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With the benefits of an ever increasing advance of industrialization around the globe come formidable environmental CO2 . Three environmental problems that have relevance to the research described in this thesis are the 1) buildup of atmospheric CO2 gas through the burning of fossil fuels, 2) eutrophication of aquatic systems, and 3) the acidification of environments from acid mine drainage (AMD) resulting from coal-mining activities. In particular research is presented in this thesis that investigated the surface chemistry of CO2 and phosphate (PO43-) on a suite of environmentally relevant iron oxyhydroxide materials and the chemistry of phospholipid molecules on environmentally relevant iron sulfide surfaces to suppress AMD. To develop a microscopic understanding of the surface chemistry of the different systems, an array of experimental and computational techniques were used in the research. Techniques included X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic adsorption, X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission microscopy with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM/EDS), ion chromatography (IC), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR). Results from the latter technique were interpreted with the aid of density function theory (DFT) calculations. Iron oxyhydroxides, which consisted of ferrihydrite (FeOOH), goethite α-FeOOH), ferrimagnetic ferrihydrite (FerriFh), and aluminum-doped iron oxyhydroxide (content from 0-100 mol%) were synthesized and studied before and after exposure to gaseous CO2 , CO32-, and PO43- species. FeOOH and mixed Al/Fe oxyhydroxide surfaces showed high affinities for the formation of carbonate and bicarbonate species upon exposure to gaseous CO2 . Within the Al/Fe oxyhydroxide circumstance, a low Al level of incorporation in the iron oxyhydroxide structure caused a slight increase in surface area and increase in the amount of oxyanion (e.g., CO32- or PO43-) adsorption up to an Al level of 30 mol%. Significant changes were observed in the binding geometry of the adsorbed complexes on the Al/Fe mineral compared to single phase α-FeOOH, AlOOH, and FeOOH surfaces. ATR-FTIR results combined with vibrational frequency (DFT) calculations suggested the formation of multiple phosphate surface complexes via a variety of configurations such as inner-sphere/outer-sphere bidentate, monodentate depending on the solution pH and the Al mol% substituted into the Fe-oxyhydroxide. Studies investigated the adsorption of CO2 on FerriFh and compared those results to CO2 on ferrihydrite. The CO2 pressures used in these particular studies ranged from 1 to 57.8 bars. It is found that citrate bound species, resulting from the synthesis conditions used to make FerriFh, blocked surface sites for the formation of carbonate and bicarbonate species on the magnetic FerriFh and ferrihydrite oxyhydroxide minerals upon CO2 (gas) exposure. A bicarbonate or bent-CO2 like species (~1220 cm-1) formed at lower CO2 pressures (≤ 3.5 bars) but was absent at the higher pressures. Additional studies investigated the adsorption of various phospholipid molecules on pyrite, and iron sulfide with FeS2 stoichiometry. These studies were focused on suppressing the oxidative decomposition of pyrite to sulfuric acid, the root cause of AMD. Batch and column studies were employed to investigate the ability of phospholipids to reduce AMD over an extended period of time (up to 3 years). In studies that used actual coal mining refuse, which contained significant amount of pyrite, it was shown that the rate of acid production from pyrite decomposition could be reduced by as much as 70% due to the presence of surface bound phospholipid. Assembly of the phospholipid into a bilayer motif on the sulfide surface was hypothesized to form a hydrophobic barrier that kept dissolved O2 and bacteria from facilitating the oxidation of FeS2. Column experiments showed that when water at pH 7 was flowed over the coal mining waste, the effluent had a pH close to 3. In contrast when water at pH 7 was flowed over the pyrite containing waste, which was pretreated with lipid, the effluent had a pH closer to 7, and the total amount of Fe (Fe2+/Fe3+) and SO42- in the effluent waters was also reduced relative to the untreated pyrite containing waste circumstance. These studies showed that the application of phospholipid to pyrite containing coal mining waste could potentially be an environmentally friendly remediation technique. / Chemistry

This dissertation includes theoretical and applied components that address the effect of coatings on rates of mineral reactions that occur in acid mine drainage (AMD) environments. The two major projects investigated how diffusion-limited transport of reactants through pore spaces in coatings on mineral grains affects the reaction rate of the underlying mineral. The first project considered the growth of gypsum coatings on the surface of dissolving limestone in anoxic limestone drains (ALD), which reduces the neutralization rate of the dissolving limestone and the subsequent effectiveness of this treatment. The second project investigated the conditions where iron oxyhydroxide coatings form on oxidizing pyrite and the potential strategies to prevent "runaway" AMD by reducing the rate of acid production to the point that the acid can be neutralized by the surrounding rocks. In both studies, experiments were conducted to measure reaction rates for the underlying minerals, as coatings grew thicker. These experimental data were fit to a diffusion model to estimate diffusion coefficients of reactants through pore spaces in coatings. These models are extrapolated to longer times to predict the behavior of the coated grains under field conditions. The experimental results indicate that management practices can be improved for ALDs and mine waste piles. For example, supersaturation with respect to gypsum, leading to coating formation, can be avoided by diluting the ALD feed solution or by replacing limestone with dolomite. AMD can be prevented if the rate of alkalinity addition to mine waste piles is faster than acid is produced by pyrite oxidation. The diffusion model developed in this study predicts when iron oxyhydroxide coatings will become thick enough that alkalinity from the surroundings is sufficient to neutralize acid produced by coated pyrite oxidation and additional alkalinity is no longer required. / Ph. D.

Mit dem Grundwasserwiederanstieg in Braunkohleabraumkippen werden die aus der Pyritverwitterung resultierenden Stoffausträge an Sulfat-, Eisen-, Schwermetall- und H+-Ionen gelöst. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurde eine Methodik entwickelt, mit deren Hilfe Problembereiche ausgehalten und somit Maßnahmen im aktiven mitteldeutschen Tagebaubetrieb ergriffen werden können, um die zukünftige Beeinflussung der umgebenden Grund- und Oberflächenwasserkörper zu minimieren. An Vorfeldsedimenten konnten in Feld-eluaten, Stoßbeprobungen und Verwitterungsversuchen geochemische Eigenschaften ermittelt werden. In resultierenden Pufferungsversuchen aus karbonathaltigen Geschiebe-mergeln und Hauptaciditätsträgern konnte eine langfristige Minderung der Aciditätswirkung nachgewiesen werden und ein adaptierter Regelkippenaufbau mit laminaren, alterierenden Sichtaufbau begründet werden. In umliegenden Altkippengrundwässern sind Pufferung und Sulfatreduktion als Wiederfestlegungsprozesse der AMD-Problemstoffe belegt worden. / For lignite mining extensive overburden masses have to be moved. Due to the ventilation of the overburden by atmospheric oxygen, there is a weathering of mostly tertiary sulfides. The rebound of groundwater in future tippings dissolves sulfate, iron, heavy metal and H+ ions, resulting from the pyrite weathering. The partial mobilization of overburden sulfides are opposed to hydrogeochemical buffer reactions e.g. the buffering by carbonates as the first step of buffering. Therefore, there are the questions to the mining operators of the measures that can be taken to minimize the geochemical influence of the surrounding ground and surface water bodies. Object of this PhD-thesis is to lead a methodology that helps to characterize the future tilting substrates to find technological and strategic measures for minimizing the acid water formation in the active open pit operation. In Field eluates and weathering tests in the laboratory and in the field, sediments from dry drill holes in the forefront of open pits “Schleenhain” and “Peres” it could be shown that the geological facies formation of sediments has a decisive influence on geochemical characteristics. As the main acidifying sediment the tertiary aquifer number 2 (lying part) and number 3 can be identified with their high sulfur contents. With increasing time of oxygen exposure sulfate, iron, heavy metal and H + ions released massively. Furthermore, it appears that carbonate buffer essentially are available as glacial till only in cohesive Quaternary. With the resulting buffering experiments from glacial till and the most acidic aquifer sediments a long-term retention of iron, heavy metal and H + - ion and a reduction of sulfate release can be shown, if there is a share of at least 40% glacial till to the lying aquifer number 2 sediments or 20% glacial till to the aquifer number 3. The groundwater quality monitoring of unstructured resaturated old dumps near to the active open pits is comparable to a field test. In addition to weathering zones with high levels of pollutants in the presence of carbonates, buffering processes and sulfate reduction with precipitation of problematic substances in secondary mineral phases can be detected. Blending the research results of geological and geochemical data, an important, in principle selectively recoverable, buffer potential already exists. The determined mixing ratio from 80-60 mass-% acidic sediments to 20-40 mass-% buffering sediment from the buffering experiments can be realized in tilting. In the open pit “Schleenhain” the missing buffering material can be compensated by mass offset from the open pit “Peres”. With the use of the already existing equipment, it is possible to establish a laminar, alternately tipping body with good geochemical and geotechnical conditions.

