Laboratory evaluation of zero-valent iron to treat water impacted by acid mine drainage

This study examines the applicability and limitations of granular zero-valent iron for the treatment of water impacted by mine wastes. Rates of acid-neutralization and of metal (Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn, Hg, Al, and Mn) and metalloid (As) uptake were determined in batch systems using simulated mine drainage (initial pH 2.3-4.5; total dissolved solids 14000-16000 mgl(-1)). Metal removal from solution and acid-neutralization occurred simultaneously and were most rapid during the initial 24 h of reaction. Reaction half-lives ranged from 1.50+/-0.09 h for Al to 8.15+/-0.36 h for Zn. Geochemical model results indicate that metal removal is most effective in solutions that are highly undersaturated with respect to pure-metal hydroxides suggesting that adsorption is the initial and most rapid metal uptake mechanism. Continued adsorption onto or co-precipitation with iron corrosion products are secondary metal uptake processes. Sulfate green rust was identified as the primary iron corrosion product, which is shown to be the result of elevated [SO(4)(2-)]/[HCO(3)(-)] ratios in solution. Reversibility studies indicate that zero-valent iron will retain metals after shifts in redox states are imposed, but that remobilization of metals may occur after the acid-neutralization capacity of the material is exhausted.     

控制酸性矿山废水的污泥屏障压缩特性

污泥屏障通过物理拦截以及化学作用可以有效控制重金属离子迁移,采用污泥屏障处理酸性矿山废水(AMD)已被证明具有可行性.作为尾矿渣处置场屏障的主体材料,研究污泥压缩特性很有必要.实验结果表明,对于含水率相同的压实污泥试样,孔隙比随干密度增大而减小,最终趋于1;干密度相同的试样,最优含水率的孔隙比随应力增大减小最快.试样压缩系数随干密度增大而减小,随含水率增大先增大后减小,最优含水率的压缩系数为0.8 MPa-1.AMD溶液作孔隙液能提高试样压缩系数.通过对比分析有机质土的压缩特性,为以后的深化研究提供相关参数支持.     

麦饭石固定化SRB污泥颗粒处理模拟煤矿酸性废水的适应性

针对多组分煤矿酸性废水（ACMD）污染严重、治理费用高的特点,采用PVA—硼酸包埋交联法制作以硫酸盐还原菌（SRB）和盐改性麦饭石为主体的固定化颗粒,依据不同水力负荷和污染负荷构造3组动态柱,对固定化颗粒进行水力条件适应性实验研究。结果表明,固定化颗粒在低水力负荷0.085 m3·（m2·d）-1,水力停留时间32.495 h下运行效果较好,SO42-和Mn2+去除率分别为65.90%和37.65%,出水COD浓度635.06 mg·L-1,总铁元素TFe释放量4.03 mg·L-1,出水pH 6.94。提高污染物SO42-和Mn2+浓度到（2 657±96）mg·L-1和（13.33±1.75）mg·L-1,SO42-和Mn2+去除率仍可达40.07%和20.52%,出水COD浓度64.07 mg·L-1,总铁元素TFe释放量2.69 mg·L-1,出水pH为7.38,综合处理效果较好,颗粒对高浓度污染物适应性较强,具有一定抗冲击负荷能力。     

Macroinvertebrate response to acid mine drainage: community metrics and on-line behavioural toxicity bioassay

The hypothesis is tested that toxicity of acid mine drainage can be detected by a selection of existing macroinvertebrate community and bioindicator metrices supplemented by toxicity tests with the local mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Girard and the shrimp Atyaephyra desmaresti Millet. The behavioural responses of A. desmaresti to acid mine drainage were recorded in the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor, based on behaviour and survival as parameters. Bioassessment methods were based on community diversity, structure, function, and bioindicators and supplemented by chemical analysis (temperature, pH, metals). The Biological Monitoring Working Party adapted for the Iberian Peninsula, the number of predators (Coleoptera, Hemiptera) and the number of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera taxa differentiated the sites well. The on-line toxicity test revealed pH-dependent acute toxicity of the acid mine drainage for the shrimp (LC(50)-48 h: pH-AMD=5.8) and a pH- dependent decrease in locomotory activity with the lowest-observed-response-times (LORTs) within 5 h of exposure. Shrimp were more sensitive to acid mine drainage than fish (LC(50)-48 h: pH-AMD=4.9). A new multimetric index combining toxicity testing and bioassessment methods is proposed.     

