Cottongrass effects on trace elements in submersed mine tailings

Phytostabilization may limit the leakage of metals and As from submersed mine tailings, thus treatment of acid mine drainage with lime could be reduced. Tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium Honckeny) and white cottongrass (E. scheuchzeri Hoppe) were planted in pots with unlimed (pH 5.0) and limed (pH 10.9) tailings (containing sulfides) amended with sewage sludge (SS) or a bioashsewage sludge mixture (ASM). Effects of the amendments on plant growth and plant element uptake were studied. Also, effects of plant growth on elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and concentrations of SO4(2-), in the drainage water as well as dissolved oxygen in tailings, were measured. Both plant species grew better and the shoot element concentrations of white cottongrass were lower in SS than in ASM. Metal concentrations were lowest in drainage water from limed tailings, and plant establishment had little effect on metal release, except for an increase in Zn levels, even though SO4(2-) levels were increased. In unlimed tailings, plant growth increased SO4(2-) levels slightly; however, pH was increased and metal concentrations were low. Thus, metals were stabilized by plant uptake and high pH. Amendments or plants did not affect As levels in the drainage water from unlimed tailings. Thus, to reduce the use of lime for stabilizing metals, phytostabilization with tall cottongrass and white cottongrass on tailings is a sound possibility.     

Bacterial reduction of selenium in coal mine tailings pond sediment

Sediment from a storage facility for coal tailings solids was assessed for its capacity to reduce selenium (Se) by native bacterial community. One Se(6+)-reducing bacterium Enterobacter hormaechei (Tar11) and four Se(4+)-reducing bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae (Tar1), Pseudomonas fluorescens (Tar3), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (Tar6), and Enterobacter amnigenus (Tar8) were isolated from the sediment. Enterobacter hormaechei removed 96% of the added Se(6+) (0.92 mg L(-1)) from the effluents when Se(6+) was determined after 5 d of incubation. Analysis of the red precipitates showed that Se(6+) reduction resulted in the formation of spherical particles (<1.0 microm) of Se(0) as observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confirmed by EDAX. Selenium speciation was performed to examine the fate of the added Se(6+) in the sediment with or without addition of Enterobacter hormaechei cells. More than 99% of the added Se(6+) (approximately 2.5 mg L(-1)) was transformed in the nonsterilized sediment (without Enterobacter hormaechei cells) as well as in the sterilized (heat-killed) sediment (with Enterobacter hormaechei cells). The results of this study suggest that the lagoon sediments at the mine site harbor Se(6+)- and Se(4+)-reducing bacteria and may be important sinks for soluble Se (Se(6+) and Se(4+)). Enterobacter hormaechei isolated from metal-contaminated sediment may have potential application in removing Se from industrial effluents.     

Nematodes as indicators of ecosystem development during platinum mine tailings reclamation

As nematodes are widespread throughout the terrestrial ecosystem, and have shown potential to be used as indicators of ecosystem development. Nematode indices were used to distinguish between two different amendment types during platinum mine tailing reclamation. The two different amendment types include the use of woodchip-vermicompost and inorganic fertiliser. Both treatments had a higher number of nematodes than the natural veldt. Of the 17 genera identified, Rhabditis dominated in all sites. A significant difference (ANOVA; p < 0.05) was observed between Plant parasitic indices of both treatments and the natural veldt. The main decomposition pathway was dominated by bacterial decomposition for all sites as evident from the Channel index values. The dominance of bacterial feeding nematodes and the high number of nematodes feeding on higher plants indicate that the platinum mine tailings sites may be in an initial stage of succession. It is expected that the woodchip-vermicompost may have a low C:N ratio, causing the system to be nutrient enriched as indicated by the enrichment index. An increase in food-web development was observed in the woodchip-vermicompost sites indicating recovery from disturbance, during the third sampling period.     

