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Inhibition of pyrite oxidation by surface coating: a long-term field study

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Abstract

Pyrite and other iron sulfides are readily oxidized by dissolved oxygen in aqueous phase, producing acidity and Fe2+, which causes significant environmental problems. Applications of surface coating agents (Na2SiO3 and KH2PO4) were conducted at Boeun (Chungbuk, South Korea) outcrop site, and their efficiencies to inhibit the oxidation of sulfide minerals were monitored for a long-term period (449 days). The rock sample showed positive Net Acid Production Potential (NAPP = 20.23) and low Net Acid Generation pH (NAGpH = 2.42) values, suggesting that the rock sample was categorized in the potential acid-forming group. For the monitored time period (449 days), field study results showed that the application of Na2SiO3 effectively inhibited the pyrite oxidation as compared to KH2PO4. Na2SiO3 as a surface coating agent maintained pH 5–6 and reduced oxidation of pyrite surface up to 99.95 and 97.70 % indicated by Fe2+ and SO4 2− release, respectively. The scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis indicated that the morphology of rock surface was completely changed attributable to formation of iron silicate coating. The experimental results suggested that the treatment with Na2SiO3 was highly effective and it might be applicable on field for inhibition of iron sulfide oxidation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thankfully acknowledge Mine Reclamation Corporation for their support for this entire project. This work was also supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) grant funded by the Korea government(MSIP) (No. NRF-2013R1A2A2A07069183)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-ro, Seoul, 04763, South Korea

    Chan-Ung Kang, Byong-Hun Jeon, Seong-Sook Park, Jin-Soo Kang, Kang-Ho Kim & Sun-Joon Kim

  2. Mine Reclamation Corporation, 2, Segye-ro, Wonju, 16464, South Korea

    Dong-Kwan Kim & Ui-Kyu Choi

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  1. Chan-Ung Kang
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  2. Byong-Hun Jeon
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  3. Seong-Sook Park
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  4. Jin-Soo Kang
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  5. Kang-Ho Kim
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Correspondence to Sun-Joon Kim.

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Kang, CU., Jeon, BH., Park, SS. et al. Inhibition of pyrite oxidation by surface coating: a long-term field study. Environ Geochem Health 38, 1137–1146 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-015-9778-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-015-9778-9

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