Bolzicco, J., Carrera, J., & Ayora, C. (2004). Eficiencia de la barrera permeable reactiva de Aznalcollar (Sevilla, Espana) como remedio de aguas acidas de mina. Reactive permeable disposal barrier at Aznalcollar Mine, Seville, Spain; as remediation for acid mine drainage. Revista Latino-Americana de Hidrogeologia, 4, 27–34.
Abstract: As a result of the collapse of a mine tailing dam in april 1998 about 40 km of the Agrio and Guadiamar valleys were covered with a layer of pyrite sludge. Although most of the sludge was removed, a small amount remains in the soil of the Agrio valley and the aquifer remains polluted with acid water (ph<4) and metals (10 mg/L Zn, 5 mg/L Cu and Al). A permeable reactive barrier was build across the aquifer to increase the alcalinity and retain the metals. The barrier is made up of three sections of 30 m longX1.4 m thickX5 m deep (average) containing different proportions of limestone gravel, organic compost and zero-valent iron. The residence time of the water in the barrier is about two days. Within the barrier, the pH values increase to near neutral mainly due to calcite dissolution. Metals co-precipitate as oxyhydroxides, and they are also adsorbed on the organic matter surface. Down-stream the barrier, the total pollution removal is around 60-90% for Zn and Cu, and from 50 to 90% for Al and acidity.
|
