Design and implementation of a leach field to remove metals, nitrate, selenium, and sulfate
Soils with good metals attenuation characteristics were evaluated for utilization in a constructed leach field to treat northern Nevada heap leach effluent. Operation of soil test columns showed sufficient attenuation ability for passive system comprised of caliche and top soils to remove most metals, pH, WAD CN, and arsenic. However, mercury, nitrate, selenium, and sulfate were not attenuated. The authors investigated the addition of organic carbon amendments to stimulate biological reduction of these constituents within the proposed leach field. Column tests with the organic amendment without any additional non-native microorganisms showed efficient nitrate, selenium, and sulfate reduction as evidenced by effluent water quality. Controls showed minimal removal of these constituents. Based on the data from these column studies, a leach field combining two soil layers and an organic amendment was designed and implemented. Parameters controlling the successful application of this technology at other sites will be discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 20026838
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 16th annual national meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, Scottsdale, AZ (US), 08/13/1999--08/19/1999; Other Information: PBD: [1999]; Related Information: In: Mining and reclamation for the next millennium. Proceedings of the 16th annual national meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, by Bengson, S.A.; Bland, D.M. [eds.], 745 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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