Abstract:A series oflaboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an electrochemical approach to ameliorate AMD. An electrochemical cell was constructed using a block of massive sulfide-graphite rock from the Sherman Iron Ore Mine ofTemagami, Ont., Canada as the cathode, scrap iron as the sacrificial anode, and acidic leachate collected from the mine site as the electrolyte. The cell raised the pH of -41.0 L ofleachate from 3.0 to a maintenance value of -5.5. This result was accompanied by a significant decrease in redox potential from >550 to <300 mv. Furthermore, iron sulphate precipitate formed, with a concomitant lowering of Al, Ca, and Mg solution concentrations. The study clearly demonstrated the electrochemical approach to be a technically feasible and practical method of ameliorating AMD.
Abstract:Peat was investigated as a potential source of indigenous microflora capable of: (!) providing a suitable carbon source for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) through the anaerobic degradation of black spruce (Picea mariana) and trembling aspen (Popu!us tremu!oides) wood chips, (2) complexing metals to form relatively insoluble sulphide minerals through the reduction of sulfate to sulphide, and (3) surviving exposures to extremely acidic conditions. Enumeration studies, combined with measurements of dissolved organic carbon, indicated sufficient available carbon was generated by anaerobic degradation of cellulose to support a viable population of SRB. The bacterial systems showed signs of recovery within 2 to 3 weeks following acidification to pH 3 .0. The reestablishment of active microbial systems was indicated by the formation of a black iron sulphide precipitate.Additional Key Words: acid mine drainage, sulphate reducing bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria, peat, wood waste.
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