Investigating the potential for microbially induced carbonate precipitation to treat mine waste

Abstract

In this study, the feasibility of promoting microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in mine waste piles by using an environmental bacterial enrichment is explored, with goals to reduce metals and acid leaching. MICP has been explored for remediation applications and stabilization of mine waste. Here, we utilize a native bacterial enrichment to promote MICP on seven mine waste samples with variability in acid production and extent of toxic metal leaching. During fifteen applications of MICP solutions and bacteria on waste rock in bench-scale columns, calcium carbonate formed on grain surfaces within all waste samples, though microscopy revealed uneven distribution of CaCO3 coating. The effluent from acid-producing wastes increased in pH during MICP treatment. MICP performance was evaluated with humidity cell and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) tests. Leaching tests revealed reductions in Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in leachate of all but one sample, mixed results for Cu, and As increasing in all but one leachate sample after treatment. MICP technology has potential for coating mine waste and reducing release of acid and some metals. This study provides a laboratory assessment of MICP feasibility for stabilizing mine waste in situ and mitigating release of toxic metals into the environment.