Copper Smelting Plant Research Articles

Accumulation of metals by vegetation in a small drainage area exposed to aerotechnogenic pollution

Trends in the accumulation of metals by different plant species have been analyzed in a forest phytocenosis of the southern taiga zone of the Middle Urals, which is polluted by emissions from a copper-smelting plant. The rate of metal accumulation in the course of annual and net phytomass production and metal outflow with surface waters beyond the biogeocenosis boundaries have been estimated.

Transformation of ecological conditions of soil and humus substance formation in the urban environment

Ecological conditions of soil formation and specific features of humus substance formation are considered with regard to urban soils of different types formed in the following functional zones: the park zone, residential area, and sanitary protective zone of the Middle Ural Copper-Smelting Plant. The specificity of soil formation in Revda, a typical industrial city of the Middle Urals, is determined by the combined effect of urban and technogenic factors (urbogenesis and technogenesis), with the former being of primary importance. At a constant period of biological activity, the depth of humification is primarily a function of granulometric and chemical composition of urban soils.

Structural Changes in the Carabid Fauna of Forest Ecosystems under a Toxic Impact

Changes in the abundance, species composition, and biomorphological structure of the carabid fauna were studied in birch and fir–spruce forests growing in a zone exposed to emissions from a copper-smelting plant in the Middle Urals. The dynamic density of carabids decreased and their species composition and the ratio of life forms changed along the pollution gradient, but the principle of organization of carabidocenoses and the structure of dominance in them remained undisturbed.

Arsenic contaminated site at an abandoned copper smelter plant: waste characterization and solidification/stabilization treatment

A preliminary survey of an arsenic contaminated site from an abandoned copper smelting facility and feasibility study of using solidification/stabilization (S/S) process to treat the contaminant waste were undertaken. It was found that the waste, located in the three-flue gas discharge tunnels, contained 2–40% arsenic. The pH of the contaminated waste is extremely low (ranging from 1.8 to 3.6). The X-ray diffraction evidence indicates that the arsenic particles present in the flue gas mainly exist as As(III), or As 2O 3. The total amount of arsenic contaminated waste is estimated to be 700 ton in the studied area. About 50% of the particle sizes are less than 2 mm. Arsenic is easily extracted from wastes with a variety of leaching solutions. In order to meet the arsenic leaching standard of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), an extremely high cement dosage is required in the S/S process (cement/waste weight ratio > 6). The waste with lower particle size having higher specific surface area exhibits somewhat positive effect on the S/S performance. The use of fly ash from municipal waste incinerators, in conjunction with the reduced amount of cement, is able to meet the TCLP arsenic and lead standards. The use of lime alone could meet the TCLP arsenic standard, but lead leaching concentrations exceeded leaching Pb standard. The results of semi-dynamic leaching tests of some solidified samples indicate higher accumulated arsenic leaching concentrations after only a few leachant renewals.

Microscale Spatial Variation in Forest Litter Phytotoxicity

The spatial variation (within a 100 × 100 m plot) in the pollution of forest litter with heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn), its acidity, and phytotoxicity (measured by the results of the root test using seedlings from a genetically homogeneous sample of common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale s.l.) have been estimated. Forest litter has been sampled in three zones differing in the toxic impact of long-term polymetal pollution by emissions from a copper-smelting plant emissions in the Middle Urals. The phytotoxicity variation is maximum in a moderately polluted plot, where both very high and very low pollution levels were observed, which determines a substantially nonlinear dose–effect relationship. The litter phytotoxicity is mainly accounted for by exchangeable forms of metals. Biological testing of samples from the most polluted plot has demonstrated marked antagonism between heavy metals and acidity.

Ecological Conditions of Humic Substances Formation in the Impact Zone of the Middle-Ural Copper-Smelting Plant

Ecological Conditions of Humic Substances Formation in the Impact Zone of the Middle-Ural Copper-Smelting Plant

Response of the avifauna to technogenic environmental pollution in the southern taiga zone of the middle urals

Bird communities are formed in close dependence on environmental conditions. The species composition, general and relative abundance, and structure of the avifauna in a certain area reflect its geographic location, environmental conditions (climatic, phytocenotic, etc.), and the type and magnitude of anthropogenic impact (Ravkin, 1984). Hence, the parameters of bird populations and communities can be used in environmental monitoring (Koskimies, 1989). In monitoring the ecological state of a certain area, it is necessary to take into account specific features of both environmental factors (natural and anthropogenic) and the avifauna as a tool for monitoring. This circumstance gives emphasis to the importance of regional studies on the responses of bird populations to ecological factors. Moreover, the analysis of corresponding information makes it possible to reveal general trends in the adaptation of bird populations and communities to adverse environmental factors. Published data on the responses of birds to chemical environmental pollution in the Middle Urals are insufficient. Among the sources of hazardous pollutants, a special role belongs to the nonferrous metal industries and, in particular, to the copper-smelting plants where primary (top-and-bottom) smelting is performed. The toxicity of discharge from these plants is accounted for by the combined effect of sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and, in some cases, fluorine compounds (Vorobeichik et al. , 1994). The purpose of this work was to study the structural transformation of forest bird communities in the southern Middle Urals (the southern taiga subzone) along a gradient of technogenic environmental pollution.

Slags and mattes in vanyukov’s process for the extraction of copper

Slags and matte in Vanyukov’s process, an autogeneous method of processing sulfide concentrates of nonferrous metals used in a specially designed furnace at the Balkhash copper-smelting plant (Kazakstan), have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The liquid matte was shown to have contained 3.6 wt pct of slag inclusions and about 4 wt pct of magnetite. The solid matte is a mixture of sulfide phases. The liquid-waste slag was shown to have contained 0.6 wt pct of matte inclusions and about 3 wt pct of magnetite. The silicate field of the solid slag consists of two phases, identified as iron orthosilicate and iron metasilicate. It was shown that most slag formation occurred before the emulsion reached the settling tank of the furnace. Thermodynamic calculation of the exchange reactions for the oxide and sulfide components of the slag showed that zinc and lead dissolved in the slag are present mainly as oxides, but with only a small part (10 to 20 pct) in the form of sulfides. By contrast, copper is present in the slag as dissolved sulfides and also as matte reguli. The results of these thermodynamic calculations are supported by the experimental data.

Physicochemical properties of matte-slag melts taken from vanyukov’s furnace for copper extraction

The properties of liquid slag and matte were studied in the autogeneous extraction of copper which occurs in the Vanyukov’s furnace, applied in the Balkhash copper-smelting plant (Balkhash Group of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, Kazakhstan). The density and surface tension of the melts were measured using the maximum-bubble pressure method, and the viscosity of the melts was measured by the rotational method. These properties were determined in the temperature interval from 1350 °C to 1550 °C. The temperature coefficients of the surface tension, density, and viscosity were determined, and the technological significance of results obtained is considered.

Distribution of Fine Roots of Coniferous Trees over the Soil Profile under Conditions of Pollution by Emissions from a Copper-Smelting Plant

The distribution of fine conducting roots of Siberian spruce, Siberian fir, and Scotch pine over the soil profile was studied in the taiga ecosystems polluted with heavy metals and SO2 . Under conditions of heavy pollution, tree roots were not found in the forest litter. Regardless of the level of technogenic load, the largest amount of conducting roots concentrated in the upper layer of mineral soil.

Early development of Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. in response to emissions from a copper smelter

Abstract:The early development of Hypogymnia physodes from soredia to the formation of stratified lobes has been studied experimentally in the vicinity of a copper-smelting plant in the Middle Urals. SEM investigations combined with life table analyses of early developmental stages revealed decreases in soredial survival and developmental rate in polluted localities. Non-stratified pre-thallus stages without an epicortex were tolerant to toxic impact and were able to survive even in the zone with the highest pollution (lichen desert zone). The sensitivity of developmental stages increased after stratified lobes had developed.

Methodology of model testing and application to dispersion simulation above complex terrain

This paper concerns an integrated model testing exercise focussed on the use of model performance statistical indices. SAFE_AIR is a multisource model mainly designed to describe dispersion of airborne pollutants from point sources at local-to-regional scales over complex terrain in non-stationary meteorological and emission conditions. It was applied in the region of Ilo, Peru, a complex coastal area where a tracer (SF6 ) was emitted from a copper smelter plant to collect field data about pollutant dispersion in the area. To compare measured concentrations with predicted concentrations, the statistical indices suggested in the Model Evaluation Kit (MEAN, SIGMA, BIAS, NMSE, COR, FA2, FB and FS) and two less common ones (WNNR and NNR) were used.

Ecological zoning of forests in areas exposed to industrial air pollution

Morphometric characteristics of the growth of forest stands located at different distances from a large copper-smelting plant were estimated. The set of diagnostic parameters obtained was used for calculating summary parameters of the state (SPSs) of the forest stands and to grade their values for zoning the forests. The results of using semivariance analysis demonstrated the appropriateness of kriging, a method of spatial interpolation, for mapping the surfaces of the state of forests. The map-scheme of the zones differing in the state of forest stands (made on the basis of summary parameters) was compared with the topographic map of the area, which made it possible to estimate the effect of large forms of relief on the location and configuration of the zones.

