Prediction of extractable metals in retention pond sediments at surface coal mines

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Environ. Geol. (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02380516· OSTI ID:6725290

Bogner, J E

Fifty-two grab samples of bottom sediment in settling ponds were obtained at 17 surface coal mines in the eastern and midwestern U.S. A series of laboratory extraction procedures were designed to simulate a wide range of possible natural conditions. Three types of laboratory extraction procedures were (1) a lowpH buffered extract; a series of low-pH, near-neutral-pH, and high-pH nonbuffered extracts; and a DTPA extract. For the transition metals examined Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Al) higher percentages were extracted by the low-pH buffered extract than by the low-pH nonbuffered extract and the DTPA extract. Within the nonbuffered series, higher percentages of individual metals were extracted at lower pH levels. There was generally a consistent order of ''extractability'' for all the extracts performed. At the mines using a chemical treatment to neutralize acid mine drainage, Mn was the most mobile and Fe and Al the least mobile of the metals considered; at the mines not using a chemical treatment, Ni, Zn, and Co were among the most mobile and Fe, Al, and Cr the least mobile of the metals studied. Two stepwise regression procedures (maximum R/sup 2/ improvement and backward elimination) were used to suggest a ranking of independent variables that influence extractable metals. Statistically significant independent variables differed for the various metals. In general, the total amount of metal present was most important in determining metal extractability in the buffered extract at the mines using chemical treatment, and variables related to the natural acidity or alkalinity of the sediment and element interrelationships were important in the other extracts. A detailed examination of regression equations for the buffered extract suggests that it is possible to predict extractable metals using simple regression models based on the total amount of metals present, metals interrelationships, and sediment acidity or alkalinity.

• Research Organization: Energy and Environmental Systems Division Argonne National Laboratory Argonne, Illinois
• OSTI ID: 6725290
• Journal Information: Environ. Geol. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Geol. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 4:3/4; ISSN ENGED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
BUFFERS
CALCULATION METHODS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COAL MINES
CONTAMINATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EXTRACTION
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICS
METALS
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PH VALUE
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
SEDIMENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
STATISTICS
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT