The application of wood ash as a reagent in acid mine drainage treatment

The paper deals with a possible utilisation of wood ash as a reagent in treating acid mine drainage (AMD) from opencast mining of brown coal. Wood ash samples were obtained having combusted deciduous and coniferous tree wood in a household furnace. The dominant mineral phases in wood ash are calcite, quartz, lime and periclase. The used AMD is characteristic of high contents of sulphates, iron, manganese, heavy metals and low pH. The AMD treatment process included dosing of wood ash to adjust pH values about 8.3 (a dose of 0.5 g l⁻¹) or calcium hydroxide (a dose of 0.2 g l⁻¹) for comparison. The reaction time was 20 min. Dosing of wood ash in AMD resulted in an increase of pH in solution from 3.5 to 8.3, which caused the removal of metal ions mainly by precipitation, co-precipitation and adsorption. Comparing the application of Ca(OH)₂ in AMD treatment, at an almost identical pH value the concentrations fell in both cases for Fe, Mn, As, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mg, Al and Mo. Applying wood ash the drop was even more distinct in Mn, Zn and Mg. The results of sedimentation tests in an Imhoff cone confirm that the settling capacities of sludge using wood ash are significantly better than when using calcium hydroxide in acid mine drainage treatment.     

The effect of particle size on acid mine drainage generation: Kinetic column tests

The rate of acid mine drainage (AMD) generation is directly proportional to the surface area and so to the particle size distribution of acid-forming minerals exposed to oxidation. Materials in various particle sizes are subject to weathering processes at field condition; however, the particle size dependent oxidation rate has not been investigated for understanding entire geochemical behavior at a mining site. Therefore, a comprehensive research program was aimed to investigate the effect of particle size on pH variation and acid mine drainage generation using kinetic column tests, and then to find convenient methodologies for upscaling laboratory-based results to the field condition. For this purpose, ore samples collected from Murgul Damar open-pit mining were grinded in three different particle size distributions that are coarse (minus 22.5 mm), medium (minus 3.35 mm) and fine (minus 0.625 mm) sizes, 34 columns were designed in different dimensions for kinetic column tests. It was found that the cumulative concentration of the many constituents measured from medium particles (minus 3.35 mm) are higher than coarser samples due to decreasing specific surface area with increasing particle size. Similarly, because of decreasing of hydraulic conductivity with increasing the fine content, the cumulative concentration of constituents measured from medium particles (minus 3.35 mm) are also higher than finer particles (minus 0.625 mm). Based on statistical and analytical analyses of the results of kinetic column tests, the time required to initiate acid formation at field condition varied between 489 and 1002 days depending on particle size distribution. In addition, considering the effect of particle size and the results of related statistical analysis, main oxidation (SO₄²⁻) and neutralization (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺ etc.) products were also successfully upscaled to the field condition.     

硫酸盐还原菌处理酸性矿山废水研究进展

酸性矿山废水的处理对环境可持续性至关重要。目前,利用硫酸盐还原菌修复酸性矿山废水因高效经济、环境友好、绿色安全等优势,备受国内外研究学者的关注。因此,本文通过对有关硫酸盐还原菌处理酸性矿山废水文献进行梳理,综述了酸性矿山废水的来源及危害,总结了硫酸盐还原菌去除酸性矿山废水中高硫酸盐和金属的机理,详细介绍了影响硫酸盐还原菌处理酸性矿山废水的主要因素,阐述了基于硫酸盐还原的生物反应器系统。最后,对硫酸盐还原菌处理酸性矿山废水的研究进行展望并提出建议。     

Fate of sulphate removed during the treatment of circumneutral mine water and acid mine drainage with coal fly ash: Modelling and experimental approach

The treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) and circumneutral mine water (CMW) with South African coal fly ash (FA) provides a low cost and alternative technique for treating mine wastes waters. The sulphate concentration in AMD can be reduced significantly when AMD was treated with the FA to pH 9. On the other hand an insignificant amount of sulphate was removed when CMW (containing a very low concentration of Fe and Al) was treated using FA to pH 9. The levels of Fe and Al, and the final solution pH in the AMD–fly ash mixture played a significant role on the level of sulphate removal in contrast to CMW–fly ash mixtures. In this study, a modelling approach using PHREEQC geochemical modelling software was combined with AMD–fly ash and/or CMW–fly ash neutralization experiments in order to predict the mineral phases involved in sulphate removal. The effects of solution pH and Fe and Al concentration in mine water on sulphate were also investigated. The results obtained showed that sulphate, Fe, Al, Mg and Mn removal from AMD and/or CMW with fly ash is a function of solution pH. The presence of Fe and Al in AMD exhibited buffering characteristic leading to more lime leaching from FA into mine water, hence increasing the concentration of Ca²⁺. This resulted in increased removal of sulphate as CaSO₄·2H₂O. In addition the sulphate removal was enhanced through the precipitation as Fe and Al oxyhydroxysulphates (as shown by geochemical modelling) in AMD–fly ash system. The low concentration of Fe and Al in CMW resulted in sulphate removal depending mainly on CaSO₄·2H₂O. The results of this study would have implications on the design of treatment methods relevant for different mine waters.     

Organic wastes as carbon sources to promote sulfate reducing bacterial activity for biological remediation of acid mine drainage

Chicken manure, dairy manure and sawdust were evaluated as carbon sources in promoting sulfate reduction, and the mechanism of heavy metals removal in sulfidogenic bioreactor was revealed. The sulfate reduction reached 79.04% for chicken manure, 64.78% for dairy manure, and 50.27% for sawdust on 35th day, which showed that chicken manure could promote sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) activity, followed by dairy manure and sawdust. In batch experiment, although chicken and dairy manure bioreactors showed sulfidogenic activity, it demonstrated less than 5% contribution from sulfide precipitation and over 95% from other removal mechanisms (sorption to manure particles and hydroxides precipitation, etc.). Column bioreactor showed satisfactory performance in biological remediation of acid mine drainage, evidenced by effluent Eh and pH, high removal efficiencies of sulfate and metals, and a considerable SRB counts. SEM–EDS analysis of the formed precipitate showed metal sulfides were formed. The results indicated that organic waste played an important role in sulfidogenic activity, which could not only provide reducing condition and carbon source for sulfate reduction process, but also reduce the adverse effect of heavy metal and strong acidity on SRB activity owning to metals sorption and acidity buffer of organic waste.     

Using permeable reactive barriers for the treatment of acid rock drainage

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is the most serious environmental problem facing the Canadian mineral industry today. It results from oxidation of sulphide minerals (e.g. pyrite or pyrrhotite) contained in mine waste or mine tailings and is characterized by acid effluents rich in heavy metals that are released into the environment. A new acid remediation technology is presented, by which metallurgical residues from the aluminium extraction industry are used to construct permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) to treat acid mine effluents. This technology is very promising for treating acid mine effluents in order to decrease their harmful environmental effects.     

方解石处理酸性矿排水次生矿物学和渗透性的研究

采用批实验和柱长期运行实验研究方解石处理酸性矿排水中次生矿物学和渗透性问题,扫描电镜（SEM）和傅里叶红光谱（FTIR）结果揭示方解石包覆层包括两层,内层为结晶石膏层,外层为纤铁矿层,后变为针铁矿;通过费克第一定律建立包覆下的溶解模型, ρ (Ca 2+ )= At 1/2 +B,其A 值与包覆层石膏比例（ f gyp ）平方成反比;柱实验结果揭示渗透系数变化是一个突变过程,长期处理中外层的Fe系包覆层是引起堵塞的关键。     

