Zexiang Wang ◽  
Bogale Tadesse ◽  
Carlito Tabelin ◽  
Zakaria Quadir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Electrochemical Reduction ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Chloride Ions ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Bimetallic Particles ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Electrode Potentials

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a serious environmental issue associated with mining due to its acidic pH and potentially toxic elements (PTE) content. This study investigated the performance of the Fe-Al bimetallic particles for the treatment of combined AMD-gold processing effluents. Batch experiments were conducted in order to eliminate potentially toxic elements (including Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Mn) from a simulated waste solution at various bimetal dosages (5, 10, and 20 g/L) and time intervals (0 to 90 min). The findings show that metal ions with greater electrode potentials than Fe and Al have higher affinities for electrons released from the bimetal. Therefore, a high removal (> 95%) was obtained for Hg, As, Cu, and Pb using 20 g/L bimetal in 90 min. Higher uptakes of Hg, As, Cu, and Pb than Ni, Zn, and Mn also suggest that electrochemical reduction and adsorption by Fe-Al (oxy) hydroxides as the primary and secondary removal mechanisms, respectively. The total Al3+ dissolution in the experiments with a higher bimetal content (10 and 20 g/L) were insignificant, while a high release of Fe ions was recorded for various bimetal dosages. Although the secondary Fe pollution can be considered as a drawback of using the Fe-Al bimetal, this issue can be tackled by a simple neutralization and Fe precipitation process. A rapid increase in the solution pH (initial pH 2 to >5 in 90 min) was also observed, which means that bimetallic particles can act as a neutralizing agent in AMD treatment system and promote the precipitation of the dissolved metals. The presence of chloride ions in the system may cause akaganeite formation, which has shown a high removal capacity for PTE. Moreover, nitrate ions may affect the process by competing for the released electrons from the bimetal owing to their higher electrode potential than the metals. Finally, the Fe-Al bimetallic material showed promising results for AMD remediation by electrochemical reduction of PTE content, as well as acid-neutralization/metal precipitation.

A Review of Technologies Used in Handling The Acid Mine Drainage Challenge: Perspectives on Using Green Liquor Dregs As a Sustainable Option For Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Keolebogile R. Sebogodi ◽  
Jonas K. Johakimu ◽  
B. Bruce Sithole
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Green Liquor ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Green Liquor Dregs ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
By Products

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the repercussions that result from earth-moving activities around the sulfide-bearing mineral hosts. The detrimental effects associated with this AMD are driven by its characteristics, which include low pH and high concentrations of sulfate and toxic dissolved metals. Traditionally, the prevention and treatment of AMD are achieved by using technologies that use, amongst other, naturally occurring soils and carbonates. However, the continual use of these materials may eventually lead to their depletion. On the other hand, industrial by-products have been proven to occupying land that could have otherwise been used for profitable businesses. Additionally, the handling and maintenance of landfills are costly. In this current trend of a circular economy that is driven by industrial symbiosis, scientists are concerned with valorizing industrial by-products. One such by-product is the green liquor dregs (GLD) from Kraft mills. The neutralizing and geotechnical properties of these wastes have prompted the research pioneers to seek their potential use in handling the challenges associated with AMD. In this review, the formation AMD, trends in technologies for treatment and prevention of AMD are critically analyzed. This includes the feasibility of using GLD as an alternative, promising sustainable material.

scholarly journals Covellite (CuS) Production from a Real Acid Mine Drainage Treated with Biogenic H2S

Metals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Magalhães Pereira Silva ◽  
Adriano Reis Lucheta ◽  
José Augusto Pires Bitencourt ◽  
Andre Luiz Vilaça do Carmo ◽  
Ivan Patricio Ñancucheo Cuevas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Synthesis Conditions ◽  
Acid Mine

