Mine Water and the Environment

, Volume 33, Issue 3, pp 241–255 | Cite as

Laboratory Study of Highly Pyritic Tailings Submerged Beneath a Water Cover Under Various Hydrodynamic Conditions

  • Akué Sylvette Awoh
  • Mamert Mbonimpa
  • Bruno Bussière
  • Benoît Plante
  • Hassan Bouzahzah
Technical Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:
  • 182 Downloads

Abstract

Many studies have examined the efficiency of water covers for control of acid mine drainage, but few have addressed underwater deposition of highly pyritic tailings with low neutralizing capacity. This study simulated the effects of various hydrodynamic conditions on water quality when tailings containing 80 % pyrite were deposited beneath a water cover. The tailings were placed at the bottom of laboratory columns and covered with deionized water. The applied hydrodynamic conditions were: stagnant, stagnant with downward intermittent infiltration, continuously stirred with low tailings resuspension (130–180 mg/L), and continuously stirred with high tailings resuspension (2,910–3,100 mg/L). A continuously stirred water cover with a sand layer placed over the tailings was also studied. Water cover and pore water samples were analyzed monthly to determine variations in the geochemical parameters over monitoring periods ranging from 338 to 840 days. With stagnant water covers, the pH remained near neutral and concentrations of dissolved metals were generally low compared to columns with tailings resuspension. The addition of a layer of inert material significantly prevented pyrite oxidation. Zn was the dissolved metal with the highest concentration (except for Fe) in all of the column leachates, although the tailings contained only 0.38 % Zn.

Keywords

Acid mine drainage Underwater deposition Chemical stability Tailings resuspension Water cover geochemistry Geochemical modeling 

Laborstudie zur Lagerung von Abraummaterial mit hohen Pyritgehalten unter Wasserbedeckung unter verschiedenen hydrodynamischen Bedingungen

Zusammenfassung

Zahlreiche Studien haben die Effektivität einer Wasserüberschichtung für die kontroll der Versauerung von Abraummaterial untersucht. Aber nur wenige Arbeiten haben sich mit der Deponierung unterwasser von Abraum mit hohen Pyritgehalten und einer niedrigen Neutralisationskapazität befasst. Diese Studie untersucht die Effekte unterschiedlicher hydrodynamischer Bedingungen auf die Wasserqualität, wenn Abraummaterial mit 80% Pyrit unter einer Wasserüberschichtung abgelagert wird. Auf dem Boden einer Laborsäule wurde Abraummaterial eingebaut und mit deionisiertem Wasser überschichtet. Folgende hydrodynamischen Bedingungen wurden realisiert: stagnierend, stagnierend mit zeitweiser Infiltration, permanent gerührt mit geringer Resuspension des Abraummaterials (130 bis 180 mg/L) und permanent gerührt mit hoher Resuspension des Abraummaterials (2910 bis 3100 mg/L). Weiterhin wurde die zusätzliche Abdeckung des Abraummaterials mit einer Sandschicht untersucht, wobei die Wasserüberschichtung permanent gerührt wurde. Monatlich wurden Proben des überstehenden Wassers und des Porenwassers analysiert, um Änderungen der geochemischen Parameter zu bestimmen. Die Versuchsdauer betrug 338 bis 840 Tage. Unter einer stagnierenden Wasserüberschichtung bleibt der pH-Wert im circumneutralen Bereich. Die Konzentration der gelösten Metalle war generell niedriger im Vergleich zu Säulen mit einer Resuspension des Abraummaterials. Die Abdeckung mit einer Schicht inerten Materials verhindert signifikant die Pyritoxidation. Obwohl Zn im Abraummaterial mit lediglich 0,38% enthalten ist, war Zn, mit Ausnahme von Fe, das gelöste Metall mit der höchsten Konzentration in allen Säuleneluaten.

