/AnMtgsAbsts2009.53597 Immobilization of Heavy Metals in Abandoned Mine Soils Amended with Al-Based Drinking Water Treatment Residuals: An Incubation Study.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Convention Center, Exhibit Hall BC, Second Floor

Michael Hardy1, Dibyendu Sarkar1 and Rupali Datta2, (1)Dept. of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State Univ., Montclair, NJ
(2)Dept. of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI
Abstract:
Abandoned mines with acidic, heavy metal-contaminated soils are a widespread and serious problem in the United States. Amendment of these soils with a by-product of municipal drinking water treatment - drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs) - offers a low cost and “green” treatment alternative for abandoned mine sites. The pH of these soils is typically below 3, thereby mobilizing various heavy metals into the runoff. This acidic, metal-bearing surface and subsurface drainage can contaminate downstream and underground water supplies. Revegetation and reclamation of these mined lands is a challenging task as most plants cannot survive under these soil conditions. This study examines the metal binding capacity of an aluminum based WTR as a soil amendment to minimize heavy metal availability in acidic abandoned mine soils. However, in order to demonstrate its efficacy as a viable soil amendment, one must thoroughly understand the effects of varying soil solution properties on heavy metal retention. A batch incubation study was set up using an acidic soil from a Northeastern US mine site that was amended with various rates of Al-WTR, and the effects of soil solution properties on immobilization of certain heavy metals were examined. This study serves as the precursor to a comprehensive project aimed at achieving our long-term goal to develop a highly efficient, eco-friendly, and inexpensive model for stabilization and reclamation of abandoned acid mine sites.