Mining Effluents Research Articles

A Detailed Reaction Mechanism for Thiosulfate Oxidation by Ozone in Aqueous Environments.

The ozone oxidation, or ozonation, of thiosulfate is an important reaction for wastewater processing, where it is used for remediation of mining effluents, and for studying aerosol chemistry, where its fast reaction rate makes it an excellent model reaction. Although thiosulfate ozonation has been studied since the 1950s, challenges remain in developing a realistic reaction mechanism that can satisfactorily account for all observed products with a sequence of elementary reaction steps. Here, we present novel measurements using trapped microdroplets to study the pH-dependent thiosulfate ozonation kinetics. We detect known products and intermediates, including SO32-, SO42-, S3O62-, and S4O62-, establishing agreement with the literature. However, we identify S2O42- as a new reaction intermediate and find that the currently accepted mechanism does not directly explain observed pH effects. Thus, we develop a new mechanism, which incorporates S2O42- as an intermediate and uses elementary steps to explain the pH dependence of thiosulfate ozonation. The proposed mechanism is tested using a kinetic model benchmarked to the experiments presented here, then compared to literature data. We demonstrate good agreement between the proposed thiosulfate ozonation mechanism and experiments, suggesting that the insights in this paper can be leveraged in wastewater treatment and in understanding potential climate impacts.

Semi-continuous cultivation of microalgae to treat coal mine effluent in pilot scale: Nutrient removal, biodesalination and fatty acid composition analysis

Coal excavation is associated with discharge of an enormous amount of mine water rich in salt and trace metal ions, which require efficient treatment before use. Considering the potentiality of microalgae for high salt tolerance, salt removal and metallic pollutant removal from aqueous system, present study focuses semi-continuous cultivation of candidate microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa (NCIM 2738) in bubble column reactor (BCR) and open raceway pond (ORP) for nutrient supplemented coal mine effluent (NSCME) treatment. In between different hydraulic retention times (HRTs), HRT 6 d provide maximum average biomass productivity of 950 mg L−1 d−1 in BCR and 728.4 mg L−1 d−1 in ORP. HRT 9 d facilitates a maximum lipid content of 1.8 g L ̶ 1 in BCR and 1.4 g L ̶ 1 in ORP. Further, HRT 9 d had the maximum COD removal efficiency (96.5 % in BCR and 94.2 % in ORP) and maximum salinity removal efficiency (93 % in BCR and 92 % in ORP). Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) characterization highlighted potential biodiesel applicability with cetane number (CN) of 53.94. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed an excess amount of salt and metal ions deposition on the surface of harvested microalgae samples. Outdoor large-scale C. pyrenoidosa cultivation can be integrated with coal mine closure plans to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs) 6, 7 and 13.

Use of mining effluents for the production of algal-based colorants

In this research, a mining effluent was used to produce microalgal and cyanobacterial biomass to obtain red (carotenoids) and blue pigments (phycocyanin). Two strains were isolated from a hydrothermal source in Norte de Santander and grown in mining wastewater mixed with 50% BG-11 medium for the Osci_UFPS01 cyanobacterium and 50% with Bold Basal medium for the Chlo_UFPS01 microalgae. A carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus experiment design was developed, and subsequent response surface analysis (RSM) was used to determine the optimal operating conditions for the formation of the products of interest. A notable decrease in pigment production was observed compared to that in the controls without mining wastewater. Overall, 45% of phycocyanin (C PC) per unit dry weight (DW) and 1,129% (w/w) of carotenoids were obtained in the cultures with a mining wastewater mixture in the final optimization processes.

Effect of gold mine activity on water quality and human health

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the levels of heavy metals in surface and groundwater sources within the vicinity of a gold mine in Iran, as well as to evaluate the associated health and carcinogenic risks. A total of 45 water samples were collected from the mine effluent, the downstream of a river receiving the effluent of the mine, and downstream water resources. Subsequent to laboratory digestion of the samples, arsenic levels were determined using atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry, while other heavy metals were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data analysis was conducted utilizing IBM SPSS software (Version 22). The health risks and carcinogenic potentials associated with arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, manganese, mercury, nickel, copper, and zinc were assessed for both pediatric and adult populations. The findings revealed that, in most instances, heavy metal concentrations exceeded the recommended standards for drinking water quality. Furthermore, the health and carcinogenic risks posed to both children and adults were found to surpass the maximum acceptable levels.