Iron recovery from the coarse fraction of basic oxygen furnace sludge. Part I: optimization of acid leaching conditions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, a new reuse process of the coarse fraction of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) sludge based on iron recovery by the ferrous sulfate...     

磁黄铁矿氧化机理及酸性矿山废水防治的研究进展

磁黄铁矿是矿山尾矿堆中最为常见且分布很广的一种硫化铁矿物.由于硫化物矿物氧化后不仅产生酸性废水,还会释放出大量可溶的、生物可利用形态的微量金属,并且酸性环境会进一步增强这些有毒金属的移动性,因此是造成矿山周围水体环境污染的罪魁祸首.为了阻止或降低磁黄铁矿的自然风化反应速度从而达到源头治理酸性矿山废水的目的,首先必须研究它在各种条件下的氧化机理、氧化产物和氧化速度.对近年来国外在磁黄铁矿晶体结构、反应活性以及酸性矿山废水的产生与防治等方面的研究进行了综述.     

Potential of fly ash for neutralisation of acid mine drainage

Lignite (PK), bituminous (FI) and biomass (SE) fly ashes (FAs) were mineralogically and geochemically characterised, and their element leachability was studied with batch leaching tests. The potential for acid neutralisation (ANP) was quantified by their buffering capacity, reflecting their potential for neutralisation of acid mine drainage. Quartz was the common mineral in FAs detected by XRD with iron oxide, anhydrite, and magnesioferrite in PK, mullite and lime in FI, and calcite and anorthite in SE. All the FAs had high contents of major elements such as Fe, Si, Al and Ca. The Ca content in SE was six and eight times higher compared to PK and FI, respectively. Sulphur content in PK and SE was one magnitude higher than FI. Iron concentrations were higher in PK. The trace element concentrations varied between the FAs. SE had the highest ANP (corresponding to 275 kg CaCO₃?tonne^?1) which was 15 and 10 times higher than PK and FI, respectively. The concentrations of Ca²⁺, SO₄ ^2?, Na⁺ and Cl^? in the leachates were much higher compared to other elements from all FA samples. Iron, Cu and Hg were not detected in any of the FA leachates because of their mild to strong alkaline nature with pH ranging from 9 to 13. Potassium leached in much higher quantity from SE than from the other ashes. Arsenic, Mn and Ni leached from PK only, while Co and Pb from SE only. The concentrations of Zn were higher in the leachates from SE. The FAs used in this study have strong potential for the neutralisation of AMD due to their alkaline nature. However, on the other hand, FAs must be further investigated, with scaled-up experiments before full-scale application, because they might leach pronounced concentrations of elements of concern with decreasing pH while neutralising AMD.     

碳酸盐岩煅烧改性处理酸性矿山废水的研究

将碳酸盐岩在不同温度下进行煅烧改性,在保持颗粒机械强度的条件下将其应用于酸性矿山废水(AMD)的处理。结果表明,碳酸盐岩在600℃下煅烧基本不产生变化,当升至750℃时,碳酸盐岩开始分解,煅烧3.0h后,烧失量为1.86%,煅烧后产物仍保持较强颗粒强度。800℃以上煅烧的碳酸盐岩则出现颗粒断裂现象,放入AMD中会立即溶解产生白色沉淀。在750℃煅烧改性后的碳酸盐岩能有效提高AMD的pH,对各种金属离子都有非常好的去除效果,尤其克服了原岩对Mn2+去除效果不佳的缺点;将750℃煅烧改性后的碳酸盐岩应用到野外AMD处理工程中,能有效减少处理构筑物的体积和占地面积,从而降低建设成本。     

Behavioural and feeding responses of Echinogammarus meridionalis (Crustacea, Amphipoda) to acid mine drainage