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is an environmental problem associated with mining activities, which resulted from the exposure of sulfur bearing materials to oxygen and water. AMD is a pollution source due to its extreme acidity, high concentration of sulfate, and soluble metals. Biological AMD treatment is one alternative to couple environmental amelioration for valuable dissolved metals recovery, as a new source of raw materials. Covellite (CuS) particles were synthetized from an AMD sample collected in a Brazilian copper mine, after 48 and 96 h of exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) produced in a bioreactor containing acidophilic sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). The time of exposure affected the morphology, nucleation, and size of CuS crystals. CuS crystals synthetized after 96 h of H2S exposure showed better ordination as indicated by sharp and intense diffractograms obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the predominance of placoid sheets with hexagonal habit structure as observed by scanning electrons microscopy (SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry indicated a Cu:S molar ratio in agreement with CuS. Granulometric analysis demonstrated that 90% of CuS particles were less than 22 µm size. AMD biological treatment is a potential economical CuS recovery option for metallurgical process chain incorporation, or new industrial applications, since the alteration of synthesis conditions can produce different crystal forms with specific characteristics.

scholarly journals Bench-scale comparison of conventional and high rate clarification treatment processes for acid mine drainage

2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison L. Mackie ◽  
Margaret E. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Metal Mining ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Solids Content ◽  
Federal Guidelines

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is characterized as having low pH and high concentrations of sulfate and dissolved metals. This study compared treated water quality and sludge properties of three process technologies for AMD: conventional sedimentation, high density sludge (HDS), and ballasted flocculation. All three processes were found to be capable of removing regulated metals to concentrations below current Canadian discharge guidelines. However, ballasted flocculation was the only technology found to be able to meet the more stringent federal guidelines proposed for future implementation under the Fisheries' Act's Metal Mining Effluent Regulations. Specifically, arsenic and zinc concentrations in AMD treated by the conventional and HDS processes were above proposed future guidelines of 0.10 and 0.25 mg/L, respectively, while lead, copper, and nickel all met respective guidelines. Concentrations of all regulated contaminants were below proposed guidelines when treated by ballasted flocculation. The HDS process was found to produce a significantly more concentrated sludge than conventional sedimentation (i.e., higher solids content (19 ± 1% versus 7 ± 4% wet solids) and lower sludge volume index (SVI; 8.4 ± 0.8 versus 230 ± 20 mL/g)).

scholarly journals Precipitation of heavy metals from acid mine drainage and their geochemical modeling

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Petrilakova ◽  
Magdalena Balintova ◽  
Marian Holub
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Geochemical Modeling ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Environmental Preservation ◽  
Surface Water Hydrology ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Modeling Software ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract Geochemical modeling plays an increasingly vital role in a number of areas of geoscience, ranging from groundwater and surface water hydrology to environmental preservation and remediation. Geochemical modeling is also used to model the interaction processes at the water - sediment interface in acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD contains high concentrations of sulfate and dissolved metals and it is a serious environmental problem in eastern Slovakia. The paper is focused on comparing the results of laboratory precipitation of metal ions from AMD (the Smolnik creek, Slovakia) with the results obtained by geochemical modeling software Visual Minteq 3.0.

scholarly journals Rock Formation Acid Mine Drainage in Epithermal Gold Mineralization, Pandeglang, Banten Province

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-276
Author(s):  
Dudi Nasrudin Usman ◽  
Sri Widayati ◽  
Sriyanti Sriyanti ◽  
Era Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Water ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Sulfide Minerals ◽  
Acid Water ◽  
Acid Formation ◽  
Acidic Water ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Acid Mine

