Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohamed-Ali El Kilani, Marouen Jouini, Tsiverihasina V. Rakotonimaro, Carmen Mihaela Neculita, John W. Molson, Benoit Courcelles, Guy Dufour
Summary: The study evaluated the efficiency of passive bioreactors in treating mine drainage in northern climates, concluding that the reactors failed to meet environmental criteria and did not provide favorable conditions for the growth of sulfate reducing bacteria.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dominique Richard, Carmen Mihaela Neculita, Gerald J. Zagury
Summary: Compost, peat-calcite, and wood ash were tested for their effectiveness in removing Ni from circum-neutral-contaminated mine water in continuous flow experiments. Results showed that wood ash was the most effective material for Ni removal, mainly through sorption processes, but pH correction would be required in the initial stages of full-scale treatment. Scale-up results indicated that treatment cell sizes would be the smallest with wood ash, followed by compost and peat-calcite.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Henrik K. Hansen, Claudia Gutierrez, Natalia Valencia, Claudia Gotschlich, Andrea Lazo, Pamela Lazo, Rodrigo Ortiz-Soto
Summary: Heavy metal exposure from wastewater is a global environmental issue. Biosorption is a promising alternative for contaminant removal. This study investigated the operation parameters and biosorbent regeneration for copper adsorption. The results showed that Durvillaea antarctica algae had a higher copper retention capacity at pH 4.5-5.0, and sulfuric acid was the most efficient regenerating reagent. Particle size of 1.70-3.36 mm and a biosorbent mass-to-volume ratio of 10 g L-1 were desirable for diluted copper solutions (10 to 100 mg L-1).
Article
Ecology
Marcela Villegas-Plazas, Janeth Sanabria, Ziv Arbeli, Yaneth Vasquez, Fabio Roldan, Howard Junca
Summary: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major pollutant in the mining industry, and utilizing biochemical passive reactors (BPRs) for bioremediation shows promise. Research indicates that during AMD bioremediation, microbial communities exhibit higher taxonomic diversity with functional redundancy, suggesting a co-selection and increased efficiency of these systems.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Changyong Lu, Konstantin Klementiev, Tue Hassenkam, Wenjie Qian, Jing Ai, Hans Chr. Bruun Hansen
Summary: Phosphorus-induced eutrophication of freshwaters is a great global challenge that requires the development of phosphate sorbents with high affinity and selectivity. Introduction of lanthanum into the structure of single sheet iron oxide improves phosphate sorption affinity and selectivity. The resulting La-SSIs show fast phosphate sorption, high stability, and high selectivity for phosphate, making them a promising sorbent for treating low-phosphate yet eutrophying natural waters.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shazia Perveen, Raziya Nadeem, Shaukat Ali, Yasir Jamil
Summary: Biochar caged zirconium ferrite (BC-ZrFe2O5) nanocomposites were prepared and their adsorption capacity for RB19 dye was evaluated. The adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and Sips model was the best fit among isotherms. Factors such as flow rate, dye concentration, and material quantity had significant effects on fixed-bed sorption. BC-ZrFe2O5 nanocomposites showed promising adsorption efficiency and could be used for dye removal from textile effluents.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PHYSIKALISCHE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY & CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Review
Water Resources
Tebogo M. Mokgehle, Nikita T. Tavengwa
Summary: Researchers are turning to nano-sized materials to enhance adsorption capacity in extracting heavy metal ions from acid mine drainage. Surface engineered nanomaterials have shown rapid adsorption rates and remarkable capacities for removing heavy metal contaminants compared to unmodified nanomaterials, providing insights into the past, present, and future uses of these versatile materials.
APPLIED WATER SCIENCE
(2021)
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)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ayanda Shabalala, Vhahangwele Masindi
Summary: This study provides insights into the mechanisms governing the removal of inorganic contaminants from acid mine drainage (AMD) using a permeable reactive barrier (PRB). It highlights the crucial role of cementitious materials in the removal process and the importance of alkalinity in increasing the pH of AMD for precipitation of chemical species. The study also elucidates the role of gypsum in heavy metals attenuation. The findings contribute to the development of effective PRB for managing AMD and the receiving environment.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Wenbin Xu, Hailang Yang, Qiming Mao, Lin Luo, Ying Deng
Summary: This study developed a red mud-based geopolymer pervious concrete as an eco-friendly method for removing heavy metals in acid mine drainage (AMD). Compared to raw pervious concrete, red mud-based geopolymer pervious concrete improves the purification efficiency of heavy metals.
