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Wang Y, Wang C, Feng R, Li Y, Zhang Z, Guo S. A review of passive acid mine drainage treatment by PRB and LPB: From design, testing, to construction. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118545. [PMID: 38431067 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118545] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
An extensive volume of acid mine drainage (AMD) generated throughout the mining process has been widely regarded as one of the most catastrophic environmental problems. Surface water and groundwater impacted by pollution exhibit extreme low pH values and elevated sulfate and metal/metalloid concentrations, posing a serious threat to the production efficiency of enterprises, domestic water safety, and the ecological health of the basin. Over the recent years, a plethora of techniques has been developed to address the issue of AMD, encompassing nanofiltration membranes, lime neutralization, and carrier-microencapsulation. Nonetheless, these approaches often come with substantial financial implications and exhibit restricted long-term sustainability. Among the array of choices, the permeable reactive barrier (PRB) system emerges as a noteworthy passive remediation method for AMD. Distinguished by its modest construction expenses and enduring stability, this approach proves particularly well-suited for addressing the environmental challenges posed by abandoned mines. This study undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the PRB systems utilized in the remediation of AMD. Furthermore, it introduced the concept of low permeability barrier, derived from the realm of site-contaminated groundwater management. The strategies pertaining to the selection of materials, the physicochemical aspects influencing long-term efficacy, the intricacies of design and construction, as well as the challenges and prospects inherent in barrier technology, are elaborated upon in this discourse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- 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.
| | - Rongfei Feng
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Saisai Guo
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
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Akoto O, Yakubu S, Ofori LA, Bortey-sam N, Boadi NO, Horgah J, Sackey LN. Multivariate studies and heavy metal pollution in soil from gold mining area. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12661. [PMID: 36685405 PMCID: PMC9851866 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mining generates large volumes of waste, which if not regulated can release toxic metals, causing widespread environmental contamination. This study focused on heavy metal contamination in topsoil within a mining area at Nangodi in the Northern Region of Ghana. A total of 24 soil samples were collected from the study area and control samples were analyzed for Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Cr, and Fe using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results of Pollution Index estimations and Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) classified the soil samples as moderately contaminated to heavily contaminated. Soil samples were severely enriched with As and moderately enriched with b, and Hg. Multivariate analyses such as factor analysis and cluster analysis were employed to examine the relationship between the metals and also differentiate the influence of the natural background content of metals from that due to human activities. Factor analysis identified three polluted soil factor associations. Cadmium, Fe, As, and Pb associated with factor 1, were due to anthropogenic activities. The high intercorrelation revealed by As and Pb shows similarity in their sources. Factor two dominated by Hg is considered an anthropogenic component. Factor 3 correlated with Cr and can be considered a natural component. Correlation analysis and cluster analysis supported each other. Results from the bi-plots showed that sites S1, S8, S11, and S18, have similar metal composition as the control site. Heavy metal contents in soils sampled from Zones A and B have been influenced by the mining activities as seen from the associations of these sites in the bi-plots. The results are useful for metal source identification, and can contribute to monitoring and regulatory programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osei Akoto
- Departmentof Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Salome Yakubu
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Linda A. Ofori
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nesta Bortey-sam
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita Ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Nathaniel O. Boadi
- Departmentof Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jonathan Horgah
- Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Lyndon N.A. Sackey
- Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana,Corresponding author.
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Tabelin CB, Uyama A, Tomiyama S, Villacorte-Tabelin M, Phengsaart T, Silwamba M, Jeon S, Park I, Arima T, Igarashi T. Geochemical audit of a historical tailings storage facility in Japan: Acid mine drainage formation, zinc migration and mitigation strategies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129453. [PMID: 35797786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Historical tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are either abandoned or sparsely rehabilitated promoting acid mine drainage (AMD) formation and heavy metal release. To sustainably manage these sites, a geochemical audit coupled with numerical simulation to predict AMD flow paths and heavy metal migration are valuable. In this study, a 40-year-old TSF in Hokkaido, Japan was investigated. Tailings in this historical TSF contain pyrite (FeS2) while its copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) contents were 1400-6440 mg/kg and 2800-22,300 mg/kg, respectively. Copper and Zn were also easily released in leaching tests because they are partitioned with the exchangeable phase (29% of Zn; 15% of Cu) and oxidizable fraction (25% of Zn; 33% of Cu). Kinetic modeling results attributed AMD formation to the interactions of pyrite and soluble phases in the tailings with oxygenated groundwater, which is supported by the sequential extraction and leaching results. Calibrations of groundwater/AMD flow and solute transport in the 2D reactive transport model were successfully done using hydraulic heads measured on-site and leaching results, respectively. The model forecasted the quality of AMD to deteriorate with time and AMD formation to continue for 1000 years. It also predicted ~24% AMD flux reduction, including lower Zn release with time when recharge reduction interventions are implemented on-site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlito Baltazar Tabelin
- School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Asuka Uyama
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shingo Tomiyama
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mylah Villacorte-Tabelin
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, PRISM, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines; Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines
| | - Theerayut Phengsaart
- Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Marthias Silwamba
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering, School of Mines, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Sanghee Jeon
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ilhwan Park
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takahiko Arima
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Igarashi
- Division of Sustainable Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Song Y, Guo Z, Wang R, Yang L, Cao Y, Wang H. A novel approach for treating acid mine drainage by forming schwertmannite driven by a combination of biooxidation and electroreduction before lime neutralization. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 221:118748. [PMID: 35728497 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) contains abundant iron, sulfates, and various metal ions, and it causes environmental pollution. The traditional AMD lime neutralization forms a layer of iron hydroxide and gypsum on the surface of the lime particles, preventing continuous reaction and leading to excessive lime addition and neutralized sludge production. In this study, an approach for treating AMD using a cyclic process of biooxidation and electroreduction before lime neutralization was proposed, in which the Fe2+ in AMD was oxidized to Fe3+ and induced to form schwertmannite through Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The remaining Fe3+ was reduced to Fe2+ using an electric field. After three biooxidation and two electroreduction cycles, 98.2% of Fe and 62.4% of SO42- in AMD precipitated as schwertmannite (Fe8O8(OH)5.16(SO4)1.37). The yield of schwertmannite reached 33.98 g/LAMD, with a high specific surface area of 112.59 m2/g. The lime dosage and sludge yield of the treated AMD in the subsequent neutralization stage (pH = 7.00) decreased by 85.0% and 74.5%, respectively, than those of raw AMD. The pilot test results showed that the integrated treatment of biooxidation-electroreduction cyclic mineralization and lime neutralization has practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongwei Song
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China.
| | - Zehao Guo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Linlin Yang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Yanxiao Cao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Heru Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China.
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