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Bactericidal Control of Acid Problems in Surface Mines and Coal Refuse.

Kleinmann RLP

Symp on Surface Min Hyd Sedim and Reclam Lexington Kentucky 1980 Dec; :333-337

10004060

A bacterium thiobacillus ferroxidans, accelerates acidification of pyritic material and significantly increases the eventual level of acid production by catalyzing pyrite oxidation in the zone of aeration. Bactericides can be effective in reducing acid formation if added to infiltrating precipitation. However, the bactericidal treatment must be repeated frequently to prevent repopulation. To accomplish this at low cost, the Bureau of Mines developed a controlled release technique involving diffusion and dissolution of anionic detergents from pellets of an elastomeric matrix. Release is expected to continue for approximately 5 yr after application of the pellets. The technique was tested in the laboratory, on small coal refuse piles in central Pennsylvania, and on hydrologically isolated sections of an abandoned surface mine in northern west Virginia. Detergent concentrations of approximately 25 ppm in the pyritic material delayed or prevented acidification of coal refuse and reduced acidity of drainage from acid-producing material by 50% to 95%.

19801201

OP;

1981

OP 104-84

PRC;

Symp. on Surface Min. Hyd., Sedim. and Reclam, Lexington, Kentucky, Dec. 1- 5, 1980, PP. 333-337

KY; PA; WV;