Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-Up

Acid mine drainage originates from mining waste, tailings and overburden being exposed to air and water; it is also observed in abandoned mines, characterized by high acidity and increased concentrations of sulfate and heavy metals. It is considered a notorious pollutant, mostly affecting superficia...

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Main Authors: Maria Roulia, Charalampos Vasilatos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Materials Proceedings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/20
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author Maria Roulia
Charalampos Vasilatos
author_facet Maria Roulia
Charalampos Vasilatos
author_sort Maria Roulia
collection DOAJ
description Acid mine drainage originates from mining waste, tailings and overburden being exposed to air and water; it is also observed in abandoned mines, characterized by high acidity and increased concentrations of sulfate and heavy metals. It is considered a notorious pollutant, mostly affecting superficial and ground water quality. Until 1977, Lavrion mines have been the heart of dynamic Greek mining and extractive metallurgy. The present paper discusses the possibility of using low-cost eco-friendly materials, i.e., natural and synthetic zeolites for the in situ rehabilitation of Lavrion mine soil. Na-P1 synthetic zeolite prepared from Meliti fly ash and two natural zeolites from Samos tuffs mostly containing clinoptilolite and mordenite, respectively, were employed. The results indicated that all three aluminosilicates alleviated two basic soil parameters closely correlated with fertility, i.e., high acidity and low CEC. Regarding toxic metals leaching, Na-P1 synthetic zeolite proved more efficient, reducing heavy metal contents in the leachates by 38%, 72%, 61%, 67%, 77% and 33% for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe, respectively. This was attributed to both the increased pH and CEC values of the Na-P1 zeolite. Between the Samos zeolites, the richest in mordenite exhibited the better performance.
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spelling doaj-art-da26f3f724dd4e9988c8632f0da99b142025-06-25T14:08:17ZengMDPI AGMaterials Proceedings2673-46052023-10-011512010.3390/materproc2023015020Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-UpMaria Roulia0Charalampos Vasilatos1Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 157 71 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 157 84 Athens, GreeceAcid mine drainage originates from mining waste, tailings and overburden being exposed to air and water; it is also observed in abandoned mines, characterized by high acidity and increased concentrations of sulfate and heavy metals. It is considered a notorious pollutant, mostly affecting superficial and ground water quality. Until 1977, Lavrion mines have been the heart of dynamic Greek mining and extractive metallurgy. The present paper discusses the possibility of using low-cost eco-friendly materials, i.e., natural and synthetic zeolites for the in situ rehabilitation of Lavrion mine soil. Na-P1 synthetic zeolite prepared from Meliti fly ash and two natural zeolites from Samos tuffs mostly containing clinoptilolite and mordenite, respectively, were employed. The results indicated that all three aluminosilicates alleviated two basic soil parameters closely correlated with fertility, i.e., high acidity and low CEC. Regarding toxic metals leaching, Na-P1 synthetic zeolite proved more efficient, reducing heavy metal contents in the leachates by 38%, 72%, 61%, 67%, 77% and 33% for Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe, respectively. This was attributed to both the increased pH and CEC values of the Na-P1 zeolite. Between the Samos zeolites, the richest in mordenite exhibited the better performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/20mine soilsynthetic zeolitezeolite tufffly ashmetal ionssustainability
spellingShingle Maria Roulia
Charalampos Vasilatos
Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-Up
Materials Proceedings
mine soil
synthetic zeolite
zeolite tuff
fly ash
metal ions
sustainability
title Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-Up
title_full Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-Up
title_fullStr Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-Up
title_full_unstemmed Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-Up
title_short Using Natural and Synthetic Zeolites for Mine Soils Clean-Up
title_sort using natural and synthetic zeolites for mine soils clean up
topic mine soil
synthetic zeolite
zeolite tuff
fly ash
metal ions
sustainability
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/20
work_keys_str_mv AT mariaroulia usingnaturalandsyntheticzeolitesforminesoilscleanup
AT charalamposvasilatos usingnaturalandsyntheticzeolitesforminesoilscleanup