Removal of heavy metals from groundwater affected by acid mine drainage

Abstract

Batch tests have been used to assess the level of the removal of metals (copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, and chromium, in cationic and in anionic forms) from water at low pH values affected by acid mine drainage. The predominant processes which result in the removal with the use of zero-valent iron (Fe0) in Permeable Reactive Barrier Technology were evaluated. The most probable processes for each metal have been presented in drawings. There are: reductive precipitation leading to the metallic form, co- precipitation mainly with iron in the form of oxides and/or hydroxides and adsorption on the surface of iron corrosion products or on the surface of zero-valent iron.