Estudio de laboratorio de colas de alto contenido en pirita sumergidas bajo una cubierta de agua en varias condiciones hidrodinámicas

Resumen

Muchos estudios han examinado la eficiencia de cubrimiento con agua para controlar el drenaje ácido de minas pero pocos han documentado la deposición de colas con alto contenido en pirita con baja capacidad de neutralizarse. Este estudio simuló los efectos de varias condiciones hidrodinámicas sobre la calidad del agua utilizando coberturas con agua sobre colas que contenían 80% de pirita. Las colas fueron ubicados en el fondo de columnas de laboratorio y cubiertas con agua desionizada. Las condiciones hidrodinámicas aplicadas fueron: estancada, estancada con infiltración intermitente hacia abajo, agitada continuamente con baja resuspensión de colas (130 a 180 mg/L) y continuamente agitada con alta resuspensión de colas (2910 a 3100 mg/L). También se estudió una columna cubierta con agua continuamente agitada y con una cubierta de arena ubicada sobre las colas. Las muestras de agua fueron analizadas mensualmente para determinar las variaciones en los parámetros geoquímicos en monitoreos entre 338 y 840 días. Con agua estancada, el pH se mantuvo cerca de la neutralidad y las concentraciones de los metales disueltos fueron generalmente bajos comparados con las columnas agitadas y con colas resuspendidas. El agregado de una capa de material inerte auxilió en la prevención de la oxidación de la pirita. El cinc fue el metal disuelto de mayor concentración (excepto por el hierro) en todos los lixiviados aunque las colas solo contenían 0,38 % de Zn.

富硫化物尾矿水下淹没处理技术的水动力条件影响试验研究

富硫化物尾矿水下淹没处理技术的水动力条件影响试验研究

许多研究成果证实了水层覆盖技术有效控制酸性废水产生的作用,但是低中和能力的富硫化物尾矿的水层覆盖处理技术仍少有研究。本文模拟研究了不同水动力条件对水层覆盖富硫化物尾矿(80%黄铁矿)的水质影响。实验柱底部充填尾矿,上部由去离子水覆盖。试验水动力条件包括:静水条件、静水伴间歇性向下入渗、持续搅拌并保持较低尾矿再悬浮浓度(130-180mg/L)、持续搅拌并保持较高尾矿再悬浮浓度(2910-3100 mg/L)。同时,试验研究了持续搅拌对尾矿之上同时覆盖砂层的影响。在338~840天的试验监测期间,每月分析覆层水和孔隙水样,识别地球化学参数变化指标。在静水条件下,pH保持近中性,溶解金属离子浓度远低于尾矿再悬浮试验柱。一层惰性材料的覆盖显著抑制了黄铁矿氧化。虽然Zn在尾矿中含量仅占0.38%,但是Zn在所有试验柱淋滤液中溶解浓度最高。

This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Research Institute on Mines and the Environment at UQAT-Polytechnique, the NSERC, for a Discovery Grant provided to the second author, and the URSTM staff for their help in the laboratory. Special thanks to Thomas Genty, who carried out the water sampling during the first author’s maternity leave.

References

  1. Adu-Wusu C, Yanful EK, Mian MH (2001) Field evidence of resuspension in a mine tailings pond. Can Geotech J 38:796–808CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Aubertin M, Chapuis RP (1991) Considérations hydro-géotechniques pour l’entreposage de résidus miniers dans le nord-ouest du Québec. In: Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on the Abatement of Acidic Drainage (ICARD), Montreal, MEND/CANMET, vol 3, pp 1–22Google Scholar
  3. Aubertin M, Bussière B, Bernier L (2002) Environnement et gestion des rejets miniers. Edition Presses internationales Polytechnique, Manuel sur Cédérom, Montréal, Québec, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  4. Awoh AS (2012) Étude du comportement géochimique de résidus miniers hautement sulfureux. Thèse de doctorat, Chaire industrielle CRSNG Polytechnique—UQAT en environnement et gestion des rejets miniers, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada [in French]Google Scholar
  5. Awoh AS, Mbonimpa M, Bussière B (2013a) Determination of the reaction rate coefficient of sulphide mine tailings deposited under water. J Environ Manag 128:1023–1032CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. Awoh AS, Mbonimpa M, Bussière B (2013b) Field study of the chemical and physical stability of highly sulphide-rich tailings stored under a shallow water cover. Mine Water Environ 32(1):42–55CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Benson BB, Krause D Jr (1984) Concentration and isotopic fractionation of dissolved oxygen in freshwater and seawater in equilibrium with the atmosphere. Limnol Oceanogr 29:620–632CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Benzaazoua M, Bussiere B, Dagenais A-M, Archambault M (2004) Kinetic test comparison and interpretation for prediction of the Joutel tailings acid generation potential. Environ Geol 46:1086–1101CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Berg P, Risgaard-Pertersed N, Rysgaard S (1998) Interpretation of measured concentration profiles in sediment pore water. Limnol Oceanogr 43:1500–1510CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Blowes DW, Ptacek CJ, Jambor JL, Weisener CG (2003) The geochemistry of acid mine drainage. Treatise Geochem 9:149–204CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Bussière B, Aubertin M, Zagury GJ, Potvin R, Benzaazoua M (2005) Principaux défis et pistes de solution pour la restauration des aires d’entreposage des rejets miniers abandonnées. Manuel sur CD-Rom Proc, Symp 2005 sur l’environnement et les mines, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  12. Catalan LJJ, Yanful EK (2002) Sediment-trap measurements of suspended mine tailings in shallow water cover. J Environ Eng 128:19–30CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. CEAEQ (2004) Détermination des solides en suspension totaux et volatils dans les effluents: méthode gravimétrique. Centre d’expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec (CEEAEQ), Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs du Québec, http://www.ceaeq.gouv.qc.ca/methodes/pdf/MA104SS11.pdf
  14. Collin M, Rasmuson A (1990) Mathematical modeling of water and oxygen transport in layered soil covers for deposits of pyritic mine tailings. In: Proceedings of GAC-MAC Annual Meeting, Acid Mine Drainage: designing for Closure, pp 311–333Google Scholar
  15. Çubukçu HE, Ersoy O, Aydar E, Çakir U (2008) WDS versus silicon drift detector EDS—a case report for the comparison of quantitative chemical analyses of natural silicate minerals. Micron 39:88–94CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Davé NK, Paktunc AD (2003) Surface reactivity of high-sulfide copper mine tailings under shallow water cover conditions. In: Proceedings of the 6th ICARD, pp 241–251Google Scholar
  17. Davé NK, Krishnappan BG, Davies M, Reid I (2003) Erosion characteristics of underwater deposited mine tailings. In: Proceedings of Mining and the Environment Conference, Sudbury, ON, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  18. Davé NK, Lim TP, Horne D, BoucherY, Stuparyk R (1997) Water cover on reactive tailings and wasterock: Laboratory studies of oxidation and metal release characteristics. In: Proceedings of the 4th ICARD, pp 779–794Google Scholar
  19. Doepker RD, Drake PL (1991) Laboratory study of submerged metal–mine tailings 1: effect of solid–liquid contact time and aeration on contaminant concentrations. Mine Water Environ 10:29–41Google Scholar
  20. Elberling B, Damgaard LR (2001) Microscale measurements of oxygen diffusion and consumption in subaqueous sulphide tailings. Geochem Cosmochim Acta 65:1897–1905CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Evangelou VP (1995) Pyrite oxidation and its control. CRC Press, Boca RatonGoogle Scholar
  22. Felmy AR, Griven JB, Jenne EA (1984) MINTEQ: a computer program for calculating aqueous geochemical equilibria. National Technical Information Services, SpringfieldGoogle Scholar
