Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Partitioning of major and trace inorganic contaminants in fly ash acid mine drainage derived solid residues

  • Published:
International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Acid mine drainage was reacted with coal fly ash over a 24 h reaction time and species removal trends evaluated. The evolving process water chemistry was modeled by the geochemical code PHREEQC using WATEQ4 database. Mineralogical analysis of the resulting solid residues was done by X-ray diffraction analysis. Selective sequential extraction was used to evaluate the transfer of species from both acid mine drainage and fly ash to less labile mineral phases that precipitated out. The quantity of fly ash, volume of acid mine drainage in the reaction mixture and reaction time dictated whether the final solution at a given contact time will have a dominant acidic or basic character. Inorganic species removal was dependent on the pH regime generated at a specific reaction time. Sulphate concentration was controlled by precipitation of gypsum, barite, celestite and adsorption on iron-oxy-hydroxides at pH > 5.5. Increase of pH in solution with contact time caused the removal of the metal ions mainly by precipitation, co-precipitation and adsorption. PHREEQC predicted precipitation of iron, aluminium, manganese-bearing phases at pH 5.53–9.12. An amorphous fraction was observed to be the most important in retention of the major and minor species at pH > 6.32. The carbonate fraction was observed to be an important retention pathway at pH 4–5 mainly due to initial local pockets of high alkalinity on surfaces of fly ash particles. Boron was observed to have a strong retention in the carbonate fraction.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott, D. E.; Essington, M. E.; Mullen, M. D.; Ammons, J. T., (2001). Fly ash and lime-stabilized biosolid mixtures in mine spoil reclamation: Simulated weathering. J. Environ. Qual., 30(2), 608–616 (9 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Ghani, N. T.; Hegazy, A. K.; El-Chaghaby, G. A., (2009). Typha domingensis leaf powder for decontamination of aluminium, iron, zinc and lead: Biosorption kinetics and equilibrium modeling. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 6(2), 243–248 (6 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adamo, P.; Dudka, S.; Wilson, M. J.; McHardy, W. J., (1996). Chemical and mineralogical forms of Cu and Ni in contaminated soils from the Sudbury mining and smelting region, Canada. Environ. Pollut., 91(1), 11–19 (9 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adriano, D. C.; Page, A. L.; Elseewi, A. A.; Chang, A. C.; Straughan, I., (1980). Utilization and disposal of fly ash and other coal residues in terrestrial ecosystems: A review. J. Environ. Qual., 9(3), 333–344 (12 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agyei, N. M.; Strydom, C. A.; Potgieter, J. H., (2002). The removal of phosphate ions from aqueous solution by fly ash, slag, ordinary Portland cement and related blends. Cement Concret. Res., 32(12), 1889–1897 (9 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akira, I.; Yuka, S.; Tsunenoni, N.; Hirokazu, T.; Akira, O.; Shinji, K., (2005). Leaching characteristics of boron and selenium for various coal fly ashes. Fuel., 84(5), 479–485 (7 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ball, J. W.; Nordstrom, D. K., ( 1991). WATEQ4F-user’s manual with revised thermodynamic data base and test cases for calculating speciation of major, trace and redox elements in natural waters. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File., Report 90-129 (40 pages).

  • Beckett, P. H. T., (1988). The use of extractants in studies on the trace metals in soils, sewage sludges and sludge-treated soils. Adv. Soil Sci., 9(5), 144–175 (32 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brittons, H. T. S., (1956). Hydrogen ions, 4th Ed. Chapman and Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A., (1999). Chemical, physical and mineralogical properties associated with the hardening of some South African fly ashes. M.Sc. Thesis University of CapeTown, South Africa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, C. L.; Adriano, D. C., (1993). Environmental impacts of coal combustion residues. J. Environ. Qual., 22(2), 227–247 (21 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chao, T. T., (1972). Selective dissolution of manganese oxides from soils and sediments with acidified hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 36(5), 764–768 (5 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornell, R. M.; Schwertmann U., (1996). The iron oxides. VCH Verlagsgesellchaft, MBH.