Uranium mining effluents: What about the re-use of mining wastes to improve the bioproduction of industrially relevant bioactive compounds?

The shift towards a circular economy, where waste generation is minimized through waste re-use and the development of valorization strategies, is crucial for the establishment of a low carbon, sustainable, and resource-efficient economy. However, there is a lack of strategies for re-using and valorizing specific types of waste, particularly those containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), despite the prevalence of industrial activities that produce such waste due to their chemical and radiological hazards.Living organisms, including fungi, are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with various industrial applications. In this study, we assessed the growth and metabolic profile changes of three white rot fungi species in response to low concentrations of a uranium mine effluent containing NORM and metals to explore their potential for producing biotechnologically relevant bioactive compounds. The growth rate was assessed in three different culture media, with and without the uranium mine effluent (1% V/V)), and the metabolic profile was analyzed using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy.Results suggested an improvement in growth rates in media containing the uranium mine effluent, although not statistically significant. T. versicolor showed promise in terms of bioactive compound production. The production of droplets during growth experiments and significant metabolic changes, associated with the production of bioactive compounds like laccase, melanin, and oxalic acid, were observed in T. versicolor grown in mYEPDA with the uranium mine effluent. These findings present new research opportunities for utilizing waste to enhance the biotechnological production of industrially relevant bioactive compounds and promote the development of circular economy strategies for re-using and valorizing NORM-containing waste.

Remediation of Heavy Metal Pollution from Coal Mine Effluent Using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF): Impact of Water Media, Operational Factors and Metal Characteristics

The energy sector is the sector that generates the highest amount of environmental contamination, especially in water sources, mostly in the case of coal-based energy production. The aim of this study was to examine a significant contamination source, heavy metal contamination, in coal mining effluents. The current investigation introduces an MOF platform based on zirconium clusters and isophthalic acid with NH2-MIP-SO3H mixed amine and sulfonic acid functional groups in order to remove the most common heavy metal ions in coal mining effluents, including Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cu ions. The water matrix and the operational conditions were identified to be very influential in the removal process, such as the pH of water, the initial metal concentration and operating time. NH2-MIP-SO3H offers a great removal efficiency of metals starting from 745.83 mg/g for Cd, 673.67 mg/g for Cu, 589.85 mg/g for Hg, and 481.66 mg/g for Pb ions, with the Langmuir equation for equilibrium and pseudo-second-order equation for kinetics being the ideal models to express the equilibrium and kinetic data, respectively. A significant impact of water pH was found to occur, with the NH2-MIP-SO3H platform performing best at pH 6. Reuse of NH2-MIP-SO3H demonstrates excellent reusability, sustaining 90% of initial performance over eight regeneration cycles. The interaction of functional group-functional metal was the dominant mechanism in the removal process. The NH2-MIP-SO3H unique approach to heavy metal removal provides a very hopeful outlook for additional investigations in larger-scale studies.

Acid Mine Drainage Precipitates from Mining Effluents as Adsorbents of Organic Pollutants for Water Treatment.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the main environmental problems associated with mining activity, whether the mine is operational or abandoned. In this work, several precipitates from this mine drainage generated by the oxidation of sulfide minerals, when exposed to weathering, were used as adsorbents. Such AMD precipitates from abandoned Portuguese mines (AGO, AGO-1, CF, and V9) were compared with two raw materials from Morocco (ClayMA and pyrophyllite) in terms of their efficiency in wastewater treatment. Different analytical techniques, such as XRD diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption isotherms, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to characterize these natural materials. The adsorption properties were studied by optimizing different experimental factors, such as type of adsorbent, adsorbent mass, and dye concentration by the Box-Behnken Design model, using methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) compounds as organic pollutants. The obtained kinetic data were examined using the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order equations, and the equilibrium adsorption data were studied using the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The adsorption behavior of the different adsorbents was perfectly fitted by the pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm. The most efficient adsorbent for both dyes was AGO-1 due to the presence of the cellulose molecules, with qm equal to 40.5 and 16.0 mg/g for CV and MB, respectively. This study confirms the possibility of employing AMD precipitates to adsorb organic pollutants in water, providing valuable information for developing future affordable solutions to reduce the wastes associated with mining activity.