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / Mine tailings (MT) have been a global problem due to the environmental impacts the waste generates such as air, soil and water pollution. The detrimental impacts include a global problem such as acid mine drainage (AMD) which has been difficult to cleanup. Several studies have been conducted to find alternative measures in reducing or mitigating impacts such as AMD and air pollution. Several studies have revealed how alumino-silicate mineral waste can be used as raw material to produce construction materials. This study aimed at evaluating the potential of synthesizing a geopolymer material from Musina copper mine tailings. Tailings were characterized for their physicochemical and mineralogical compositions using standard laboratory techniques in order to evaluate suitability in geopolymerization. First section of the results presented physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of the Musina copper tailings together with the bioavailability of the chemical species. It was observed that the tailings are mainly composed of SiO2 and Al2O3 as the major oxides indicating that they are aluminosilicate material. Mineralogical analysis revealed dominance of quartz, epidote and chlorite as the major minerals. The bioavailability assessment showed that largely Cu and Ca are bioavailable and highly soluble in an aqueous solution while Al, Mg, Ni, Co, Cr and Fe have a high proportion in non-labile phase. Second section presented the preliminary results wherein the potential application of Musina copper tailings in geopolymerization was evaluated. The results showed that Musina copper tailings can be used to synthesize a geopolymer material. However, it was recommended that several parameters influencing geopolymerization need to be evaluated. The third section presented the evaluation of optimum parameters that influence the geopolymerization process, which include type of alkali activators, alkali activator concentration, curing temperature, liquid-solid (L/S) ratio and curing regime. It was observed that a mixture of NaOH:Na2SiO3.5H20 at a ratio of 70:30 yields a better geopolymer material. The concentration of 10 M NaOH:Na2SiO3.5H20 at a ratio of 70:30 was observed to be the best that yielded the UCS that is acceptable according to SANS1215 standards. When evaluating curing regime, it was found that the material cured using greenhouse has lower UCS as compared to the material cured using oven. The v effect of temperature showed that the UCS decreases with increasing curing temperature. An admixture of river sand and cement was introduced which resulted in a high UCS of 21.16 MPa when using an admixture of cement. The mineralogical composition of the geopolymer bricks showed formation of secondary minerals such as phlogopite, fluorapatite, diopside and actinolite. Batch leaching conducted on the geopolymer bricks detected high leaching of Na from the bricks. Based on the findings of the study of the raw MT potential to produce geopolymer bricks, it was concluded that the material can be used to produce bricks that are within the SANS 1215 requirements. The study further recommended that the study a focus on using cylindrical moulds, other alkali activators and a mechanical mixer. It was also recommended that the greenhouse be restructured to contain heat within the greenhouse during the evening so as to allow constant temperature within / NRF

