Anaerobic ​Treatment of ​Mine Wastewater ​for the Removal ​of Selenate and ​its Co-​Contaminants ​

Anaerobic Treatment of Mine Wastewater for the Removal of Selenate and its Co-Contaminants

Lea Chua Tan

Summary

Selenium (Se) pollution has led to several cases of severe aquatic ecosystem deterioration due to Se poisoning caused by bioaccumulation over time. However, the removal of selenate (SeO42-) from wastewater streams with co-contaminants has been largely considered as a black box in anaerobic biological systems using mixed consortia. This research aimed at addressing the effect of wastewater characteristics, i.e. co-contaminants such as nitrate (NO3-) and sulfate (SO42-), heavy metals and pH, on the biological reduction of SeO42- and evaluating process integration for Se-laden wastewater treatment with co-contaminants.

This study demonstrated that the presence of co-contaminants can actually be beneficial for Se removal provided that the concentrations are carefully monitored and appropriate operating conditions and process configurations are used. The Se removal (total Se and SeO42-) efficiency increased by ~30% in the presence of NO3- and/or SO42- compared to systems with SeO42- alone. Additionally, an integrated process of an ion exchange (IX) column and bioreactors showed improved overall removal capacity for SO42- and total Se. The knowledge and information gained from this research can help in the advancement and application of biological processes, i.e. predicting of reactor performance, solving specific design or practical problems and implementing novel treatment techniques for Se-laden mine wastewater.

eBook ISBN 9780429828416

Subjects: Earth Sciences, Engineering & Technology

Source: Delft University of Technology Repository

Taxonomy

• Reclaimed Wastewater
• Decontamination
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment
• Decentralized Wastewater
• Cooling Boiler & Wastewater
• Industrial Water Treatment
• Industrial
• Decontamination
• Wastewater Treatment
• Wastewater Collection
• Industrial Water Treatment
• Contaminant Removal
• Microbiology
• Solid Wastes & Wastewater Recycling
• Mining Development
• Water Safety
• Mine Water Management
• Environment & Water
• Mine Drainage
• Water microbiology
• Biomass
• Material Handling
• Safety
• Water & Wastewater
• Wastewater Heat Recovery

3 Comments

1. The International Water Association is planning a conference on Sustainable Use of Water by Industry, Agriculture, and Cities, to be held in Guayaquil, Ecuador September 30-October 2nd.  I am  on the organizing committee for this event, and we are planning a session that will focus on sustainable use of water in the mining industry.  Your paper as published is more technical and in-depth than we would need for this session, but the general topic of the toxicity of dam effluent and the need to both treat and retain it safely in dams when it is toxic, with this treatment as a specific example of addressing this concern, could be a valuable addition to this panel discussion if you would be able to participate in this conference.  If you would be interested in more information on this, please contact me at ckd@cherylkdavis.com  Cheryl Davis 

2. Not sure if you need these complicated techniques to do the job. Can offer my patent 

   Patent no.IN 201811011885 titled BIOREMEDIATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING DAMAGING HEAVY METALS FROM INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS as help.

3. from the info stated it appears the microbial group selected does not have the genetic code for reducing these compounds into their elemental/nutritional form. Also any aquatic sickness is possibly due to the excessive metals not being chelated before discharging into any natural environment.  Both of these are an inexpensive natural microbial function.  You may want to read up on Chelation of mine tailings.  Need help, Just ask.