Evaluation of Dispersed Alkaline Substrate and Diffusive Exchange System Technologies for the Passive Treatment of Copper Mining Acid Drainage

Schwarz, Alex; Nancucheo, Iván; Gaete, María; Muñoz, Diego A.; Sanhueza, Pamela; Torregrosa, Martin; Rötting, Tobías S.; Southam, Gordon; Aybar, Marcelo

doi:10.3390/w12030854

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 49 publications

(83 reference statements)

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“…The SRB can form biofilms on solid surfaces, such as rocks or sediments, in AMD affected areas [90,91]. These biofilms provide a favourable microenvironment for the growth and activity of SRB, allowing them to establish and sustain their sulfatereducing capabilities [91].…”

Section: Sulfate Reducing Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Acid Mine Drainage Treatment and Control: Remediation Methodologies, Mineral Beneficiation and Water Reclamation Strategies

Mapukata,

Mudzanani,

Maurice Chauke

et al. 2024

Hydrology - Current Research and Future Directions

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Although mining plays a vital role in the economic development of many countries, devastating environmental repercussions are associated with it. The extraction of mineral resources inevitably results in the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD), which entails intricate oxidation interactions that occur under ambient conditions in abandoned and active mines. The arbitrary release of AMD can lead to a series of long-term environmental problems, degradation of aquatic habitats and health complications. Over the years, extensive progress has been made in the prevention and treatment of AMD, with some processes even progressing as far as the commercialisation level. This chapter therefore discusses the process of AMD formation, preventative and control measures and AMD treatment options applicable to both operating and developed mines, as well as to researchers interested in environmental remediation and rehabilitation. Advances in mineral beneficiation and water reclamation strategies employed in the AMD treatment processes are highlighted to shed light on strides being made towards promoting a circular economy in mining industries. The featured work therefore demonstrates the global progress towards environmental protection and water resource management. The challenges and loopholes associated with the current AMD treatment methods are deliberated and possible future prospects in the field are proposed.

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Section: Sulfate Reducing Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Acid Mine Drainage Treatment and Control: Remediation Methodologies, Mineral Beneficiation and Water Reclamation Strategies

Mapukata,

Mudzanani,

Maurice Chauke

et al. 2024

Hydrology - Current Research and Future Directions

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“…The total volume of the experimental columns was about 17.66 L. Ten groups of columns were tested for 15 days to select the best operating conditions. Schwarz et al (2020) observed that DAS reactor required short HRT by evaluating the dispersive alkaline matrix and diffusion exchange system for passive treatment of acidic wastewater from the copper mines. Therefore, HRT for the experimental columns VI, VII, VIII, IX, X were set at 8 h, 12 h, 16 h, 20 h, and 24 h, respectively.…”

Section: Optimization Of Experimental Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Low energy and chemical consumption, less operational control and maintenance requirements make the passive treatment particularly attractive for remote sites or abandoned mines and also during the closing phase of the projects (Neculita et al 2008;Schwarz et al 2020). Passive treatment techniques only use naturally available energy (e.g., gravity flow systems, such as wetlands or underground flow bioreactors) for the purification of water.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passive treatment test of acid mine drainage from an abandoned coal mine in Kaili Guizhou, China

Feng

Liang

et al. 2021

Water Science and Technology

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Discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned coal mines of the YuDong catchment in Kaili City, Guizhou Province, China, has severely damaged local ecological environments. In this study, a laboratory-scale dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) was studied for the treatment of simulated AMD. The experimental conditions and reaction mechanisms were preliminarily explored. The treatment effect and variation law of vertical effluent water quality of the experimental conditions were thoroughly analysed. The results indicated that small-sized limestone (diameter 5–7 mm) having a 20:1 mixture ratio with shavings and minimum HRT of 20 hours result in increasing effluent pH from 3.5 to 6.6, achieving 66.2% and 99.1% removal of Fe and Al, respectively. There were obvious differences in each reaction layer for the removal of various pollutants from AMD along the depth by DAS, the main reaction zone was first 20–30 cm of reaction column. The removal process of metal ions and sulfate was accompanied by bio-mineralization reaction. This test provided a valuable support for the local practical engineering applications, enriched the AMD processing technology experimental cases, and provided reference for the treatment technology of similar polluted areas. HIGHLIGHT A dispersed alkaline substrate was designed to treat the acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines of YuDong valley, which provides a reference for the further design of site device and other similar contaminated areas. Combining the physical and chemical parameters of the effluent, mineralogical characterization of the filler along with the microbial diversity of the system, the mechanism of DAS treatment of AMD was analyzed.

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“…Passive treatments, which rely on natural processes, present much lower operating costs and environmental impacts due to their lower energy and reagent requirements. Therefore, passive treatment are valuable options for treating or pre-treating acid drainage [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Settling of Iron and Aluminum Particles in Acid Solutions for Acid Drainage Remediation

Guerra

Valenzuela

Rámila³

et al. 2022

Water

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Mineral processing is intensive in water usage. Unfortunately, a large portion of this valuable asset is contaminated by toxic species that leach from tailings or mineral ore, leading to the formation of acid drainage. Water from acid drainages can still be recovered by passive environmentally friendly treatments. An underestimated passive treatment is the settling of harmful metals, such as iron and aluminum. In this sense, floc settling from acid drainage has not been well studied. The objective of this work is to research the phenomena governing iron and aluminum floc settling in acid drainage, particularly, the chemical conditions that promote settling. The settling velocity of iron and aluminum flocs was studied in a column at different pH and iron/aluminum concentrations. Stability was studied through zeta potential. According to the results, iron flocs settle faster than aluminum and aluminum+iron (mixed) flocs, and a lower pH promotes a higher settling velocity and greater floc stability, which a lower zeta potential (which favors aggregation) allows for. The results improve the understanding of the interactions between the chemical and physical processes involved in floc settling, which, in turn, can improve the optimization of water treatment design. Future experiments must include particle size distribution, floc porosity, and effective particle density of iron and/or aluminum particles in acid waters.

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Evaluation of Dispersed Alkaline Substrate and Diffusive Exchange System Technologies for the Passive Treatment of Copper Mining Acid Drainage

Cited by 8 publications

References 49 publications

Acid Mine Drainage Treatment and Control: Remediation Methodologies, Mineral Beneficiation and Water Reclamation Strategies

Acid Mine Drainage Treatment and Control: Remediation Methodologies, Mineral Beneficiation and Water Reclamation Strategies

Passive treatment test of acid mine drainage from an abandoned coal mine in Kaili Guizhou, China

Settling of Iron and Aluminum Particles in Acid Solutions for Acid Drainage Remediation

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