Mit dem Grundwasserwiederanstieg in Braunkohleabraumkippen werden die aus der Pyritverwitterung resultierenden Stoffausträge an Sulfat-, Eisen-, Schwermetall- und H+-Ionen gelöst. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurde eine Methodik entwickelt, mit deren Hilfe Problembereiche ausgehalten und somit Maßnahmen im aktiven mitteldeutschen Tagebaubetrieb ergriffen werden können, um die zukünftige Beeinflussung der umgebenden Grund- und Oberflächenwasserkörper zu minimieren. An Vorfeldsedimenten konnten in Feld-eluaten, Stoßbeprobungen und Verwitterungsversuchen geochemische Eigenschaften ermittelt werden. In resultierenden Pufferungsversuchen aus karbonathaltigen Geschiebe-mergeln und Hauptaciditätsträgern konnte eine langfristige Minderung der Aciditätswirkung nachgewiesen werden und ein adaptierter Regelkippenaufbau mit laminaren, alterierenden Sichtaufbau begründet werden. In umliegenden Altkippengrundwässern sind Pufferung und Sulfatreduktion als Wiederfestlegungsprozesse der AMD-Problemstoffe belegt worden.:Versicherung 3 Zusammenfassung 8 1 Aktualität und Bedeutung der gesteuerten Abraumverkippung 10 2 Theoretische Grundlagen, Ziele, Aufgaben und Technik 15 2.1 Das System Kippe mit Verwitterungsstufen und Stufen der Gegenmaßnahmen 16 2.1.1 Phasen der Tagebauentwicklung in Bezug auf die Sauerwasserbildung 16 2.1.2 Systematik der Gegenmaßnahmen 18 2.2 Pyritbildung, Verwitterung, Pufferung und Wiederfestlegung 22 2.2.1 Pyritbildung 22 2.2.2 Pyritverwitterung 22 2.2.3 Pufferreaktionen 24 2.2.4 Wiederfestlegung durch autochthone mikrobielle Sulfatreduktion 26 2.2.5 Wiederfestlegung durch technisch- biologisch forcierte Sulfatreduktion 28 2.3 Geochemische Verhältnisse der Kippen Zwenkau und Witznitz 30 2.4 Geräteeinsatz im Tagebau des Untersuchungsgebietes 33 3 Ableitung einer Untersuchungsmethodik 35 3.1 Bearbeitungsziel und Ableitung der notwendigen Methoden 35 3.1.1 Geologisches Modell 36 3.1.2 Geochemisches Modell 38 3.1.3 Gewinnungstechnologisches Modell 39 3.2 Vorfeldbohrungen, Korngrößenbestimmung, stoffliche Charakterisierung und RFA 41 3.2.1 Vorfeldbohrungen 41 3.2.2 Lagerung und Probenahme 42 3.2.3 Körnungsanalyse und Wassergehaltsbestimmung 43 3.2.4 Feststoffcharakterisierung Kohlenstoff / Schwefel mittels CS-Mat 44 3.2.5 Röntgenfluoreszenzanalytik 44 3.3 Feldeluate, HCl-Test und organoleptische Ansprache 46 3.3.1 Feldelution 46 3.3.2 Salzsäure-Test (HCl-Test) 47 3.3.3 Organoleptische Ansprache 47 3.3.4 Hydrolytische Acidität 48 3.4 Verwitterungsversuche 49 3.5 Stoßbeprobung 51 3.6 Pufferungsversuche 52 3.7 Kippengrundwassermonitoring 54 3.7.1 Grundwassermessstellen und Probenahmeequipment 54 3.7.2 Feldanalytik 55 3.7.3 Laboranalytik 56 3.7.4 Hydrogeochemische Modellierung 56 4 Grundlagen und geologische Beschreibung des Untersuchungsgebietes 58 4.1 Untersuchungsgebiet 58 4.2 Tertiäre Einheiten 59 4.3 Quartäre Einheiten 61 4.4 Abgrenzung und Festlegung der Auswerteeinheiten 61 4.5 Vorfeldbohrungen 62 5 Anwendung der Methodik für den Tagebau Vereinigtes Schleenhain 65 5.1 Baufeld Schleenhain 65 5.1.1 Vorfeldbohrungen und Feldeluate 65 5.1.2 Stoffliche C/S-Charakterisierung 69 5.1.3 Verwitterungsversuche 72 5.1.4 Stoßbeprobung 85 5.1.5 Pufferungsversuche 90 5.1.6 Körnungsanalyse und Verwitterungszugänglichkeit 99 5.2 Baufeld Peres 103 5.2.1 Feldeluate 103 5.2.2 Vorfeldbohrungen und stoffliche Charakterisierung 105 5.2.3 Verwitterungsversuche 107 5.2.4 Pufferungsversuche 113 5.3 Beschaffenheit der Kippengrundwässer 114 5.3.1 Grundlegende hydrogeochemische Charakterisierung 115 5.3.2 Verwitterungszonen 117 5.3.3 Spurenmetallgehalte 118 5.3.4 Wirksamkeit der geogenen Puffer 119 5.3.5 Kennzeichnung der Sulfatreduktion als natürlicher Rückhalteprozess 121 5.3.6 Hydrochemische Modellierung 124 5.4 Fehlerdiskussion 126 6 Übertragung der Ergebnisse, Bewertung und Schlussfolgerung 127 6.1 Geologisches Modell und technische Verschnittmöglichkeiten 127 6.1.1 Geologisch-genetische Charakteristik der Auswerteeinheiten 127 6.1.2 Verbreitung und Mächtigkeit wesentlicher Auswerteeinheiten im Tagebau „Vereinigtes Schleenhain“ 128 6.1.3 Tagebautechnologische Verschnittmöglichkeiten 130 6.2 Geochemische Möglichkeiten bei der Umstellung der Tagebautechnologie – Massenversatz und Mischung 132 6.2.1 Gewinnungsscheiben 132 6.2.2 Regelkippenaufbau 134 6.2.3 „Schnelle Fahrweise“ und (Zwischen-) Abdeckung 134 6.2.4 Einmischung der Sedimente 135 6.3 RFA-Analytik und Bewertung von Sedimenteigenschaften 137 7 Zusammenfassung und