  • Cravotta, C. A. I.; Mary, K. T., (1999). Limestone drains to increase pH and remove dissolved metals from acidic mine drainage. Appl. Geochem., 14(5), 581–606 (26 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eary, L. E.; Rai, D.; Mattigod, S. V.; Ainsworth, C. C., (1990). Geochemical factors controlling the mobilization of inorganic constituents from fossil fuel combustion residues: II, Review of the Minor Elements. J. Environ. Qual., 19(2), 202–214 (13 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Erol, M., KüÇükbayrak, S.; Ersoy-MeriÇboyu, A.; Uluba, T., (2005). Removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ in aqueous solutions by fly ash. Energy Conver. Manage., 46(7–8), 1319–1331 (13 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, X. D.; Dang, Z.; Huang, W. L.; Yang, C., (2009). Chemical speciation of fine particle bound trace metals. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 6(3), 337–346 (10 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foner, H. A.; Thomas, L. R.; Hower, C. J.; Uschi, M. G., (1999). Characterization of fly ash from Israel with reference to its possible utilization. Fuel., 78(2), 215–223 (9 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Furr, A. K.; Parkinson, T. F.; Hinrichs, R. A.; Van Campen, D. R.; Bache, C. A.; Gutenmann, W. H.; John J. L. E. S.; Pakkala, I. S.; Lisk, D. J., (1977). National survey of elements and radioactivity in fly ashes: Absorption of elements by cabbage grown in fly ash soil mixtures. Environ. Sci. Tech., 11(13), 1194–1201 (8 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gitari, M. W.; Petrik, L. F.; Etchebers, O.; Key, D. L.; Iwuoha, E.; Okujeni, C., (2006). Treatment of acid mine drainage with fly ash: Removal of major contaminants and trace elements. J. Environ. Sci. Health-Part A., A 41,(8), 1729–1747 (19 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gitari, M. W.; Petrik, L. F.; Etchebers, O.; Key, D. L.; Okujeni, C., (2008). Utilization of fly ash for treatment of coal mines wastewater: Solubility controls on major inorganic contaminants. Fuel., 87(12), 2450–2462 (13 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hullet, L. D.; Weinbeger, A. J., (1980). Some etching studies of the microstructure and composition of large aluminosilicate particles in fly ash from coal-burning power plants. Environ. Sci. Tech., 14(8), 965–970 (6 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenke, R. D.; Gordon, K. P., (1983). Chemical changes in concentrated, acidic, metal-bearing waste waters when treated with lime. Environ. Sci. Tech., 17(4), 217–223 (7 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jenne, E. A., (1977). Trace element sorption by sediments and soils-site and processes. in: Chappell, W.; Peterson, S. K. (Eds.), Proc. Symp. Molybdenum in the Environment. MarcelDekker, New York, 425–552 (28 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Karbassi, A. R.; Monavari, S. M.; Bidhendi, G. R. N.; Nouri, J., Nematpour, K., (2008). Metal pollution assessment of sediment and water in the Shur River. Environ. Monitor. Assess., 147(1–3), 107–116 (10 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kitano, Y.; Minoru, O.; Masatoshi, I., (1978). Co-precipitation of borate-boron with calcium carbonate. Geochem. J., 12(3), 183–189 (7 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krüger, J. E., (2003). South African fly ash: A cement extender. A South Coal Fly Ash Association publication.

  • Ma, L. Q.; Rao, G. N., (1997). Chemical fractionation of cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc contaminated soils. J. Environ. Qual., 26(1), 259–264 (6 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahvi, A. H., (2008). Application of agricultural fibers in pollution removal from aqueous solution. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 5(2), 275–285 (11 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maree, J. P.; Du Plessis, P.; Van der Walt, C. J., (1992). Treatment of acidic effluents with limestone instead of lime. Water Sci. Tech., 26(1–2) 345–355 (11 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maree, J. P.; Van Tonder, G. J.; Millard, P., (1996). Underground neutralization of mine water with limestone. Water Research Commission. Report No. 609/1/96.

  • Mattigod, S. V.; Dhanpat, R.; Eary, L. E.; Ainsworth, C. C., (1990). Geochemical factors controlling the mobilisation of inorganic constituents from fossil fuel combustion residues: 1. Review of the major elements. J. Environ. Qual., 19(2), 188–201 (14 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohsenzadeh, F.; Nouri, J.; Ranjbar, A.; Mohammadian Fazli, M.; Babaie, A. A., (2006). Air pollution control through kiln recycling by-pass dust in a cement factory: Iran. J. Environ. Health Sci. Eng., 3(1), 5–8 (4 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muller, J.; Seiler, K. P., (1999). Relevance of self-sealing processes in pyrite sinters for heavy metal mobility. Armanson, A. H. (Ed.), 5th. Symposium in Geochemistry of the Earth’s Surface. Balkema, Rotterdam, 211–214 (4 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nameni, M.; Alavi Moghadam, M. R.; Arami, M., (2008). Adsorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by wheat bran. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 5(2), 161–168 (8 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nordstrom, D. K.; Alpers, C. N., (1999). Geochemistry of acid mine waters. in: Plumlee, G. S.; Logsdon, M.J. (Eds.), The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits part A. processes, techniques and health issues, Reviews in Economic Geology., 6A, 133–160, SEG Inc, Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okafor, E. Ch.; Opuene, K., (2007). Preliminary assessment of trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 4(2), 233–240 (8 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Page, A. L.; Elseewi, A. A.; Straughan, I., (1979). Physical and chemical properties of fly ash from coal-fired power plants with reference to environmental impacts. Resid. Rev., 71, 83–120 (38 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parkhurst, D. L., (1995). User’s guide to PHREEQC—A computer program for speciation, reaction-path, advective-transport, and inverse geochemical calculations: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report No 95-4227.

