• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.573-587
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• 2010

Bioleaching experiments were effectively carried out at $42^{\circ}C$, $52^{\circ}C$ and $62^{\circ}C$ to leach the more valuable metal ions from sphalerite using bacteria. The pH values of the bioleaching solution were constantly maintained for 10 days in the range of 2.40 to 2.55. In these bioleaching experiments, rod-shaped bacteria attached to the sphalerite surface were continuously observed in the sample. Along with the increase in the leaching temperatures, the concentration of Zn and Pb increased in the control sample of leachates, whereas the concentration of Fe increased in the sample containing bacteria. At $42^{\circ}C$, $52^{\circ}C$ and $62^{\circ}C$ the biological leaching content of Zn was found to be 9.5, 2.8 and 2.9 times higher than that in the chemical leaching content, respectively. At these temperatures, the content of Pb in the bacterial sample of the leachate was detected to be 14.8, 7.4 and 3.8 times higher than that of the control sample of the leachate, respectively.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.91-103
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• 1986

Experimental study for the leaching behavior of Cs-137 was carried out using the simulated evaporator bottom product of PWR plant. The method of leach test proposed by the IAEA was partially modified using ANS method. The effect of various factors, i.e., sampling method, curing temperature, curing time, leachant temperature, vermiculite addition and volume-to-surface ratio, was considered in this experiment. Diffusion model in semi-infinite slab was in a good agreement with the data obtained from 4-weeks cured specimens. The effective diffusion coefficient of the specimens which were cured at the temperature of $24^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks was found to be $1.20{\sim}1.47{\times}10^{-11}cm^2/sec$. With the experimentally obtained diffusion coefficient ($1.47{\times}10^{-11}cm^2/sec$), long-term prediction for the leaching of Cs-137 was carried out using finite-slab approximation. The estimated fraction of Cs-137 which remains in the environment is found to be less than 0.25 percent of initial amount after 100 years. About 25 years after the beginning of leaching, its fractional amount in the environment reachs the maximum value, 0.66 percent of initial amount.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2006

Experimental leaching of tailings was performed as a function of times (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days) in the laboratory using reaction solutions equilibrated to three different pH set-points (pHs 1,3 and 5). The initial pHs of 5 and 3 stabilized at either 4.6-6.1 or 2.8-3.5 in 2 days and decrease gradually with time afterwards. The results of the leaching tests indicate that the significant increase in the sulfate concentrations and in acidity after 7 days of leaching results from the oxidation of sulfide minerals. There were no significant variations in the extractable Pb found in the leach solutions of pH 5 and 3 within the reaction time (1-30 days), while Zn, Cd and Cu concentrations tend to significantly increase with time. In tailings leaching at an initial pH=1, two trends were observed: i) The 'Zn-type' (Zn, Cd and Cu), with increasing concentrations between days 1 and 30, corresponding to the expected trend when continuous dissolution is the dominant process, ii) the 'Pb-type' (Pb), with decreasing concentrations over time, suggesting rapid dissolution of a Pb source followed by the precipitation of 'anglesite' in relation to the large increase in dissolved sulfates. The high sulfate concentrations were coupled with high concentrations of released Fe, Zn and Cd. Release of Zn and Cd and acidity from these leaching experiments can potentially pose adverse impact to surface and groundwater qualities in the surrounding environment. The kinetic problems could be the important factor which leads to increasing concentrations of trace metals in the runoff water.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.305-314
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• 2010

The stabilization process using limestone ($CaCO_3$) and steel making slag as the immobilization amendments was investigated for As contaminated farmland soils around Chonam abandoned mine, Korea. Batch and continuous column experiments were performed to quantify As-immobilization efficiency in soil and the analyses using XRD and SEM/EDS for secondary minerals precipitated in soil were also conducted to understand the mechanism of Asimmobilization by the amendments. For the batch experiment, with 3% of limestone and steel making slag, leaching concentration of As from the contaminated soil decreased by 62% and 52% respectively, compared to that without the amendment. When the mixed amendment (2% of limestone and 1% of steel making slag) was used, As concentration in the effluent solution decreased by 72%, showing that the mixed of limestone and steel making slag has a great capability to immobilize As in the soil. For the continuous column experiments without the amendment, As concentration from the effluent of the column ranged from 50 to $80\;{\mu}g/L$. However, with 2% limestone and 1% steel making slag, more than 80% diminution of As leaching concentration occurred within 1 year and maintained mostly below $10\;{\mu}g/L$. Results from XRD and SEM/EDS analysis for the secondary minerals created from the reaction of the amendments with $As^{+3}$ (arsenite) investigated that portlandite ($Ca(OH)_2$), calcium-arsenite (Ca-As-O) and calcite ($CaCO_3$) were main secondary minerals and the distinct As peaks in the EDS spectra of the secondary minerals can be observed. These findings suggest that the co-precipitation might be the major mechanisms to immobilize As in the soil medium with limestone and steel making slag.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.39-47
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• 2024

In this study, the environmental implications of electric arc furnace steel slag, commonly used in road construction and soil reinforcement, were examined. Experiments were conducted to assess the leaching of heavy metals based on particle size and to investigate ion leaching from specimens with varying mixtures of steel slag and clay. The official waste test revealed no detectable heavy metals in the sample items. However, when subjected to leaching experiments and analyzed using ICP-OES, certain heavy metals were found. The reaction of steel slag with water, facilitated by free CaO within the slag, was identified as the cause of leaching. Results showed that aluminum, exhibiting the highest leaching rate, displayed an inverse relationship with particle size. In mixed soil containing steel slag and clay, higher steel slag content resulted in increased aluminum leaching. Nonetheless, the quantity of leached aluminum was notably lower in mixed soil compared to pure steel slag. Furthermore, leaching of other heavy metals remained within acceptable limits. These findings suggest that recycling mixed soil of steel slag and clay for road construction or soil stabilization presents reduced environmental risks compared to using steel slag alone. Utilizing such mixtures could offer an environmentally sustainable and safe alternative.

• Proceedings of the KSEEG Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.190-191
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• 2005

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.251-265
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• 2010

A column bioleaching experiment at room temperature with no addition of sulfuric acid was effectively carried out to leach the valuable elements from pyrite, which is common mine waste. The Fe concentration of pyrite leachate from bioleaching column was 14 times higher than that of the control leachate, and secondary minerals were not formed. The $SO_4^{2-}$ concentration of the pyrite leachate was 2.99 times higher. The XRD intensity of the (111), (200), (220), (311), (222), (230) and (321) planes of pyrite decreased, whereas the intensity of (210) and (211) increased after column bioleaching.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.62-69
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• 2003

The aim of research is the evaluation of the $Cr^{6+}$ emission features of the liquid injection through emission experiments in varying conditions, based on a field-mixing ratio. The results showed that the content of $Cr^{6+}$ content in cement measured had an Ordinary Potland Cement (OPC) of 25.3 mg/kg, which constitute the largest portion among the other materials. Likewise, the emission experiment of homo-gel and sand-gel generally satisfied the standard of KSLT (Korea Standard Leaching Test) in waste of 1.5 mg/L, but in case of the standard of KSLT in soil the emission of OPC $Cr^{6+}$ of 4.85 mg/kg. These conditions is a little exceeded the criteria in the ‘Ga’ area in terms of Korea Soil Environmental Preservation Law. In addition, results generated by the mock-up injection facilities revealed that $Cr^{6+}$ emission increased as Water/Cement and injection pressure increased. At injection pressure higher than 4 kg/㎤, $Cr^{6+}$ emission exceeded the water preservation standard of 0.5 mg/L. Similarly, a pattern experiment of C $r^{6+}$ emission according to pH was conducted, in order to evaluate the $Cr^{6+}$ emission features of grout materials in leachate below pH 5 such as pH 4 acid rain or landfill. Results show that $Cr^{6+}$ emission dramatically increased in high acidic or basic state. It indicates that $Cr^{6+}$ emission will probably increase in an environment where grout materials are injected. On the other hand, concentration of leachate was determined in areas where grout materials are used. The results show that the concentration of emission in an ultra purity condition does not manifest intensity, and is affected in the OPC>MC>SC order. It means that the pollutants or $Cr^{6+}$ emission increases with decreasing concentration. As such, $Cr^{6+}$ emission will probably exceed the countermeasure criteria according to the types of gout materials. Similarly, high pressure or injection will cause increased $Cr^{6+}$ emission. Therefore, the selection of materials or mixing ratio should be considered in general as well as according to specific industries, based on the strength and pH of $Cr^{6+}$ emission.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.77-83
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• 2010

In this study, we tried to determine any detrimental effects on water quality when bottom ash obtained from a coal-fired power plant intended to be used as a fill material in construction sites. Physical-chemical properties of bottom ash were determined using proximate analysis, elemental analysis, XRD, and XRF. Classification of bottom ash as a waste material and soil contamination due to the use of bottom ash were performed by Korea waste standard leaching test and soil toxicity test, respectively. Results of leaching tests were compared to the regulations for water quality and groundwater quality and no harmful effects on water quality were found. Most of heavy metals in leachate were below detection limits but trace amount of $Cr^{6+}$ was found. However, concentration of $Cr^{6+}$ was below the regulation criteria. Column leaching tests indicated that concentrations of Pb and Zn were slightly higher than regulations but below regulations within 1 PVE, but concentrations of sulfate were 10 times higher than regulation and thus, the required time to reach regulation was almost 8 PVE.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.246-254
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• 2008

This study has been performed to evaluate the possibility of utilizing feldspar porphyry as an adsorbent for heavy metals in natural water. The research sample rock 'Maekbansuk' was altered feldspar porphyry which included chlorite, epidote and calcite formed by a prophylitic alteration process. In extraction tests, the majority of extracted elements were Ca and Na, which were extracted in much greater abundance from the groundmass than from the feldspar phenocryst. In adsorption tests, the adsorption capacities of Pb, Fe and Cu within an hour of reaction time were 99, 98 and 97%, respectively, but that of As remained 25% for a full 24 hours. The high adsorption capacities of altered feldspar porphyry for Pb, Fe and Cu suggest its potential utilization as a heavy metal adsorbent fur water purification.