Study of Precipitates from Mine Water after Defrosting and Oxidation

Abstract:

Acid mine drainage contains many toxic pollutants, mainly heavy metals and sulphates, which have negative impact on the environment. This paper deal with a study of two precipitates from acid mine drainage outflowing from the abandoned mine Smolnik (Slovakia). The precipitates were created after defrosting of mine water and after the process of oxidation. After drying the precipitates were analysed by infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX analysis. Using infrared spectrometry it was found that the precipitate contained OH^-, SO₄^2- functional groups. The inhomogeneous structure of the precipitate was observed by SEM with EDX analysis. The presence of CaSO₄.2H₂O (approx. 90 %) in precipitate after defrosting was confirmed by FTIR and SEM with EDX. Particulate substances after oxidation consisted mainly iron (30.5%), oxygen (44.4 %) and sulphur (7.9 %). Complex compounds with mainly contents of iron (III), hydroxides and sulphate with crystal bound water in structure were identified.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 244)
• Pages: 234-239
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.244.234
• Online since: October 2015
• Authors: Magdaléna Bálintová, Stefan Demcak*, Marian Holub, Maria Hurakova
• Keywords: Acid Mine Drainage, Iron, Oxidation, Precipitate, Sulphates

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