Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modifying alumina red mud to support a revegetation cover

  • Research Summary
  • Aluminum
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Alumina red mud, a fine-textured, iron-rich, alkaline residue, is the major waste product of bauxite digestion with caustic soda to remove alumina. The high alkalinity and salinity as well as the poor nutrient status are considered to be the major constraints of red mud revegetation. This research was conducted to evaluate the ameliorating effect of gypsum, sewage sludge, ferrous sulfate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and calcium phosphate on alumina red mud. The effectiveness of the mixtures was evaluated by applying extraction tests and performing experiments using six plant species. Gypsum amendment significantly reduced the pH, electrical conductivity, and sodium and aluminum content of red mud. Sewage sludge application had an extended effect in improving both the soil structure and the nutrient status of the gypsum-amended red mud. Together with the gypsum and sewage sludge, calcium phosphate application into red mud enhanced plant growth and gave the most promising results.

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

  1. R.U. Ayres, J. Holmberg, and B. Anderson, “Materials and the Global Environment: Waste Mining in the 21st Century, Materials Challenges for the Next Century,” MRS Bulletin, 26 (6), (2001), pp. 477–480; www.mrs.org/publications/bulletin.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. N.J. Barrow, “Possibility of Using Caustic Residue from Bauxite for Improving the Chemical and Physical Properties of Sandy Soil,” Aust. J. Agrc. Res., 33 (1982), pp. 275–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. J.W.C. Wong and G.E. Ho, “Use of Waste Gypsum in the Revegetation on Red Mud Deposits: A Greenhouse Study,” Waste Management & Res., 11 (1993), pp. 249–256.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. J.W.C. Wong and G.E. Ho, “Effectiveness of Acidic Industrial Wastes for Reclaiming Fine Bauxite Refining Residue (Red Mud),” Soil Sci., 158 (1994), pp. 247–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. J.R. Meecham and L.C. Bell, “Revegetation of Alumina Refinery Wastes 1, Properties and Amelioration of Materials,” Aust. J. Exp. Agric. Anim. Husb., 17 (1977), pp. 679–688.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual, Soil Survey Investigation, Report No. 42, Version 3.0, USDA (January 1996).

  7. G.E. Ho, “Overcoming the Salinity and Sodicity of Red Mud for Rehabilitation and Reuse,” 43rd Purdue Industrial Waste Conf. Proc. (Chelsea, Michigan: Lewis Publishers Inc., 1989), pp. 641–649.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the School of Mining Engineering and Metallurgy, the National Technical University of Athens, Greece

    A. Xenidis (research associate), A. D. Harokopou (research associate) & E. Mylona (research associate)

  2. the Landscape Architecture and Land Reclamation Department, the Forest Research Institute of Athens, Greece

    G. Brofas (senior researcher)

Authors
  1. A. Xenidis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. D. Harokopou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. E. Mylona
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Brofas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

For more information, contact A. Xenidis, National Technical University of Athens, Laboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining Engineering and Metallurgy, GR 157 80 Zografos, Athens, Greece; axen@central.ntua.gr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Xenidis, A., Harokopou, A.D., Mylona, E. et al. Modifying alumina red mud to support a revegetation cover. JOM 57, 42–46 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-005-0214-y

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-005-0214-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation