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Development of Artificial Geochemical Filter to Treat Acid Mine Drainage for Safe Disposal of Mine Water in Salt Range Portion of Indus Basin—A Lab to Pilot Scale Study

Author

Listed:
  • Abdul Jabbar Khan

    (Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
    NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Gulraiz Akhter

    (Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
    China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences, CAS-HEC, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan)

  • Yonggang Ge

    (Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
    Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Earth Surface Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Muhammad Shahid

    (NUST Institute of Civil Engineering (NICE), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Khalil Ur Rahman

    (State Key Laboratory of Hydro-Science and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100190, China)

Abstract

Several passive and active treatment approaches are available for dealing with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Despite a range of newly emergent techniques for the treatment of AMD, pH control using low-cost neutralizing reagents has been the most common and economical technique for the treatment of AMD. Thereby, owing to their widespread availability, ease of use, and cost effectiveness, active treatment techniques utilizing calcium-based reagents (particularly limestone) are considered the prime choice for treating AMD. Limestone is a well-known option worldwide for AMD neutralization thanks to its easy availability, low cost, and excellent efficiency. Generally, acidity is reduced by the presence of CaCO 3 and alkalinity (i.e., HCO −3 ) is increased. pH can be increased from 2.5 to 7.5 by using limestone as a treating agent, resulting in the precipitation of heavy metals, which can then be removed by precipitation and sorption. Wargal limestone, a well-known limestone from the Salt Range, Indus basin, Pakistan, has high potential for neutralization and treatment of PTEs present in mine water or AMD. After selecting a suitable neutralization material at pilot scale, two different filters were designed using selected Wargal limestone: Filter 1 A (Oxic-based, Vertical bed-type Wargal Limestone Filter) and Filter 1 B (Anoxic-based Vertical bed-type Wargal Limestone Filter with Compost). The pH of the AMD under study was elevated from 2.5 to 7.65 and 7.60, respectively, in uncoated and coated media of limestone. Although the neutralization potential decreased over time, as an overall phenomenon the Ca concentration and net alkalinity (280–360 mg/L) were increased with the removal of metals such as Fe, Cu, Pb and Mn. The respective removal efficiency of these metals was 98%, 99%, 99% and 60%, with a threshold residence time of 5 h. in all columns of the developed filters.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdul Jabbar Khan & Gulraiz Akhter & Yonggang Ge & Muhammad Shahid & Khalil Ur Rahman, 2022. "Development of Artificial Geochemical Filter to Treat Acid Mine Drainage for Safe Disposal of Mine Water in Salt Range Portion of Indus Basin—A Lab to Pilot Scale Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7693-:d:846433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xianjun, C. & Zhanyi, G. & Jayawardane, N. & Blackwell, J. & Biswas, T., 2003. "Filter technology: integrated wastewater irrigation and treatment, a way of water scarcity alleviation, pollution elimination and health risk prevention," Conference Papers h033504, International Water Management Institute.
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