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Performance of Sulfate-reducing Passive Bioreactors for the Removal of Cd and Zn from Mine Drainage in a Cold Climate

硫酸盐还原生物反应器去除Cold Clinate矿井废水中镉和锌

Leistungsvermögen von sulfatreduzierenden passiven Bioreaktoren beim Cd- und Zn-Entzug aus Bergbauabwasser unter kühlen Klimabedingungen

Comportamiento de biorreactores sulfato-reductores pasivos para la remoción de Cd y Zn desde drenaje de mina en clim frío

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Abstract

Passive treatment is a promising, green technology that is increasingly being used for mine drainage treatment. However, several challenges remain concerning its implementation in locations where the temperature of the water remains cold year round and bacterial growth is limited by the low temperatures. The impacts of cold on the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and the subsequent removal of Cd and Zn from acid mine drainage were studied by conducting static tests at 4.5 °C over a 90 day period. Different sources of carbon were tested to support native SRB: molasses, methanol, and a mix of molasses/methanol at different concentrations. The reactors were monitored biweekly, and the pH, oxido-reduction potential, and residual concentrations of Zn, Cd, sulfate, and total organic carbon were measured. The use of carbon sources clearly improved bacterial activity and consequently, the removal of Cd and Zn by precipitation as sulfide. Up to 94.8% of the Zn and up to 99.4% of the Cd were removed after 90 days, reducing metal concentrations below the discharge limits ([Cd] < 50 µg/L and [Zn] < 500 µg/L). The molasses + methanol mix was slightly more efficient than either. These findings indicated that native SRB might be used successfully to treat metal-contaminated mine water.

摘要

硫酸盐生物还原法 (SRB) 作为有潜力的矿山废水处理技术,正被越来越广泛地用作传统处理方法的可替代方法。该方法在终年寒冷和细菌生活受限区域的应用仍面临挑战。利用4.5℃条件下90多天的静态试验研究了低温对SRB活性和酸性废水镉和锌去除率的影响。SRB系统加入了糖浆(molasses,Mo)、甲醇(methanol)和糖浆与甲醇不同浓度混合物的碳源。SRB反应器大小为1升,监测频率每两周一次,监测项目包括pH值、氧化-还原电位(ORP)及锌、隔、硫酸盐和总有机碳的残余浓度。碳源的使用明显提高了细菌活性和硫化物沉淀态隔、锌去除率。反应90天后,锌去除率94.8%,镉去除率99.4%,镉和锌浓度分别低于50µg/L和500µg/L的废水排放标准。研究表明,本地硫酸盐还原菌能成功处理含重金属矿井废水。

Zusammenfassung

Die passive Behandlung von Bergbauabwasser durch Sulfat-reduzierende Bakterien (SRB) ist eine vielversprechende grüne Technologie, welche zunehmend als Alternative zu konventionellen Behandlungsmethoden eingesetzt wird. Es besteht jedoch noch weiterer Entwicklungsbedarf bei Anwendungen unter kühleren Klimabedingungen, wo die Wassertemperaturen über das gesamte Jahr niedrig sind und somit das Bakterienwachstum begrenzen. Der Einfluss niedriger Temperaturen auf die auf die Aktivität von SRB in saurem Grubenabwasser und die Auswirkung auf den Cd- und Zn-Entzug werden durch 90-tägige statische Tests bei 4.5 °C untersucht. Dabei wird der Einfluss unterschiedlicher Kohlenstoffquellen (Melasse (Mo), Methanol (MeOH), Mo/MeOH-Mischung) zusätzlich untersucht. Die ein Liter großen Reaktionsgefäße wurden zweimal in der Woche auf den pH-Wert, das Oxidations/Reduktionspotenzial (ORP) sowie auf Zn-, Cd-, Sulfat- und TOC- (Gesamter Organischer Kohlenstoff) Gehalte untersucht. Die Verwendung von zusätzlichen Kohlenstoffquellen erhöhte die Bakterienaktivität deutlich und wirkt sich somit auch auf die Metallfällung von Cd und Zn aus, wobei die Metalle als Sulfid gefällt werden. Bis zu 94.8% des Zn und 99.4% des Cd sind nach 90 Tagen gefällt worden, was zu Metallkonzentrationen unterhalb der Abflussgrenzwerte ([Cd] < 50 µg/L und [Zn] < 500 µg/L) führte. Die Nutzung der Mo+MeOH-Mischung war effizienter als die Verwendung von Melasse oder MeOH alleine. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die ursprünglich vorkommenden SRB erfolgreich bei der Behandlung schwermetallhaltigen Grubenabwassers eingesetzt werden könnten.

Resumen

El tratamiento pasivo, utilizando bacterias sulfato-reductoras (SRB), es una tecnología verde y promisoria que está siendo usada en forma creciente como alternativa para el tratamiento de drenajes de minas en lugar de métodos convencionales. Sin embargo, muchos desafíos aún existen para su implementación en climas fríos donde la temperatura del agua permanece fría todo el año por lo que el crecimiento bacteriano está limitado. A través de ensayos estáticos realizados a 4,5 C por 90 días, se estudió el impacto de las bajas temperaturas sobre la actividad de SRB y la consecuente remoción de Cd y Zn desde drenaje ácido de minas (AMD). Se ensayaron diferentes fuentes de carbono para el crecimiento de SRB: molasas (Mo), metanol (MeOH) y una mezcla de Mo/MeOH a diferentes concentraciones. Los reactores de 1 L de capacidad fueron monitoreados cada dos semanas y se midieron el pH, el potencial de óxido-reducción (ORP) y las concentraciones residuales de Zn, Cd, sulfatos y carbono total orgánico (TOC). El uso de fuentes de carbono mejora claramente la actividad bacteriana y consecuentemente la remoción de metales (Cd y Zn) por precipitación de sulfuros. Se removió arriba de 94,8% de cinc y arriba de 99,4% of cadmio después de 90 días, resultando en una reducción de las concentraciones de metales debajo de los límites de descarga ([Cd] < 50 µg/L y [Zn] < 500 µg/L). La mezcla Mo+MeOH fue ligeramente más eficiente que Mo o MeOH por separado. Estos resultados indicaron que las SRB podrían ser usadas exitosamente en el tratamiento de las aguas de descarga de minas contaminadas con metales pesados.

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Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are extended to the MITACS and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for their financial contributions and Alexco for the technical support they provided.

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  1. Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement), Université du Québec, 490 rue de la Couronne, Quebec, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada

    Guillaume Nielsen, Lucie Coudert, Jean Francois Blais & Guy Mercier

  2. Yukon Research Center, 500 College Drive, PO Box 2799, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 5K4, Canada

    Amelie Janin

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  1. Guillaume Nielsen
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  2. Amelie Janin
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Correspondence to Jean Francois Blais.

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Nielsen, G., Janin, A., Coudert, L. et al. Performance of Sulfate-reducing Passive Bioreactors for the Removal of Cd and Zn from Mine Drainage in a Cold Climate. Mine Water Environ 37, 42–55 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-017-0465-1

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