Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations
The design an effective treatment processes for the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) requires an understanding of the composition of the AMD water. The pH and elemental composition of AMD waters are site specific and are dependent on the regional geology, and environmental factors. To establi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Environmental Advances |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266676572200076X |
| _version_ | 1818546761590898688 |
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| author | Janet Smith Craig Sheridan Lizelle van Dyk Kevin G. Harding |
| author_facet | Janet Smith Craig Sheridan Lizelle van Dyk Kevin G. Harding |
| author_sort | Janet Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The design an effective treatment processes for the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) requires an understanding of the composition of the AMD water. The pH and elemental composition of AMD waters are site specific and are dependent on the regional geology, and environmental factors. To establish the chemical and physical characteristics of two AMD sites located in the Mpumalanga coal mining region, South Africa, samples were taken between February 2018 to April 2019. These data were compared against regulatory legislation, and the potential health effects of exposure indicated. Strong correlations were noted between parameters and statistical evaluation demonstrated that electrical conductivity (EC) could be a useful correlative for prediction of total acidity, dissolved iron, and sulfur concentrations in acidic AMD waters. From these findings, empirical correlations were used to derive regression equations which were used to derive the EC values corresponding to the respective water quality limits for total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved iron, and sulfur to provide a rapid method for testing compliance. Given the site specificity of AMD composition, this approach is intended as a proof of concept for the development of a methodology for adaption at other AMD sites. The regression equations should not be considered as universal to all AMD sites and EC should also not be used as a replacement for more complete chemical analysis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T07:57:34Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-7657 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T07:57:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Environmental Advances |
| spelling | doaj.art-32dd512da7f0446191850cd1b2f4fb0f2022-12-22T00:32:16ZengElsevierEnvironmental Advances2666-76572022-07-018100241Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrationsJanet Smith0Craig Sheridan1Lizelle van Dyk2Kevin G. Harding3Centre in Water Research and Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa; School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa; CM Solutions Metallurgical Consultancy and Laboratories (Pty) Ltd, Pinelands Office Park, Unit T5, 1 Ardeer Road, Modderfontein 1609, South Africa; Corresponding author at: CM Solutions Metallurgical Consultancy and Laboratories (Pty) Ltd, Pinelands Office Park, Unit T5, 1 Ardeer Road, Modderfontein 1609, South AfricaCentre in Water Research and Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa; School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South AfricaCentre in Water Research and Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa; School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South AfricaCentre in Water Research and Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa; School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South AfricaThe design an effective treatment processes for the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) requires an understanding of the composition of the AMD water. The pH and elemental composition of AMD waters are site specific and are dependent on the regional geology, and environmental factors. To establish the chemical and physical characteristics of two AMD sites located in the Mpumalanga coal mining region, South Africa, samples were taken between February 2018 to April 2019. These data were compared against regulatory legislation, and the potential health effects of exposure indicated. Strong correlations were noted between parameters and statistical evaluation demonstrated that electrical conductivity (EC) could be a useful correlative for prediction of total acidity, dissolved iron, and sulfur concentrations in acidic AMD waters. From these findings, empirical correlations were used to derive regression equations which were used to derive the EC values corresponding to the respective water quality limits for total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved iron, and sulfur to provide a rapid method for testing compliance. Given the site specificity of AMD composition, this approach is intended as a proof of concept for the development of a methodology for adaption at other AMD sites. The regression equations should not be considered as universal to all AMD sites and EC should also not be used as a replacement for more complete chemical analysis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266676572200076XPhysio-chemical compositionElectrical conductivityCorrelationRegression equations |
| spellingShingle | Janet Smith Craig Sheridan Lizelle van Dyk Kevin G. Harding Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations Environmental Advances Physio-chemical composition Electrical conductivity Correlation Regression equations |
| title | Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations |
| title_full | Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations |
| title_fullStr | Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations |
| title_short | Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations |
| title_sort | critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations |
| topic | Physio-chemical composition Electrical conductivity Correlation Regression equations |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266676572200076X |
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