  • Pérez-López, R.; Nieto, J. M.; Almodovar, G. R., (2007a). Utilization of fly ash to improve the quality of the acid mine drainage generated by oxidation of a sulphide-rich mining waste: Column experiements. Chemosphere, 67(8), 1637–1646 (28 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-López, R.; Cama, J.; Nieto, J. M.; Ayora, C., (2007b). The iron-coating role on the oxidation kinetics of a pyritic sludge doped with fly ash. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta., 71(7), 1921–1934 (14 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-López, R.; Álvarez-Valero, A. M.; Nieto, J. M.; Almodóvar, G. R., (2007c). Mineralogy of the hardpan formation processes in the interface between sulphide-rich sludge and fly ash: Applications for acid mine drainage mitigation. Am. Mineralog., 92(11–12), 1966–1977 (12 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plank, C. O.; Martens, D. C., (1974). Boron availability as influenced by application of fly ash to soil. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc., 38(6), 974–977 (4 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reardon, E. J.; Czank, C. A.; Warren, C. J.; Dayal, R., Johnson, H. M., (1995). Determining controls on element concentrations in fly ash leachate. Waste Manage. Res., 13(5), 435–450 (16 pages).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seth, R.; Elliot, W. C., (2000). The effects of pH regulation upon the release of sulfate from ferric precipitates formed in acid mine drainage. Appl. Geochem., 15(1), 27–34 (8 pages).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuman, L. M., (1985). Fractionation method for soil micronutrients. Soil Sci., 140(1), 11–22 (12 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spears, D. A.; Lee, S., (2004). Geochemistry of leachates from coal ash, Geological Society, London. Special publications. 236, 619–639 (21 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sposito, G., (1983). The chemical forms of trace metals in soils. Thornton, I. (Ed.). Applied Environmental Geochemistry. Academic press, London, 123–170 (49 pages).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stumm, W.; Lee, G. F., (1961). Oxygenation of Ferrous iron. Ind. Eng. Chem., 53(2), 143–146 (4 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tessier, A.; Campell, P. G. C.; Bison, M., (1979). Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals. Anal. Chem., 51(7), 844–850 (7 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uhlmann, W. H.; Buttcher, O. T.; Steinberg, C. E. W., (2004). Buffering of acidic mine lakes: The relevance of surface exchange and solid bound sulphate. Mine. Water Environ., 23(1), 20–27 (8 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ure, A.; Quevaullier, P. H.; Muntau, H.; Griepink, B., (1993). Speciation of heavy metals in soils and sediments. An account of the improvement and harmonization of extraction techniques undertaken under the auspices of the BCR of the CEC. Int. J. Environ. Analyt. Chem., 51(1–4), 135–151 (17 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xenidis, A.; Evangelia, M.; Ioannis P., (2002). Potential use of lignite fly ash for the control of acid generation from sulphidic wastes. Waste Manage., 22(6), 631–641 (11 pages).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Younger, P. L.; Banwart, S. A.; Hedin, R. S., (2002). Mine water, hydrology, pollution, remediation. Kluwer academic Publishers Dordrecht. Chapter Two: Mine water chemistry.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Resource Management, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, South Africa

    W. M. Gitari (Senior Lecturer)

  2. Chemistry Department, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

    L. F. Petrik (Senior Lecturer) & D. L. Key (Full Professor)

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

    C. Okujeni (Full Professor)

Authors
  1. W. M. Gitari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. F. Petrik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. L. Key
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. Okujeni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. M. Gitari.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gitari, W.M., Petrik, L.F., Key, D.L. et al. Partitioning of major and trace inorganic contaminants in fly ash acid mine drainage derived solid residues. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 7, 519–534 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326161

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326161

Keywords

Search

Navigation