Analysis of transgenic Indian mustard plants for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated mine tailings

Transgenic Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] plants overproducing the enzymes gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (ECS) or glutathione synthetase (GS) were shown previously to have increased levels of the metal-binding thiol peptides phytochelatins and glutathione, and enhanced Cd tolerance and accumulation. Furthermore, transgenic Indian mustard plants overexpressing adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase (APS) were shown to have higher levels of glutathione and total thiols. These results were obtained with a solution culture. To better examine the phytoremediation potential of these transgenics, a greenhouse experiment was performed in which the transgenics were grown on metal-contaminated soil collected from a USEPA Superfund site near Leadville, Colorado. A grass mixture used for revegetation of the site was included for comparison. The ECS and GS transgenics accumulated significantly (P < 0.05) more metal in their shoot than wild-type (WT) Indian mustard, while the APS plants did not. Of the six metals tested, the ECS and GS transgenics accumulated 1.5-fold more Cd, and 1.5- to 2-fold more Zn, compared with wild-type Indian mustard. Furthermore, the ECS transgenics accumulated 2.4- to 3-fold more Cr, Cu, and Pb, relative to WT. The grass mixture accumulated significantly less metal than Indian mustard: approximately 2-fold less Cd, Cu, Mn, and Zn, and 5.7-fold less Pb than WT Indian mustard. All transgenics removed significantly more metal from the soil compared with WT Indian mustard or an unplanted control. While WT did not remove more metal than the unplanted control for any of the metals tested, all three types of transgenics significantly reduced the soil metal concentration, and removed between 6% (Zn) and 25% (Cd) of the soil metal. This study is the first to demonstrate enhanced phytoextraction potential of transgenic plants using polluted environmental soil. The results confirm the importance of metal-binding peptides for plant metal accumulation and show that results from hydroponic systems have value as an indicator for phytoremediation potential.     

Use of alkaline extraction to quantify sulfate concentration in oxidized mine tailings

An alkaline extraction method has been developed for the determination of total sulfate in mine tailings containing secondary sulfate minerals formed by the oxidation of primary sulfides. Oxidized tailings were extracted with a 0.3 M NaOH solution at a liquid/solid ratio of 30 at room temperature for 16 h. The sulfate concentration in the extracts was determined by ion chromatography (IC). The coefficient of variation for sulfate determinations ranged from 1.9 to 3.2% for five tailings samples collected at two tailings impoundments. Mineralogical analysis of the tailings by scanning electron microscopy/X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS) demonstrated that the extraction of sulfate was complete, with the exception of extremely insoluble barite. The proposed method is simple, yields an accurate yet rapid measurement of sulfate, and involves a safer laboratory operation than conventional methods that make use of strong HCl acid solutions. Moreover, this method allows the specific measurement of sulfate in the extract, whereas conventional methods are generally limited to the measurement of total S by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) due to the interference of chloride with sulfate in IC.     

Fly ash and lime-stabilized biosolid mixtures in mine spoil reclamation: simulated weathering

The use of large quantities of neutral coal fly ash (NFA) may be facilitated by co-application with a lime-stabilized biosolid (LSB) for the reclamation of acid mine spoil (AMS). Although NFA may not aid in the mitigation of acid drainage, questions concerning the leachability and mineralogy of native and NFA- and LSB-born metals must be addressed. In this study, the potential long-term influence of LSB and NFA on AMS leachate chemistry and trace element mineralogy was evaluated using laboratory weathering and selective dissolution techniques. The application of LSB at a rate sufficient to neutralize the potential acidity of the AMS increased leachate pH from approximately 3 to 7.5 for the duration of the study. Fly ash rates (1X, 1.5X, and 2X LSB rate) did not affect leachate pH. The dominant electrolytes in all leachates were Ca and SO4, the concentrations of which were mirrored by solution electrical conductivity (EC). Leachate concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn, K, Cu, Ni, and Zn were significantly reduced by LSB application, whereas concentrations of Ca, SO4, Mg, Cl, F, B, and P were increased. Nitrate concentrations were not affected by LSB. With the exception of leachate B, which increased with increasing NFA rate and was regenerated during the weathering study, NFA did not affect leachate composition. Sequential selective dissolution indicated a transformation of Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn into less labile mineral pools with weathering. The results of these evaluations suggest that the application of NFA during AMS reclamation would have little effect on leachate chemistry or the mineralogy of trace elements. Thus, the high-volume application of NFA to AMS during reclamation may offer an additional opportunity for the use of this combustion by-product.     

New mine capacity from yet-to-be found copper deposits

The copper industry in the USA is declining, but exploration for copper has been particularly promising in western Montana. The potential copper mine capacity of the area was estimated by using an interdisciplinary geological-economical assessment technique that categorizes deposits on the basis of development probability. Development probability is quantified and aggregated into potential new mine supply curves, which summarize resource potential of the region. The results suggest that copper resources in Montana and elsewhere are potentially large and that these resources probably will be mined at higher copper prices. This mineral assessment technique increases the usefulness of traditional methods for planners and policy makers.     

Long-term evaluation of coal fly ash and mine tailings co-placement: A site-specific study

This study presents the results of a laboratory investigation conducted to evaluate the efficiency of coal fly ash to control the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD) from mine waste. Site-specific materials, coal fly ash from Atikokan Thermal Generating Station and mine tailings from Musselwhite mine, were mixed at different proportions for the investigation of the drainage chemistry and the optimal mix using static testing (acid–base accounting) and kinetic (column) testing. The acid–base accounting (ABA) results indicated that the fly ash possessed strong alkaline (neutralization) potential (NP) and could be used in the management of reactive mine tailings, thus ensuring prevention of AMD in the long-term. Column tests conducted in the laboratory to further investigate long-term performance of fly ash in the neutralization and prevention of acid mine drainage from tailings similarly showed that mixing fly ash with mine tailings reduces dissolution of many heavy metals from tailings by providing alkalinity to the system. It was found that a fly ash to tailings mass ratio equal to or greater than 15% can effectively prevent AMD generation from Musselwhite mine tailings in the co-placement approach.     

Bacterial community changes during plant establishment at the San Pedro River mine tailings site

Mine tailings are moderately to severely impacted sites that lack normal plant cover, soil structure and development, and the associated microbial community. In arid and semiarid environments, tailings and their associated contaminants are prone to eolian dispersion and water erosion, thus becoming sources of metal contamination. One approach to minimize or eliminate these processes is to establish a permanent vegetation cover on tailings piles. Here we report a revegetation trial conducted at a moderately impacted mine tailings site in southern Arizona. A salt and drought-tolerant plant, four-wing saltbush [Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.], was chosen for the trial. A series of 3 by 3 m plots were established in quadruplicate on the test site to evaluate growth of four-wing saltbush transplants alone or with compost addition. Results show that >80% of the transplanted saltbush survived after 1.5 yr in both treatments. Enumeration of heterotrophs and community structure analysis were conducted to monitor bacterial community changes during plant establishment as an indicator of plant and soil health. The bacterial community was evaluated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 16S rDNA PCR gene products from tailings samples taken beneath transplant canopies. Significant differences in heterotrophic counts and community composition were observed between the two treatments and unplanted controls throughout the trial, but treatment effects were not observed. The results suggest that compost is not necessary for plant establishment at this site and that plants, rather than added compost, is the primary factor enhancing bacterial heterotrophic counts and affecting community composition.     

Phytostabilization potential of quailbush for mine tailings: growth, metal accumulation, and microbial community changes

Abandoned mine tailings sites in semiarid regions remain unvegetated for extended periods of time and are subject to eolian dispersion and water erosion. This study examines the potential phytostabilization of a lead-zinc mine tailings site using a native, drought-tolerant halophyte, quailbush [Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S. Wats.]. In a greenhouse study germination, growth, and metal uptake was evaluated in two compost-amended mine tailings samples, K4 (pH 3) and K6 (pH 6) at 75, 85, 90, 95, and 100% mine tailings, and two controls, off-site and compost. Microbial community changes were monitored by performing MPN analysis of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria as well as heterotrophic plate counts. Results demonstrate that germination is not a good indicator for phytostabilization since it was only inhibited in the unamended K4 treatment. Plant growth was significantly reduced in 95 and 100% mine tailings, while growth in 75, 85, and 90% treatments was similar to the off-site control. Quailbush accumulated elevated levels of the nutrient metals Na, K, Mn, and Zn in the shoot tissues; however, metal accumulation was generally below the domestic animal toxicity limit. Initially, autotrophic population estimates were four to six logs higher than heterotrophic counts, indicating extremely stressed conditions. However, post-harvest, heterotrophic bacterial counts increased to normal levels (approximately 10(6) CFU g-1 dry tailings) and dominated the rhizosphere. Therefore, with compost amendment, quailbush has good potential as a native species candidate for phytostabilization of mine tailings in semiarid environments.     

