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Sajjad W, Ilahi N, Kang S, Bahadur A, Banerjee A, Zada S, Ali B, Rafiq M, Zheng G. Microbial diversity and community structure dynamics in acid mine drainage: Acidic fire with dissolved heavy metals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 909:168635. [PMID: 37981161 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the leading causes of environmental pollution and is linked to public health and ecological consequences. Microbes-mineral interaction generates AMD, but microorganisms can also remedy AMD pollution. Exploring the microbial response to AMD effluents may reveal survival strategies in extreme ecosystems. Three distinct sites across a mine (inside the mine, the entrance of the mine, and outside) were selected to study their heavy metal concentrations due to significant variations in pH and physicochemical characteristics, and high-throughput sequencing was carried out to investigate the microbial diversity. The metal and ion concentrations followed the order SO42-, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg, Pb, Co, Cr, and Ni from highest to lowest, respectively. Maximum sequences were allocated to Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Among archaea, the abundance of Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota was higher outside of mine. Most of the genera (23.12 %) were unclassified and unknown. The average OTUs (operational taxonomic units) were significantly higher outside the mine; however, diversity indices were not significantly different across the mine sites. Hierarchical clustering of selective genera and nMDS ordination of OTUs displayed greater segregation resolution inside and outside of mine, whereas the entrance samples clustered with greater similarity. Heterogeneous selection might be the main driver of community composition outside the mine, whereas stochastic processes became prominent inside the mine. However, the ANOSIM test shows a relatively even distribution of community composition within and between the groups. Microbial phyla showed both positive and negative correlations with physicochemical factors. A greater number of biomarkers were reported outside of the mine. Predictive functional investigation revealed the existence of putative degradative, metabolic, and biosynthetic pathways. This study presents a rare dataset in our understanding of microbial diversity and distribution as shaped by the ecological gradient and potential novelty in phylogenetic/taxonomic diversity in AMD, with potential biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Sajjad
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Nikhat Ilahi
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ali Bahadur
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Abhishek Banerjee
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Sahib Zada
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Barkat Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Muhammad Rafiq
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan.
| | - Guodong Zheng
- School of Environmental Studies, China University Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
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Yang C, Zhao W, Tian H, Wang M, Gao C, Guo Y, Sun B. A preliminary study on the possibility of fermented pineapple peel residue partially replacing whole corn silage in feeding Chuanzhong black goats. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:959857. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.959857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to assess the effects of the partial replacement of whole corn silage (WCS) with fermented pineapple peel residue (FPPR) on growth, serological parameters, muscle quality, rumen microorganisms, and fecal microorganisms. A total of 24 Chuanzhong black goats weighing 10.23 ± 1.42 kg were evaluated in a randomized complete trial design in accordance with the following treatments: (1) 0% FPPR in the diet, (2) 25% FPPR in the diet, and (3) 50% FPPR in the diet. In goats, the partial substitution of FPPR for WCS increased the abundance of probiotics, such as Blautia, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Ruminococcus albus, and did not exert significant effects on overall serological parameters and muscle quality. In conclusion, the partial substitution of FPPR for WCS in the diet did not impair or affect the productive performance of goats.