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Sanchez-Ramos, F. J. Lopez-Bellido Garrido, I. Acosta Hernandez, L. Rodriguez Romero, J. Villasenor Camacho, F. J. Fernandez-Morales
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using different industrial and agricultural wastes as reactive materials in the remediation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) using Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB). The study found that sugar foam and paper mill sludge showed the best results in terms of pH neutralization and metal removal. The continuous operation of the PRB caused a decrease in porosity and hydraulic retention time of the up-flow columns. Paper mill sludge and drinking water sludge exhibited the highest pollutant removal yields and good biological sulfate reduction. Overall, using these waste materials in PRBs offers the opportunity to valorize industrial waste and achieve low-cost, environmentally sustainable remediation of AMD.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Khalid Z. Elwakeel, Ahmed M. Elgarahy, Abdullah S. Al-Bogami, Mohammed F. Hamza, Eric Guibal
Summary: Chitosan functionalized with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole shows high sorption capacity for methylene blue, which remains stable even at high NaCl concentration. The sorption process follows Langmuir equation, and the efficiency of adsorption and desorption can be influenced by agitation speed and HCl concentration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Asmaa S. Morshedy, Ahmed A. Galhoum, Abdel Aleem H. Abdel Aleem, Mohamed T. Shehab El-din, Dina M. Okaba, Mohsen S. Mostafa, Hamed Mira, Zhen Yang, Ibrahim E. T. El-Sayed
Summary: Functionalized magnetic chitosan nanocomposites synthesized by grafting alpha-amino-phosphonate functions show excellent Cd(II) removal performance with maximum sorption capacities of 118.1 mg g(-1) and 193.5 mg g(-1) for Me-MCS and Ph-MCS, respectively. The materials exhibit exothermic cadmium sorption, fast uptake, and can be efficiently desorbed for recycling applications. In multi-component solutions, selectivity differences are observed, correlated with the reactive groups and properties of heavy metal ions.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saad S. M. Hassan, Ehab M. Abdel Rahman, Gehan M. El-Subruiti, Ayman H. Kamel, Hanan M. Diab
Summary: This study describes the optimal conditions for removing uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40 from wastewater using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The adsorption mechanism is mainly attributed to chemical interactions between the metal ions and surface functional groups of the CNTs. Various parameters such as pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature have been studied to understand their effect on the adsorption process. The results show that CNTs have a high efficiency in removing metal ions from wastewater under certain conditions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ricardo Millan-Becerro, Carlos R. Canovas, Francisco Macias, Tobias S. Roetting, Louise Siddorn, Peter Stanley, Jose Miguel Nieto
Summary: This study evaluates the effectiveness of dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) technology in treating highly acidic and contaminated leachates from sulfide-rich mining wastes under wet temperate oceanic climate conditions. The results show that the use of multistep columns filled with alkaline reagents can effectively remove various metals and metalloids from the leachates, although the removal of SO4 is not significant. Precipitation of certain phases may have played a key role in controlling the solubility of pollutants during the treatment process.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Pascal Marcotte, Carmen M. Neculita, Vincent Cloutier, Genevieve Bordeleau, Eric Rosa
Summary: The contamination of mine water by nitrogen-based compounds is a challenge for the mining industry, with explosive residues and cyanide derivatives being the main sources of nitrogen in this study. The management of nitrogen, especially ammoniacal nitrogen, is crucial for mining operations. Using hydrogeochemical mass balances and isotopic approaches, the study found that dewatering of underground workings is a significant source of nitrogen in the final effluent, with nitrification and denitrification identified as key mechanisms for nitrogen transformation onsite. The proposed approach for optimizing water management at mine sites shows great potential for application in the industry.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Bisse Poaty, Benoit Plante, Bruno Bussiere, Mostafa Benzaazoua
Summary: A new approach using inclined compacted benches for constructing waste rock piles was developed to control water infiltration and minimize contamination. The experimental waste rock pile and laboratory infiltration tests showed that rainfall rate and the design of the flow control layer significantly impact the diversion of water and water quality.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yaneth Vasquez, Carmen M. Neculita, Gerardo Caicedo, Jairo Cubillos, Jair Franco, Mario Vasquez, Angie Hernandez, Fabio Roldan
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of a passive multi-unit field-pilot for treating acid mine drainage (AMD) from a coal mine in Colombia. The results showed that the passive multi-unit field-pilot achieved significant removal of sulfates, iron, manganese, and zinc from the AMD. Additionally, it was found that the post-treatment solids could generate acidic leachates containing high concentrations of iron and manganese under certain conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mouna Ettoumi, Marouen Jouini, Carmen Mihaela Neculita, Salah Bouhlel, Lucie Coudert, Mostafa Benzaazoua
Summary: Phosphate beneficiation in Tunisia generates large amounts of sludge, but efficient water recovery methods using flocculants have been explored in this study. The physical and chemical properties of the phosphate sludge were characterized, and the impact of different flocculants on water recovery was investigated. The results showed that using Flomin 905 as a flocculant could significantly improve water recovery while reducing flocculant consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tomasz Suponik, Dawid M. Franke, Carmen M. Neculita, Tadeusz Mzyk, Robert Fraczek
Summary: This study presents a potential treatment method for contaminated groundwater from a waste heap in southern Poland. The method involves continuous monitoring of pH and electrical conductivity, followed by modeling the flow and migration of pollutants in groundwater. The study then proposes groundwater treatment through injection of nano zerovalent iron (nZVI), targeting the high concentrations and toxicity of Zn(II). The use of online monitoring for mining waste heaps and the introduction of electrical conductivity in the contaminant migration model aids in determining the locations for nZVI injection.
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Marouen Jouini, Alexandre Royer-Lavallee, Thomas Pabst, Eunhyea Chung, Rina Kim, Young-Wook Cheong, Carmen Mihaela Neculita
Summary: This study compares and evaluates the environmental and social impacts of primary and secondary sources of rare earth elements (REEs) production. The results show that production from secondary sources has lower environmental impact. Important impact categories related to particulate matter formation, abiotic resource depletion, and fossil fuel depletion could be mitigated by avoiding tailings disposal. Therefore, increasing the recycling of secondary REE sources is encouraged to balance demand and resource exploitation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mustapha Amrani, Yassine Taha, Azzouz Kchikach, Mostafa Benzaazoua, Rachid Hakkou
Summary: This paper explores the potential utilization of phosphate screening waste rock (SWR) as alternative aggregates for pavement applications. The findings show that SWR materials can be successfully used in low-volume traffic pavement projects and the residual phosphate can be recovered using the current mining company's processing method. Furthermore, the environmental investigations demonstrate that SWR does not pose any contamination risk to the surrounding environment. The economic feasibility analysis confirms the viability of SWR reuse.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos A. Marin Villegas, Gerald J. Zagury
Summary: This study aims to assess the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic human health risks associated with PTMs in soil near CCA-treated utility poles in Montreal. The findings showed that the oral and dermal pathways pose higher risks compared to inhalation, and arsenic and lead are the main contributors to carcinogenic risk through ingestion and skin absorption.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Pauline Segui, Amine el Mahdi Safhi, Mustapha Amrani, Mostafa Benzaazoua
Summary: The mining industry faces significant environmental issues due to the management of large volumes of tailings, sludge, and residues. Research is being conducted to explore the utilization of these wastes as alternative aggregates for construction, which can conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impacts of mining.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Abdessamad Khalil, Yassine Taha, Mostafa Benzaazoua, Rachid Hakkou
Summary: This study aims to develop an applied methodological approach to assess and quantify the impact of coal mining on surrounding soils, in order to protect the health of the population living near coal mines. Geochemical indexes and geostatistical interpolation techniques were used to evaluate soil contamination. A case study conducted on an abandoned coal mine in Morocco revealed the effectiveness of this approach in identifying anomalous areas and sources of contamination.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claudia Alcantara, Laura Chaparro, Gerald J. Zagury
Summary: Electronic cigarettes are considered safer than conventional cigarettes, but previous research has shown that they can lead to metal leaching from coil contact. This study measured the levels of Cr, Cd, Ni, and Pb in different e-liquids and found varying concentrations of these metals in the coil extracts, suggesting differences in metal leaching capacity. Results showed that nicotine salts at 40 mg/mL enhanced the transfer of Cr and Ni, while stainless steel 317 L released very low metal concentrations. Some coil extracts and aerosol samples exceeded safe concentration levels for Ni and Cr, indicating potential health risks. Further research on coil manufacturing regulations is needed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastien Ryskie, Etienne Belanger, Carmen M. Neculita, Patrice Couture, Eric Rosa
Summary: The efficiency of ozone microbubbles combined with lime precipitation on contaminant removal and its impact on toxicity for Daphnia magna were evaluated in this study. Results showed that ozone treatment had high removal efficiency for NH3-N, but abnormal toxicity issues were observed without metals pre-treatment.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Safa Chlahbi, Tikou Belem, Abdellatif Elghali, Samia Rochdane, Essaid Zerouali, Omar Inabi, Mostafa Benzaazoua
Summary: This paper presents a case study of the Benguerir mine site in Morocco, investigating the potential valorization of waste rock based on its geological and geomechanical properties. The results indicate that the waste rock can be considered as an excellent alternative secondary raw material for civil engineering, ceramics, and cement industries.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hamza Zine, Rachid Hakkou, Abdelhak Elmansour, Sara Elgadi, Ahmed Ouhammou, Mostafa Benzaazoua
Summary: Mining activities have significant impacts on the environment, particularly in terms of the destruction of natural habitats and biodiversity loss. Studying the flora that thrives in mining sites can facilitate successful reclamation efforts. The study in four phosphate mine sites in Morocco found 215 vascular plant species, with the highest diversity observed in Ben Guerir mine. The findings highlight the importance of indigenous plant species and ecological restoration plans.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Florent A. Ghislain, Gerald J. Zagury
Summary: Although dermal exposure to metal(loid)s from contaminated soils has not been as widely studied as oral and inhalation exposure, it can pose significant human health risks. This study investigated the impact of sebum proportion in synthetic sweat formulations on the bioaccessibility and permeation of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn through synthetic skin. Results showed that the presence of sebum significantly affected the bioaccessibility percentages of As, Cr, and Cu, while it had no influence on Pb and Zn. Some metal(loid)s, particularly As and Cu, permeated the synthetic skin membrane when sebum was present in the sweat formulations. Further research on the speciation of metal(loid)s in bioaccessible extracts in the presence of sebum is recommended.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)