weiterer Handlungsbedarf 139 7.1 Zusammenfassung - Ergebnisse Vorfeldbohrungen 139 7.2 Zusammenfassung – Verwitterungsversuche Labor und Feld 139 7.3 Zusammenfassung – Pufferungsversuche Schleenhain und Peres 141 7.4 Zusammenfassung – Gütemonitoring Kippengrundwässer 141 7.5 Zusammenfassung – Geologisches Modell/ Verschnitt/Technologie 142 7.6 Nachweis der Anwendbarkeit der Methode 144 7.7 Ausblick und weiterer Handlungsbedarf 145 Literatur und Quellen 146 Tabellenverzeichnis 151 Abbildungsverzeichnis 151 Abkürzungsverzeichnis 157 Anlagen 159 / For lignite mining extensive overburden masses have to be moved. Due to the ventilation of the overburden by atmospheric oxygen, there is a weathering of mostly tertiary sulfides. The rebound of groundwater in future tippings dissolves sulfate, iron, heavy metal and H+ ions, resulting from the pyrite weathering. The partial mobilization of overburden sulfides are opposed to hydrogeochemical buffer reactions e.g. the buffering by carbonates as the first step of buffering. Therefore, there are the questions to the mining operators of the measures that can be taken to minimize the geochemical influence of the surrounding ground and surface water bodies. Object of this PhD-thesis is to lead a methodology that helps to characterize the future tilting substrates to find technological and strategic measures for minimizing the acid water formation in the active open pit operation. In Field eluates and weathering tests in the laboratory and in the field, sediments from dry drill holes in the forefront of open pits “Schleenhain” and “Peres” it could be shown that the geological facies formation of sediments has a decisive influence on geochemical characteristics. As the main acidifying sediment the tertiary aquifer number 2 (lying part) and number 3 can be identified with their high sulfur contents. With increasing time of oxygen exposure sulfate, iron, heavy metal and H + ions released massively. Furthermore, it appears that carbonate buffer essentially are available as glacial till only in cohesive Quaternary. With the resulting buffering experiments from glacial till and the most acidic aquifer sediments a long-term retention of iron, heavy metal and H + - ion and a reduction of sulfate release can be shown, if there is a share of at least 40% glacial till to the lying aquifer number 2 sediments or 20% glacial till to the aquifer number 3. The groundwater quality monitoring of unstructured resaturated old dumps near to the active open pits is comparable to a field test. In addition to weathering zones with high levels of pollutants in the presence of carbonates, buffering processes and sulfate reduction with precipitation of problematic substances in secondary mineral phases can be detected. Blending the research results of geological and geochemical data, an important, in principle selectively recoverable, buffer potential already exists. The determined mixing ratio from 80-60 mass-% acidic sediments to 20-40 mass-% buffering sediment from the buffering experiments can be realized in tilting. In the open pit “Schleenhain” the missing buffering material can be compensated by mass offset from the open pit “Peres”. With the use of the already existing equipment, it is possible to establish a laminar, alternately tipping body with good geochemical and geotechnical conditions.:Versicherung 3 Zusammenfassung 8 1 Aktualität und Bedeutung der gesteuerten Abraumverkippung 10 2 Theoretische Grundlagen, Ziele, Aufgaben und Technik 15 2.1 Das System Kippe mit Verwitterungsstufen und Stufen der Gegenmaßnahmen 16 2.1.1 Phasen der Tagebauentwicklung in Bezug auf die Sauerwasserbildung 16 2.1.2 Systematik der Gegenmaßnahmen 18 2.2 Pyritbildung, Verwitterung, Pufferung und Wiederfestlegung 22 2.2.1 Pyritbildung 22 2.2.2 Pyritverwitterung 22 2.2.3 Pufferreaktionen 24 2.2.4 Wiederfestlegung durch autochthone mikrobielle Sulfatreduktion 26 2.2.5 Wiederfestlegung durch technisch- biologisch forcierte