In 1978, we performed laboratory experiments to investigate the efficacy of several control options for treating coal wastes at the preparation plant or during disposal. Our research revealed that calcining is one of the more effective and permanent means of treating high-sulfur coal wastes before disposal to decrease, quite dramatically, the release of environmentally undesirable pollutants into the drainages from disposal sites. Another promising control method is codisposal of the coal wastes with lime or limestone to neutralize the acid drainage and retain soluble aqueous contaminants within the waste site. Other experiments have examined the feasibility of using natural sealants, such as clays, soils, calcite, and cements, to isolate the disposal site from its immediate environment. The various tradeoffs for these control options are discussed in terms of contaminant reduction, complexity, permanency, and cost. We have begun an assessment of coal preparation wastes from the Appalachian region. Based on the work we have done on refuse from a single plant, it is clear that coal wastes containing a low percentage of pyrite plant, it is clear that coal wastes containing a low percentage of pyrite (< 1 %) generate worrisome amounts of acid drainage. Our experimental results show that the trace elements of environmental concern in the leachates from these low-sulfur wastes are aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel, and copper when their concentrations are in excess of the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended Minimum Acute Toxicity Effluent (MATE) values. (ERA citation 05:009600)

"Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory." "June 1979." Includes bibliographical references. "EPA/DoE interagency agreement no. IAG-D5-E681, program element no. INE825." "DoE LA-7831-PR." "LA-7831-PR"--Cover.