• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.10-21
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• 2022

In the South Korea, 47% of abandoned mines are suffering from the mining hazards such as the mine drainage (MD), the mine tailings and the waste rocks. Among them the mine drainage which has a low pH and the high concentration of heavy metals can directly contaminate rivers or soil and cause serious damages to human health. The natural/artificial treatment facilities by using neutralizers and coagulants for the mine drainage have been operated in domestic and most of heavy metals in mind drainage are precipitated and removed in the form of metal hydroxide, alumino-silicate or carbonate, generating a large amount of mine drainage treated sludge ('MDS' hereafter) by-product. The MDS has a large surface area and many functional groups, showing high efficiency on the fixation of heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to develop a ingenious heavy metal stabilizer that can effectively stabilize arsenic (As) and heavy metals in soil by recycling the MDS (two types of MDS: the acid mine drainage treated sludge (MMDS) and the coal mine drainage treated sludge (CMDS)). Various analyses, toxicity evaluations, and leaching reduction batch experiments were performed to identify the characteristics of MDS as the stabilizer for soils contaminated with As and heavy metals. As a result of batch experiments, the Pb stabilization efficiency of both of MDSs for soil A was higher than 90% and their Zn stabilization efficiencies were higher than 70%. In the case of soil B and C, which were contaminated with As, their As stabilization efficiencies were higher than 80%. Experimental results suggested that both of MDSs could be successfully applied for the As and heavy metal contaminated soil as the soil stabilizer, because of their low unit price and high stabilization efficiency for As and hevry metals.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.49-62
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• 2022

The magnesium and iron-based layered double hydroxide (Mg-Fe LDH) was synthesized by the co-precipitation process and the bead type LDH (BLDH, 5~6 mm in diameter) was manufactured by using the Mg-Fe LDH and the starch as a binder. To evaluate the feasibility of the BLDH as the As stabilizer in the soil, various experiments were performed and the As stabilization efficiency of the BLDH was compared to that of powdered type LDH (PLDH, <149 ㎛ in diameter). For the As sorption batch experiment, the As sorption efficiency of both of the PLDH and the BLDH showed higher than 99%. For the stabilization experiment with soil, the As extraction reducing efficiency of the PLDH was higher than 87%, and for the BLDH, it was higher than 80%, suggesting that the BLDH has similar the feasibility of As stabilization for the contaminated soil, compared to the PLDH. From the continuous column experiments, when more than 7% BLDH was added into the soil, the As stabilization efficiency of the column maintained at over 91% for 7 pore volume flushing (simulating about 21 months of rainfall) and slowly decreased down to 64% after that time (to 36 months) under the non-equilibrium conditions. Results suggested that more than 7% of BLDH added in As-contaminated soil could be enough to stabilize As in soil for a long time. The main As fixation mechanisms on the LDH were also identified through the X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. Results showed that the LDH has enough of an external surface adsorption capacity and an anion exchange capability at the interlayer spaces. Results of SEM/EDS and BET analyses also supported that the Mg-Fe LDH used in this study has sufficient porous structures and outer surfaces to fix the As. The reduction of carbonate (CO₃^2-) and sulfate (SO₄^2-) anions in the LDH after the reaction between As and the LDH was observed through the FT-IR, the XRF, and the XRD analyses, suggesting that the exchange of some of these anions with the arsenate (H₂AsO₄^- or HAsO₄^2-) occurs at the LDH interlayers during the stabilization process in soil.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.673-683
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• 2008

As-rich alluvial groundwaters occurring in the agricultural area of Mankyeong River watershed were geochemically studied. 15 out of 29 investigated wells (52%) showed As levels exceeding the WHO drinking water standard ($10{\mu}g/L$). Their chemistry is characterized by low Eh levels, low $NO_3$ and $SO_4$ concentrations, and high pH, alkalinity, Fe, $NH_4$, and $PO_4$ levels. This suggests that arsenic is enriched by the reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe-/Mn-(hydro)oxides, the commonest process in Bangladesh and West Bengal of India, of which groundwaters are severely contaminated by As. It was also revealed that As concentrations in the area are strongly regulated by the presence of agrochemicals such as $NO_3$ and $SO_4$.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.102-111
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• 2012

Fine suspended solids generated effluence from treatment process of mine drainage could destroy environment as the aesthetic landscapes, and depreciate water quality. Therefore, the purpose of this research is focused on process development applied the actual field for controlling fine suspended solids and heavy metals, and so lab-scale test was performed for inducement of basic data. The mine drainage used in this research was sampled in H mine located Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do. Concentration of suspended solid, arsenic, iron and manganese was exceeded the standard of contaminant limitation for the clean water, and particle size of suspended solid was less than 10 m as fine particle. Although hydraulic retention time of mine drainage for effective settling was required more than 6 hours, hydraulic retention time would be increased in winter season when the settling efficiency could be reduced because of viscosity decreasing. Moreover, installed inclination plate helped to increase settling efficiency of suspended solid about 48 %. Filtering media that was the most effective removal of suspended solids and heavy metal was decided granular activated carbon of 1~2 mm was the optimal size.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

The metals contamination of farmland soil nearby abandoned metal mine was serious problem in Korea. Stabilization of contaminated soil was reported using various stabilizers. Application of limestone and steel refining slag was reported as effective stabilizers in the stabilization of metals. The batch studies confirmed that the mixture of limestone and steel refining slag was suitable for stabilization of metals in contaminated soil. The limestone and steel refining slag mixture (2 : 1 and 3 : 2) were used in column studies and it was confirmed that the stabilizers effectively stabilized heavy metals in contaminated soil. The pH of the soil was increased with the addition of stabilizers. Total leached concentration of metals from the column study was reduced 44, 17, and 93% in comparison to the control at arsenic, cadmium and copper, respectively. The sequential extraction studies showed that the exchangeable fraction was changed into carbonate bound fraction (Cd and Cu) and Fe-Mn oxide bound fraction (As). Based on the results we confirmed that 2:1 ratio of limestone and steel refining slag effectively stabilizes the heavy metals. The mixed treatment of lime stone with steel refining slag would be an effective and feasible method for controlling metals leaching in contaminated soil.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.63-72
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• 2013

This study estimated stabilization efficiency of As and heavy metal contaminated agricultural soil in abandoned mine through pot experiment. Also contaminants uptake of plant (lettuce) was compared as function of amendment (limestone, steelmaking slag and the mixture of these) addition. In soil solution analysis, concentration of contaminants in soil solutions which added limestone or steelmaking slag were lower than that of the mixture. Especially in As analysis, concentration with 5% (wt) addition of steelmaking slag showed the lowest value among those with other amendments. This seems that As stabilization happens through Fe adsorption during precipitation of Fe by pH increasing. Leachability of As in stabilized soil by TCLP was represented similar result with soil solution analysis. However leachability of heavy metals in stabilized soil was similar with that of non-stabilized soil due to dissolution of alkali precipitant by weak acid. Contaminants uptake rate by plant was also lower when limestone or steelmaking slag was used. However this study revealed that concentration of contaminants in soil solution didn't affect to the uptake rate of plant directly. Because lower $R^2$ (coefficient of determination) was represented in linear regression analysis between soil solution and plant.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.81-90
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• 2010

In this study, primary investigation for evaluation of abandoned metal mine effect on watershed has been done. 64 abandoned mines have been selected for primary investigation through literature and field survey. 216 soil and 90 water samples were collected and metal pollution concentrations were analyzed. 24 mines have mine water in the pits and acid water below pH 5 was not observed. Soils from 35 mines were over the soil basis of concern and 16 mines were over the soil basis of action. Arsenic average concentration was 188 times of average concentration of the natural background. Drinking water samples from 3 mines were over the drinking water standard and surface water samples from 12 mines were over the river water standard. Integrated pollution index, which was resulted from the integration of field survey, soil and water pollution concentration, showed that, abandoned metal mines had affected on watershed greatly in the order of Samgeum, Daedeok, Cheongdalgeum, Heungsin, Yeongdae and Myeongbong mines.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.29-36
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• 2010

Several mines including Namil, Solim and Jungbong which are located in the Gyeonggi and Kangwon province have been abandoned and closed since 1980 due to "The promotion policy of mining industry". An enormous amount of mining wastes was disposed without proper treatment, which caused soil pollution in tailing dam and ore-dressing plant areas. However, any quantitative assessment was not performed about soil and water pollution by transporting mining wastes such as acid mine drainage, mine tailing, and rocky waste. In this research, heavy metals in mining wastes were analyzed according to leaching method which used 0.1 N HCl and total solution method which used Aqua-regia to recognize the ecological effect of distance from hot spot. We sampled tailings, rocky wastes and soils around the abandoned mine. Chemical and physical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic carbon (TOC), soil texture and heavy metal concentration were analyzed. The range of soil's pH is between 4.3 and 6.4 in the tailing dam and oredressing plant area due to mining activity. Total concentrations of As, Cu, and Pb in soil near ore dressing plant area are 250.9, 249.3 and 117.2 mg/kg respectively, which are higher than any other ones near tailing dam area. Arsenic concentration in tailing dams is 31.0 mg/kg, which is also considered as heavily polluted condition comparing with the remediation required level(RRL) in "Soil environment conservation Act".

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2015

Acid mine drainage occurrence is a serious environmental problem by mining industry, it usually contains high levels of metal ions, such as iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, and manganese, as well as metalloids of which arsenic is generally of the greatest concern. An indigenous plant extract was used to produce calcium carbonate from Canavalia ensiformis as effective biomaterial, and its ability to form the calcium carbonate under stable conditions was compared to that of purified urease. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were employed to elucidate the mechanism of calcium carbonate formation from the crude plant extracts. The results revealed that urease in the plant extracts catalyzed the hydrolysis of urea in liquid state cultures and decreased heavy metal amounts in the contaminated soil. The heavy metal amounts were decreased in the leachate from the treated mine soil; 31.7% of As, 65.8% of Mn, 50.6% of Zn, 51.6% of Pb, 45.1% of Cr, and 49.7% of Cu, respectively. The procedure described herein is a simple and beneficial method of calcium carbonate biomineralization without cultivation of microorganisms or further purification of crude extracts. This study suggests that crude plant extracts of Canavalia ensiformis have the potential to be used in place of purified forms of the enzyme during remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.33-44
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• 2023

A risk assessment on the heavy metals including arsenic (As), cupper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) was investigated by setting exposure routes in agricultural fields. Moreover, the factors requiring improvement in risk assessment were also discussed through a review of the dermal absorption slope factor (SF_abs) and total amount of suspended particles (TSP) in the current risk assessment guidelines. Assessment results show that the total cancer risk (TCR) of As through crop and soil ingestion was 1.51E-03 in adults and 6.37E-4 in children, which indicated a carcinogenic risk (exceeding 1E-05). On the other side, the harzard index (HI) was 3.37 in adults and 1.41 in children, which was evaluated as having a non-carcinogenic risk (>1). The carcinogenic purification targets for As were calculated to be 6.84 mg/kg in adults and 6.86 mg/kg in children, while the non-carcinogenic purification targets were calculated to be 13.43 mg/kg for adults and 22.54 mg/kg for children. When applying SF_abs 61 of the current guidelines, it appears that there is a carcinogenic risk even though the As exposure concentration is below the area of concern 1 standard (25 mg/kg), which suggestes that additional research on this factor is required for the risk assessment. In order to apply the measured suspended particle concentration to risk assessment, TSP should be derived from PM10 using an appropriate correlation equation. As a result, it is suggested to improve the risk assessment guidelines so that the mesured PM10 value measured in the field can be used directly.