skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Physiochemical factors of iron photoproduction from mine tailings wastes

Conference ·
OSTI ID:491053
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

This study investigated the feasibility of using iron rich mine tailings in a metals removal process for leachate based on the natural iron cycle. The natural iron cycle involves the photoreductive dissolution of iron(III) (hydr)oxides resulting in soluble iron(II) during the day, and subsequent oxidation and reprecipitation to iron(III) during the night. Photolysis experiments conducted in the laboratory using mine tailings produced significant concentrations of soluble iron(II) in aqueous solution at low pH. Oxidation of soluble iron(II) to iron(III) removed soluble arsenic and cadmium from solution to concentrations less toxic, with the solid phase precipitate more concentrated for a possible metals recovery system. Factors influencing the photoproduction of iron(II) from the mine tailings included the concentration of organic matter, the presence of amorphous iron oxides, and the chemical forms of iron in the mine tailings. Solution pH and the addition of ligands also affected iron(II) photoproduction. Factors influencing the removal of arsenic and cadmium from aqueous solution included the pH of the solution, as well as the presence of organic matter and amorphous iron oxides in the mine tailings.

OSTI ID:
491053
Report Number(s):
CONF-9406250-; TRN: IM9729%%304
Resource Relation:
Conference: 9. Annual conference on hazardous waste remediation, Bozeman, MT (United States), 8-10 Jun 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 9. annual conference on hazardous waste remediation; Erickson, L.E.; Tillison, D.L.; Grant, S.C.; McDonald, J.P. [eds.]; PB: 389 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English