Conceptual Methods for Recovering Metal Resources From Passive Treatment Systems

Gusek, James J.; Wildeman, Thomas R.; Conroy, Kevin W.

doi:10.21000/jasmr06020690

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The author assumes that the reader is already very familiar with passive treatment processes; it is not intended to be an introductory primer as there are numerous publications and online information that satisfy that knowledge gap. For example, the biochemical reactor (BCR) technology, which is used in most of the forthcoming mini-case histories, is addressed by the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council [2] . This reference, to which this author contributed, provides advantages and disadvantages of the BCR technology and other details.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

35 years of lessons learned designing, building, and monitoring passive treatment systems for mining influenced water (part 1)

Gusek

2024

Miner Miner Mater

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

While natural processes have been remediating acidic water exhibiting elevated dissolved metals for eons, engineers and scientists have been trying to mimic nature in the treatment of mining influenced water for only about 50 years. The technical community has adopted the term “passive treatment” to describe the technology. The design of passive treatment systems is based on the application of multidisciplinary engineering sciences including biogeochemistry, hydraulics, physics, microbiology, and agronomics to name a few. Consequently, there are many opportunities to not quite “get it right” in passive treatment system design, construction, and operation. Fortunately, Mother Nature can be quite forgiving and sometimes a design or operational hiccup can reveal new insights. The case histories presented in this review reflect the learning experiences of a mining engineer whose technical education barely touched on the fundamentals of passive treatment system design. Early system designs were often based on the findings of other practitioners who were gracious enough to share their knowledge at pre-internet conferences and in easy-to-understand publications. Indeed, the current state of practice of passive treatment design rests on the shoulders of a few brilliant pioneers, most of whom are still with us. This review continues the sharing tradition. The common thread among the mini-case histories discussed is that most are from bench- and pilot-scale testing programs, which reinforces the benefits of small-scale testing as an economical way to accumulate valuable lessons learned experience with minimum risk. Key takeaways from the lessons learned by this author are:● Biochemical reactors (BCRs) can be overloaded, but only for a short time to avoid permanent harm to the microbial community.● Other metal removal processes can substitute for sulfate reduction in overloading situations but the beneficial effects may be reversible.● Media material substitution risk in full scale construction can be lessened if bench or pilot data is available.● BCRs are feasible in cold climates.● The age of woody material (fresh vs . moldy) in BCR media is inconsequential.● Allow plants to grow on BCR surfaces with caution.● Excessive aluminum concentrations do not cause BCR media to plug.● Metal adsorption to manganese oxide coatings may be a viable alternative to sulfide precipitation in BCRs.● Mixing bypassed mining influenced water with BCR effluent may offer benefits in a freshet.● A test failure may be due to an improper design and should not condemn the passive treatment concept.● In final design and construction, avoid deviating from the bench- or pilot-scale test conditions.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

35 years of lessons learned designing, building, and monitoring passive treatment systems for mining influenced water (part 1)

Gusek

2024

Miner Miner Mater

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This liquid often contains toxic metals, such as copper or iron. These, combined with reduced pH, have a detrimental impact on the streams aquatic environments [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiological and chemical evaluation of acid mine drainage from mining sites in Southwestern, Nigeria

Agnes¹,

Olaniyi²

2021

GSC Biol. and Pharm. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microbial content of acid mine drainage effluents contaminated streams from some geographical areas was evaluated. Water was obtained from acid mine drainage sites in Ekiti and Osun state where twelve (12) samples were obtained from different locations. Culture plating method was used to analyze the samples for bacteria, and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu and Mn. The results of biochemical and morphological characterization of the isolates revealed three probable bacterial from the samples which are Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus aureus; B. subtilis being the bacteria with the highest percentage frequency of occurrence. Heavy metals analysis of the mine drains shows that the concentration of Cd, Co, Pb, Cr and Zn exceeded permissible limit set by WHO except Cu and Mn. The results of this study established the presence of bacterial and heavy metals in acid mine drainage sites, which is an indication that the acid mine effluents are contaminated. It is therefore essential for proper dissemination of information concerning the dangers these microbes and heavy metals could pose to human.

show abstract

“…Most biotic anaerobic passive treatment systems add hardness, alkalinity, and organic matter to the MIW, all of which can be beneficial to overall water quality and aquatic life (Blumenstein et al, 2006). While their anaerobic bio-geochemical environment is a prime reason they are successful at adding alkalinity and removing target constituents such as heavy metals and other compounds that can otherwise be difficult to remove (Postgate, 1979, Wildeman, et al, 1993, Gusek, 2000, Gusek, 2001, Busler et al, 2002, Thomas and Romanek, 2002, Seyler et al, 2003, Gusek et al, 2006, Faulkner et al, 2007, that same environment also causes oxygen depletion, producing "treated" water that has low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nuisance Constituents in Passive Water Treatment Systems– A Specific Case Study

Blumenstein¹,

Gusek²

2010

JASMR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

While passive treatment has been proven effective at removing heavy metals and adding alkalinity to mining influenced water (MIW), many forms of passive treatment result in the production of "nuisance" constituents that must be addressed prior to discharge. Such "nuisance" constituents include reduced compounds (such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and total organic carbon) that contribute to biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand. Each of these constituents may be regulated necessitating secondary or tertiary treatment prior to discharge.The focus of this paper addresses the "nuisance" constituents that have formed in a specific anaerobic bio-geochemical reactor: how these constituents formed, the length of time they may persist, and ways in which they may be treated. The passive treatment system analyzed is located on a confidential mine site in central Montana. The system consists of a biochemical reactor and an aerobic polishing cell; it was constructed in the fall of 2007 and has run continuously since.

show abstract

Conceptual Methods for Recovering Metal Resources From Passive Treatment Systems

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

35 years of lessons learned designing, building, and monitoring passive treatment systems for mining influenced water (part 1)

35 years of lessons learned designing, building, and monitoring passive treatment systems for mining influenced water (part 1)

Microbiological and chemical evaluation of acid mine drainage from mining sites in Southwestern, Nigeria

Nuisance Constituents in Passive Water Treatment Systems– A Specific Case Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About