Geoecoprotective Technologies from Heavy Metal Ions Pollution for Transport Construction in Permafrost Regions

Abstract

Every year, 15–17 million tons mineral wastes are generated in Russia including permafrost regions. A large amount of these wastes contain minerals such as silicates and sulfates. Different industries leading to geosystem pollution by heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron compounds. Such pollution must be prevented. The purpose of the work was to study geoecoprotective properties of mineral wastes of silicate and sulfate nature and how they can be used to create geoecoprotective technologies against heavy metal ions pollution in permafrost regions. The silicate and sulfate mineral wastes were selected as objects of study in the form of phosphogypsum, foamed gypsum, calcium sulfate anhydrous, hemihydrate gypsum and calcium sulfate dihydrate, asbestos- and chlorite-containing crushed stone, and talc. A potentiometric method for determination of concentrations in solutions was used to define the absorptive capacity of mineral wastes against heavy metal ions. The detected absorptive capacities of aforementioned mineral wastes for such heavy metals as cadmium, copper, lead, and barium are presented in the article. The dependences of the absorptive capacity of the mineral waste on the initial concentration of heavy metal ions, on the interaction time with the solution and on the fraction size are also given in the article. The experimental results showed that the selected mineral wastes can be used in technological solutions for soil cleanup and surface runoff purification from heavy metal ions.