As a result of mining activities the exposure of metal sulphides to oxidation takes place with consequent release of acid mine drainage (AMD). Biomonitoring instruments have been proven to have the best deterrent effect upon polluters. A new approach in online biomonitoring, with the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitortrade mark (MFB), was developed combining behavioural and feeding responses of the Portuguese indigenous benthic shredder, Echinogammarus meridionalis (Pinkster, 1973) (Crustacea, Amphipoda). These endpoints, along with mortality, were measured and analyzed for a gradient of sublethal doses of AMD. Original river water was used as the control and three doses of treatments were attained by adding increasing volumes of AMD to the control. The increase in AMD concentration and concomitant decrease in pH and increase in the concentration of most metals was followed by an overall increase of the mortality, decrease of locomotion/feeding activity and inhibition of the feeding rate. Mortality was observed in the two highest concentrations of AMD. Significant decrease in average locomotion/feeding activity took place in the second treatment. Although an inhibition of feeding was observed along the gradient of AMD concentration only in the highest concentration the feeding rate was significantly reduced.     

有氧垂直折流式反应池处理煤矿酸性废水

为了使实验研究成果更好应用于工程实际,在野外建立了一套有氧垂直折流式反应池来处理贵阳市久安乡废弃煤窑产生的煤矿酸性废水.工程实验研究显示,在有氧垂直折流式反应池中,进水pH值可由2.45～2.95提高到5.91～7.76,单位面积铁的平均去除速率为44.63 g/(d·m2),反应池中铝、铜的去除率均分别在98.44%...     

Co-treatment of acid mine drainage with municipal wastewater: performance evaluation

Co-treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) with municipal wastewater (MWW) using the activated sludge process is a novel treatment technology offering potential savings over alternative systems in materials, proprietary chemicals and energy inputs. The impacts of AMD on laboratory-scale activated sludge units (plug-flow and sequencing batch reactors) treating synthetic MWW were investigated. Synthetic AMD containing Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and SO₄ at a range of concentrations and pH values was formulated to simulate three possible co-treatment processes, i.e., (1) adding raw AMD to the activated sludge aeration tank, (2) pre-treating AMD prior to adding to the aeration tank by mixing with digested sludge and (3) pre-treating AMD by mixing with screened MWW. Continuous AMD loading to the activated sludge reactors during co-treatment did not cause a significant decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, or total organic carbon removal; average COD removal rates ranged from 87–93 %. Enhanced phosphate removal was observed in reactors loaded with Fe- and Al-rich AMD, with final effluent TP concentrations <2 mg/L. Removal rates for dissolved Al, Cu, Fe and Pb were 52–84 %, 47–61 %, 74–86 % and 100 %, respectively, in both systems. Manganese and Zn removal were strongly linked to acidity; removal from net-acidic AMD was <10 % for both metals, whereas removal from circum-neutral AMD averaged 93–95 % for Mn and 58–90 % for Zn. Pre-mixing with screened MWW was the best process option in terms of AMD neutralization and metal removal. However, significant MWW alkalinity was consumed, suggesting an alkali supplement may be necessary.     

基于氧化还原-分步沉淀法的酸性矿山废水处理效果

为降低韶关市大宝山酸性矿山废水(AMD)的处理成本,采用氧化还原-分步沉淀法对矿山废水进行处理。结果表明：将石灰石分多次投入经过还原处理的废水中,在反应时间为45 min、转速为250 r·min⁻¹、废水pH为5时,可从AMD中回收高品质石膏;继续用NaOH溶液调节废水pH至5.5,控制曝气量为4 mg·L⁻¹,曝气时间为45 min,通过氧化沉淀法和铁氧体法可分步回收废水中的Fe^2+/3+,再向废水中加入NaOH溶液,调节废水pH至9.5,可沉淀回收废水中的Zn²⁺、Cu²⁺;经过该工艺处理后,废水中各金属离子均低于国家污水综合排放标准(GB 8978-1996);该工艺处理1 t废水,可回收石膏5.4 kg(纯度85.72%),铁渣1.53 kg(w(Fe)=35.4%)、锌铜渣1.4 kg(w(Zn)=10.89%、w(Cu)=0.1%);废水中Fe^2+/3+、Zn²⁺、Cu²⁺回收率分别为84.3%、71.2%、46.2%,废水处理的药剂成本为4.1元·t⁻¹,废水产生可回收资源产品收入为3.8 元·t⁻¹。该工艺可从AMD中回收高品质石膏并分步回收废水中的金属,有效降低废水的处理成本,回收废水中的资源,实现环保与经济效益双赢的目标,并为AMD资源化处理提供理论指导。     

