Files and links (1)
CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Blending bauxite residues with multiple byproducts improves capping materials for tailings storage facilities
Journal of environmental management, Vol.338, 117852
2023
PMID: 37023607
Abstract
Amelioration and management of large volumes of tailings resulting from alumina refining is a major challenge owing to the high alkalinity and salinity of residues. Blended byproduct caps are a potential new and more cost-effective approach to tailings management, where tailings are blended with other local byproducts in order to reduce pH, salinity and toxic elements. Here, alkaline bauxite residue was blended with four byproducts (waste acid, sewage water, fly ash and eucalypt mulch) to create a range of potential capping materials. We leached and weathered materials in the glasshouse with deionized water over nine weeks to investigate if byproducts on their own or in combination improved cap conditions. Combining all four byproducts (10 wt % waste acid, 5 wt % sewage water, 20 wt % fly ash and 10 wt % eucalypt mulch) achieved lower pH (9.60) compared to any byproduct applied individually, or un-remediated bauxite residue (pH 10.7). Leaching decreased EC by dissolving and exporting salts and minerals from the bauxite residue. Fly ash addition increased organic carbon (likely from non-combusted organic material) and nitrogen, while eucalypt mulch increased inorganic phosphorus. Addition of byproducts also decreased the concentration of potentially toxic elements (e.g., Al, Na, Mo and V) and enhanced pH neutralisation. Initial pH with single byproduct treatments was 10.4–10.5, which decreased to between 9.9–10.0. Further lowering of pH and salinity as well as increased nutrient concentrations may be possible through higher addition rates of byproducts, incorporation of other materials such as gypsum, and increasing leaching/weathering time of tailings in situ.
[Display omitted]
Details
- Title
- Blending bauxite residues with multiple byproducts improves capping materials for tailings storage facilities
- Authors/Creators
- Golam Taki - The University of Western AustraliaPauline F. Grierson - The University of Western AustraliaGrace Scullett-Dean - The University of Western AustraliaHelen E.A. Brand - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology OrganisationDaniel V. Murphy - School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, AustraliaTalitha C. Santini - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- Journal of environmental management, Vol.338, 117852
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991005591966807891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems; SoilsWest
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
307 File views/ downloads
79 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 7 Engineering & Materials Science
- 7.229 Mineral & Metal Processing
- 7.229.2385 Red Mud Valorization
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology