Evaluation of lixiviation of mine wastes. Open file report (final)

Technical Report · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5495196

Bainbridge, K L; Wilkinson, M A; Mahar, B M

This report describes the results of a study to determine which types of, and to what extent, mining wastes can contaminate ground water through leaching of acid-forming or potentially toxic constituents. The primary focus of this study was on coal mining wastes, especially overburden spoils and preparation plant refuse. In addition, the potential for contamination by leachates from clean coal stockpiles was also examined. The study approach included investigation of the amounts and geographic locations of mining wastes in the United States; the chemical character or mining wastes, especially with regard to potentially acid-forming or toxic constituents; and the extent to which acid and/or toxic components are leached from mining wastes by rainwater. To evaluate the leachability of coal wastes, a laboratory waste leaching method was developed to specifically simulate the leaching process over a long term. Waste samples were also leached by the EPA extraction procedure and ASTM waste leaching method. Results of the three leachtest methods were compared to evaluate their relative capabilities to predict the leachability of mining wastes.

• Research Organization: Calspan Corp., Buffalo, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5495196
• Report Number(s): PB-81-222515
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010800* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
AIR POLLUTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL MINING
COAL PREPARATION
COMMINUTION
DESULFURIZATION
DISSOLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EQUIPMENT
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LEACHING
MINING
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RAIN WATER
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WASTES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION