• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2016

Mine tailings generated during mining activity often contain high concentrations of heavy metals, with pyrite-containing mine tailings in particular being a major cause of environmental problems in mining areas. Chemical cell technology, or fuel cell technology, can be applied to leach heavy metals in pyrite-containing mine tailings. As pyrite dissolves through spontaneous oxidation (i.e. galvanic oxidation) in the anode compartment of the cell, $Fe^{3+}$, sulfuric acid are generated. A decrease in pH due to the generation of sulfuric acid allows heavy metals to be leached from pyrite-containing mine tailings. In this study, pyrite was dissolved for 4 weeks at $23^{\circ}C$ in an acidic solution (pH 2) and in a galvanic reactor, which induces galvanic oxidation, and total Fe leached from pyrite and pH were compared in order to investigate if galvanic oxidation can facilitate pyrite oxidation. The change in the pyrite surface was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Comparing the total Fe leached from the pyrite, there were 2.9 times more dissolution of pyrite in the galvanic reactor than in the acidic solution, and thus pH was lower in the galvanic reactor than in the acidic solution. Through SEM analysis of the pyrite that reacted in the galvanic reactor, linear-shaped cracks were observed on the surface of the pyrite. The study results show that pyrite dissolution was facilitated through the galvanic oxidation in the galvanic reactor, and also implied that the galvanic oxidation can be one remediation option for pyrite-containing mine tailings.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.297-302
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• 2011

Acid drainage generated by pyrite oxidation has caused the acidification of soil and surface water, the heavy metal contamination and the corrosion of structures in abandoned mine and construction sites. The applicability of Na-acetate (Na-OAc) buffer and/or Na-silicate solution was tested for suppressing pyrite oxidation by reacting pyrite containing rock and treating solution and by analyzing solution chemistry after the reaction. A finely ground Mesozoic andesite containing 10.99% of pyrite and four types of reacting solutions were used in the applicability test: 1) $H_2O_2$, 2) $H_2O_2$ and Na-silicate, 3) $H_2O_2$ and 0.01M Na-OAc buffer at pH 6.0, and 4) $H_2O_2$, Na-silicate and 0.01M Na-OAc buffer at pH 6.0. The pH in the solution after the reaction with the andesite sample and the solutions was decreased with increasing the initial $H_2O_2$ concentration but the concentrations of Fe and $SO_4^{2-}$ were increased 10 - 20 times. However, the pH of the solution after the reaction increased and the concentrations of Fe and $SO_4^{2-}$ decreased in the presence of Na-acetate buffer and with increasing Na-silicate concentration at the same $H_2O_2$ concentration. The solution chemistry indicates that Na-OAc buffer and Na-silicate suppress the oxidation of pyrite due to the formation of Fe-hydroxide and Fe-silicate complex and their coating on the pyrite surface. The effect of Na-OAc buffer and Na-silicate on reduction of pyrite oxidation was also confirmed with the surface examination of pyrite using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result of this study implies that the treatment of pyrite containing material with the Na-OAc buffer and Na-silicate solution reduces the generation of acid drainage.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.119-125
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• 1999

This research has been studied in terms of investigating the reaction behavior of pyrite with a cyclone reactor. The Mathematical model has developed pyrite oxidation and lime sulfation in this reactor. The model assumes a chemical control shrinking core behavior for the pyrite and a fluid film control shrinking core behavior for the lime. The model was solved and characterized numerically. Experiments have been performed to study the influence of reaction parameters such as reactor temperatures, pyrite particle sizes, air flow rates, feeding rates, and mixing ratio of pyrite and lime. The oxidation and sulfation products were characterized chemically and physically.

• Proceedings of the Korea Association of Crystal Growth Conference
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• 1997.06a
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• pp.53-60
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• 1997

The roasting of pyrite with a cyclone reactor have been studied in terms of investigating the reaction behavior of pyrite. The development of a fundamental model for pyrite oxidation and lime sulfation in a vertical cyclone reactor. The model assumes a chemical control shrinking core behavior for the pyrite and a fluid film control shrinking core behavior for the lime. The oxygen and sulphur dioxide concentrations and the energy balance for the gas, pyrite and lime particles are solved. The model was solved and characterized numerically. Experiments have been performed to study the influence of reaction parameters such as reactor temperatures, pyrite particle sizes, air flow rates, feeding rates, and mixing ratio of pyrite and lime. The oxidation and sulfation products were characterized chemically and physically.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 1997

Acid sulfate soils occur in the Gimhae plain where they have been formed from brackish alluvial sediments along the sea coast and river estuary. Acid sulfate soils suffer extremely acidity as a result of oxidation of pyrite. Total sulfur content of the soils was the highest in B horizon of Gimhae series and the lowest in A horizon of Deunggu series. The dominant fractions of sulfur in the soils were jarosite-S for Gimhae series, pyrite-S for Bongrim and Haecheog series, and organic-S for Deunggu series. The essential chemical processes of acid sulfate soils are, firstly, the formation of pyrite in waterlogged environment, and subsequently, the oxidation of this pyrite following natural or artificial drainage. Jarosite [K Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6] is a common sulfur mineral of the oxidation condition. Jarosite shows cubic particles with tetrahedral faces.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2011

A batch experiment of pyrite oxidation was performed and the surfaces of the reacted pyrite were regularly observed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) together with the chemical compositions of the solution to help understand the oxidation mechanisms of pyrite by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (Af). The dissolved Fe concentrations clearly indicated that Af experiences the lag and then exponential growth phase. An Af cell was observed to be attached to the surface of pyrite during the lag, implying that a direct leaching by the microbe really happens for the period. It is not certain, however, whether the main mechanism of pyrite oxidation during that time was the direct leaching or not, because there were just a few cells confirmed to be attached and most of the dissolved Fe was Fe(III). The dissolved Fe concentration stayed almost constant from the mid-lag phase to just before the onset of the exponential phase, suggesting that AI needs an adaptation time to switch its oxidation mechanism from one to the other whichever it is during that stage of growth. The moment of Af's cell division was observed by SEM on the surface of pyrite during the lag phase. The corrosion outline around the dividing cell was quite similar to the shape of the cell itself, which implies that the rate of the microbial oxidation is very uneven and the rate when the cell metabolizes should be much faster than that calculated from the concentration variation of the dissolved Fe. The number of etch holes by Af is much higher on the inoculated surfaces, indicating the average rate of pyrite oxidation is also much faster than that of abiotic oxidation. The microbial etch holes on pyrite surface are small and deep, which may influence the transition of the growth phases of Af from lag to exponential.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.1083-1089
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• 2006

Acid drainage occurs when sulfide minerals are exposed to an oxidizing environment. The objective of this study was to examine the optimum condition for creating a phosphate coating on standard pyrite surfaces for reduction of pyrite oxidation. The solution of $10^{-2}M\;KH_2PO_4\;10^{-2}M\;H_2O_2$ pH 6 was identified as the best phosphate coating agent for the reduction of pyrite oxidation. The formation of an iron phosphate coating on pyrite surfaces was confirmed with ore microscope and scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The temperature did not significantly affect on the formation of phosphate coating on the surface of pyrite. However, the phosphate coating was less stable at higher temperature than at lower temperature. The phosphate coating was quitely stable at wide range of pH and $H_2O_2$ concentration. The less than 3.4% of phosphate was dissolved at pH 2.79 and 10.64 and less than 1.0% of phosphate was dissolved at 0.1M $H_2O_2$. On the basis of these results, the phosphate coating can effectively reduce the negative environmental of acid rock drainage.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.204-214
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the chemical changes and formation of sulfur minerals following reduction and subsequent oxidation of the acid sulfate soils derived from the fluvio-marine plains in Gimhae area. Changes in pH, Eh and water soluble $SO_4$, Fe, Al, K, na and Ca were determined in the soil under the reduced and oxidized conditions. These chemical properties were related to the formation of the pyrite and jarosite, the major sulfur minerals in the acid sulfate soils. On incubation, suspension pH tended to increase with decreaseing Eh in the reduction periods. Jarosite formation was favored by maintaining continuous low pH(below 4.0) and high Eh(above 400mV) during the oxidation periods, however, the conditions were not favorable for the soils with $Ca(OH)_2$. Water soluble K increased by reduction but decreased by oxidation, while the jarosite of the soil with $Ca(OH)_2$ was dissolved even under the oxidation conditon, resulting in rapid increase of water soluble K. The water soluble Ca decreased rapidly, indicating that gypsum was formed with $Ca(OH)_2$ during the oxidation periods. The formation of jarosite was favored by the oxidation condition, and hindered by the reduction condition. But the formation of pyrite was favored by reduction and hindered by oxidation. When the troll was treated with $Ca(OH)_2$, Jarosite was dissolved in both oxidized and reduced conditions.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.46-52
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• 2010

Acid mine drainage occurs when sulfide minerals are exposed to an oxidizing environment. The objective of this study was to inhibit the oxidation of pyrite by applying various coating agent such as $KH_2PO_4$, MgO and $KMnO_4$ over its surface as an oxidation inhibitors. Experiments were conducted for 8 days to test the feasibility of oxidation inhibitors. The optimal condition of coating agent for standard pyrite and IK mine was the combination of 0.01M $KH_2PO_4$, 0.01M NaOAc and 0.01M NaClO. Otherwise, for YD mine the combination of 0.01M $KMnO_4$, 0.01M NaOAc and 0.01M NaClO. The $SO_4^{2-}$ reduction efficiency of pyrite, IK and YD mine samples was 70, 92 and 84%, respectively. For 8 days, no significant increase of $SO_4^{2-}$ from pyrite sample coated with inhibitor was observed. The pH of solution remains in between 4 to 6 for the reaction conditions.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2014

The research evaluates the possibility of generating electricity using pyrite containing mine tailings, which are the major cause of acid mine drainage (AMD), by applying iron oxidizing bacteria (in this case, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans) and chemical fuel cell technology. The changes in the aqueous $Fe^{2+}$ concentration, which can represent an ionized form of pyrite, with an initial concentration of 9,000 mg/L were investigated during the 20 d growth period. Both the $Fe^{2+}$ and total iron (i.e., total $Fe^{2+}$)concentrations with or without A. ferrooxidans were observed. The $Fe^{2+}$ concentration decreased to about 6,000 mg/L, in the abiotic condition, while it decreased to about 400 mg/L in the biotic condition. The results showed that the increased $Fe^{2+}$ oxidation in the presence of A. ferrooxidans (i.e., catalytic ability of A. ferrooxidans) can be applied to electricity generation using pyrite containing mine tailings. In the co-presence of A. ferrooxidans and pyrite containing mine tailings, $Fe^{2+}$ oxidation and hence electron production increases, which, in turn, improves current density. This study can be applied to utilize ecological functions of indigenous bacteria in mine areas to enhance electricity generation efficiency.