Efficient removal of arsenic, antimony and nickel from mine wastewaters in Northern treatment peatlands and potential risks in their long-term use

Palmer, Katharina; Ronkanen, Anna‐Kaisa; Kløve, Bjørn

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.11.045

Cited by 59 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, thioarsenates have been detected in a natural As‐enriched peatland just recently (Besold et al ., ), indicating that they may be indeed widespread in anoxic, sulphidic environments. In the studied TPs, sulphate concentrations are very high, especially in TP A, which receives mine process waters (Palmer et al ., ). Anoxic conditions in deeper peat layers allow for microbial sulphate reduction to elemental sulphur and further on to sulphide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…However, microbial arsenic reduction is likely not the only factor determining removal efficiencies of As in TPs, since other factors like hydraulic load and water residence time also contribute. Since hydraulic load is much higher for TP B than for TP A (38 vs. 6.1 mm day −1 ; Palmer et al ., ), this also negatively affects As removal in TP B.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Abundant and diverse arsenic‐metabolizing microorganisms in peatlands treating arsenic‐contaminated mining wastewaters

Kujala

Besold

Mikkonen

et al. 2020

Environmental Microbiology

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Summary Mining operations produce large quantities of wastewater. At a mine site in Northern Finland, two natural peatlands are used for the treatment of mining‐influenced waters with high concentrations of sulphate and potentially toxic arsenic (As). In the present study, As removal and the involved microbial processes in those treatment peatlands (TPs) were assessed. Arsenic‐metabolizing microorganisms were abundant in peat soil from both TPs (up to 108 cells gdw−1), with arsenate respirers being about 100 times more abundant than arsenite oxidizers. In uninhibited microcosm incubations, supplemented arsenite was oxidized under oxic conditions and supplemented arsenate was reduced under anoxic conditions, while little to no oxidation/reduction was observed in NaN3‐inhibited microcosms, indicating high As‐turnover potential of peat microbes. Formation of thioarsenates was observed in anoxic microcosms. Sequencing of the functional genemarkers aioA (arsenite oxidizers), arrA (arsenate respirers) and arsC (detoxifying arsenate reducers) demonstrated high diversity of the As‐metabolizing microbial community. The microbial community composition differed between the two TPs, which may have affected As removal efficiencies. In the present situation, arsenate reduction is likely the dominant net process and contributes substantially to As removal. Changes in TP usage (e.g. mine closure) with lowered water tables and heightened oxygen availability in peat might lead to re‐oxidation and re‐mobilization of bound arsenite.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Abundant and diverse arsenic‐metabolizing microorganisms in peatlands treating arsenic‐contaminated mining wastewaters

Kujala

Besold

Mikkonen

et al. 2020

Environmental Microbiology

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“…Covers and/or organic amendments can also be combined with revegetation to increase physical stability (limitation of water and wind erosion) and decrease geochemical reactivity and, eventually, the generation of contaminated mine drainage (Rakotonimaro et al, 2018). Reuse of available organic materials on mine sites (e.g., forest residues, peat, compost, and sludge) for tailing reclamation is an innovative and economic concept (Nason et al, 2014; Palmer et al, 2015; Guittonny‐Larchevêque and Pednault, 2016). Peat moss, which is an organic material often available in large quantities on northern mine sites, is excavated to allow mining activities to take place and is then stored awaiting valorization.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the high content of humic substances of peat, with functional groups such as carboxyl, phenol, and alcohol groups, was confirmed as efficient for the adsorption of heavy metals by surface complexation (Kumpiene et al, 2007). Peat is also effective in immobilizing very low concentrations of As (14–140 μg L −1 ), Sb, and Ni in tailings, especially when they are combined or conditioned with Fe‐based materials (Kumpiene et al, 2008; Ansone et al, 2013; Palmer et al, 2015; Zhang et al, 2018). The use of peat can also be beneficial for the biotransformation of metallic elements into less toxic organometallic compounds, particularly in the case of As (organoarsenic) (Palmer et al, 2015; Mikutta and Rothwell, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Peat is also effective in immobilizing very low concentrations of As (14–140 μg L −1 ), Sb, and Ni in tailings, especially when they are combined or conditioned with Fe‐based materials (Kumpiene et al, 2008; Ansone et al, 2013; Palmer et al, 2015; Zhang et al, 2018). The use of peat can also be beneficial for the biotransformation of metallic elements into less toxic organometallic compounds, particularly in the case of As (organoarsenic) (Palmer et al, 2015; Mikutta and Rothwell, 2016). Finally, peat mixed or modified with Fe‐based materials was found to be efficient in removing metalloids.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Arsenic Leaching Potential in Gold Mine Tailings Amended with Peat and Mine Drainage Treatment Sludge

et al. 2019

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Peat and mine drainage treatment sludge can be valorized as amendments on mine sites to stabilize gold mine tailings and reduce the potential leaching of contaminants in pore water. However, the influence of organic amendments on the mobility of metalloids and/or metals in the tailings must be validated, as the leached contaminants may vary according to their type, nature, and origin. The objective of the present study was to evaluate over time the effect of peat‐ and/or Fe‐rich sludge amendments on the mobility of As and metallic cations in the drainage water of tailings potentially producing contaminated neutral drainage. Ten duplicated weathering cell experiments containing tailings alone or amended with peat and/or Fe‐rich sludge (5–10% dry weight) were performed and monitored for 112 d. The results showed that as low as 5% peat amendment would promote As mobility in tailings’ pore water, with As concentrations exceeding Quebec discharge criteria (>0.2 mg L−1). In addition, As(III), the most mobile and toxic form, was predominant with 10% peat, whereas organic species were negligible in all cells. The use of peat alone as organic amendment for the stabilization of tailing contaminants could increase the risk of generating As‐rich contaminated neutral drainage. Conversely, the mix of only 5% Fe‐rich sludge with or without peat decreased As concentrations in leachates by 65 to 80%. Further studies on the use of “peat” or “peat + Fe‐rich sludge” as cover or amendment should be conducted with a focus on Fe/As and Ca/As ratios. Core Ideas Peat amendments enhanced the leaching of As from gold mine tailings. Amendments of 5% peat promoted As(V) leaching, whereas 10% peat increased As(III) leaching. As(III) was predominant at ≥20 mg L−1 dissolved organic C from peat. Mine drainage treatment sludge could decrease As concentrations by 65 to 80% in tailings’ pore water.

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Management and Treatment Methods of Acid Mine Drainage

Saad,

Jabit,

Ismail

et al. 2023

Handbook of Environmental Engineering

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Efficient removal of arsenic, antimony and nickel from mine wastewaters in Northern treatment peatlands and potential risks in their long-term use

Cited by 59 publications

References 43 publications

Abundant and diverse arsenic‐metabolizing microorganisms in peatlands treating arsenic‐contaminated mining wastewaters

Abundant and diverse arsenic‐metabolizing microorganisms in peatlands treating arsenic‐contaminated mining wastewaters

Evaluation of Arsenic Leaching Potential in Gold Mine Tailings Amended with Peat and Mine Drainage Treatment Sludge

Management and Treatment Methods of Acid Mine Drainage

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