Mine acid water is acidic water and contains iron and sulfate, which is formed under natural conditions when geological strata containing pyrites are exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere or environment. One of the impacts of the mineralization zone where there is a mining process is the potential for the formation of acid mine drainage, especially in the Cibaliung gold mineralization area and its surroundings, Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province. Acid-forming sulfide minerals include pyrite (FeS2), headquarters (FeS2), picoliters (FexSx), calcocytes (CuS), covellite (CuS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), molybdenite (MoS), mulenite (NiS), chalocytes (CuS), covellite (CuS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), molybdenite (MoS), mulenite (NiS), chalocytes (CuS), covellite (CuS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), molybdenite (MoS), mulenite (NiS), galena (PbS) ) and sphalerite (ZnS). Of all these minerals, pyrite is the most dominant sulfide in acid formation. Alkaline mine water (alkaline mine drainage) is mine water that has an acidity level (pH) of 6 or more, containing alkalinity but still containing dissolved metals that can produce acids. The quality of mine water, acid or alkali, depends on the presence or absence of acid mineral content (sulfides) and alkaline materials in the geological strata. Acid water formation tends to be more intensive in mining areas. This can be prevented by avoiding exposure to sulfide-containing materials in the free air. Acid-forming sulfide minerals include pyrite (FeS2), headquarters (FeS2), picoliters (FexSx), calcocytes (CuS), covellite (CuS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), molybdenite (MoS), mulenite (NiS), chalocytes (CuS), covellite (CuS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), molybdenite (MoS), mulenite (NiS), chalocytes (CuS), covellite (CuS), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), molybdenite (MoS), mulenite (NiS), galena (PbS) ) and sphalerite (ZnS). Of all these minerals, pyrite is the most dominant sulfide in acid formation. Formation of potential acidic water also occurs in tailings which are residues/processing residues containing sulfide minerals. The formation of acid mine drainage does not always develop in every sulfide-ore mining. In certain types of ore deposits, there are neutralizing agents which prevent the formation of acid mine drainage.

scholarly journals Biofilm Bacterial Community Structure in Streams Affected by Acid Mine Drainage

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 3455-3460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Lear ◽  
Dev Niyogi ◽  
Jon Harding ◽  
Yimin Dong ◽  
Gillian Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Iron Hydroxide ◽  
Acidic Ph ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT We examined the bacterial communities of epilithic biofilms in 17 streams which represented a gradient ranging from relatively pristine streams to streams highly impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD). A combination of automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis with multivariate analysis and ordination provided a sensitive, high-throughput method to monitor the impact of AMD on stream bacterial communities. Significant differences in community structure were detected among neutral to alkaline (pH 6.7 to 8.3), acidic (pH 3.9 to 5.7), and very acidic (pH 2.8 to 3.5) streams. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the acidic streams were generally dominated by bacteria related to the iron-oxidizing genus Gallionella, while the organisms in very acidic streams were less diverse and included a high proportion of acidophilic eukaryotes, including taxa related to the algal genera Navicula and Klebsormidium. Despite the presence of high concentrations of dissolved metals (e.g., Al and Zn) and deposits of iron hydroxide in some of the streams studied, pH was the most important determinant of the observed differences in bacterial community variability. These findings confirm that any restoration activities in such systems must focus on dealing with pH as the first priority.

Evaluation of the Affinity of Some Toxic Elements to Schwertmannite in Natural Streams Contaminated with Acid Mine Drainage

2010 ◽  
Vol 216 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 153-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsushi Nagano ◽  
Nobuyuki Yanase ◽  
Yukiko Hanzawa ◽  
Morio Takada ◽  
Hisayoshi Mitamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Natural Streams

scholarly journals Iron removal in highly contaminated acid mine drainage using passive biochemical reactors

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1833-1843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Genty ◽  
Bruno Bussière ◽  
Mostafa Benzaazoua ◽  
Carmen M. Neculita ◽  
Gérald J. Zagury
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Wastewater Sludge ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Batch Type ◽  
Batch Tests ◽  
Biochemical Reactors

Passive biochemical reactors (PBRs) are a viable alternative to neutralization plants for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) because they require lower investment costs and use residual materials. However, high iron (Fe) concentrations (≥0.5 g/L) in AMD are challenging for their long-term efficiency. Sorption and precipitation are the main Fe removal mechanisms, but the relative importance of each is mostly unknown. In this study, locally available natural materials (organic and inorganic) were characterized and tested for their performance in Fe removal from highly contaminated AMD (pH 3.5, 4 g/L of Fe, and 9 g/L of sulfate). Iron retention capacity of the materials was then evaluated and the efficiency of eight mixtures of materials was compared through 40-day laboratory batch tests. All batch-type PBRs increased the pH up to 6.5 and decreased dissolved metals concentrations, including Fe, up to 99%. Results showed that organic residual materials (manures, municipal wastewater sludge, and compost) were the best substrates for Fe removal.These findings allowed for the selection of three reactive mixtures with distinct characteristics (mixture #1 – 30% organic wastes; mixture #4 – 50% calcite; and mixture #7 – 50% sand) to be further evaluated in column type PBRs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document