Towards a Canadian National River Water Quality-Modelling System: State of Science and Future Prospects

Water quality is of significant concern and ultimately critical to every Canadian’s quality of life and security. Canada has diverse and vast landscapes and stressors that impact various waterbodies differentially, with influencing factors including contaminant and nutrient loads from human activity (mining effluent, wastewater, agricultural runoff, plastics), landscape change (wetland drainage, urbanization) and climate change (warming water temperatures, longer open water seasons, extreme hydrological events, intensifying wildfires). Canadian rivers are especially important to the overall biogeochemistry, hydrology, biodiversity, and ultimate health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. While each of Canada’s provinces and territories has extensive river water quality (physical, chemical, biotic) data and monitoring programs, Environment and Climate Change Canada coordinates various national programs that contribute to the collection and consolidation of these data and conducts extensive research into the study and modelling of key river water quality processes. Despite program-specific efforts, there remains poor capacity to predict current and future conditions in monitored and unmonitored Canadian rivers, particularly remote or northern rivers, due to a myriad of factors including lack of coordination amongst groups and examination of areas in which modelling efforts might be integrated. Herein, we review and analyse the current state of data availability, process studies, and modelling systems for Canadian river water quality. Our synthesis reveals that specific physical processes (water temperature, ice formation, permafrost thaw, sediment dynamics), biogeochemical processes (dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic matter, nutrient cycling, metals/contaminants) and ecological/biological features (biota mass, functional indicators) are well understood, though complex, and are amenable to empirical or mechanistic modelling. Review of this information assists us in identifying opportunities and challenges for developing a national water quality modelling system (NWQMS), that would eventually include similar modelling activities for parallel processes in lakes and integrated watersheds. We identify needs for stronger coordination of monitoring programs in remote areas, recommend use of novel remote sensing technologies, and development of a flexible, iterative ‘process’ for integrated modelling to which stakeholders beyond government can contribute. Such a platform would support short and long-term predictive models of Canadian water quality and ecosystem health, inform effluent concentration limits, and be an early warning system for source waters.

Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Mitigate Cadmium Toxicity: Mechanisms and Future Prospects.

Cadmium (Cd), as the most prevalent heavy metal contaminant poses serious risks to plants, humans, and the environment. The ubiquity of this toxic metal is continuously increasing due to the rapid discharge of industrial and mining effluents and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a novel strategy to alleviate Cd toxicity. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have become the most important NPs used to mitigate the toxicity of abiotic stresses and improve crop productivity. The plants quickly absorb Cd, which subsequently disrupts plant physiological and biochemical processes and increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes the oxidation of cellular structures and significant growth losses. Besides this, Cd toxicity also disrupts leaf osmotic pressure, nutrient uptake, membrane stability, chlorophyll synthesis, and enzyme activities, leading to a serious reduction in growth and biomass productivity. Though plants possess an excellent defense mechanism to counteract Cd toxicity, this is not enough to counter higher concentrations of Cd toxicity. Applying Zn-NPs has proven to have significant potential in mitigating the toxic effects of Cd. ZnO-NPs improve chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, membrane stability, nutrient uptake, and gene expression, which can help to counter toxic effects of Cd stress. Additionally, ZnO-NPs also help to reduce Cd absorption and accumulation in plants, and the complex relationship between ZnO-NPs, osmolytes, hormones, and secondary metabolites plays an important role in Cd tolerance. Thus, this review concentrates on exploring the diverse mechanisms by which ZnO nanoparticles can alleviate Cd toxicity in plants. In the end, this review has identified various research gaps that need addressing to ensure the promising future of ZnO-NPs in mitigating Cd toxicity. The findings of this review contribute to gaining a deeper understanding of the role of ZnO-NPs in combating Cd toxicity to promote safer and sustainable crop production by remediating Cd-polluted soils. This also allows for the development of eco-friendly approaches to remediate Cd-polluted soils to improve soil fertility and environmental quality.

