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Chemical and mineralogical transformations in three tropical soils due to permeation with acid mine drainage

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Abstract

The chemical and mineralogical compositions of three tropical soils, before and after permeation with 19–24 pore volumes of acid mine drainage (AMD), were assessed using X-ray diffraction and chemical analyses, in order to consider their potential value as clay liners. After permeation the CEC of one soil (Soil K) was reduced, partly due to structural modification of smectite by AMD. Conversely, the other soils (Soils A and H) showed increased CEC values due to structural changes in mixed layer vermiculite minerals, resulting in the formation of vermiculite as a separate phase in the soils. The specific surfaces of the soils were reduced. AMD caused changes in the variable charge properties of the soils due to the composite effects of soil pH and organic matter reduction and the changes in composition of exchangeable ions. Dolomite, gibbsite, diaspore, magnesioferrite and hydroxy apatite were dissolved from the soils. Chlorite was mildly altered but kaolinite was structurally resistant to AMD attack. Jarosites were, however, formed in all the soils. It was concluded that the tropical soils studied could be effective sinks for zinc and nickel from AMD, but that Soils A and H would be the most desirable clay liners for acid mine waste containment due to their low hydraulic conductivity, high sorptive capacity and compatibility with AMD.

Résumé

Les compositions chimiques et minéralogiques de trois sols tropicaux, avant et après percolation en essai de drainage acide minier (AMD), ont été étudiées à partir d’essais de diffractométrie RX et d¹analyses chimiques, afin de préciser leur utilisation possible comme revêtement argileux. Après percolation, la CEC de l’un des sols a diminué, en partie du fait de modifications structurales d’une smectite par le drainage acide. A l’inverse, la CEC des autres sols a augmenté du fait de changement de structure de minéraux argileux interstratifiés à base de vermiculite, correspondant à la formation de vermiculite dans ces sols. Les surfaces spécifiques de ces sols ont diminué. Le drainage acide a causé des modifications du complexe d’adsorption de ces sols du fait des effets combinés du pH du sol, de la matière organique et des ions échangeables. De la dolomite, de la gibbsite, du diaspore, de la magnésioferrite et de l’hydroxy apatite ont été dissous dans ces sols. La chlorite a été légèrement altérée mais la kaolinite a résisté aux attaques acides, de par sa structure. De la jarosite s’est cependant formée dans tous ces sols. On a conclu que les sols tropicaux étudiés pouvaient constituer des puits pour le zinc et le nickel après attaque acide. Les sols A et H seraient les plus adaptés comme recouvrement argileux pour des digues de confinement de déchets issus de drainage acide, du fait de leur faible conductivité hydraulique, de leur forte capacité d’adsorption et de leur compatibilité avec le drainage acide.

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Acknowledgements

This work was made possible through scholarships given to E. M. Frempong by the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Program and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ghana and Discovery Grant awarded to E. K. Yanful by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada.

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  1. Geotechnical Research Centre, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, N6A 5B9, London, ON, Canada

    Eric M. Frempong & Ernest K. Yanful

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  1. Eric M. Frempong
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Correspondence to Ernest K. Yanful.

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Frempong, E.M., Yanful, E.K. Chemical and mineralogical transformations in three tropical soils due to permeation with acid mine drainage. Bull Eng Geol Environ 65, 253–271 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-005-0029-7

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