Temperature-driven variation in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated tailings leaching in northern Norway

Modeling Cu removal from aqueous solution using sawdust based on response surface methodology

Copper (Cu), as one of the heavy metals widely used in industrial and agricultural activities, has a fundamental role in the pollution of water resources. Therefore, removing Cu from the aqueous solutions is considered an important challenge in the purification of water resources. Thus, in this study, sawdust with a diameter of 260-600 μm was used to remove Cu from the aqueous solutions. At first, sawdust was washed using distilled water and dried at laboratory temperature. Cu absorption experiments in closed conditions were performed based on the central composite design (CCD) model and with a range of initial Cu concentrations equal to 1-25 mgl-1. The amount of changes for other variables, including pH, time, and amount of sawdust, was equal to 2-10, 5-185 (min), and 5-25 (gl-1), respectively. After the completion of each test, the remaining Cu concentration in the solution was measured using atomic absorption, and the percentage of Cu removed was determined from the difference between the initial and final concentrations. The results showed that the CCD model has a favorable ability to predict Cu removal from the aqueous solutions (R2=0.90 and RSME=3.34%). Based on the Pareto analysis, contact time, the amount of sawdust, pH, and the Cu concentration had the most significant effect on removing Cu from the solution. Contact time, amount of sawdust, and pH were directly related, and the amount of dissolved Cu was proportional to the removal of Cu from the solution. Therefore, sawdust is desirable as a natural adsorbent, and the removal efficiency of Cu from solutions with low Cu concentration is very high (94%). In this regard, it is advised to use sawdust in the process of targeting Cu and heavy metals due to its low cost and availability.

Development of a certified reference material for accurate determination of the leaching of Pb and Zn in solid waste

Certified reference materials (CRMs) with high accuracy and traceability play a significant role in the calibration of equipment and validation of analytical methods. However, there is still a lack of suitable solid waste CRMs for quality assurance and quality control. Thus, a CRM (GBW(E)085538) was developed for accurate determination and reliable measurement of the leaching of Pb and Zn in solid waste according to the requirements of ISO 17034 and the recommendations of ISO Guide 35. This study describes the steps performed for the development of the CRM. These steps include material preparation, homogeneity, and stability during transport and storage, assignment of certified values, and their uncertainties. The material was dried, ground, sieved and well-mixed, and the final bulk material was bottled in 1 kg portions. Analytical techniques like inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) have been used for the characterization of property values. Concurrently, an inter-laboratory comparison study involving 9 qualified laboratories was implemented to support the certification study. The certified values of Pb and Zn were (4.66 ± 0.21) mg/L and (2.95 ± 0.14) mg/L with 7-month stability.

Using shrimp shells and concrete to mitigate leaching for metals from waste rock

The capability of shrimp shells or construction demolition concrete as amendments to immobilize elements, primarily Pb and Zn, generated from mine waste weathering, was investigated via standard batch leaching test (L/S 10 cm³/g, 24 h). The effect of the amendment was tested at waste rock-to-residue ratios 9:1, 9.5:0.5, and 9.8:0.2 (weight:weight, w/w), with seawater as leachant. The effect of freshwater vs. seawater on the leaching pattern was investigated. The elemental contents of rock varied largely. Elemental levels in shells and concrete had much lower values than waste rock. Leaching results showed that amendment in both cases had high capacity to immobilize Pb and Zn. A decrease of concrete-to-rock ratio from 1:9 to 0.2:9.8 (w/w) led to more leaching of Pb but less of Zn. Similarly, decreasing shrimp-to-rock ratio increased and decreased leaching of Pb and Zn, respectively. Increasing experimental time to 5 and 10 d in a shrimp-amended batch caused less leaching of Pb and more of Zn. Both Pb and Zn immobilization in the concrete amendment was considered due to the increase of pH by concrete amending. The Pb leaching in the present study was considered controlled primarily by a sorption process, whilst the leaching for Zn might have been influenced by other factors such as pH and DO. Pb leaching from rock was much higher in seawater than in freshwater, with same range for Zn leaching, irrespective of leachant. It showed consistence between the laboratory data and the field conditions. Calculation procedures were established for amendment to mitigate mine drainage.

Dissolution of harmful trace elements from coal and the environmental risk to mine water utilization

Under the pressure of water shortages, coal mine water has been allocated as a national water resource in China. However, the existence of harmful trace elements (HTEs) in coal mine water causes environmental risks and health concerns over its reuse. Through a lixiviation experiment, the dominant factors affecting the dissolution of HTEs in coal were simulated and analyzed, and the environmental risks of HTEs in coal mine water in China were evaluated for the first time. The average dissolved content levels of HTEs from coal were Mn > Cu > Zn > Ni > Ba > Cr > Co > V > Mo > Se > U > Pb > Cd, and the average maximum dissolution rates were Ni > Co > Mo > Zn > Cu > Cd > Mn > Se > Ba > Cr > U > Pb > V. Oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) and pH are the dominant factors controlling HTE dissolution. Higher oxygen exposure levels induce Eh and pH development, resulting in more HTE dissolution. This study constructed the dissolution potential index (F_C) of HTEs from coal. Based on the results of the F_C model, the areas with the highest migration potential and environmental risk of HTEs from coal seams to mine water are located in southern China, especially in the southwest, followed by areas of eastern Inner Mongolia and Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. The corresponding risks in other regions are relatively low; thus, mine water utilization remains an effective option. This study provides an effective reference for the analysis of HTE enrichment in coal mine water and an evaluation of its safe utilization.

