Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Javier Sanchez-Espana, Andrey M. M. Ilin, Inaki Yusta, Charlotte M. M. van der Graaf, Irene Sanchez-Andrea
Summary: The formation and composition of thin mineral films or encrustations floating on the water surface of low-flow or stagnant zones of acid mine drainage (AMD)-affected streams were studied in this research. Fe(III) minerals dominated these formations, controlled by pH, and showed a high capacity to concentrate trace metals in the underlying aqueous solutions. The involvement of Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms, such as Ferrovum, Acidithiobacillus, and Leptospirillum, was found in the formation of the ferric mineral films.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khathutshelo Lilith Muedi, Vhahangwele Masindi, Johannes Philippus Maree, Nils Haneklaus, Hendrik Gideon Brink
Summary: This study presents the first known exploration of using a nanocomposite synthesized from recovered Fe(III) and Al(III) to adsorb Congo red dye. The results showed that the adsorbent had high removal efficiency for the dye and could be regenerated for multiple uses.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hong-Rui Chen, Duo-Rui Zhang, Qian Li, Zhen-Yuan Nie, Eva Pakostova
Summary: Mining activities expose sulfidic minerals to acid mine drainage, resulting in the release of toxic arsenic. This study investigated the transformation of secondary products and arsenic speciation during arsenopyrite bio-oxidation, as well as the immobilization of solubilized arsenic using red mud.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingyuan Yang, Cunfang Lu, Xuejun Quan, Haixing Chang, Duanning Cao, Qirong Wu
Summary: Steel slag as an adsorbent shows excellent removal performance for Fe(II) ions in acid mine drainage, with a maximum efficiency of 100%. The adsorption behavior is mainly multilayer chemisorption, and thermodynamic study indicates the process is endothermic and spontaneous. Mechanism study reveals that electrostatic adsorption, chemical precipitation, and surface complexation cooperate in the removal process, with chemical precipitation being the dominant mechanism.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ifeanyi Michael Smarte Anekwe, Yusuf Makarfi Isa
Summary: Pollution, especially acid mine drainage (AMD) caused by anthropogenic and industrial activities, is a major threat to the ecosystem. This study critically reviews various bioremediation methods for AMD contamination treatment and discusses their challenges and prospects. The research shows that bioremediation has proven effective and environmentally friendly, but large-scale application remains a challenge.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heon-Jung Kim, Yeongkyoo Kim
Summary: The study found that most trace metals decreased their mobility during the transformation of schwertmannite to goethite, with the exception of lead which increased its mobility. Lead, arsenate, and chromate were well retained in schwertmannite, while elements like cadmium and cobalt had higher exchangeable fractions and were easily released into water.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dejian Li, Chenrui Liu, Yun Liu, Xuemin Chen, Weifeng Wu, Feng Li, Jiang Tian, Zhi Dang
Summary: This study utilized eco-friendly natural green polyphenol tannic acid (TA) as a passivator to inhibit pyrite oxidation. Experimental and surface analysis results confirmed the inhibitory effect of TA. The TA passivation coating provided good antioxidant protection for pyrite, and the inhibition ability increased with higher TA concentration.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Taoyu Yang, Deyou Yu, Dong Wang, Tao Yang, Zexiong Li, Minghua Wu, Michal Petru, John Crittenden
Summary: The Fenton-like performance of Fe-MOFs was improved by manipulating the structure of iron-oxo nodes with Fe(II) substitution, resulting in a material with stronger active sites and higher density of Fe(III) coordinatively unsaturated iron centers. This enhancement facilitated the rapid activation of H2O2 and efficient degradation of pollutants.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2021)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Verity Fitch, Anita Parbhakar-Fox, Richard Crane, Laura Newsome
Summary: Historic tailings dams and associated mine waste can pose significant risks to human and environmental health. This paper uses the Wheal Maid mine site in Cornwall, UK, as an example to discuss the evolution of a tailings storage facility after mining has ceased. The study reviews current understanding of the geochemistry, mineralogy, and microbiology of the Wheal Maid tailings, and presents new data on waste characterization and laboratory oxidation experiments. Notably, the presence of pyrite-bearing Grey Tailings at Wheal Maid raises questions about why pyrite oxidation has not occurred, suggesting potential mechanisms such as microbial Fe(II) oxidation inhibition, passivation of pyrite mineral surfaces, and the abundance of euhedral pyrite grains. Further research in these areas is crucial for designing future tailings facilities and managing associated acidic and metalliferous mine drainage (AMD).
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tianhao Du, Anna Bogush, Ondrej Masek, Saul Purton, Luiza C. Campos
Summary: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global issue that causes harmful environmental impacts. This study reviewed three bio-based treatment methods using algae, biochar, and bacteria that can be used separately and potentially in combination for effective and sustainable AMD treatment. The review found that all bio-based methods, when applied as a single process and in combination, were effective treatments for AMD and were influenced by various parameters. However, there is a lack of research on the combination of algae-biochar-bacteria as a consortium for AMD treatment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Feng Jiang, Xinyang Lu, Lijuan Zeng, Chao Xue, Xiaoyun Yi, Zhi Dang
Summary: A new integrated technique for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) was proposed, which effectively removed toxic metals and recovered valuable secondary minerals, thereby reducing the treatment cost.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppe Cocomazzi, Giovanni Grieco, Agim Sinojmeri, Alessandro Cavallo, Micol Bussolesi, Elena Silvia Ferrari, Enrico Destefanis
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the buffering capacity of CaCO3 on acid mine drainage and the characteristics of the resulting precipitates. The results showed that CaCO3 exhibited good buffering capacity and the precipitates were mainly composed of iron oxyhydroxides, sulfates, and hydrosilicates, with the presence of nanocrystalline and amorphous phases.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Glenna Thomas, Craig Sheridan, Peter E. Holm
Summary: This study investigated the impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) on soils in gold and coal mining regions near Johannesburg, South Africa. The results showed evidence of soil acidification, high sulfate and calcium contents, and the presence of high levels of arsenic. The total rare earth element (REE) content ranged from 51.7 to 110 mg/kg and favored the light REEs. These findings indicate the major challenges faced in post-mining land rehabilitation.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cong Fan, Chuling Guo, Wei Chen, Guining Lu, Yu Shen, Zhi Dang
Summary: The study reveals the mechanisms and behaviors of the transformation of Ca-adsorbed Schwertmannite mediated by Fe(II). Adsorbed Ca exerts an inhibitory effect on this transformation process and alters the compositions and pathways of the transformation products.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabienne Battaglia-Brunet, Corinne Casiot, Lidia Fernandez-Rojo, Marina Hery, Pierre Le Pape, Hafida Tris, Guillaume Morin, Solene Touze, Catherine Joulian
Summary: This study tested the feasibility of combining anaerobic sulfate-reducing bioreactor with downstream iron oxidation step to treat arsenic-rich AMD waters, showing efficient precipitation of arsenic and zinc in the anaerobic reactor, with stable bacterial community present. Iron oxidation was efficiently achieved in the subsequent aerobic bioreactor, demonstrating a low-cost treatment approach for removing arsenic, zinc, and iron in AMDs.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)