Bioremediation of acid mine drainage coupled with domestic wastewater treatment

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 2425-2431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Sánchez-Andrea ◽  
David Triana ◽  
Jose L. Sanz
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Elevated Concentration ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Acid Mine

Acid mine drainage (AMD) – characterized by high acidity and elevated sulfate and metal concentrations – represents a big environmental concern. Biological sulfate reduction has become an alternative to the classical physicochemical methods. In this study, domestic wastewater (DW) was tested as a cost-effective carbon-source for the remediation of AMD. Sediments from Tinto River, an extreme acidic environment with an elevated concentration of metals, were used as inoculum. Three anaerobic bioreactors with different microbial supports were fed with a 1:10 (v:v) mixture of synthetic AMD:DW. Around 50% of the organic matter present in the DW co-precipitated with the metals from the AMD previous to feeding the reactor. Therefore, the reactors had to be supplemented with an extra carbon-source (acetate) to achieve higher S elimination. Elevated removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (>88%), sulfate (>75%), Fe (>85%) and other dissolved metals (>99% except for Mn) were achieved. Bacterial communities were examined through denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and scanning electron microscopy. Higher biodiversity was found in the bioreactors compared with that of the inoculum. Dominant species belong to two metabolic groups: fermentative (Clostridium spp., Delftia spp., Paludibacter spp. and Pelotomaculum spp.) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfomonile spp., Desulfovibrio spp., Desulfosporosinus spp. and Desulfotomaculum spp.).

scholarly journals Synthesis of Poly-Alumino-Ferric Sulphate Coagulant from Acid Mine Drainage by Precipitation

Metals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Mwewa ◽  
Srećko Stopić ◽  
Sehliselo Ndlovu ◽  
Geoffrey S. Simate ◽  
Buhle Xakalashe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Ferric Sulphate ◽  
Brewery Wastewater ◽  
Metal Mining ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Sludge Disposal ◽  
Co Precipitation

The wastes generated from both operational and abandoned coal and metal mining are an environmental concern. These wastes, including acid mine drainage (AMD), are treated to abate the devastating effects they have on the environment before disposal. However, AMD contains valuable resources that can be recovered to subsidize treatment costs. Two of the major constituents of coal AMD are iron and aluminium, which can be recovered and engineered to function as coagulants. This work examines the potential of producing a poly-alumino-ferric sulphate (AMD-PAFS) coagulant from coal acidic drainage solutions. The co-precipitation of iron and aluminium is conducted at pH values of 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 using sodium hydroxide in order to evaluate the recovery of iron and aluminium as hydroxide precipitates while minimizing the co-precipitation of the other heavy metals. The precipitation at pH 5.0 yields iron and aluminium recovery of 99.9 and 94.7%, respectively. An increase in the pH from 5.0 to 7.0 increases the recovery of aluminium to 99.1%, while the recovery of iron remains the same. The precipitate formed at pH 5.0 is used to produce a coagulant consisting of 89.5% and 10.0% iron and aluminium, respectively. The production of the coagulant is carried out by dissolving the precipitate in 5.0% (w/w) sulphuric acid. Subsequently, the treatment of the brewery wastewater shows that the AMD-PAFS coagulant is as efficient as the conventional poly ferric sulphate (PFS) coagulant. The turbidity removal is 91.9 and 87.8%, while the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal is 56.0 and 64.0% for AMD-PAFS and PFS coagulants, respectively. The developed process, which can easily be incorporated into existing AMD treatment plants, not only reduces the sludge disposal problems but also creates revenue from waste.

Biological treatment removal of rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) and metals from actual acid mine drainage

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 1485-1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. W. Nogueira ◽  
F. M. Licona ◽  
L. A. G. Godoi ◽  
G. Brucha ◽  
M. H. R. Z. Damianovic
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Flow Mode ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Acid Mine

Abstract Actual acid mine drainage (AMD) containing a high concentration of sulfate (∼1,000 mg·L−1), dissolved metals, uranium, rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) was treated using a down-flow fixed-structured bed biological reactor (DFSBR). The reactor was operated in a continuous flow mode for 175 days and the temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The synthetic AMD was gradually replaced by the actual AMD in 20, 50 and 75% of the total medium volume. Sugarcane vinasse was used as the electron donor and the influent pH of the reactor was decreased from 6.9 to 4.6 until the system collapsed. REY elements and transition metals were removed from the actual AMD and precipitated in the down-flow fixed-structured bed reactor. Sulfate reduction achieved 67 ± 22% in Phase II and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was above 56% in Phases I and II. Removal of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Y was higher than 70% in both Phases II and III while Fe, Al, Si and Mn were removed with efficiencies of 79, 67, 48 and 25%, respectively. The results highlighted the potential use of DFSBR in the treatment of AMD, providing possibilities for simultaneous sulfate reduction and metal and REY recovery in a single unit.