Heavy metal distribution and chemical speciation in tailings and soils around a Pb-Zn mine in Spain

Soil pollution by lead, zinc, cadmium and copper was characterized in the mine tailings and surrounding soils (arable and pasture lands) of an old Spanish Pb-Zn mine. Sixty soil samples were analyzed, determining the total metal concentration by acid digestion and the chemical fractionation of Pb and Zn by the modified BCR sequential extraction method. Samples belonging to mine waste areas showed the highest values, with mean concentrations of 28,453.50 mg kg(-1) for Pb, 7000.44 mg kg(-1) for Zn, 20.57 mg kg(-1) for Cd and 308.48 mg kg(-1) for Cu. High concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd were found in many of the samples taken from surrounding arable and pasture lands, indicating a certain extent of spreading of heavy metal pollution. Acidic drainage and wind transport of dust were proposed as the main effects causing the dispersion of pollution. Sequential extraction showed that most of the Pb was associated with non-residual fractions, mainly in reducible form, in all the collected samples. Zn appeared mainly associated with the acid-extractable form in mine tailing samples, while the residual form was the predominant one in samples belonging to surrounding areas. Comparison of our results with several criteria reported in the literature for risk assessment in soils polluted by heavy metals showed the need to treat the mine tailings dumped in the mine area.     

Effects of moisture and temperature on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in mine tailings mixed with sewage sludge

Digested sewage sludge mixed with copper mine tailings was incubated for 3 mo at 16 combinations of temperature (-1, 5, 10, and 15 degrees C) and soil moisture content (2, 8, 14, and 24% by weight). Carbon dioxide evolution and net N mineralization were measured at increasing time intervals. A two compartment first-order kinetic model (refractory and labile C) was fitted to the time series of measured CO2 fluxes using nonlinear regression analysis. The dependencies of the rate constants on moisture and temperature could be well described by log-linear functions. The estimated Q10 value (the factor by which the rate is increased as temperature is increased 10 degrees C) was 2.55. Within the range of temperature and moisture considered here, which correspond to conditions occurring naturally in Sweden, CO2 evolution was more strongly controlled by moisture than by temperature. Less mineral N accumulated during the experiment at the lowest moisture or temperature. However, the dependency of net N mineralization on moisture and temperature in the remaining treatments was less clear than for C evolution, presumably due to denitrification at the higher temperatures and moisture contents. Nitrate was formed after around 2 wk but only at 10 and 15 degrees C.     

Vertical distribution and speciation of trace metals in weathering flotation residues of a zinc/lead sulfide mine

Sulfide-bearing mine tailings are a serious environmental problem around the world. In this study, the vertical distribution and speciation of Zn and Pb in the fine-grained flotation residues of a former sulfide ore mine in Germany were investigated to assess the inorganic weathering processes that effect the environmental risk arising from this site. Total metal contents were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). Mobilizable fractions of Zn, Pb, Fe, and Mn were quantified by sequential chemical extractions (SCE). Furthermore, the speciation of Zn was analyzed by Zn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) to identify the residual Zn species. The variations in pH and inorganic C content show an acidification of the topsoil to pH 5.5. EXAFS results confirm that Zn is mainly bound in sphalerite in the subsoil and weathering reactions lead to a redistribution of Zn in the topsoil. A loss of 35% Zn and S from the topsoil compared with the parent material with 10 g kg-1 Zn and neutral pH has been observed. If acidification proceeds it will lead to a significant release of Zn, S, and Pb to the ground water. In contrast to Zn, Pb is enriched in the mobile fraction of the topsoil by more than a factor of two compared with the subsoil which contains a total of 2 g kg-1 Pb. Thus, the high bioavailability of Pb and the potential for Pb uptake by plants and animals currently represent the most severe threat for environmental health.     

