Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

Effects of Acid Mine Drainage on the Release of Aluminum from Clay Minerals

Vazquez Martinez, Oscar C (2011) Effects of Acid Mine Drainage on the Release of Aluminum from Clay Minerals. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

[img]
Preview
PDF
Primary Text

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

The objective of this PhD research was to investigate the leaching of acid clays with acid mine/rock drainages (AMD/ARD) typically found in U.S. soils and develop information supporting the phenomena of the release of elevated concentrations of aluminum from such interactions. In Pennsylvania, reported aluminum concentrations in discharge samples from 140 abandoned coal mines showed that over 50% of these water samples presented dissolved aluminum concentrations over 1 mg/L. Aluminum at these levels can be detrimental to freshwater aquatic ecosystems and thus, these data suggest that aluminum-containing AMD/ARD is a major problem in USA. Leaching of smectite clays with different synthetic AMD/ARD were conducted to explore the effect of common cations in pyritic and brackish/saline AMD/ARD, on the release of aluminum from clays at pH between 2 and 3 frequently found in the field. The major finding of this research is that the release of aluminum from smectite clays is enhanced by Fe2+, potassium (KCl) and sodium (NaCl) salts in AMD/ARD. The major mechanisms involved in the release of aluminum from these clays were: cation-exchange dominating the short-term and clay dissolution dominating the long-term leaching of aluminum from smectites. These results were consistent with the low iron concentrations and high aluminum concentrations observed in some field AMD/ARD.The outcome of this research adds new knowledge to the field of environmental science and engineering by pointing out the significant effects that K and Na salts in AMD/ARD have on the release of aluminum from clays. These K and Na salts in AMD/ARD promote the release of Al from field clays leading to deleterious effects on aquatic ecosystems. Thus, this research contributes to a better understanding of the occurrence of elevated levels of aluminum in AMD/ARD and will assist others to consider alternative remediation strategies in those locations where the in situ generation of high concentration of aluminum discharges may occur. The observation of greater concentrations of aluminum in leachate produced by brackish AMD/ARD implies that highway deicing salts in road runoff could aggravate the leaching of aluminum from pyritic rocks used as fill or exposed in road cuts.


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Vazquez Martinez, Oscar Cocv1@pitt.eduOCV1
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairNeufeld, Ronald D.neufeld@pitt.eduNEUFELD
Committee MemberNettleship, Iannettles@pitt.eduNETTLES
Committee MemberMonnell, Jasonjmonnell@pitt.eduJMONNELL
Committee MemberVallejo, Luis E.vallejo@pitt.eduVALLEJO
Date: 27 June 2011
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 22 March 2011
Approval Date: 27 June 2011
Submission Date: 3 February 2011
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: ALUMINUM; CLAY; ACID MINE DRAINAGE; SMECTITE; ACID ROCK DRAINAGE
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-02032011-092047/, etd-02032011-092047
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:31
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:36
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/6327

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item