尾矿库酸性矿山废水的源头控制方法

有色金属矿的尾矿库会产生酸性矿山废水,给矿区周围的土壤和地下水带来严重威胁。通过源头控制技术可以降低尾矿内硫化矿物的氧化速率,从而在源头上减少酸性矿山废水的产生。本文系统介绍了干式覆盖法(无机矿物覆盖层和有机覆盖层)、湿式覆盖法、掺碱混合填埋法以及细菌活性抑制法等几种源头控制方法的工作原理、实施方法以及工程应用实例。另外,论文还对各种源头控制方法存在的问题进行了分析和总结,并指出该领域未来需要在以下方面进行重点研究:对于无机矿物覆盖层,要注意研究其长期性能的劣化问题;对于有机覆盖层,需要对其可能存在的负面效应问题进行探讨;分析环境条件对作用效果的影响是湿式覆盖法在未来需要着重研究的问题;克服包裹效应是掺碱混合填埋法需要首先解决的问题;而对于细菌活性抑制法,则应重点考虑新型抑菌剂的研制及投放方式开发问题。     

Preparation of immobilized sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) granules for effective bioremediation of acid mine drainage and bacterial community analysis

Heavy metal-resistant immobilized sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) granules were prepared to treat acid mine drainage (AMD) containing high concentrations of multiple heavy metal ions using an up-flow anaerobic packed-bed bioreactor. The bioreactor demonstrated satisfactory performance at influent pH 2.8 and high concentrations of metals (Fe 463 mg/L, Mn 79 mg/L, Cu 76 mg/L, Cd 58 mg/L and Zn 118 mg/L). The effluent pH ranged from 7.8 to 8.3 and the removal efficiencies of Fe, Cu, Zn and Cd were over 99.9% except for Mn (42.1–99.3%). The bacterial community in the bioreactor was diverse and included fermentative bacteria and SRB (Desulfovibrio desulfiricans) involved in sulfate reduction. The co-existing anaerobic fermentative bacteria (Clostridia bacterium, etc.) with the ability to use lactate as electron donor could explain the differences between actual lactate consumption and what would be expected based solely on sulfate reduction.     

酸性矿山废水处理技术及其发展前景

叙述了酸性矿山废水的来源、分布及其危害．分析总结了改造选矿流程、中和法、硫化法和置换中和法等经济、实用的酸性矿山废水处理技术现状．并进一步阐述了酸性矿山废水处理技术的发展前景。     

煤矿酸性矿井水中有害元素的迁移特性

利用电感耦合等离子质谱（ICP-MS）、离子色谱（IC）和X射线衍射（XRD）等方法研究了马兰煤矿酸性矿井水及其沉淀物的化学成分和物相组成,并通过吸附解吸实验和PHREEQC水化学模拟计算研究了典型酸性矿井水样品中Pb,Th,U,Be,Zn,Ni,Co,Cd,Cu,As,Cr,V,Ba等有害元素的迁移特性.研究表明：① 煤矿酸性矿井水中SO^2-₄,Fe,Mn,Al,Pb,Th,U,Be,Zn,Ni,Co,Cu等离子含量较高,对环境存在潜在危害;② 酸性矿井水中有害元素的迁移主要受pH,Fe-Al-Mn含量和水体颗粒物矿物组成的控制;③ Fe,Al和Mn的含量随pH上升而迅速下降,并控制着Pb,Th,U,Be,Zn,Ni,Co,Cu等潜在有害微量离子的迁移行为; ④ 各离子随pH上升被去除的先后顺序为: Th>Fe>Pb >Cr>Al>Cu>Be>U>Zn>As>Cd>Mn>Co>Ni>Ba;⑤ 酸性矿井水中V不能够随pH的升高而去除,反而会有更多的V溶解在水中.     

Valorization of acid mine drainage treatment sludge as remediation component to control acid generation from mine wastes,part 2: Field experimentation

The possibility of using acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment sludge as a cover component to control AMD generation from mine wastes was investigated through laboratory characterization and kinetic column testing (companion paper). The results showed that mixtures of sludge and waste rock, and sludge and tailings, may be integrated in an AMD prevention and control strategy at Doyon mine site (northwestern Quebec, Canada). In order to further investigate these scenarios in realistic climatic conditions, instrumented field test cells were installed on site to evaluate the performance of the mixtures to control AMD generation from tailings and waste rock under natural field conditions. The main findings from two seasons of monitoring are presented in the paper. The waste rock-sludge mixture placed over waste rock was able to reduce the generation of AMD from the waste rock, therefore confirming lab results, and was able to produce a neutral effluent with low concentrations of dissolved metals. The tailings-sludge mixture placed over tailings, with an evaporation protection layer, maintained a high volumetric water content and reduced sulphide oxidation from the tailings as exhibited by a neutral effluent. Monitoring of the field cells will continue to provide valuable information on the possible sludge valorization options.     