Sulfatreduktion 28 2.3 Geochemische Verhältnisse der Kippen Zwenkau und Witznitz 30 2.4 Geräteeinsatz im Tagebau des Untersuchungsgebietes 33 3 Ableitung einer Untersuchungsmethodik 35 3.1 Bearbeitungsziel und Ableitung der notwendigen Methoden 35 3.1.1 Geologisches Modell 36 3.1.2 Geochemisches Modell 38 3.1.3 Gewinnungstechnologisches Modell 39 3.2 Vorfeldbohrungen, Korngrößenbestimmung, stoffliche Charakterisierung und RFA 41 3.2.1 Vorfeldbohrungen 41 3.2.2 Lagerung und Probenahme 42 3.2.3 Körnungsanalyse und Wassergehaltsbestimmung 43 3.2.4 Feststoffcharakterisierung Kohlenstoff / Schwefel mittels CS-Mat 44 3.2.5 Röntgenfluoreszenzanalytik 44 3.3 Feldeluate, HCl-Test und organoleptische Ansprache 46 3.3.1 Feldelution 46 3.3.2 Salzsäure-Test (HCl-Test) 47 3.3.3 Organoleptische Ansprache 47 3.3.4 Hydrolytische Acidität 48 3.4 Verwitterungsversuche 49 3.5 Stoßbeprobung 51 3.6 Pufferungsversuche 52 3.7 Kippengrundwassermonitoring 54 3.7.1 Grundwassermessstellen und Probenahmeequipment 54 3.7.2 Feldanalytik 55 3.7.3 Laboranalytik 56 3.7.4 Hydrogeochemische Modellierung 56 4 Grundlagen und geologische Beschreibung des Untersuchungsgebietes 58 4.1 Untersuchungsgebiet 58 4.2 Tertiäre Einheiten 59 4.3 Quartäre Einheiten 61 4.4 Abgrenzung und Festlegung der Auswerteeinheiten 61 4.5 Vorfeldbohrungen 62 5 Anwendung der Methodik für den Tagebau Vereinigtes Schleenhain 65 5.1 Baufeld Schleenhain 65 5.1.1 Vorfeldbohrungen und Feldeluate 65 5.1.2 Stoffliche C/S-Charakterisierung 69 5.1.3 Verwitterungsversuche 72 5.1.4 Stoßbeprobung 85 5.1.5 Pufferungsversuche 90 5.1.6 Körnungsanalyse und Verwitterungszugänglichkeit 99 5.2 Baufeld Peres 103 5.2.1 Feldeluate 103 5.2.2 Vorfeldbohrungen und stoffliche Charakterisierung 105 5.2.3 Verwitterungsversuche 107 5.2.4 Pufferungsversuche 113 5.3 Beschaffenheit der Kippengrundwässer 114 5.3.1 Grundlegende hydrogeochemische Charakterisierung 115 5.3.2 Verwitterungszonen 117 5.3.3 Spurenmetallgehalte 118 5.3.4 Wirksamkeit der geogenen Puffer 119 5.3.5 Kennzeichnung der Sulfatreduktion als natürlicher Rückhalteprozess 121 5.3.6 Hydrochemische Modellierung 124 5.4 Fehlerdiskussion 126 6 Übertragung der Ergebnisse, Bewertung und Schlussfolgerung 127 6.1 Geologisches Modell und technische Verschnittmöglichkeiten 127 6.1.1 Geologisch-genetische Charakteristik der Auswerteeinheiten 127 6.1.2 Verbreitung und Mächtigkeit wesentlicher Auswerteeinheiten im Tagebau „Vereinigtes Schleenhain“ 128 6.1.3 Tagebautechnologische Verschnittmöglichkeiten 130 6.2 Geochemische Möglichkeiten bei der Umstellung der Tagebautechnologie – Massenversatz und Mischung 132 6.2.1 Gewinnungsscheiben 132 6.2.2 Regelkippenaufbau 134 6.2.3 „Schnelle Fahrweise“ und (Zwischen-) Abdeckung 134 6.2.4 Einmischung der Sedimente 135 6.3 RFA-Analytik und Bewertung von Sedimenteigenschaften 137 7 Zusammenfassung und weiterer Handlungsbedarf 139 7.1 Zusammenfassung - Ergebnisse Vorfeldbohrungen 139 7.2 Zusammenfassung – Verwitterungsversuche Labor und Feld 139 7.3 Zusammenfassung – Pufferungsversuche Schleenhain und Peres 141 7.4 Zusammenfassung – Gütemonitoring Kippengrundwässer 141 7.5 Zusammenfassung – Geologisches Modell/ Verschnitt/Technologie 142 7.6 Nachweis der Anwendbarkeit der Methode 144 7.7 Ausblick und weiterer Handlungsbedarf 145 Literatur und Quellen 146 Tabellenverzeichnis 151 Abbildungsverzeichnis 151 Abkürzungsverzeichnis 157 Anlagen 159