Synthesising acid mine drainage to maintain and exploit indigenous mining micro-algae and microbial assemblies for biotreatment investigations

The stringent regulations for discharging acid mine drainage (AMD) has led to increased attention on traditional or emerging treatment technologies to establish efficient and sustainable management for mine effluents. To assess new technologies, laboratory investigations on AMD treatment are necessary requiring a consistent supply of AMD with a stable composition, thus limiting environmental variability and uncertainty during controlled experiments. Additionally, biotreatment systems using live cells, particularly micro-algae, require appropriate nutrient availability. Synthetic AMD (Syn-AMD) meets these requirements. However, to date, most of the reported Syn-AMDs are composed of only a few selected heavy metals without considering the complexity of actual AMD. In this study, AMD was synthesised based on the typical AMD characteristics from a copper mine where biotreatment is being considered using indigenous AMD algal-microbes. Major cations (Ca, Na, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn and Ni), trace metals (Al, Fe, Ag, Na, Co, Mo, Pb and Cr), essential nutrients (N, P and C) and high SO₄ were incorporated into the Syn-AMD. This paper presents the preparation of chemically complex Syn-AMD and the challenges associated with combining metal salts of varying solubility that is not restricted to one particular mine site. The general approach reported and the particular reagents used can produce alternative Syn-AMD with varying compositions. The successful growth of indigenous AMD algal-microbes in the Syn-AMD demonstrated its applicability as appropriate generic media for cultivation and maintenance of mining microorganisms for future biotreatment studies.     

甲壳生物质去除酸性矿坑水中镉的性能与机制

采用低成本、可持续修复材料处理酸性矿坑水 (acid mine drainage, AMD) 具有重要的科研价值和应用前景。选取基围虾、对虾、蛎虾和梭子蟹壳4种甲壳生物质,探究其对AMD模拟水样及恒定pH的AMD水样中镉的去除性能与机制。结果表明：甲壳生物质具有良好的镉去除能力 (112.38~235.45 mg·g⁻¹) ,其含有丰富的碳酸钙对镉去除起了至关重要的作用,可通过中和作用调高AMD的pH值,降低镉的迁移能力;也可与镉离子形成碳酸镉沉淀,促进镉的固定。此外,甲壳生物质中大量的羟基、羧基等官能团可通过络合作用捕获镉离子。研究结果为甲壳生物质的资源化利用和废弃矿山AMD的低成本、可持续修复提供了理论依据。     

Macroinvertebrate community response to acid mine drainage in rivers of the High Andes (Bolivia)

Several High Andes Rivers are characterized by inorganic water pollution known as acid mine drainage (AMD). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between metal concentrations in the sediments and the macroinvertebrate communities in two river basins affected by AMD. In general, the taxon diversity of the macroinvertebrate community at the family level was low. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni at mining sites were higher than at unpolluted sites. The pH of the water was alkaline (7.0-8.5) in unpolluted sites, whereas it dropped to very low values (<3) at mining sites. Redundancy Analysis (RDA) showed that pH was the best predictor of macroinvertebrate community richness. The number of macroinvertebrate families decreased gradually with increasing acidity, both in pools and riffles, though it is suggested that riffle communities were more affected because they are in closer contact with the acid water.     

Silicic protective surface films for pyrite oxidation suppression to control acid mine drainage at the source

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The tailings produce acid mine drainage (AMD) due to sulfide minerals, especially pyrite oxidation. AMD has caused serious pollution to the...     