Start-up,adjustment and long-term performance of a two-stage bioremediation process,treating real acid mine drainage,coupled with biosynthesis of ZnS nanoparticles and ZnS/TiO2 nanocomposites

Acid mine drainage (AMD) generation is a widespread environmental problem in Europe, including Portugal. Previous experience has shown that a combined process consisting of an anaerobic sulphate-reducing bioreactor, following neutralization with calcite tailing, produces water complying with legal irrigation requirements from synthetic AMD. Aiming the treatment of real AMD a new bioreactor was inoculated with a SRB enrichment obtained from sludge from a local WWTP anaerobic lagoon. In the initial batch phase, sulphate supplementation was needed to achieve high sulphate-reducing bacteria counts before continuous feeding of AMD was started. The system quickly achieved good performance, proving it is easy to start-up. However, this time the neutralization step failed to keep bioreactor affluent pH higher than 5 for longer than three weeks. This was due to armouring of calcite by precipitates of various metals present in AMD. A new configuration, replacing a packed-bed column by a shallow contact basin, proved to be more robust, avoiding clogging, short-circuiting and providing long-term neutralization. The treated effluent, with excess of biologically generated sulphide, was successfully used to synthesize zinc sulphide nanoparticles, both in pure form and as a ZnS/TiO₂ nanocomposite, thus proving the feasibility of coupling an AMD bioremediation system with the synthesis of metal sulphide nanoparticles and nanocomposites.     

AMD蚀化砂岩细观力学效应

通过pH值为1.25,3.38的AMD溶液蚀化下砂岩细观结构及力学试验,分析砂岩细观结构及力学性质变化规律;运用分形理论描述砂岩细观结构分布特征,得到AMD蚀化下砂岩表面SEM图像的分形维数（D）;基于砂岩弹性模量的变化,引入AMD蚀化下砂岩化学损伤变量（w）,建立w与 D 之间的关系。结果表明：AMD蚀化下砂岩细观结构分布具有分形特征, w 与 D 存在较好的线性关系。pH=1.25时, w=0.78D－1.62;pH=3.38时, w=0.97D－2.04,相关系数均在0.98以上。研究结果从细观层次揭示了AMD蚀化砂岩力学效应。     

Valorisation of acid mine drainage treatment sludge as remediation component to control acid generation from mine wastes,part 1: Material characterization and laboratory kinetic testing

In operating mines, acid mine drainage (AMD) is often treated using lime treatment. This process generates a significant amount of sludge that contains metal hydroxide precipitates, gypsum, and unreacted lime. The sludge may have interesting geotechnical and geochemical properties to be used as a part of covers (oxygen barriers) to prevent AMD generation from waste rocks and tailings. The main results of a project aiming to evaluate the use of sludge from the Doyon mine site (Canada) as a material in mine site rehabilitation are presented. The first part of the project involved detailed characterization of sludge, waste rock, and tailings samples. Then, laboratory column leaching tests were performed to evaluate the performance of the mixtures to control AMD produced by tailings and waste rocks. It was found that a sludge–waste rock mixture placed over waste rock reduces the metal loads in the column effluent, which remained acidic, as well as a mixture of sludge and tailings deposited over tailings can reduce metal content in effluents from tailings.     

