Abstract
A field study was conducted at the Kettara mine site located in arid climatic conditions in Morocco. The goal was to assess the performance of an inclined store-and-release (SR) cover made with phosphate mine wastes to reduce water infiltration and control acid mine drainage (AMD). The SR cover was constructed using phosphate mine wastes (0.8 m) placed over a capillary break layer (CBL) made of coarse-grained materials. The SR cover had a slope inclination of 14.5°. The cover performance was monitored for a period of 1 year under natural and artificial conditions representing important rainfall events for the climatic conditions at the Kettara mine site. Performance was monitored using volumetric lysimeters, suction sensors, and volumetric water content sensors installed at four stations and at different depths. Under natural climatic conditions, the inclined SR cover limited water percolation by diverting and releasing water to the atmosphere through evaporation. However, the cover was unable to store and divert all the water at a precipitation rate >100 mm in 48 h, and percolation was observed in the lysimeters. Nevertheless, the results confirmed the suitability of phosphate mine wastes as cover material for a 31.5 m inclined (≈ 14.5°) SR cover placed over the Kettara mine wastes in natural climatic conditions and for precipitation events <100 mm in 48 h.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