Recovery of breeding success in wild birds.

We have found that the breeding success of two insectivorous forest passerines, the great tit Parus major and the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, has markedly improved in the vicinity of a copper-smelting plant during the seven years since it reduced its emissions of heavy metals. Our results demonstrate that reduced pollution loads can positively affect breeding performance of wild bird populations over a relatively short period, even in an area that has suffered decades of heavy-metal pollution.

リサイクリング シュレッダーダストからの金属回収技術

In Japan, disposed automobiles are generally shredded. The valuable metals are recovered from this shredded materials and then the shredder residue is landfilled. However, by the problem of the shortage of reclaimed lands and of the soil pollution caused by the metals in the residue, needs for the material recycling from shredder residue are highlighted. Shredder residue contains nonferrous metals such as copper, lead and zinc. In order to prevent environmental pollution, these nonferrous metals should be recovered from the thermal processed residue of shredder residue. Recovery of nonferrous metals in the incinerated residue of shredder residue has been investigated by Nippon mining & metals group. In Nikko Mikkaichi Recycle Co., Ltd., copper residue and lead slime have beenrecovered from the incinerated residue in the zinc smelting plant. Copper residue was charged in the converter of copper smelting plant and electrolytic copper was recovered in Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery. Simultaneously, lead slime was treated in the lead smelting plant and crude lead was recovered. The recovery rates of copper, lead and zinc from shredder residue are proximately 90%, 96 96, 74% in the investigation.Mitsubishi Materials Corporation has developed the recovery process of copper and lead by carbonizing shredder residue. The carbonized residue from the carbonization pilot plant of shredder residue was smelted and lead was efficiently recovered in crucible test. At the same time, the copper recovery process was investigated and the process by using conventional copper smelting plant was proposed. These processes are one of the effective methods to recover these metals.

Air pollution monitoring of the bioindicator lichen, Cetraria cuculata, using microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis

Lichens, due their sensitivities to variation in environmental conditions have long served as bioindicators of air pollution in arctic and sub-arctic regions for such agents as gaseous air pollutants, acidic rain and misting, and heavy metal deposition. Lichens are an important part of the food chain in arctic regions due to serving as a major food source for animals such as caribou. In this study the fruticose lichen, Cetraria cuculata, was collected from a site 5 km downwind from a major nickel and copper smelting plant near the city of Norilsk in the Siberian region of Russia 330 km north of the Arctic circle. This site is one of the most heavily polluted regions in the world. In contrast, “clean” samples of C. cuculata, representing controls, were gathered from a remote region 800 km downwind and northeast of Norilsk at the eastern end of Lake Tamyr on the Tamyr Peninsula. Subsequently, different microscopies including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis were employed in order to determine structural and compositional impacts of the atmospheric deposition. Such techniques have recently been proven to be of considerable value in other studies of contaminated lichen thalli.

A Perspective on Dioxin Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators

This paper discusses the following key issues concerning human exposure to dioxins and furans emitted from typical, modern MSW incinerators: (1) Are MSW incinerators the major source of PCDD/PCDF input into the environment? (2) Are environmental concentrations around MSW incinerators substantially elevated relative to background levels? And (3) are MSW incinerators the major source of human exposure to PCDDs and PCDFs? Current scientific evidence indicates that (1) combustion sources in general (including steel mills, copper smelting plants, motor vehicles, pulp and paper mills, and MSW incinerators) are major sources of PCDD/PCDF input in the environment; (2) environmental concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs around operating MSW incinerators are not substantially elevated; and (3) 99% of human exposure to PCDDs and PCDFs is from background contamination, even for individuals living near a modern MSW incinerator.

Field Validation of EPA Proposed Method 108 for Measurement of Inorganic Arsenic Emissions from Stationary Sources

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Method 108 for measurement of inorganic arsenic emissions from stationary sources has been evaluated both in the laboratory and in the field. Field studies, which are the focus of this paper, Included determination of the precision of the sampling method using concurrent dual or quad sampling trains in the measurement of inorganic arsenic emissions from a copper smelter plant and a glass manufacturing plant. Results of the field tests indicate that the precision was 3.85 % at the glass plant and 15.7% at the copper smelter. Considering the sampling sites and the variability of process operations, these results Indicate an acceptable degree of precision.

Steel Chimneys and their Linings in Copper Smelting Plants

Steel Chimneys and their Linings in Copper Smelting Plants