scholarly journals Induction of a geochemical barrier for As, Fe and S immobilization in a sulfide substrate

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 671-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Rodrigues de Assis ◽  
Luiz Eduardo Dias ◽  
Emerson Silva Ribeiro Jr ◽  
Walter Antônio Pereira Abrahão ◽  
Jaime Wilson Vargas de Mello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Geochemical Barrier ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Element Mobilization ◽  
Co Precipitation ◽  
The Impact

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is an environmental concern due to the risk of element mobilization, including toxic elements, and inclusion in the food chain. In this study, three cover layers were tested to minimize As, Fe and S mobilization from a substrate from former gold mining, containing pyrite and arsenopyrite. For this purpose, different layers (capillary break, sealant and cover layer) above the substrate and the induction of a geochemical barrier (GB) were used to provide suitable conditions for adsorption and co-precipitation of the mobilized As. Thirteen treatments were established to evaluate the leaching of As, Fe and S from a substrate in lysimeters. The pH, As, Fe, S, Na, and K concentrations and total volume of the leachates were determined. Mineralogical analyses were realized in the substrate at the end of the experimental period. Lowest amounts of As, Fe and S (average values of 5.47, 48.59 and 132.89 g/lysimeter) were leached in the treatments that received Na and K to induce GB formation. Mineralogical analyses indicated jarosite formation in the control treatment and in treatments that received Na and K salts. However, the jarosite amounts in these treatments were higher than in the control, suggesting that these salts accelerated the GB formation. High amounts of As, Fe and S (average values of 11.7, 103.94 and 201.13 g/lysimeter) were observed in the leachate from treatments without capillary break layer. The formation of geochemical barrier and the use of different layers over the sulfide substrate proved to be efficient techniques to decrease As, Fe and S mobilization and mitigate the impact of acid mine drainage.

Treatment of synthetic acid mine drainage using rice wine waste as a carbon source

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 4603-4609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gyoung-Man Kim ◽  
Dae-Hoon Kim ◽  
Jung-Seock Kang ◽  
Hwanjo Baek
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Rice Wine ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Synthetic Acid

A Review of Technologies Used in Handling The Acid Mine Drainage Challenge: Perspectives on Using Green Liquor Dregs As a Sustainable Option For Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Keolebogile R. Sebogodi ◽  
Jonas K. Johakimu ◽  
B. Bruce Sithole
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Green Liquor ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Green Liquor Dregs ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
By Products

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the repercussions that result from earth-moving activities around the sulfide-bearing mineral hosts. The detrimental effects associated with this AMD are driven by its characteristics, which include low pH and high concentrations of sulfate and toxic dissolved metals. Traditionally, the prevention and treatment of AMD are achieved by using technologies that use, amongst other, naturally occurring soils and carbonates. However, the continual use of these materials may eventually lead to their depletion. On the other hand, industrial by-products have been proven to occupying land that could have otherwise been used for profitable businesses. Additionally, the handling and maintenance of landfills are costly. In this current trend of a circular economy that is driven by industrial symbiosis, scientists are concerned with valorizing industrial by-products. One such by-product is the green liquor dregs (GLD) from Kraft mills. The neutralizing and geotechnical properties of these wastes have prompted the research pioneers to seek their potential use in handling the challenges associated with AMD. In this review, the formation AMD, trends in technologies for treatment and prevention of AMD are critically analyzed. This includes the feasibility of using GLD as an alternative, promising sustainable material.

Wine wastes as carbon source for biological treatment of acid mine drainage

Chemosphere ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 831-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C. Costa ◽  
E.S. Santos ◽  
R.J. Barros ◽  
C. Pires ◽  
M. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Acid Mine

High rate of biological removal of sulfate, organic matter, and metals in UASB reactor to treat synthetic acid mine drainage and cheese whey wastewater as carbon source

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela F. Sampaio ◽  
Angelica M. Santos ◽  
Patricia R. Costa ◽  
Renata P. Rodriguez ◽  
Giselle P. Sancinetti
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Carbon Source ◽  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
Cheese Whey ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Acid Mine ◽  
Biological Removal ◽  
Synthetic Acid
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