Surface water pollution is prevalent in numerous areas of central Roodepoort mainly due to gold mining activities. The surface water quality for the Bosmontspruit, Russell’s Stream and the New Canada Dam was assessed from October 2010 to March 2011. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water were determined for 8 monitoring points and the results obtained were compared with the In-stream water quality guidelines for the Klip River catchment and the South African Water Quality Guidelines. A trend noticed throughout the sampling period was the non-compliance in the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and dissolved oxygen. The results indicated that concentrations of iron, aluminium, nickel, manganese and potassium were above the limit across the Bosmontspruit and Russell’s stream. There was also significant evidence of excessive faecal coliform and ammonium pollution in the Bosmontspruit. During the monitoring period it was noted that water from these streams were utilised for crop irrigation, bathing, livestock and human consumption and may pose a health hazard due to poor water quality. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Flow and reactive transport of chemical species is a very common phenomenon that occurs in natural and artificial systems. However in this study, the topic is related to acid mine drainage in the South African mining environment. Due to the hazards associated with acid mine drainage, prevention or treatment of mine effluent water before discharging to receiving waters and other environments is a necessity. A new time-dependent mathematical model is developed for a passive treatment method, based on multi-scale modelling of the coupled physico-chemical processes such as diffusion, convection, reactions and filtration, that are involved in the treatment process. The time-dependent model is simulated on a two-dimensional domain using finite volume discretization to obtain chemical species distributions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vloei en reagerende transport van chemiese spesies is ’n baie algemene verskynsel wat in natuurlike en kunsmatige stelsels plaasvind. In hierdie studie is die onderwerp egter verwant aan suurmyndreinering in die Suid-Afrikaanse mynbou-omgewing. As gevolg van die gevare wat verband hou met suurmyndreinering, is die voorkoming of die behandeling van die afval-mynwater voor dit in opvangswaters en ander omgewings beland ’n noodsaaklikheid. ’n Nuwe tydafhanklike wiskundige model vir ’n passiewe behandelingsmetode is ontwikkel. Dit is gebaseer op die multi-skaal modulering van gekoppelde fisies-chemiese prosesse soos diffusie, konveksie, reaksies en filtrasie, wat by die behandelingsproses betrokke is. Die tydafhanklike model word gesimuleer op ’n twee-dimensionele domein met behulp van eindige volume diskretisasie om die verspreiding van chemiese spesies te bepaal.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 1997. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The activity of iron-oxidizing bacteria, for example, Thiobacillut. ferrooxidans, in the outer layers of coal waste dumps results in the oxidation of pyrite with the formation of large volumes of acid mine drainage. The process requires atmospheric oxygen and moisture. Acid mine drainage may possibly be controlled by creating unfavourable environmental conditions in dumps for the iron-oxidizing bacteria. The present research investigated the possibility of inhibiting these bacteria and consequently acid formation in coal waste dumps by means of different dump construction techniques. Physical and chemical conditions, acid formation and populations of four groups of bacteria which might produce acid were studied in the outer layers of ten differently constructed pilot scale coal waste dumps at the Kilbarchan Mine near Newcastle, Kwazulu-Natal, from September 1993 to July 1995. Dump covers consisting of a 30-cm or 70-cm layer of Estcourt soil of low permeability covered with 70 cm or 30 cm, respectively, of more permeable Avalon soil produced anaerobic conditions in the dumps throughout most of the 22 months of the test period, as did a cover of 70 cm compacted plus 30 cm uncompacted Avalon soil alone. An uncoMpacted 30-cm or compacted 50- cm Avalon soil cover proved ineffective in causing prolonged anaerobic conditions. Uncovered dumps showed only slight reduction of oxygen in the coal waste after heavy rains. Pockets of acidity were detected on several occasions in the coal waste below the 50-cm Avalon soil layer