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Treatment of zinc-rich acid mine water in low residence time bioreactors incorporating waste shells and methanol dosing

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Adam Jarvis

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Abstract

Bioreactors utilising bacterially mediated sulphate reduction (BSR) have been widely tested for treating metal-rich waters, but sustained treatment of mobile metals (e.g. Zn) can be difficult to achieve in short residence time systems. Data are presented providing an assessment of alkalinity generating media (shells or limestone) and modes of metal removal in bioreactors receiving a synthetic acidic metal mine discharge (pH 2.7, Zn 15 mg/L, SO42− 200 mg/L, net acidity 103 mg/L as CaCO3) subject to methanol dosing. In addition to alkalinity generating media (50%, v.v.), the columns comprised an organic matrix of softwood chippings (30%), manure (10%) and anaerobic digested sludge (10%). The column tests showed sustained alkalinity generation, which was significantly better in shell treatments. The first column in each treatment was effective throughout the 422 days in removing >99% of the dissolved Pb and Cu, and effective for four months in removing 99% of the dissolved Zn (residence time: 12–14 h). Methanol was added to the feedstock after Zn breakthrough and prompted almost complete removal of dissolved Zn alongside improved alkalinity generation and sulphate attenuation. While there was geochemical evidence for BSR, sequential extraction of substrates suggests that the bulk (67–80%) of removed Zn was associated with Fe–Mn oxide fractions.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Mayes WM, Davis J, Silva V, Jarvis AP

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

Year: 2011

Volume: 193

Pages: 279-287

Print publication date: 05/08/2011

ISSN (print): 0304-3894

ISSN (electronic): 1873-3336

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.07.073

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.07.073


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Environment Agency Wales
Welsh Assembly Government's Department for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks (DEIN)
RITA-0CT-2003-506069European Union

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