Release of Heavy Metals from the Pyrite Tailings of Huangjiagou Pyrite Mine: Batch Experiments

Liangqian Fan, Xi Zhou, Hongbing Luo, Jie Deng, Li Dai, Zhengfu Ju, Zhiming Zhu, Likou Zou, Lin Ji, Bei Li and Lin Cheng
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Liangqian Fan: College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Dujiangyan 611830, China
Xi Zhou: College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Hongbing Luo: College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Dujiangyan 611830, China
Jie Deng: Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
Li Dai: Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
Zhengfu Ju: College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Dujiangyan 611830, China
Zhiming Zhu: Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
Likou Zou: College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Dujiangyan 611830, China
Lin Ji: College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Dujiangyan 611830, China
Bei Li: College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Dujiangyan 611830, China
Lin Cheng: College of Civil Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Dujiangyan 611830, China

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: To provide the basic information about the release of heavy metals from the pyrite tailings of Huangjiagou pyrite mine, the pyrite tailings were investigated through a series of batch experiments under different initial pH of extractant, temperature, liquid-solid (LS) ratio, and soaking time conditions. Moreover, calcium carbonate was added in the pyrite tailings to determine the reduction effect on the release of heavy metals. The results show that Fe, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Ni were the major heavy metals in the pyrite tailings. Low initial pH and high LS ratio significantly promoted Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn release, and high temperature significantly promoted Fe, Cu, Mn, and Ni release. Only small amounts of Cr were detected at low LS ratios. With the increase of soaking time, the released amount of Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn increased to the maximum value within 48 h, respectively. After adding calcium carbonate, the released amounts of Fe, Cu, and Zn reduced at least 70.80% within 48 h soaking time. The results indicate that summer and the early soaking stage are the main phases for the release of heavy metals from the pyrite tailings. In the pyrite tailings, Cr is difficult to release. Adding calcium carbonate can effectively reduce the release of Fe, Cu, and Zn.

Keywords: heavy metal; release; pyrite tailings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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