Evaluation of Newly Developed Aluminum, Lime, and Fly Ash Technology for Solidifaction/Stabilization of Mine Tailings
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 1
Abstract
In this study, samples treated with aluminum, lime, and fly ash technology were subjected to different leaching tests per the toxicity characteristics leaching procedures (TCLP). The leachants were simulated groundwater, acid rain, sulfuric acid solution (modified TCLP), and 0.1 molar acetic acid solution (TCLP). The leachate solutions were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy for the metal concentrations. The success of the treatment was evaluated based on results of leachability combined with X-ray diffraction analysis. The results of the experiments indicate that upon availability of aluminum for reaction, ettringite, and ettringitelike minerals are formed and precipitated as stable minerals. Moreover, the high hydrogen ion concentration environment of the samples, produced by lime and fly ash addition, and the stabilization effect of ettringite had contributed significantly to the reduction of the solubility of heavy metals. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that ettringite remained stable during the testing period of 660 days.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 1 • January 2007
Pages: 105 - 111
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 27, 2005
Accepted: Jul 29, 2005
Published online: Jan 1, 2007
Published in print: Jan 2007
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Hilary I. Inyang
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