Sulfate reducing bioreactor dependence on organic substrates for remediation of coal-generated acid mine drainage: Field experiments

Lefticariu, Liliana; Walters, Evan Robert; Pugh, Charles W.; Bender, Kelly S.

doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2015.08.002

Cited by 66 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…Minerals 2017, 7, 41 4 of 20 production [18]. Although the high capacity of nNP to sequester SO4 2− has been well documented, recent studies have shown that subsequent abiotic and biologically-mediated processes promote recrystallization and/or dissolution of nNP, which results in SO4 2− remobilization [6,29].…”

Section: Biogeochemical Sulfur Cycling In the Tab-simco Pbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sulfide minerals oxidation, both through abiogenic and biogenic pathways, produces dissolved SO 4 2− with δ 34 S reflecting the isotopic composition of sulfide minerals in the coal mine waste [18]. Within the Tab-Simco PBS, the dissolved SO 4 2− can be removed from the untreated and treated mine drainage through precipitation, co-precipitation, and sorption.…”

Section: Sulfur Isotope Systematics In the Tab-simco Pbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Water samples selected for laboratory analyses were filtered through 0.45 µm cellulose acetate filter papers (Millpore ® HAW, Billerica, MA, USA) and stored at 4 • C if not analyzed immediately after collection. The samples were subsequently analyzed for dissolved anions (i.e., SO 4 2− ) by means of ion chromatography (Dionex ® ICS 2000, LabX, Midland, ON, Canada) using an IonPac ® AS18 anion-exchange column (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), [5,18]. The standard deviation for standard and duplicate sample analyses was consistently <5% for SO 4 2− analysis.…”

Section: Sampling and Geochemical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…H 2 S [5,[16][17][18]. BSR activity (2CH 2 O + SO 4 2− → 2HCO 3¯+ H 2 S) is desirable for mitigating AMD because it removes SO 4 2− , raises the pH through bicarbonate alkalinity (HCO 3¯) production and yields H 2 S for precipitating sparingly soluble metal sulfides [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We have employed stable S isotope analyses because this approach is commonly used to discriminate between biologically-mediated sulfate reduction [19][20][21][22][23] and abiological SO 4 2− immobilization in SO 4 2− bearing nNP in natural and engineered systems [24,25] as BSR produces some of the largest sulfur isotope fractionations observed in nature [20]. Our previous field experiments showed that S isotopic patterns could provide constraints on the occurrence of BSR in field experiments simulating a PBS [18]. In this study, we illustrate that S isotopes, together with additional supporting microbial and geochemical data, can fingerprint BSR and provide insights into the S cycling within a field-scale PBS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sulfur Isotope Fractionation as an Indicator of Biogeochemical Processes in an AMD Passive Bioremediation System

et al. 2017

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Sulfate, the main dissolved contaminant in acid mine drainage (AMD), is ubiquitous in watersheds affected by coal and metal mining operations worldwide. Engineered passive bioremediation systems (PBS) are low-cost technologies that remediate sulfate contamination by promoting (1) precipitation of sulfate-bearing compounds, such as schwertmannite and gypsum; and (2) microbially-mediated sulfate reduction (BSR) to sulfide with subsequent precipitation of sulfide minerals. In this study, chemical and sulfur isotopic data are used to infer multiple pathways for sulfate sequestration in the Tab-Simco PBS. By simultaneously monitoring sulfate concentrations and δ 34 S SO 4 values at four sampling points across the PBS, we (1) identified that the organic layer within the bioreactor was the primary site of BSR processes contributing to sulfate sequestration; (2) observed seasonal variations of BSR processes; (3) estimated that initially the BSR processes contributed up to 30% to sulfate sequestration in the Tab-Simco bioreactor; and (4) determined that BSR contribution to sulfate sequestration continuously declined over the PBS operational lifetime. Together, our results highlight the utility of combining geochemical and microbial fingerprinting techniques to decipher complementary processes involved in sulfur cycling in a PBS as well as the value of adding the sulfur isotope approach as an essential tool to help understand, predict, prevent and mitigate sulfate contamination in AMD-impacted systems.