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Hubbart JA, Kellner E, Petersen F. A 22-Site Comparison of Land-Use Practices, E-coli and Enterococci Concentrations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13907. [PMID: 36360790 PMCID: PMC9658064 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Land-use practices can greatly impact water quality. Escherichia (E.) coli and Enterococcus are accepted water quality indicators. However, surprisingly little research has been conducted comparing both organisms' population density relationships to land use practices and water quality. Stream water grab samples were collected monthly (n = 9 months) from 22 stream monitoring sites draining varying land use practice types in a representative mixed-land-use watershed of the northeastern United States. E. coli and enterococci colony forming units (CFU per 100 mL) were estimated (n = 396) and statistically analyzed relative to land use practices, hydroclimate, and pH, using a suite of methods, including correlation analysis, Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Correlation analyses indicated significant (p < 0.05) relationships between fecal indicator bacteria concentrations, water quality metrics and land use practices but emphasized significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations between pH and instream enterococci concentrations. PCA and CCA results indicated consistent spatial differences between fecal indicator bacteria concentrations, pH, and land use/land cover characteristics. The study showed that pH could be considered an integrated proxy variable for past (legacy) and present land use practice influences. Results also bring to question the comparability of E-coli and enterococci relative to dominant land use practices and variations in pH and provide useful information that will help guide land use practice and water pollutant mitigation decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Hubbart
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Elliott Kellner
- The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 N. Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Fritz Petersen
- Department of Biology, Biology Life Sciences Building, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
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Li Y, Li L, Han Y, Shi J, He J, Cheng S, Liu H, Zhang B. Soil indigenous microorganisms alleviate soluble vanadium release from industrial dusts. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 434:128837. [PMID: 35427972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Vanadium-bearing dusts from industrial processes release abundant toxic vanadium, posing imminent ecological and human health concerns. Although the precipitation of these dusts has been recognized as the main source of soil vanadium pollution, little is known regarding the interrelationships between industrial dusts and soil inherent compositions. In this study, the interactions between dusts from vanadium smelting and soil indigenous microorganisms were investigated. Soluble vanadium (V) [V(V)] released from industrial dusts was reduced by 41.5 ± 0.39% with soil addition, compared to water leaching. Reducible fraction accounted for the highest proportion (55.1 ± 1.73%) of vanadium speciation in the resultant soils, while residual vanadium fraction increased to 83.7 ± 3.22% in the leached dusts. Functional genera (e.g., Aliihoeflea, Actinotalea) that transformed V(V) to insoluble vanadium (IV) alleviated dissolved vanadium release. Nitrate/nitrite reduction and glutathione metabolisms contributed to V(V) immobilization primarily. Structural equation model analysis indicated that V(V) reducers had significant negative impacts on soluble V(V) in the leachate. This first-attempt study highlights the importance of soil microorganisms in immobilizing vanadium from industrial dusts, which is helpful to develop novel strategies to reduce their environmental risks associated to vanadium smelting process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi'na Li
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Liuliu Li
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yawei Han
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jiaxin Shi
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jinxi He
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Shu Cheng
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Baogang Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
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Vasquez Y, Neculita CM, Caicedo G, Cubillos J, Franco J, Vásquez M, Hernández A, Roldan F. Passive multi-unit field-pilot for acid mine drainage remediation: Performance and environmental assessment of post-treatment solid waste. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:133051. [PMID: 34826441 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the performance of a passive multi-unit field-pilot operating for 16 months to treat acid mine drainage (AMD) from a coal mine in Colombia Andean Paramo. The multi-unit field-pilot involved a combination of a pre-treatment unit (550 L) filled with dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS), and six passive biochemical reactors (PBRs; 220 L) under two configurations: open (PBRs-A) and closed (PBRs-B) to the atmosphere. The AMD quality was 1200 ± 91 mg L-1 Fe, 38.0 ± 1.3 mg L-1 Mn, 8.5 ± 1.6 mg L-1 Zn, and 3200 ± 183.8 mg L-1 SO42-, at pH 2.8. The input and output effluents were monitored to establish AMD remediation. Physicochemical stability of the post-treatment solids, including metals (Fe2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+) and sulfates for environmental contamination from reactive mixture post-treatment, was also assessed. The passive multi-unit field-pilot achieved a total removal of 74% SO42-, 63% Fe2+, and 48% Mn2+ with the line of PBRs-A, and 91% SO42-, 80% Fe2+, and 66% Mn2+ with the line of PBRs-B, as well as 99% removal for Zn2+ without significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two lines. The study of the physicochemical stability of the post-treatment solids showed they can produce acidic leachates that could release large quantities of Fe and Mn, if they are disposed in oxidizing conditions; contact with water or any other leaching solutions must be avoided. Therefore, these post-treatment solids cannot be disposed of in a municipal landfill. The differences in configuration between PBRs, open or closed to the atmosphere, induced changes in the performance of the passive multi-unit field-pilot during AMD remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaneth Vasquez
- Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Basicas, Universidad Central, Cra. 5 No. 21-38, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Carmen M Neculita
- Research Institute on Mines and Environment (RIME), University of Quebec in Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT), 445 Boulevard de l'Universite, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 5E4, Canada
| | - Gerardo Caicedo
- Grupo de Catálisis (GC-UPTC), Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Avenida Central del Norte No. 39-115, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Jairo Cubillos
- Grupo de Catálisis (GC-UPTC), Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Avenida Central del Norte No. 39-115, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Jair Franco
- Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Basicas, Universidad Central, Cra. 5 No. 21-38, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mario Vásquez
- Facultad de Ingenieria y Ciencias Basicas, Universidad Central, Cra. 5 No. 21-38, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Angie Hernández
- Grupo de Catálisis (GC-UPTC), Escuela de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC), Avenida Central del Norte No. 39-115, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Fabio Roldan
- Unidad de Saneamiento y Biotecnología Ambiental (USBA), Departamento de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra. 7 No. 40-62, Bogotá, Colombia
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You Y, Huang S, Chen M, Parker KM, He Z. Hematite/selenium disulfide hybrid catalyst for enhanced Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycling in advanced oxidation processes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127376. [PMID: 34879569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Regeneration of Fe(II) is a key issue for heterogeneous advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using iron-based catalysts. Herein, a hybrid catalyst was developed from α-Fe2O3 and SeS2 to enhance the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycling in both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) system and persulfate (PS) system. The regeneration of Fe(II) was evidenced by the increased Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio in the used catalyst (205.8% in the H2O2 system or 125.4% in the PS system), compared to 68.4% in the fresh hybrid catalyst Fe/Se-3. Methyl orange was used as a model pollutant to evaluate the degradation performance of the hybrid catalyst. Owing to the promotion of Fe(II) regeneration, Fe/Se-3 achieved a pollutant removal efficiency of 100.0% in 12 min in both systems, significantly higher than that with pure α-Fe2O3 (33.9 ± 3.6% in the H2O2 system or 30.7 ± 2.8% in the PS system). The dominant active species were identified as hydroxyl radicals in the H2O2 system and sulfate radicals in the PS system. In the proposed mechanism, soluble and surface-bound Fe species are provided by α-Fe2O3 to activate H2O2 or PS to radicals, and SeS2 participates in the reactions via Se(IV) reducing Fe(III) to Fe(II) and S atoms being released through protonation to expose more active Se sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying You
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China; Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Shaobin Huang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Moshan Chen
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Kimberly M Parker
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Zhen He
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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Chen D, Feng Q, Liang H. Effects of long-term discharge of acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines on soil microorganisms: microbial community structure, interaction patterns, and metabolic functions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:53936-53952. [PMID: 34046832 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14566-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
More than twenty abandoned coal mines in the Yudong River Basin of Guizhou Province have discharged acid mine drainage (AMD) for a long time. The revelation of microbial community composition, interaction patterns, and metabolic functions can contribute to a better understanding of such ecosystems, which in its turn can be helpful in the development of strategies aiming at the ecological remediation of AMD pollution. In this study, reference and contaminated soil samples were collected along the AMD flow path for high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that the long-term AMD pollution promoted the evolution of γ-Proteobacteria, and the acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria Ferrovum (relative abundance of 15.50%) and iron-reducing bacteria Metallibacterium (9.87%) belonging to this class became the dominant genera. Co-occurrence analysis revealed that the proportion of positive correlations among bacteria increased from 51.02 (reference soil) to 75.16% (contaminated soil), suggesting that acidic pollution promotes the formation of mutualistic interaction networks of microorganisms. Metabolic function prediction (Tax4Fun) revealed that AMD contamination enhanced microbial functions such as translation, repair, and biosynthesis of peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide, etc., which may be an adaptive mechanism for microbial survival in extremely acidic environment. In addition, acidic pollution promoted the high expression of nitrogen-fixing genes in soil, and the discovery of autotrophic nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Ferrovum highlights the possibility of using this taxon for bioremediation of AMD pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Chen
