Mineralogical Characterization of Manganese Oxides in Mine Water Treatment Systems
Abstract
The removal of manganese(II) from mine water is a significant problem for both operating and abandoned mines across the United States. In many situations, manganese removal represents the most costly aspect of mine water treatment. Active treatment of Mn-containing mine water requires adjustment of pH to 9-10, and results in the abiotic precipitation of manganese oxides (MnOx). After manganese removal, this high pH water must be neutralized before release. Alternatively, passive limestone beds can be used for neutralization of low-pH mine water and subsequent manganese removal. Although limestone beds are effective for Mn removal, the processes involved are not clear (e.g., relative importance of biological Mn(II) oxidation versus surface mediated oxidation) and the characteristics of the manganese "crusts" formed are not well studied. In this field-based study, we have collected natural manganese oxides from two different limestone beds designed to treat mine water from abandoned coal strip mines in Pennsylvania. Samples were collected at different locations in the beds and at different seasons to capture possible variations in mineralogical characteristics. Water samples were also collected to measure the corresponding solution chemistry and revealed that manganese removal was strongly temperature dependent. Solid samples have been examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and by X-ray diffraction. Micro-diffraction XRD has been used to tentatively identify disordered buserite as a predominant mineral in many of these crust samples. Additional characterizations will include particle size distribution and surface charge. Synchroton-based X-ray techniques such as scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and X-ray spectroscopy (XAS) may also be pursued.
- Publication:
-
AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUSM.V23A..07T
- Keywords:
-
- 0419 Biomineralization;
- 0463 Microbe/mineral interactions;
- 0471 Oxidation/reduction reactions (4851);
- 1042 Mineral and crystal chemistry (3620)