An evaluation of trace element release associated with acid mine drainage

1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Sullivan ◽  
Jennifer L. Yelton
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Mine

scholarly journals Secondary Sulfates from the Monte Arsiccio Mine (Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy): Trace-Element Budget and Role in the Formation of Acid Mine Drainage

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Massimo D’Orazio ◽  
Daniela Mauro ◽  
Marta Valerio ◽  
Cristian Biagioni
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Major Ions ◽  
Trace Element Content ◽  
Sulfate Minerals ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Apuan Alps

A suite of sulfate minerals from the Monte Arsiccio mine (Apuan Alps, Northern Tuscany, Italy), previously identified by using both X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy, was studied through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), in order to determine their trace-element content. Several elements (Tl, Rb, As, Sb, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cr) were found above the detection limits. Among them, some are important from an environmental perspective and may reach relatively high concentrations (e.g., Tl = 1370–2988 μg/g; As = 505–1680 μg/g). Thus, these sulfates may act as transient sinks for some of these potentially toxic elements, as well as for sulfate ions and acidity. Indeed, dissolution experiments revealed the ability of these secondary minerals to produce a significant pH decrease of the solutions, as well as the release of Fe, Al, and K as major ions. This work discusses the relation between the budget of trace elements and the crystal chemistry of sulfate minerals and provides new insights about the environmental role played by the sulfate dissolution in controlling the quality of water in acid mine drainage systems.

scholarly journals Use of steel slag to neutralize acid mine drainage (AMD) in sulfidic material from a uranium mine

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 804-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Marcon de Carvalho Leite ◽  
Luisa Poyares Cardoso ◽  
Jaime Wilson Vargas de Mello
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Co2 Emission ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Uranium Mine ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Leaching Columns

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is one of the main environmental impacts caused by mining. Thus, innovative mitigation strategies should be exploited, to neutralize acidity and prevent mobilization of trace elements in AMD. The use of industrial byproducts has been considered an economically and environmentally effective alternative to remediate acid mine drainage. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of steel slag to mitigate acid mine drainage in a sulfidic material from a uranium mine, as an alternative to the use of limestone. Thus, increasing doses of two neutralizing agents were applied to a sulfidic material from the uranium mine Osamu Utsumi in Caldas, Minas Gerais State. A steel slag from the company ArcelorMittal Tubarão and a commercial limestone were used as neutralizing agents. The experiment was conducted in leaching columns, arranged in a completely randomized, [(2 x 3) + 1] factorial design, consisting of two neutralizing agents, three doses and one control, in three replications, totaling 21 experimental units. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH and the concentrations of Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, S, Se, and Zn were evaluated in the leached solutions. The trace element concentration was evaluated by ICP-OES. Furthermore, the CO2 emission was measured at the top of the leaching columns by capturing in NaOH solution and titration with HCl, in the presence of BaCl2. An increase in the pH of the leachate was observed for both neutralizing agents, with slightly higher values for steel slag. The EC was lower at the higher lime dose at an early stage of the experiment, and CO2 emission was greater with the use of limestone compared to steel slag. A decrease in trace element mobilization in the presence of both neutralizing agents was also observed. Therefore, the results showed that the use of steel slag is a suitable alternative to mitigate AMD, with the advantage of reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere compared to limestone.

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