绝缘结构综合应力加速寿命试验方法研究

针对绝缘结构在实际使用过程中受到综合应力因素的影响的特点,提出了一种基于综合应力的绝缘结构可靠性评估方法,可以有效地指导绝缘结构加速寿命试验的设计和实施。首先通过对绝缘结构进行失效机理及应力分析,确定影响绝缘结构寿命的主要应力,选取适当的综合应力加速模型。其次,确定各加速应力水平,进行综合应力加速寿命试验方案的设计。最后,基于失效数据对绝缘结构进行可靠性评估。     

人工气候复合加速腐蚀试验机的研究

简要介绍了北京航空材料研究院研制的ACCE型人工气候复合加速腐蚀试验机的设计构思和基本结构，该型试验机获得了国家发明专利，并已在国防预研课题的研究工作中得到了应用。     

电子产品的高加速寿命试验

电子产品的使用者希望产品在工作寿命内尽可能少发生甚至不发生故障。制造者为了确保电子产品的可靠性,必须针对产品作一系列的可靠性试验。介绍了HALT试验的目的、优点及发展现状,通过实际的HALT试验阐述了试验剖而设计及被试验产品工作极限的确定方法,并给出试验结论,为同类产品的可靠性设计提供了依据。     

汽车原材料、零部件、整车自然暴露试验

本文介绍了现行汽车行业上使用的自然老化试验方法-原材料、零部件、整车自然暴露试验方法:同时阐述了这些老化试验方法的特点及它们之间的互补性;最后提醒汽车行业的试验客户在做这些老化试验时应注意的问题.     

Migration of trace elements from pyrite tailings in carbonate soils

In the carbonate soils contaminated by a toxic spill from a pyrite mine (Aznalcóllar, southern Spain), a study was made of a thin layer (thickness = 4 mm) of polluted soil located between the pyrite tailings and the underlying soil. This layer, reddish-yellow in color due to a high Fe content, formed when sulfates (from the oxidation of sulfides) infiltrated the soil, causing acidification (to pH 5.6 as opposed to 8.0 of unaffected soil) and pollution (in Zn, Cu, As, Pb, Co, Cd, Sb, Bi, Tl, and In). The less mobile elements (As, Bi, In, Pb, Sb, and Tl) concentrated in the uppermost part of the reddish-yellow layer, with concentration decreasing downward. The more mobile elements (Co, Cd, Zn, and Cu) tended to precipitate where the pH was basic, toward the bottom of the layer or in the upper part of the underlying soil. The greatest accumulations occurred within the first 6 mm in overall soil depth, and were negligible below 15 mm. In addition, the acidity of the solution from the tailings degraded the minerals of the clay fraction of the soils, both the phyllosilicates as well as the carbonates. Also, within the reddish-yellow layer, gypsum formed autigenically, together with complex salts of sulfates of Fe, Al, Zn, Ca, and Mn, jarosite, and oxihydroxides of Fe.     

宽带随机振动试验条件的加速因子

研究基于疲劳损伤等效的宽带随机振动试验条件的加速因子。首先回顾了基于窄带模型的随机振动试验条件的加速因子表达式,然后应用随机振动疲劳损伤的频域估计方法——基于窄带模型的修正方法（WL方法、α0.75方法和TB方法等）,得到了宽带随机振动试验条件加速因子计算的通用表达式。数值模拟分析表明,基于窄带模型的加速因子表达式对于比例载荷的宽带随机振动也是适用的,而对于非比例载荷,则需要应用文中提出的通用表达式才可以获得宽带随机振动的加速因子。     

Socioeconomic mine termination policies : A case study of mine closure in Ontario

Little formal recognition is given in Canadian mineral management to the inevitable socioeconomic changes induced by mine closure. This paper documents and evaluates government and non-government arrangements to ameliorate socioeconomic impacts of mine closure at the Marmoraton Mining Company in Ontario during 1978. Measures used to reduce detrimental socioeconomic hardships of mine terminations on Canadian communities are presented. The principles may be useful in other countries which face similar problems.