Document Detail


The chemistry of conventional and alternative treatment systems for the neutralization of acid mine drainage.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16375949     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The oxidation of pyritic mining waste is a self-perpetuating corrosive process which generates acid mine drainage (AMD) effluent for centuries or longer. The chemical neutralization of these complex, buffered effluents result in unstable, metal-laden sludges, which require disposal to minimize long-term environmental consequences. A variety of passive treatment systems for AMD, developed in the past two decades, combine limestone and organic substrates in constructed wetlands. These systems work well initially but over the longer term fail due to clogging with and the depletion of available organic carbon. However, some ecologically engineered systems, which exploit the activities of acid reducing microbes in the sediment, rely on photosynthesis in the water column as a source of organic matter. The primary productivity in the water column, which also generates some alkalinity, provides electron donors for the microbial reduction processes in the sediment. In its consideration of 'passive' systems, the literature has placed undue emphasis on sulphate reduction; thermodynamical iron reduction is equally important as is the need to prevent iron oxidation. Secondary precipitates of iron play a significant role in sediment-driven biomineralization processes, which affect the anaerobic degradation of organic matter and the stability of the resulting metal sulfides. One such passive system, which utilized a floating root mass as a source of organic carbon, is described. An extensive review of the literature and the chemical and biogeochemical reactions of AMD treatment systems, lead to the conclusion, that sediment based ecological systems offer the greatest potential for the sustainable treatment of AMD.
Authors:
Margarete Kalin; Andrew Fyson; William N Wheeler
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Science of the total environment     Volume:  366     ISSN:  0048-9697     ISO Abbreviation:  Sci. Total Environ.     Publication Date:  2006 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-07-17     Completed Date:  2006-09-29     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0330500     Medline TA:  Sci Total Environ     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  395-408     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Boojum Research Ltd, 139 Amelia Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4X1E6. margarete.kalin@utoronto.ca
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Biodegradation, Environmental
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Industrial Waste*
Mining*
Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Industrial Waste

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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