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Application of quantitative mineralogy on the neutralization–acid potential calculations within µm-scale stratified mine tailings

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Abstract

Estimation of the long-term environmental impact of mining wastes is of socio-economic interest. Bulk analytical approaches of the neutralizing (NP) and acid potentials (AP) provide in general worst-case scenarios for acid rock drainage (ARD) predictions and long-term evaluation. Taking individual graded layers with variable reactive mineral ratios into consideration, alternating zones, highly contrasting in their neutralizing and acid potential, can be identified and quantified using scanning electron microscope–mineral liberation analyzer (SEM–MLA) and μ-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF)–petrographic analyst (PA) for the first time. The bulk NP and AP values increased by a factor of 2.13 and 1.37, respectively, compared to the average values of the mineralogical NP/AP. At the contrasting boundaries, precipitation of pore-clogging secondary phases might be enhanced. These new information can be used as input parameters to model the future behavior of a non-homogeneous multiplied laminated body with reactive transport modeling.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the DAAD [Programme/-ID: Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists, 2015 (50015559)] to finance the first author. This work was logistically supported by BGR. The authors gratefully acknowledge Dominic Göricke (BGR) for helping in the analytical work. We thank the reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions that have significantly improved earlier versions of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, 82524, Sohag, Egypt

    Mostafa Redwan

  2. Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), Stilleweg 2, Hannover, 30655, Germany

    Dieter Rammlmair & Wilhelm Nikonow

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  1. Mostafa Redwan
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  2. Dieter Rammlmair
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  3. Wilhelm Nikonow
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Correspondence to Mostafa Redwan.

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Redwan, M., Rammlmair, D. & Nikonow, W. Application of quantitative mineralogy on the neutralization–acid potential calculations within µm-scale stratified mine tailings. Environ Earth Sci 76, 46 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6344-4

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