Modeling the geochemical evolution of mine waters during mixing

This study focuses on assessing the hydrogeochemical processes influencing the mobility of dissolved metal and metalloid species during mine effluent mixing. Field samples were collected to characterize effluents at an active gold mine located in the Abitibi Greenstone belt in western Québec, Canada. Controlled laboratory mixing experiments were further performed with real effluents. In situ physicochemical parameters, concentrations of major dissolved ions and trace elements were analyzed. Mineralogical analyses were also performed on precipitates from the laboratory mixtures. The data were used for statistical analyses and for modeling the geochemical evolution of effluents using PHREEQC with the wateq4f.dat database (with modifications). The results suggest that the formation of secondary minerals such as schwertmannite, Fe(OH)3, and jarosite could significantly affect the concentrations of trace elements in effluents. The precipitation of secondary minerals immobilized trace elements through coprecipitation and sorption processes. The main limitations of the modeling approach used here include the evaluation of the ion balance for low pH samples with high Fe and Al concentrations and the omission of biological processes. The approach provides insights into the geochemical evolution of mine effluents and could be adapted to several mining sites as a tool for improving water management.

Soil pollution and elemental sources along Barapukuria coal mine, Bangladesh: Implications for eco-environmental and health risk assessment

For the first time, different pollution indices and a receptor model have been used to quantify eco-environmental and health risk assessments as well as identify the sources of potentially toxic elements in soil along the Barapukuria Coal Mine (BCM). Individual indices include enrichment and contamination factors showing the soil samples are moderately to highly contaminated by arsenic, cobalt, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc and heavily contaminated by sulfur. According to the geo-accumulation index, there is significant pollution with arsenic (1.24 ± 0.38), lead (1.49 ± 0.58), cobalt (1.49 ± 0.58), and sulfur (1.63 ± 0.38). Modified hazard quotient and ecological risk factor values also suggest low to moderate environmental risk hazards from the same elements. The nemerow pollution index, pollution load index, nemerow risk index, ecological risk index, and toxic risk index of soil range from 1.65 to 3.03, 0.82–1.23, 11–26, 77–165, and 6.82–11.76 suggest low toxic risk and moderate pollution, among other synergistic indices. Health risk assessment indicates that iron poses lower cancer risk for children than adults, while both face unacceptable cancer risks from inhaling chromium, cobalt, or arsenic. Principal component and phylogenetic cluster analysis extracted by the multiple linear regression with the absolute principal component score (APCS-MLR) model refer to the fact that manganese, iron, titanium, and nickel have originated from geogenic sources, while coal mine effluents enrich elements like arsenic, chromium, zinc, lead, uranium, sulfur, thorium, and zinc and phosphorous sourced from agriculture. In addition, geogenic and anthropogenic sources, including mine and agriculture activities, could potentially pollute the soil and ecosystem. The findings are crucial for regional and national planners in devising strategies to mitigate potentially toxic element pollution in soil along coal mine areas.

Adsorption of Cd and Mn from neutral mine effluents using bentonite, zeolite, and stabilized dewatered sludge

This study aimed to investigate the adsorption efficiency of Cd and Mn using natural sorbents—bentonite, zeolite and stabilized digested dewatered waste sludge. The main contributions of the scientific article are in adding to the scientific knowledge of the use of natural and waste sorbents in the removal of heavy metals from neutral mine effluents. Current studies mainly focus on metal removal by sorption using natural sorbents from acid mine drainage. This study investigates sorption in neutral mine drainage. The efficiency of the sorption process was evaluated using the following parameters: efficiency (%) of metal ion removal, Freudlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm constant. The AES–ICP method (atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma) was used for the initial metal analysis of the materials used. The atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method was used for the analysis of Cd and Mn in the sorption process. The maximum efficiency of Mn removal by bentonite at the end of the test was approximately 90%. The removal of Mn by zeolite was considerably lower—about 20% compared to the use of sludge—80%. Based on the sorption efficiency, the sludge was suitable for sorption. Much higher levels of Cd sorption were achieved using sludge compared to using natural bentonite and zeolite. The main novelty of the work lies in the sorption of metals using dewatered digested sludge. Previous studies have focused on metal sorption using activated sludge. Most previous studies focused on sorption from acid mine drainage. The novelty of this study is that we focused on the sorption of neutral mine drainages, which are typical for the location we are monitoring.

Utilization of organic-rich materials for the adsorption of copper ions from aqueous environments

This study investigated the suitability of moss peat and compost as adsorbents for removing copper ions from aqueous systems. Kinetic experiments were conducted at pH 4, 20 °C, and an initial copper ion concentration of 20 mM. Under these experimental conditions, moss peat and compost had a maximum adsorption capacity of 45.8 and 41.9 mg/g, respectively. The kinetic data was assessed using several models, and the data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model for both adsorbents. Moreover, the analysis of the isotherm data showed that the Langmuir model could fit the data, suggesting that copper ions are chemically adsorbed onto moss peat and compost. The pH value of 4.5 was the most effective for the adsorption of copper ions onto moss peat and compost. At this pH value, the maximum adsorption capacities were 60.0 mg/g for moss peat and 56.9 mg/g for compost. The characterization of moss peat and compost before and after the interaction with copper ions indicated that surface precipitation was the dominant mechanism by which copper ions were removed from aqueous systems. Copper precipitation on the surface of moss peat was higher than that on the surface of compost, and it was found to be 7.7 wt% and 3.8 wt%, respectively. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of using moss peat and compost as effective adsorbents for copper ions in highly contaminated water, particularly industrial and mining effluent.

Mine Wastewater Effect on the Aquatic Diversity and the Ecological Status of the Watercourses in Southern Poland

Coal mining activity contributes to energy security and employment occupation, but is associated with environmental deterioration. Coal combustion leads to GHG emissions, while coal mining results in the generation of saline effluents. These effluents are discharged in inland surface waters, applying significant pressure on their quality, with a negative impact on aquatic life and the economy of a region. This study includes water samples that were analyzed in order to investigate the organic compounds, heavy metals, and other physicochemical parameters. Biological monitoring was done according to the Water Framework Directive methodology. The results from an aquatic area in Southern Poland, which indirectly receives coal mine effluents, indicate elevated salinity with excessive chlorides, sulfates, and sodium ions. The water quality of another non-polluted aquatic area was also assessed to examine the impact of indirect coal mine wastewater discharge on this area. The high salinity levels hinder the use of river water for drinking, agricultural, or industrial purposes. The results obtained show high pressure on the ecological status of streams and rivers that receive mine effluents, and on the density and diversity of aquatic invertebrates. This pressure is clearly visible in the structure of benthic communities and in invertebrate diversity. It also contributes to the appearance of invasive species and increasing water salinity. Limiting discharges of mine water transporting large loads of saline substances would reduce the negative impact on the quality of river waters and biological life.

Selenate bioreduction in a large in situ field trial

Removing selenium (Se) from mine effluent is a common challenge. A long-term, in situ experiment was conducted to bioremediate large volumes (up to 7500 mc d−1) of Se(VI)-contaminated water (mean 87 μg L−1) by injecting the water into a saturated waste rock fill (SRF) at a coal mining operation in Elk Valley, British Columbia, Canada. To stimulate/maintain biofilm growth in the SRF, labile organic carbon (methanol) and nutrients were added to the water prior to its injection. A conservative tracer (Br−) was also added to track the migration of injected water across the SRF, identify wells with minimal dilution and used to quantify the extent of bioreduction. The evolution of the Se species through the SRF was monitored in time and space for 201 d. Selenium concentrations of <3.8 μg L−1 were attained in monitoring wells located 38 m from the injection wells after 114 to 141 d of operation. Concentrations of Se species in water samples from complementary long-term (351–498 d) column experiments using influent Se(VI) concentrations of 1.0 mg L−1 were consistent with the results of the in situ experiment. Solid samples collected at the completion of the column experiments confirmed the presence of indigenous Se-reducing bacteria and that the sequestered Se was present as insoluble Se(0), likely in Se-S ring compounds. Based on the success of this ongoing bioremediation experiment, this technology is being applied at other mine sites.

Resource utilization of MSWI fly ash supporting TiO2/BiOCl nanocomposite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of sodium isopropyl xanthate: Mechanism and performance evaluation

The removal of organic pollutants in water environments and the resource utilization of solid waste are two pressing issues around the world. Facing the increasing pollution induced by discharge of mining effluents containing sodium isopropyl xanthate (SIPX), in this work, municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) was pretreated by hydrothermal method to produce stabilized FA, which was then innovatively used as support for the construction of FA/TiO2/BiOCl nanocomposite (FTB) with promoted photocatalytic activity under visible light and natural sunlight. When the content of FA was 20 wt% and the mass ratio of TiO2 to BiOCl was 4:6, a remarkable performance for the optimal FTB (20-FTB-2) was achieved. Characterizations demonstrated that TiO2 and BiOCl uniformly dispersed on FA contributing to high surface area and broad light adsorption of FTB, which exhibits excellent adsorption capacity and light response ability. Build in electric field formed in the interface of TiO2/BiOCl heterojunction revealed by density functional theory calculations accelerated the separation of photoinduced e− and h+, leading to high efficiency for SIPX degradation. The synergetic effect combined with adsorption and photocatalytic degradation endowed 20-FTB-2 superior SIPX removal efficiency over 99% within 30 min under visible light and natural sunlight irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation pathways of SIPX were determined through theoretical calculations and characterizations, and the toxic byproduct CS2 was effectively eliminated through oxidation of •O2−. For 20-FTB-2, reusability of photocatalyst was showed by cycle tests, also the concentrations of main heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd) in the liquid phases released during photocatalyst preparation process (< 1 mg/L) and photodegradation process (< 8.5 μg/L) proved the satisfactory stability with low toxicity. This work proposed a novel strategy to develop efficient and stable support-based photocatalysts by utilizing MSWI FA and realize its resource utilization.

Physico-chemical assessment of surface water from mining activities in Maiganga coal mine, Gombe state, Nigeria

Purpose. Surface water from mining activities may undergo various physico-chemical changes that can impact its quality and ecological health. This study conducted a comprehensive physico-chemical assessment of surface water affected by mining operations, with a particular emphasis on heavy metal content. Methods. These parameters were chosen due to their importance as indicators of water quality and potential contamination. Water samples were collected from different locations within and around Maiganga Coal mine area and analyzed using standard laboratory techniques. The assessment included the measurement of physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, total dissolved solids and concentrations of heavy metals such as chromium, lead, manganese, cadmium and copper. Also, cations and anions such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, nitrate, chloride sulfate and fluoride that can impact water quality were considered. Findings. The results of the physico-chemical assessment revealed substantial variations of chromium (0.00-0.03 mg/l), lead (0.00-0.05 mg/l), manganese (0.00-12.11 mg/l), cadmium (0.10-0.14 mg/l) and copper (0.00-1.02 mg/l) concentrations. Also, cations and anions such as calcium (0.00-1.13 mg/l), magnesium (11.90-30.07 mg/l), sodium (0.20-1.11 mg/l), potassium (0.10-0.66 mg/l), nitrate (3.90-4.78 mg/l), chloride (84.0-319.0 mg/l), sulphate (8.0-240.0 mg/l) and fluoride (0.00-0.89 mg/l) can impact water quality levels across the sampled surface water bodies. Originality. Evidence of acid mine drainage, caused by mine effluents that are limited to surface water and do not reach groundwater, has been found through analysis of data from wells, ponds, and streams. Practical implications. These variations obtained could be attributed to the discharge of acidic or alkaline substances associated with coal mining activities.

Uptake patterns for nitrogen and sulfur source by aquatic plants and various nitrogen acquisition strategies: Affected by mining activities

Understanding the nitrogen and sulfur uptake strategies of mine plants, including sources and preferences for nitrogen forms (ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) vs nitrate nitrogen (NO3−)), is critical to improving understanding of the role of plants in participating in the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and sulfur in mining areas. In this study, the stable N and S isotopic compositions of two species of aquatic plants (calamus and reed) in Linhuan mining area were analyzed to determine their absorption strategies for different nitrogen and sulfur sources. The results showed that river water was the largest source of nitrogen and sulfur, contributing 54.6% and 53.9% respectively. NO3− is the main form of nitrogen uptake by reed and calamus, followed by NH4+. In order to adapt to the change of nitrogen form in the environment, reed and calamus tend to absorb and utilize NO3− to maintain their absorption of nitrogen. Mine effluents from mining activities provide at least 12.9% and 16.8% sulfate to reed and calamus respectively, and the effect of mine effluents on reed and calamus sulfur has been underestimated. This study reveals the key factors controlling plant isotope composition, and the use of nitrogen and sulfur isotope composition of aquatic plants can help quantify the level of influence of mining activities, and understand the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen and sulfur in mining areas.

Exposure and recovery: The effect of different dilution factors of treated and untreated metal mining effluent on freshwater biofilm function and structure

Abandoned mines generate effluents rich in heavy metals, and these contaminants are released uncontrolled into the nearby aquatic ecosystems, causing severe pollution. However, no real solution exists, leaving a legacy of global pollution. In this study, the efficiency of the treatment technologies in reducing the ecological impacts of mining effluents to freshwater ecosystems with different dilution capacities was tested using biofilm communities as biological indicators. The functional and structural recovery capacity of biofilm communities after 21 days of exposure was assessed. With this aim, we sampled aquatic biofilms from a pristine stream and exposed them to treated (T) and untreated (U) metal mining effluent from Frongoch abandoned mine (Mid Wales, UK). Additionally, we simulated two different flow conditions for the receiving stream: high dilution (HD) and low dilution (LD). After exposure, the artificial streams were filled with artificial water for 14 days to assess the biofilm recovery. Unexposed biofilm served as control for biofilm responses (functional and structural) measured throughout time. During the exposure, short term effects on biofilm functioning (photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake) were observed in T-LD, U-HD, and U-LD, whereas long term effects (community composition, chl-a, and diatom metrics) were observed on the structure of all biofilms exposed to the treated and untreated mining effluent. On the other hand, metal accumulation occurred in biofilms exposed to the mining effluents. However, a functional recovery was observed for all treatments, except in the U-LD in which biofilm structure did not present a significant recovery after the exposure period. The results presented here highlight the need to consider the dilution capacity of the receiving stream to assess the real efficiency of treatment technologies applied to mining effluents to mitigate the ecological impact on freshwater ecosystems.

Research Investigates and Simulation Behavior of the Failure Characteristics of Red Mud–Loess Type Permeable Reactive Barriers PRB in Fixed‐Bed Column Experiments

Controlling and remediating water and soil pollution while efficiently utilizing solid waste is essential for comprehensive environmental protection and sustainable development, particularly in establishing green, low‐carbon economic systems in China. We evaluate the impact of initial concentration, flow rate, and bed height on breakthrough performance and adsorption capacity using the Tessier method under dynamic water flow conditions. Additionally, we analyze micromorphological changes in the red mud–loess mixture before and after breakthrough by acid mine drainage containing Pb and Cd in mining areas, employing soil column experiments and numerical simulations with COMSOL Multiphysics. Our findings suggest that reducing initial concentration and flow rate while increasing bed height leads to higher breakthrough time, saturation time, and adsorption capacity for Pb and Cd in the red mud–loess mixture (7 : 3). Furthermore, the red mud–loess blend (7 : 3) demonstrates sustained and efficient acid‐buffering capability in the presence of acid mine drainage containing Pb and Cd. Notably, under specific conditions (initial Pb content at 100 mg/L, a height of 7 cm, and flow rate set at 1 mL/min), the adsorption capacity of red mud–loess (7 : 3) reaches 17.30 mg/g. The prescribed minimum length for PRBs is 11.40 cm. Under specified conditions (Cd concentrations at 100 mg/L, a height of 5 cm, and a flow rate of 1 mL/min), the material exhibits a notable adsorption capacity of 29.91 mg/g, with a theoretical minimum length for PRBs at 8.95 cm. Increasing bed heights successfully remove Pb and Cd ions through chemical precipitation. The BDST model accurately describes the breakthrough curves of Pb and Cd and develops a correlation formula for the breakthrough time of red mud–loess PRB medium. As the saturation of Pb increases from 0.05 to 0.85, the maximum volume adsorption capacity of Pb increases from 1.78 to 2.98 mg/L, while for Cd, it increases from 4.15 to 7.87 mg/L. Elevating the bed height first triggers chemical precipitation, hence improving Pb and Cd removal. Consequently, the longevity of red mud–loess PRB in acidic mine effluent containing Pb and Cd surpasses predicted theoretical outcomes. These observations reveal correlations between the breakthrough length for red mud–loess permeable reactive barriers and the bed height. Furthermore, the distribution of Pb speciation within the red mud–loess mixture (7 : 3) is primarily governed by the presence of iron–manganese oxide, while the composition of Cd speciation is chiefly influenced by the carbonate form and iron–manganese oxide. After treating acidic mine wastewater with Pb and Cd, the red mud–loess mixed material (7 : 3) undergoes surface changes, shifting from smooth to rough due to H+ corrosion. Pores between particles enlarge, yet heavy metal ions, adsorbates, and precipitates reoccupy and cover the surface, transforming the particle morphology from dense lamellar to clustered spherical. Our innovative approach to combining waste materials for environmental remediation presents a cost‐effective and impactful solution for heavy metal pollution.