from the time of construction and progressively increasing acidity in the uncovered dumps and the waste below the 30-cm Avalon soil cover. Iron-oxidizing bacterial populations of the T. ferrooxidans type have tended to be higher in the uncovered dumps and Avalon soil-covered dumps showing acidification than in the non-acidified dumps covered with 1 m of Avalon soil or Avalon and Estcourt soil. Associated populations of iron-oxidizing bacteria of the Metallogenium type, acidophilic and non-acidophilic thiosulphate-oxidizing bacteria were generally low in the coal waste of the dumps. Thus, five of the soil covers, all with a thickness of 1 m, but not covers with a thickness of 0.5 m or less, proved effective for almost 2 years in inhibiting the diffusion of oxygen to the underlying coal waste in the pilot scale dumps and also appeared to suppress the populations of iron-oxidizing bacteria believed to be implicated in acid formation in the coal waste. These results suggest that coal waste dumps in South Africa should be covered with soil layers of 0.5-1.0 m thick to prevent the generation of acid mine drainage. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die aktiwiteit van ysteroksiderende bakteriee soos Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, in die buitenste lae van steenkoolafvalhope, veroorsaak die oksidasie van piriet met die gevolg dat groot volumes suur mynafloopwater gevorm word. Hierdie proses benodig suurstof en vog. Suur mynafloopwater kan moontlik beheer word deur 'n situasie te skep waar die toestande in die hope ongunstig is vir die ysteroksiderende bakteriee. Die huidige navorsing het die moontlikheid ondersoek om hierdie bakteriee te inhibeer deur verskillende afvalhoopontwerpe op die proef te stel en sodoende suurvorming in steenkoolmynhope te beperk. Die fisiese en chemies kondisies, suurvorming en populasies van vier verskillende bakterie-groepe wat dalk by suurvorming betrokke is, is vanaf September 1993 tot Julie 1995 bestudeer in die buitenste lae van tien verskillend gekonstrueerde loodsskaalafvalhope by die Kilbarchan myn naby Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. Afvalhoopbedekkings bestaande uit 'n 30-cm of 70-cm Estcourt grond met 'n lae permeabiliteit bedek met'n 70-cm of 30-cm laag van meer deurlaatbare Avalon grond het anaerobe kondisies veroorsaak. Ongekompakteerde 30-cm en gekompakteerde 50-cm Avalon grondlae het egter nie bestendige anaerobe kondisies in die hope veroorsaak nie. Die onbedekte hope het aerobics gebly met slegs effense dalings van suurstofkonsentrasies gedurende en na swaar reens. Geisoleerde monsters uit die steenkoolafval onder die 50-cm Avalon grondlaag het vanaf die begin van die toetsperiode tekens van suurvorming getoon. Die onbedekte steenkoolafval en die van die sel met 'n 30-cm Avalon grondlaag het met verloop van tyd al hoe meer suur geword. Die ysteroksiderende bakterie-populasies van die T. ferrooxidans tipe het geblyk om in die onbedekte en Avalon grondbedekte hope wat tekens van suurvorming getoon het hoer te wees as in die hope wat met 'n 1-m laag Avalon grond of Avalon en Estcourt grond bedek is en geen tekens van suurvorming getoon het nie. Ysteroksiderende bakteriepopulasies van die Metallogenium tipe, nieasidofiele en asidofiele tiosulfaatoksiderende populasies was oor die algemeen laag in die steenkoolafvalhope. Vyf van die grondlae wat alma! 1 m dik was het dus geblyk om effektief te wees in die bekamping van die infiltrasie van suurstof na die onderliggende steenkoolafval in die loodskaalhope. Dit lyk asof daardie lae die ysteroksiderende populasies betrokke by suurvorming onderdruk het. Die 0.5-m grondbedekking het egter nie so 'n sterk onderdrukkende effek op die suurstofinfiltrasie of die bakteriepopulasie gehad nie. Na aanleiding van hierdie resultate blyk dit dat steenkoolafvalhope in Suid-Afrika met minstens 0.5 tot 1..0 m grond bedek moet word om effektief die probleem van suur mynafloopwater te bekamp.