Effect of Heating on Physicochemical Property of Aerosols during Vaping

Many electronic cigarette manufacturers have offered different types of “high-end mods” that allow for controlled heating of the e-liquid. However, the controlled heating condition can drastically alter the inhaled aerosols’ physical properties and chemical substances, causing potential health risks. To investigate the contribution of heating on aerosol properties, we used four common power settings in the mods to conduct a physicochemical analysis. Our data showed that the aerosol mass and nicotine content in the aerosols increased at high power. Additionally, high power led to aerosolization of a viscous component in the e-liquid, increasing the viscosity of aerosol. However, the pH of the aerosol was constant regardless of the applied power. In addition, high-power operation made nicotine prone to oxidation, resulting in the color of the aerosol turning yellow. Lastly, we demonstrated that e-cigarette aerosol could contain various metals, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, nickel, lead, and zinc. Even though these metal contents proportionally increased with the power setting, they remained far below the recommended exposure limits. Our finding demonstrates that the heating conditions of the e-cigarette change the physicochemical properties of the aerosols and their metal contents, thereby possibly affecting users’ oral and respiratory systems.

Variability of trace metals in coastal and estuary: Distribution, profile, and drivers

Ongoing global changes such as increasing sea-surface temperatures, decreasing acidity levels, and expanding oxygen-minimum zone may impact on the biogeochemical cycles of trace metals in ocean systems. Each trace metal has unique characteristics and a distinctive distribution pattern controlled by chemical, biological, and physical processes that occur in ocean systems. The correlations of variability drivers in trace metals are interesting topics for investigation. Following up on ocean research in the coastal and estuary area, we specifically review the distribution of trace metals in seawater and suspended and surface sediment. The marginal seas usually feature significant terrestrial inputs accompanied by several active water-mass currents. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of variability related to trace-metal distribution in coastal and estuary systems and to specifically describe the distribution, profile and drivers that affect trace metals variability.

Role of temperature, wind, and precipitation in heavy metal contamination at copper mines: a review

The increasing demand for minerals pressurizing the mining authorities to extract low-grade ore results in more mining waste and degradation of the environment. The main aim of review was to understand the role of climatic factors (temperature, wind, and precipitation) in dispersal and mobility of heavy metals in soil, water, and vegetation in Cu mining region. The major source of contamination in the mining sector is tailings, overburden rocks, and abandoned mines. The contaminates or fine particles of sulfide-rich mining waste follow two major pathways for the dispersal: aerial and leaching. Sulfides on exposure to oxygen and water generate acid mine drainage which results in leaching of heavy metals. The pit water of abandoned mines is also a cause of concern which contaminates the groundwater resources. Climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation, and wind significantly influence the paths of contaminate dispersal. In arid/semi-arid regions, high temperature forms fine-grained efflorescence salts on tailings or exposed surficial mines which are carried away by strong winds/water and contaminates the surroundings. In wet regions, the leaching of heavy metals from both tailings and overburden rocks sulfides results in environmental contamination. The application of impermeable layers is highly recommended. The climatic factors (temperature, wind, and precipitation) significantly control the dispersal and mobility of heavy metals in Cu mining region. The implementation of waste management policies and pollution control technologies is recommended after considering the climatic factors.

Development of a MIP model to maximize NPV and minimize adverse environmental impact-a heuristic approach

Block sequencing is of great importance in an open-pit mining operation. Sequencing is usually performed to maximize the net present value (NPV). Also, from the environmental viewpoint, the sequence of dumping mined materials is of significant value in the sulfide mines. The potential acid-forming (PAF) waste rocks in these mines can seriously damage the environment due to the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD). To prevent the exposition of the PAF materials, it is essential to design suitable block sequencing. For this purpose, encapsulation of the PAF rocks by non-acid forming (NAF) rocks should be considered during waste dumping. However, this method can impose unnecessary re-handling costs. This issue is due to the determination of the waste-dump sequence based on improper block sequencing obtained from the previous models with the NPV maximization strategy. In the present study, a mixed-integer programming (MIP) model is proposed for generating proper block sequencing taking into account the composition of waste rocks. The main objective of the proposed MIP model is to maximize NPV and minimize the destructive environmental effects of PAF materials dumping. The CPLEX solver was applied to solve the proposed model in small datasets. Then, an artificial bee colony (ABC) is implemented to find out optimum block sequencing and waste dumping (BSWD) on a large scale. The proposed approach was examined employing several sets of data. The obtained results were compared with those of the CPLEX solver as a benchmark. An approximate gap of 2% demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed approach.