The effect of column dimensions and particle size on the results of kinetic column test used for acid mine drainage (AMD) prediction

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is known as one of the most important environmental problem of sulfide bearing rocks encountered worldwide. Several methods based on static and kinetic principles have been developed for estimation of AMD potential and determination of the contaminants concentration to the environment. Of these methods, kinetic column test is commonly performed due to its better representative of actual field conditions. However, the effect of main controlling factors such as column dimensions, the amount of material and its particle size on the results of kinetic column test were not investigated in details. Considering the importance of AMD and the limitations in conjunction with these main controlling factors, the objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism of the AMD generation and to perform this test by using samples in varied particle size and columns in different dimensions. For this purpose, columns were designed in various dimensions and samples were collected from Murgul Damar open-pit mining to be used in the kinetic column test. Several techniques were utilized to determine the mineralogical, physical and/or chemical composition of these samples before and during kinetic column tests. The variations of the pH and the concentration release rates of many elements and compounds were monitored during kinetic column tests. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between column dimensions and “lag time”. Similarly, it is determined that statistically significant correlations exist among column dimensions and cumulative mass release rates of SO₄ and the Ca + Mg + Mn.     

淹井矿井井筒排水试验方案

板集煤矿由于副井井筒发生突水事故造成井下巷道和主井、副井和风井井筒全部淹没,被泥砂和水充填.在治理过程中先后采取了井筒内抛填石子、井筒周围探查地层、地面注浆、冻结等治理方案措施,在冻结壁达到一定程度后将开始对井筒进行排水.由于目前在国内外均无类似案例经验可以借鉴,而在排水及后续的清淤过程又可能存在因前期治理不到位出现威胁井壁以及施工人员安全的因素,因此制定科学合理的方案尤为重要.该方案通过对前期治理过程中的地质、水文现象进行科学分析,合理确定了排水试验的方式以及获取的水文地质参数,能够为后续的排水工作提供指导依据.     

管路清理器在煤矿排水系统中的应用

该文介绍了国内管路清理现状,分析目前国内管路清理方法的优缺点,推出一种新型管路清理方法——管路清理器。该方法采用特制的清理器,具有易操作、无污染等特点,在煤矿排水系统应用中取得良好的效果。     

SRB菌的分离鉴定及其对矸石山酸性废水的处理

为了得到煤矸石山酸性废水处理的专属功能微生物,从湖南湘潭某煤矸石山周边土壤中分离筛选硫酸盐还原菌,分析菌株的16S rRNA基因序列,形态和生理生化特性,并利用得到的菌株处理矸石山酸性废水。16S rRNA基因序列分析表明,所分离得到的硫酸盐还原菌株S-7与Desulfuromonas alkenivorans同源性达到99.0%。该菌株为杆状稍有弯曲,能运动,大小(0.5~0.8)μm×(3.0~4.0)μm,革兰氏染色显阴性,最适生长温度为30℃,最适p H值范围6~8,酵母粉为最好的碳源和氮源,硫酸钠为最适合硫源,菌株经培养96 h后细胞浓度高达1.76×109个/m L。培养初始p H为7时,6 d可去除体系中90%硫酸根离子,而不同硫酸根离子浓度对菌株生长和硫酸盐去除效率影响不明显。S-7菌株对矸石山酸性废水中Fe,Mn,Pb和Zn四种重金属离子均存在处理效果,整体上去除效率为PbFeZnMn,其中Pb离子经7 d处理后去除率达到100%。     

Development of a new covering strategy in Indonesian coal mines to control acid mine drainage generation: a laboratory-scale result

The waste dump of sulphide-containing rocks is one of the potential acid mine drainage sources, since it contains a huge amount of readily oxidised sulphide mineral, due to its exposure to air and water. The application of the dry cover system is regarded as one of the best practices since it prevents acid mine drainage of the waste rock dump at the surface coal mine. However, the implementation of the dry cover system in field practice has faced several obstacles due to the limited number of cover materials. The nature of geological condition is considered to be a controlled issue, whilst the problem is the mining method and equipment size. This article describes the acid generation mechanism and its control, application of cover system and the problems that are faced in Indonesian coal mines, whilst discussing the preliminary laboratory results of multi-layer cover systems. It finally proposes a new covering strategy in an attempt to overcome the problem.