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Section: Biogeochemical Sulfur Cycling In the Tab-simco Pbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sulfur Isotope Systematics In the Tab-simco Pbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sampling and Geochemical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sulfur Isotope Fractionation as an Indicator of Biogeochemical Processes in an AMD Passive Bioremediation System

et al. 2017

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Evaluation of a combined lignocellulosic / waste water bio‐refinery for the simultaneous production of valuable biochemical products and the remediation of acid mine drainage

Burman

Harding

Sheridan

et al. 2018

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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The additional costs required for the pre‐treatment of lignocellulosic bio‐mass prior to enzymatic hydrolysis have limited the commercial implementation of lignocellulosic bio‐chemical production. The use of acidic mine drainage (AMD) water as an acid source for lignocellulosic pre‐treatment has recently been investigated. Large quantities of AMD in South Africa suggest that AMD can be obtained cheaply, thus reducing the cost and increasing the potential of lignocellulosic bio‐chemicals. Acidic mine drainage could undergo further remediation using sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) so that the water is suitable for release. The feasibility of such a system could be greatly improved if this process were to be incorporated within a bio‐refinery, such that all fractions of the bio‐mass are used to produce multiple products. This paper investigates such a bio‐refinery system, and evaluates the different options based on the bio‐refinery complexity profile (BCP). Due to the abundance of grass in the regions where AMD is generated, this was found to be the most suitable feedstock. The most feasible bio‐refinery option was found to produce ethanol through fermentation of C6 sugars, although it is recommended that further investigation be conducted into additional high‐value bio‐chemicals from the C6 sugar platform. C5 sugars released in pre‐treatment could be used as a substrate by SRB for AMD remediation. Gasification and direct combustion of lignin had similar BCPs and thus further investigation is required to determine the preferred path. Similarly, further investigation is required for the best processing route for distillery silage. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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Innovative applications of subgrade biogeochemical reactors: Three case studies

Gamlin

Cox

Castor

2019

Remediation Journal

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Subgrade biogeochemical reactors (SBGRs) are an in situ remediation technology shown to be effective in treating contaminant source areas and groundwater hot spots, while being sustainable and economical. This technology has been applied for over a decade to treat chlorinated volatile organic compound source areas where groundwater is shallow (e.g., less than approximately 30 feet below ground surface [ft bgs]). However, this article provides three case studies describing innovative SBGR configurations recently developed and tested that are outside of this norm, which enable use of this technology under more challenging site conditions or for treatment of alternative contaminant classes. The first SBGR case study addresses a site with groundwater deeper than 30 ft bgs and limited space for construction, where an SBGR column configuration reduced the maximum trichloroethene (TCE) groundwater concentration from 9,900 micrograms per liter ( g/L) to <1 g/L (nondetect) within approximately 15 months. The second SBGR is a recirculating trench configuration that is supporting remediation of a 5.7-acre TCE plume, which has significant surface footprint constraints due to the presence of endangered species habitat. The third SBGR was constructed with a new amendment mixture and reduced groundwater contaminant concentrations in a petroleum hydrocarbon source area by over 97% within approximately 1 year. Additionally, a summary is provided for new SBGR configurations that are planned for treatment of additional classes of contaminants (e.g., hexavalent chromium, 1,4-dioxane, dissolved explosives constituents, etc.). A discussion is also provided describing research being conducted to further understand and optimize treatment mechanisms within SBGRs, including a recently developed sampling approach called the aquifer matrix probe. K E Y W O R D Schlorinated solvents, groundwater treatment, in situ remediation, subgrade biogeochmical reactors wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/rem

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Sulfate reducing bioreactor dependence on organic substrates for remediation of coal-generated acid mine drainage: Field experiments

Cited by 66 publications

References 96 publications

Sulfur Isotope Fractionation as an Indicator of Biogeochemical Processes in an AMD Passive Bioremediation System

Sulfur Isotope Fractionation as an Indicator of Biogeochemical Processes in an AMD Passive Bioremediation System

Evaluation of a combined lignocellulosic / waste water bio‐refinery for the simultaneous production of valuable biochemical products and the remediation of acid mine drainage

Innovative applications of subgrade biogeochemical reactors: Three case studies

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