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Performances of stabilization/solidification process of acid mine drainage passive treatment residues: Assessment of the environmental and mechanical behaviors

2020; Elsevier BV; Volume: 269; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110764

1095-8630

Marouen Jouini, Mostafa Benzaazoua, Carmen Mihaela Neculita, Thomas Genty,

Concrete and Cement Materials Research

Residues from passive treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) have variable chemical stability and could regenerate contaminated drainage. Stabilization/solidification (S/S) can prevent contaminant leaching. Residues were collected from a tri-step AMD field passive treatment system, operated for 6 years at the reclaimed Lorraine mine site, Quebec, Canada. General Use Portland cement (GU), blended binders based on GU with pozzolanic additives (ground-granulated blast-furnace slag; GGBFS and fly ash type C; FAC) were used as hydraulic binders, in proportions (w/w %) of 100GU, 20GU/80GGBFS, and 50GU/50FAC, respectively. Residues were mixed with wood ash (35%) and sand (25%), while reference samples (100% sand) were also prepared. Prior to S/S, raw materials were characterized. The S/S effectiveness was assessed mineralogically and mechanically (unconfined compressive strength; UCS). Environmental behavior assessment (static vs semi-dynamic leaching tests) was also performed. UCS results showed that strength increase with age. At 56 days, GU- (1.3 MPa) and GU/GGBFS (0.7 MPa) satisfied Quebec's strength requirements for landfill disposal (0.7 MPa), but not GU/FAC (0.6 MPa), while all samples satisfied USEPA criteria (0.35 MPa). The semi-dynamic test showed that all elements can be immobilized successfully in GU- and GU/GGBFS. The GU binder had the best stabilizing performance. Based on USEPA requirements, S/S using GU, GGBFS, and FAC can be also considered for contaminant immobilization in AMD passive treatment residues. Finally, the comparison between replicates using Student's t-test indicated good reproducibility of S/S treatment.