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CHARACTERIZATION AND PH/EH-BASED LEACHING TESTS OF MINING WASTES CONTAINING MERCURY
Citation:
Chattopadhyay, S., J. A. Ickes, J. Lipps, AND P M. Randall*. CHARACTERIZATION AND PH/EH-BASED LEACHING TESTS OF MINING WASTES CONTAINING MERCURY. Presented at Third International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, Monterey, CA, 5/19-23/2002.
Description:
This study was undertaken as a part of developing treatment alternatives for waste materials, primarily waste rock and roaster tailings, from sites contaminated with Mercury (Hg) mining wastes. Leaching profiles of waste rock over a range of different pH and oxidation-reduction (Eh) conditions were performed. Since iron (Fe) is present in large quantities in mining wastes, the effect of Fe on leaching of Hg was also determined. Results show that the Hg concentration increased as the pH of the suspension increased until a pH value of 10.65. Thereafter, the Hg concentration decreased sharply. The Hg concentration in presence of Fe decreased significantly (1/10th to 1/1000th). Kinetics results show a relatively slow rate of leaching in presence of ferric irons. The results obtained from the present study are being used to predict the fate and stability of Hg present in the environment, and will therefore, be useful in dictating the nature and suitability of any remediation treatment.