Assessment of Characteristics of Acid Mine Drainage Treated with Fly Ash

Saba Shirin,Aarif Jamal,Akhilesh Kumar Yadav,Christina Emmanouil

doi:10.3390/app11093910

Saba Shirin, Aarif Jamal + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093910

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Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) occurs naturally in abandoned coal mines, and it contains hazardous toxic elements in varying concentrations. In the present research, AMD samples collected from an abandoned mine were treated with fly ash samples from four thermal power plants in Singrauli Coalfield in the proximate area, at optimized concentrations. The AMD samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters and metal content before and after fly ash treatment. Morphological, geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the fly ash was performed using SEM, XRF and XRD. This laboratory-scale investigation indicated that fly ash had appreciable neutralization potential, increasing AMD pH and decreasing elemental and sulfate concentrations. Therefore, fly ash may be effectively used for AMD neutralization, and its suitability for the management of coalfield AMD pits should be assessed further.

Highlights

Assessment of Characteristics of AcidMining activities exert an inherently high impact on the environment, and as such a common framework for responsible mining is urgently needed [1]
Among the various pollution sources related to mining activities, acid mine drainage (AMD) is created in areas that have previously been mined and that contain pyritic materials in spoil piles or mine shafts; iron pyrite in the tailings chemically reacts with oxygen and water, facilitated by the Thiobacillus sp. bacteria, resulting in the creation of AMD
The fly ash used in this study was collected from these plants in a dry state from the plants’ electrostatic precipitators

Summary

Introduction

Assessment of Characteristics of AcidMining activities exert an inherently high impact on the environment, and as such a common framework for responsible mining is urgently needed [1]. Among the various pollution sources related to mining activities, acid mine drainage (AMD) is created in areas that have previously been mined and that contain pyritic materials in spoil piles or mine shafts; iron pyrite in the tailings chemically reacts with oxygen and water, facilitated by the Thiobacillus sp. AMD is a dangerous industrial byproduct, highly acidic and rich in sulfates [2]. The recycling of this secondary waste may reduce environmental risks, as well as increase the economic profitability of the mining industry [3]. While mine waste piles accumulate, AMD is continuously formed, and this affects industrial environments well after closure of mining activities. The consequences of AMD are considered moderate to severe [7,8]

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