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1 Daxue Street, Quanshan District, Xuzhou, 221116, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiyan Feng
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1 Daxue Street, Quanshan District, Xuzhou, 221116, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoqian Liang
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1 Daxue Street, Quanshan District, Xuzhou, 221116, People's Republic of China
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Wang Y, Wang J, Li Z, Wang H, He X, Wang C. A novel method based on membrane distillation for treating acid mine drainage: Recovery of water and utilization of iron. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 279:130605. [PMID: 33894512 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and highly efficient treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) is still challenging due to the low pH and high metal concentrations in it. This research focuses on a novel treatment method of AMD using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and photocatalysis to recover water and utilize iron. In the DCMD process without pretreatment, the flux decreased by 93.38%. If pretreated by adding sodium oxalate, scale formation potential was effectively mitigated due to the removal of calcium and complexing of iron. For the treatment of the pretreated AMD (PAMD), 60% of water was recovered in the DCMD process with the flux decrease of 22%. The concentrate obtained from the DCMD process demonstrated high photocatalytic activity in the methylene blue (MB) degradation in an aqueous solution. In addition, the Fe (III)-oxalate complexes in the concentrate were reduced to insoluble Fe (II)-oxalate with visible light irradiation, which could be separated by sedimentation and used as a Fenton catalyst. Hence, this novel method exhibits great advantages on effectively inhibiting DCMD membrane fouling during AMD treatment, producing high-quality distillate with low conductivity, and realizing near zero-discharge of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Jianbing Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Zhongyi Li
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China; The Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100088, China.
| | - Huijiao Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Xuwen He
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Chunrong Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
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Abstract
Tropical forests are among the most diverse ecosystems in the world, completed by huge biodiversity. An expansion in natural resource extraction through open-pit mining activities leads to increasing land and tropical forest degradation. Proper science-based practices are needed as an effort to reclaim their function. This paper summarizes the existing practice of coal mining, covering the regulatory aspects and their reclamation obligations, the practices of coal mining from various sites with different land characteristics, and the reclamation efforts of the post-mining landscapes in Indonesia. The regulations issued accommodate the difference between mining land inside the forest area and outside the forest area, especially in the aspect of the permit authority and in evaluating the success rate of reclamation. In coal-mining practices, this paper describes starting from land clearing activities and followed by storing soil layers and overburden materials. In this step, proper handling of potentially acid-forming materials is crucial to prevent acid mine drainage. At the reclamation stage, this paper sequentially presents research results and the field applications in rearranging the overburden and soil materials, controlling acid mine drainage and erosion, and managing the drainage system, settling ponds, and pit lakes. Many efforts to reclaim post-coal-mining lands and their success rate have been reported and highlighted. Several success stories describe that post-coal-mining lands can be returned to forests that provide ecosystem services and goods. A set of science-based best management practices for post-coal-mine reforestation is needed to develop to promote the success of forest reclamation and restoration in post-coal-mining lands through the planting of high-value hardwood trees, increasing trees’ survival rates and growth, and accelerating the establishment of forest habitat through the application of proper tree planting technique. The monitoring and evaluation aspect is also crucial, as corrective action may be taken considering the different success rates for different site characteristics.
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Biogeochemical Controls on the Potential for Long-Term Contaminant Leaching from Soils Developing on Historic Coal Mine Spoil. SOIL SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems5010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Coal mine spoil is widespread in US coal mining regions, and the potential long-term leaching of toxic metal(loid)s is a significant and underappreciated issue. This study aimed to determine the flux of contaminants from historic mine coal spoil at a field site located in Appalachian Ohio (USA) and link pore water composition and solid-phase composition to the weathering reaction stages within the soils. The overall mineralogical and microbial community composition indicates that despite very different soil formation pathways, soils developing on historic coal mine spoil and an undisturbed soil are currently dominated by similar mineral weathering reactions. Both soils contained pyrite coated with clays and secondary oxide minerals. However, mine spoil soil contained abundant residual coal, with abundant Fe- and Mn- (oxy)hydroxides. These secondary phases likely control and mitigate trace metal (Cu, Ni, and Zn) transport from the soils. While Mn was highly mobile in Mn-enriched soils, Fe and Al mobility may be more controlled by dissolved organic carbon dynamics than mineral abundance. There is also likely an underappreciated risk of Mn transport from coal mine spoil, and that mine spoil soils could become a major source of metals if local biogeochemical conditions change.
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