Acid/base account and minesoils: A review
- Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
- Railroad Commission of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
Generation of acidity from the oxidation of iron sulfides (FeS{sub 2}) is a common feature of geological materials exposed to the atmosphere by mining activities. Acid/base accounting (ABA) has been the primary method to evaluate the acid- or alkaline-potential of geological materials and to predict if weathering of these materials will have an adverse effect on terrestrial and aquatic environments. The ABA procedure has also been used to evaluate minesoils at different stages of weathering and, in some cases, to estimate lime requirements. Conflicting assessments of the methodology have been reported in the literature. The ABA is the fastest and easiest way to evaluate the acid-forming characteristics of overburden materials; however, accurate evaluations sometimes require that ABA data be examined in conjunction with additional sample information and results from other analytical procedures. The end use of ABA data, whether it be for minesoil evaluation or water quality prediction, will dictate the method`s interpretive criteria. Reaction kinetics and stoichiometry may vary and are not clearly defined for all situations. There is an increasing awareness of the potential for interfering compounds, particularly siderite (FeCO{sub 3}), to be present in geological materials associated with coal mines. Hardrock mines, with possible mixed sulfide mineralogy, offer a challenge to the ABA, since acid generation may be caused by minerals other than pyrite. A combination of methods, static and kinetic, is appropriate to properly evaluate the presence of acid-forming materials.
- OSTI ID:
- 613823
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9705128-; TRN: 98:001000-0012
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 14. annual national meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation (ASSMR), Austin, TX (United States), 10-15 May 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Vision 2000: An environmental commitment; Brandt, J.E.; Galevotic, J.R.; Kost, L.; Trouart, J. [eds.]; PB: 799 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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