Removal of arsenic in tailings by soil flushing and the remediation process monitoring

Environ Geochem Health. 2004 Dec;26(4):403-9. doi: 10.1007/s10653-005-0928-3.

Abstract

In order to investigate the optimum conditions for the application of soil flushing of arsenic, a batch test was carried out using EDTA at various concentration and pH levels. Based on the optimum condition derived from the batch test, a column test was conducted to examine the feasibility of the soil-flushing technology under field-equivalent conditions. In this column test, a low flushing solution flow rate showed a significantly higher As removal efficiency (71.6%) than a high flow rate (56.3%). TCLP (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure) and a seed germination test were carried out to monitor the toxicity both during and after the treatment. The finally treated tailings were shown to be significantly remediated, having a reduced toxicity by both the TCLP and seed germination tests.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Arsenic / isolation & purification*
  • Arsenic / metabolism*
  • Chelating Agents / chemistry
  • Edetic Acid / chemistry
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Germination
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Seeds
  • Soil Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Soil Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Toxicity Tests
  • Water Movements

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Edetic Acid
  • Arsenic