  23. Holmes PR, Crundwell FK (2000) The kinetics of the oxidation of pyrite by ferric ions and dissolved oxygen: an electrochemical study. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 64:263–274CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Holmström H, Öhlander B (1999) Oxygen penetration and subsequent reactions in flooded sulphidic mine tailings: a study at Stekenjokk, northern Sweden. Appl Geochem 14:747–759CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. Jambor JL, Blowes DW (1994) The environmental chemistry of sulphide mine–wastes. Mineralogical Assoc of Canada Short Course Handbook 22, Québec, QC, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  26. Kachhwal LK, Yanful EK (2010) Field measurement of re-suspension in a tailings pond by acoustic and optical backscatter instruments. CD-ROM Proceedings of the 63rd Canadian Geotechnical Conference and 6th Canadian Permafrost Conf, Calgary, AB, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  27. Landry B, Pageau JG, Gauthier M, Bernard J, Beaudin J, Duplessis D (1995) Prospection minière. Modulo Éditeur, Mont-Royal, Québec, Canada [in French]Google Scholar
  28. Li M, Aubé B, St-Arnaud L (1997) Consideration in the use of shallow water covers for decommissioning reactive tailings. In: Proceedings of the 4th ICARD, vol I, pp 115–130Google Scholar
  29. Mbonimpa M, Awoh AS, Beaud V, Bussière B, Leclerc J (2008) Spatial water quality distribution in the shallow water cover used to limit acid mine drainage generation at the Don Rouyn site (QC, Canada). In: Proceedings of the 61st Canadian Geotechnical Conf and 9th Joint CGS/IAH-CNC Groundwater Conf, Edmonton, AB, Canada, pp 855–862Google Scholar
  30. MEND (2001) Prevention and Control. MEND report 5.4.2d, Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND), Ottawa, ON, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  31. Merkus HG (2009) Particle size measurements: fundamentals, practice, quality. Springer, The NetherlandsGoogle Scholar
  32. Mian MF (2004) Erosion and resuspension of cohesive mine tailings. PhD thesis, London Univ of Western Ontario, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  33. Mian MH, Yanful EK (2004) Analysis of wind-driven resuspension of metal mine sludge in a tailings pond. J Environ Eng Sci 3:119–135CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  34. Mian MF, Yanful EK (2007) Erosion characteristics and resuspension of sub-aqueous mine tailings. J Environ Eng Sci 6:175–190CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  35. Mian MF, Yanful EK, Martinuzzi R (2007) Measuring the onset of mine tailings erosion. Can Geotech J 44:473–489CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  36. Nicholson RV, Gillham RW, Cherry JA, Reardon EJ (1989) Reduction of acid generation in mine tailings through the use of moisture-retaining layers as oxygen barriers. Can Geotech J 26:1–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  37. Peacey V, Yanful EK (2003) Metal mine tailings and sludge CO-deposition in a tailings pond. Water Air Soil Poll 145:307–339CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. Peacey V, Yanful EK, Payne R (2002) Field study of geochemistry and solute fluxes in flooded uranium tailings. Can Geotech J 39:357–376CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  39. Romano CG, Mayer KU, Jones DR, Ellerbroek DA, Blowes DW (2003) Effectiveness of various cover scenarios on the rate of sulfide oxidation of mine tailings. J Hydrol 271:171–187CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  40. Samad MA, Yanful EK (2004) Preliminary assessment of a monitoring and management model for sulfidic mine tailing ponds under shallow water covers. In: CD Proceedings of 57th Canadian Geotechnical Conf and 5th Joint CGS/IAH-CNC Conf, Session 4G, pp 1–8Google Scholar
  41. Silverman MP (1967) Mechanism of bacterial pyrite oxidation. J Bacteriol 94:1046–1051Google Scholar
  42. Vigneault BP, Campbell GC, Tessier A, De Vitre R (2001) Geochemical changes in sulfidic mine tailings stored under a shallow water cover. Water Res 35:1066–1076CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  43. Villeneuve M (2004) Évaluation du comportement géochimique à long terme de rejets miniers à faible potentiel de génération d’acide à l’aide d’essais cinétiques. Mémoire de maîtrise, Chaire industrielle CRSNG Polytechnique—UQAT, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada [in French]Google Scholar
  44. Yanful EK, Catalan LJJ (2002) Predicted and field measured resuspension of flooded mine tailings. J Environ Eng 128:341–351CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  45. Yanful EK, Simms PH (1997) Review of water cover sites and research projects. MEND report 2.18.1, Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND), Ottawa, ON, CanadaGoogle Scholar
  46. Yanful EK, Verma A (1999) Oxidation of flooded mine tailings due to resuspension. Can Geotech J 36:826–845CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  47. Yanful EK, Verma A, Straatman AS (2000) Turbulence driven metal release from suspended pyrrhotite tailings. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 126:1157–1165CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. Young RA (1995) The Rietveld method. Oxford University Press, OxfordGoogle Scholar
  49. Zheng CA, Allen CC, Bautlsta RG (1986) Kinetic study of the oxidation of pyrite in aqueous ferric sulphate. Ind Eng Chem Proc DD 25:308–317CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Akué Sylvette Awoh
    • 1
    • 2
  • Mamert Mbonimpa
    • 1
    • 2
  • Bruno Bussière
    • 1
    • 2
  • Benoît Plante
    • 1
    • 2
  • Hassan Bouzahzah
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Research Institute on Mines and the EnvironmentUQAT-PolytechniqueRouyn-NorandaCanada
  2. 2.Industrial NSERC, UQAT-Polytechnique, Environment and Mine Waste ManagementRouyn-NorandaCanada

Personalised recommendations