膨润土复合颗粒与SRB协同处理酸性矿山废水

针对酸性矿山废水（AMD）pH低、重金属含量大、处理难等问题,采用膨润土-钢渣复合颗粒吸附剂、塑料雪花片和碎石作为填料,经生活污水、鸡粪、锯末发酵液驯化的硫酸盐还原菌（SRB）优势菌悬液对填料进行挂膜,构造三组动态柱：I#动态柱采用分层填装方式、II#动态柱采用混合填装方式、III#动态柱为只含有微生物的动态柱。研究其对Fe2+、Mn2+、Cu2+、Zn2+、SO42-和H+的去除效果,并研究分层的动态柱的再生效果、揭示机理。结果表明：膨润土-钢渣复合颗粒与微生物填料分层填装的方式更利于处理酸性矿山废水（AMD）,该动态柱40 d时对Fe2+、Mn2+、Cu2+和Zn2+的去除率均能达到95%以上,对SO42-的去除效果好于其他两个动态柱,且出水pH为中性,同时SRB还原SO42-生成的S2-/H2S可以使重金属离子固定、饱和吸附剂再生。说明膨润土复合颗粒与SRB协同处理酸性矿山废水具有创新高效性,值得推广使用。     

制药污泥处理技术研究现状与实验对比

随着制药行业的发展,制药污泥的处理处置问题逐渐成为研究的热点。对污泥处理技术研究现状进行介绍,并以制药污泥为研究对象,分别使用臭氧氧化技术、好氧消化技术、PAM絮凝技术以及污泥制作活性炭技术开展小试研究,以污泥减量、资源化利用为评价指标,通过对各项技术工艺参数的优化及费用估算,筛选适合制药污泥处理的最优技术。研究发现,在各项技术最优条件下,PAM絮凝技术可将污泥含固率由6.32%提高至46.89%;臭氧氧化技术和好氧消化技术分别减少污泥挥发性固体质量(VS)50.55%和26.59%;制备的污泥活性炭饱和吸附量可达28.57 g COD/kg。结合经济预算结果,PAM絮凝技术在高效提高污泥含固率的同时,处理费用最低,是制药污泥处理工程应用经济可行的一种技术。     

Numerical simulations of pyrite oxidation and acid mine drainage in unsaturated waste rock piles

Numerical simulations of layered, sulphide-bearing unsaturated waste rock piles are presented to illustrate the effect of coupled processes on the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD). The conceptual 2D systems were simulated using the HYDRUS model for flow and the POLYMIN model for reactive transport. The simulations generated low-pH AMD which was buffered by sequential mineral dissolution and precipitation. Sulphide oxidation rates throughout the pile varied by about two orders of magnitude (0.004-0.4 kg m-3 year-1) due to small changes in moisture content and grain size. In the fine-grained layers, the high reactive surface area induced high oxidation rates, even though capillary forces kept the local moisture content relatively high. In waste rock piles with horizontal layers, most of the acidity discharged through vertical preferential flow channels while with inclined fine grained layers, capillary diversion channeled the AMD to the outer slope boundary, keeping the pile interior relatively dry. The simulation approach will be useful for helping evaluate design strategies for controlling AMD from waste rock.     

Ion activity and distribution of heavy metals in acid mine drainage polluted subtropical soils

The oxidative dissolution of mine wastes gives rise to acidic, metal-enriched mine drainage (AMD) and has typically posed an additional risk to the environment. The poly-metallic mine Dabaoshan in South China is an excellent test site to understand the processes affecting the surrounding polluted agricultural fields. Our objectives were firstly to investigate metal ion activity in soil solution, distribution in solid constituents, and spatial distribution in samples, secondly to determine dominant environment factors controlling metal activity in the long-term AMD-polluted subtropical soils. Soil Column Donnan Membrane Technology (SC-DMT) combined with sequential extraction shows that unusually large proportion of the metal ions are present as free ion in the soil solutions. The narrow range of low pH values prevents any pH effects during the binding onto oxides or organic matter. The differences in speciation of the soil solutions may explain the different soil degradation observed between paddy and non-paddy soils.