Mine-water chemistry: the good, the bad and the ugly
TL;DR: In this paper, mine drainage waters in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom are of three main types: (1) saline formation waters; (2) acidic, heavy-metal-containing, sulphate waters derived from pyrite oxidation, and (3) alkaline, hydrogen-sulphide-containing and heavy metal-poor waters resulting from buffering reactions and/or sulphate reduction.
Abstract: Contaminative mine drainage waters have become one of the major hydrogeological and geochemical problems arising from mankind's intrusion into the geosphere. Mine drainage waters in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom are of three main types: (1) saline formation waters; (2) acidic, heavy-metal-containing, sulphate waters derived from pyrite oxidation, and (3) alkaline, hydrogen-sulphide-containing, heavy-metal-poor waters resulting from buffering reactions and/or sulphate reduction. Mine waters are not merely to be perceived as problems, they can be regarded as industrial or drinking water sources and have been used for sewage treatment, tanning and industrial metals extraction. Mine-water problems may be addressed by isolating the contaminant source, by suppressing the reactions releasing contaminants, or by active or passive water treatment. Innovative treatment techniques such as galvanic suppression, application of bactericides, neutralising or reducing agents (pulverised fly ash-based grouts, cattle manure, whey, brewers' yeast) require further research.
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TL;DR: The variety of fungi and bacteria that are capable of these transformations are discussed, the major aerobic and anaerobic breakdown pathways are described, and some of the bioremediation technologies that are currently available are highlighted.
Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic compounds that have accumulated in the natural environment mainly as a result of anthropogenic activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels. Interest has surrounded the occurrence and distribution of PAHs for many decadesdue to their potentially harmful effects to human health. This concern has promptedresearchers to address ways to detoxify/remove these organic compounds from the natural environment. Bioremediation is one approach that has been used to remediate contaminated land and waters, and promotes the natural attenuation of the contaminants using the in situ microbial community of the site. This review discusses the variety of fungi and bacteria that are capable of these transformations, describes the major aerobic and anaerobic breakdown pathways, and highlights some of the bioremediation technologies that are currently available. 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
797 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the most important steps in the overall process of the pyrite oxidation were mapped to the cathodic sites, where oxygen atoms from water molecules attach to the sulfur atoms to form sulfoxy species, through the crystal to cathodic Fe(II) sites where they are acquired by the oxidant species.
586 citations
Cites background from "Mine-water chemistry: the good, the..."
...Reviews and more general articles on this subject include those by Alpers and Blowes (1994), Banks et al. (1997), Evangelou (1995), Evangelou and Zhang (1995), Gray (1996), Jambor and Blowes (1994), (1998), Keith and Vaughan (2000), Nordstrom and Alpers (1999), and Salomons (1995)....
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...Reviews and more general articles on this subject include those by Alpers and Blowes (1994), Banks et al. (1997), Evangelou (1995), Evangelou and Zhang (1995), Gray (1996), Jambor and Blowes (1994), (1998), Keith and Vaughan (2000), Nordstrom and Alpers (1999), and Salomons (1995). In spite of many decades of research, the key controls of mechanisms and hence rates of the oxidation of pyrite remain poorly understood....
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...Reviews and more general articles on this subject include those by Alpers and Blowes (1994), Banks et al. (1997), Evangelou (1995), Evangelou and Zhang (1995), Gray (1996), Jambor and Blowes (1994), (1998), Keith and Vaughan (2000), Nordstrom and Alpers (1999), and Salomons (1995). In spite of many decades of research, the key controls of mechanisms and hence rates of the oxidation of pyrite remain poorly understood. This is largely because the processes of aqueous oxidation, which are relevant here, involve a complex series of elementary reactions. Basolo and Pearson (1967) pointed out that elementary steps of redox reactions almost always involve the transfer of only one electron at a time so that the oxidation of monosulfide minerals (e....
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TL;DR: In this article, a hybrid membrane made from protein amyloid fibrils and activated porous carbon is used to remove heavy metal ions and radioactive waste from water, and the performance of the membrane is enabled by the ability of the amyloids to selectively absorb heavy metal pollutants from solutions.
Abstract: Industrial development, energy production and mining have led to dramatically increased levels of environmental pollutants such as heavy metal ions, metal cyanides and nuclear waste. Current technologies for purifying contaminated waters are typically expensive and ion specific, and there is therefore a significant need for new approaches. Here, we report inexpensive hybrid membranes made from protein amyloid fibrils and activated porous carbon that can be used to remove heavy metal ions and radioactive waste from water. During filtration, the concentration of heavy metal ions drops by three to five orders of magnitude per passage and the process can be repeated numerous times. Notably, their efficiency remains unaltered when filtering several ions simultaneously. The performance of the membrane is enabled by the ability of the amyloids to selectively absorb heavy metal pollutants from solutions. We also show that our membranes can be used to recycle valuable heavy metal contaminants by thermally reducing ions trapped in saturated membranes, leading to the creation of elemental metal nanoparticles and films.
461 citations
TL;DR: A review of the state-of-the-art of acid mine drainage can be found in this article, where the authors critically analyze the work performed in recent years on its occurrence, effects (on human health, plant life and aquatic species), and summarizes the remediation approaches taken so far to overcome the problem of AMD.
Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) or acid rock drainage (ARD) is considered as one of the main pollutants of water in many countries that have historic or current mining activities. Its generation, release, mobility, and attenuation involves complex processes governed by a combination of physical, chemical, and biological factors. In general, AMD is produced by the oxidative dissolution of sulphide minerals. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art of AMD. It critically analyses the work performed in recent years on its occurrence, effects (on human health, plant life and aquatic species), and summarizes the remediation approaches taken so far to overcome the problem of AMD. The challenges faced in tackling the remediation of AMD have also been considered. Commercially developed projects that are either in operation, being piloted or under evaluation have also been discussed. Finally, the paper speculates on future directions or opportunities that deserve exploration.
437 citations
TL;DR: In this review, recent advances in AMD prevention techniques like oxygen barriers, utilization of bactericides, co-disposal and blending, and passivation of sulfide minerals are discussed and recycling of mine tailings as construction and geopolymer materials to reduce the amounts of wastes for disposal are introduced.
384 citations
References
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TL;DR: A steady-state geochemical model has been developed to study water-rock interactions controlling metal release from waste rock heaps at the Aitik Cu mine in northern Sweden.
129 citations
"Mine-water chemistry: the good, the..." refers background in this paper
...The importance of kinetic factors; the rates of reaction and consumption of carbonate, sulphide and silicate phases (Strömberg and Banwart 1994, Strömberg and others 1994), diffusion-limited steps....
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TL;DR: In County Durham, the final closure of two coastal collieries is, in effect, the end of a large hydraulically interconnected coalfield which has been progressively dewatered over three centuries.
Abstract: In County Durham the forthcoming closure of two coastal collieries is, in effect, the final closure of a large hydraulically interconnected coalfield which has been progressively dewatered over three centuries. Groundwater will gradually rise through the previously worked strata after the cessation of coalfield dewatering. Past experience shows that the rising groundwater will develop high acidity and heavy metal loadings as oxidized pyrite remnants are dissolved. Conceptual modelling suggests that this acidic groundwater will ultimately discharge into the River Wear and its tributaries, with serious consequences for the aquatic ecology and human use of the River Wear system. Further environmental impacts may include (a) groundwater pollution in the adjacent Basal Permian Sands aquifer, (b) leaching from landfills intersected by the rising water table, (c) compromised integrity of foundations, (d) increased flows in old sewers below the new rest water level (leading to problems at sewagetreatment works and combined sewer overflows), (e) corrosion of other buried services, (f) surface gas emissions, and (g) long-term subsidence risk from old workings. The prevention of these impacts would involve long-term maintenance of regional dewatering, although local mitigation of most effects could be arranged – albeit at considerable cost. Current legislation fails to place responsibility for the prevention of such environmental impacts in the hands of any one organization; this ‘vacuum of responsibility’needs to be addressed urgently if a pragmatic, consensual approach to environmental protection in abandoned coalfields is to be pursued.
67 citations
"Mine-water chemistry: the good, the..." refers background or methods in this paper
...Such negative hydrogeological impacts are described by Younger (1993, 1994) and may include inundation of low-lying areas (particularly areas affected by subsidence which may be regional and up to several metres magnitude; Phillips and Hellewell 1994; Yao and Reddish 1994), contaminant mobilisation…...
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...Additionally, the impact of mankind’s mining activities is seen in the widespread occurrence of ferruginous (iron-rich) mine water discharges (Younger 1993, 1995a, 1995b; Robins 1990; Banks and others 1996b)....
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...This affect has been observed in the Durham Coalfield by Younger (1993) and Younger and Sherwood (1993), as well as at Wheal Jane tin mine....
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Book•
06 Nov 2012
TL;DR: For example, the authors used mineral waters thermal waters evaluation exploitation management and conservation case studies to evaluate the feasibility of thermal waters thermal water evaluation exploitation and management. But they did not consider the impact of environmental degradation.
Abstract: History uses mineral waters thermal waters evaluation exploitation management and conservation case studies.
55 citations
TL;DR: The geochemistry of pyrite formation in coals is considered in this paper, where trace elements are incorporated into the pyrites from solutions derived from within the enclosing sedimentary system in concentrations apparently unrelated to the time of formation.
46 citations
TL;DR: The potential economic value of mine waters and their contents is essential for the design of cost-effective treatment options as discussed by the authors, which is the case for many of the sources of industrial minerals.
Abstract: Waters draining from abandoned coal or metals mines are often regarded as an environmental threat. Historical examples from the lead and coal mining industries of central and northeastern England illustrate that mine waters can also be regarded as an important resource in terms of 1) baseflow for effluent dilution; 2) drinking or industrial waters; 3) flocculating agents for sewage or water treatment; 4) spa waters; 5) sources of industrial minerals, including alkali metals and barium; and 6) a source of iron oxides or sulphates for tanning or pigmentation purposes. An appreciation of the potential economic value of mine waters and their contents is essential for the design of cost-effective treatment options.
41 citations