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Reasons for the Formation of Acidic Drainage Water in Dumps of Sulfide-Containing Rocks

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Abstract—

A critical analysis of experimental and computational studies on the actual ecological problem of the formation of acidic drainage waters in dumps of sulfide-containing rocks has been carried out. The focus is placed onto assessing reasons for changes in the oxidation rate of pyrite (r), which is the most common sulfide. The dependences of r on temperature, pH, and contents of O2 and Fe3+ in the solution remain almost the only ones expressed in the form of equations. The slow stage of Fe2+ oxidation in acidic solutions cannot control r under natural conditions, because this process is accelerated by iron-oxidizing bacteria. The value of r also changes depending on the type and content of isomorphic admixtures in pyrite, decreases under the influence of some ligands and other sulfides (galvanic effect), and varies with time. The effect of time is usually explained by the formation of a surface protective layer of reaction products, but a probable alternative explanation is the dissolution (disappearance) of surface defects. Depending on the content and activity of minerals that produce and neutralize acid, the weathering of dumps can proceed with the formation of acidic or near-neutral solutions. Scenarios of the processes are predicted using static and kinetic tests, which have significant disadvantages because of the differences between the laboratory and field conditions. The use of mathematical modeling for this purpose is promising, but so far it is limited due to the simplification of models and calculation errors. However, the simulation has clearly showed that the value of r in the dumps is controlled by the rate of O2 delivery, which in turn depends on the pore size, the degree of pore filling with water, and the temperature and pressure gradients. To prevent and recultivate acidic drainage waters, materials are used that isolate individual grains of sulfides (microencapsulation) or the entire dump from O2 penetration, alkaline materials that neutralize acid, bactericides that reduce the activity of iron-oxidizing bacteria, and bioreactors in which metal sulfides are deposited under the action of sulfate-reducing bacteria.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author thanks M.V. Mironenko for stimulating this study. The anonymous reviewer is thanked for constructive criticism.

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  1. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    V. A. Alekseyev

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Translated by E. Kurdyukov

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Alekseyev, V.A. Reasons for the Formation of Acidic Drainage Water in Dumps of Sulfide-Containing Rocks. Geochem. Int. 60, 78–91 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702922010025

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