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Evaluation of the Impact of Na-SO4 Dominated Ionic Strength on Effluent Water Quality in Bench-Scale Vertical Flow Bioreactors Using Spent Mushroom Compost

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Abstract

Passive treatment systems (PTSs) are frequently used to treat mine drainage that contains elevated concentrations of Fe, sulfate, and trace metals. Vertical flow bioreactors (VFBRs), often designed specifically to remove trace metals from mine drainage and retain them in an organic substrate, are a common PTS component. Many factors, including ionic strength, affect the performance of VFBR and their ability to remove trace metals. A paired-comparison study was performed in which two sets of columns were constructed, filled with an organic substrate, and fed synthetic mine water of differing ionic strengths, dominated by Na and sulfate, for 1 year. Elevated ionic strength significantly increased the rate of removal of Cd and Zn, and possibly Pb. Conversely, elevated ionic strength significantly decreased the rate of removal of Ni and Mn and even caused the eventual release of Mn from the substrate.

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Acknowledgements

Stipend and research funding were provided by American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Grand River Dam Authority (Project 100052), U.S. Geological Survey (Agreement DOI-USG 04HQAG0131), US Environmental Protection Agency (Agreement X7-97682001-0), and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (Agreement PO2929019163).

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  1. School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, 202 West Boyd, Room 334, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Julie A. LaBar & Robert W. Nairn

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  1. Julie A. LaBar
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  2. Robert W. Nairn
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Correspondence to Julie A. LaBar.

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LaBar, J.A., Nairn, R.W. Evaluation of the Impact of Na-SO4 Dominated Ionic Strength on Effluent Water Quality in Bench-Scale Vertical Flow Bioreactors Using Spent Mushroom Compost. Mine Water Environ 36, 572–582 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0446-4

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