In this thesis, some aspects concerning building embankments founded on sulphide clay are studied, with special reference to ground improvement by preloading in combination with prefabricated vertical drains (PVD’s). The main purpose of the research was to increase empirical knowledge of the mechanical behaviour of sulphide clays subjected to embankment loadings and of the interaction between vertical drains and sulphide clays. Important aspects related to ground improvement with PVD’s in more general terms are also treated, in particular how various uncertainties regarding the properties of the clay and the clay-drain interaction imposed in the design phase can be addressed. The benefits of using theobservational method for handling these uncertainties are discussed, and a description of how the method was used in an embankment project is presented. The results from the research are presented in one conference paper and two papers submitted to peer-reviewed international journals, which are appended. The design of PVD’s involves describing the consolidation characteristics of the clay and the interaction between the drains and the clay. Primarily, the rate of consolidation is determined by the hydraulic conductivity (permeability) of the clay in the horizontal direction. Hence, accurate determination of this material property is of paramount importance in making reliable design predictions. As conventional laboratory tests for assessing the consolidation characteristics of a clay only provide information about its properties in the vertical direction, one is often left to make assumptions about the horizontal properties based on empirical correlations. Reliable empirical knowledge of these correlations for a certain clay is there forevital. A large number of CRS tests were performed on horizontal and vertical samples ofsulphide clay in order to investigate the correlation between the horizontal and verticalhydraulic conductivity and coefficient of consolidation. The results show that there is very small anisotropy in these parameters and that the scatters in the results are large. For designpurposes, sulphide clays should therefore be assumed to be isotropic in this respect. In orde rto handle the variation in properties, several parallel tests should be made and partial factors of safety should be introduced in the design. Introducing partial factors of safety in the design of PVD’s is one of the main topics suggested for further research. Regarding the clay-drain interaction, a study of the disturbance effects (smear effects) during the installation of drains in sulphide clays was performed. Back-calculations of measurements of pore pressure dissipation were made via a parameter study. It was shown that smear affects the consolidation rate to some extent but that the natural (undisturbed) hydraulic conductivity is more significant. The undrained shear strength su of a clay is dependent on the preconsolidation pressure σ 'p . As the clay consolidates under a loading, the effective stress increases, possibly to magnitudes surpassing the initial preconsolidation pressure and thereby leading to increased undrainedshear strength of the clay. The relation between su and σ 'p, i.e. the ratio su /σ 'p for asulphide clay, was investigated based on results from a large number of in situ tests andlaboratory tests. There were large scatters in the measurements, but su /σ 'p =0.25 is suggested as being relevant in the direct shear zone for design purposes in sulphide clays. / <p>QC 20101101</p>

Svavelväte, H2S, är en giftig och illaluktande gas. Den karakteristika ''ruttet ägg''-lukten kan kännas redan 0.02ppm och det hygieniska gränsvärdet för exponering under en arbetsdag ligger på 5ppm, enligt arbetsmiljöverkets restriktioner. Dessutom är gasen korrosiv på betong och övrig utrustning och minskar därmed livslängden på ledningssystem. Svavelväte bildas i avloppsvatten under anaeroba förhållanden vilka typiskt uppstår i spillvattenledningar med långa uppehållstider. Syftet med detta arbetet var att kartlägga vilka åtgärder för att minska bildningen av svavelväte som användes, hur dessa har fungerat i praktiken samt försöka hitta ett samband mellan vilka åtgärder som passar i vilket typ av system. Detta gjordes med en grundläggande litteraturstudie samt datainsamling via telefon, e-mail och intervjuer. Studien visar att dosering med kemikalier var den vanligaste åtgärden följt av någon typ av luftningsanordning. Mätningar på hur svavelvätehalter påverkas i samband med dessa åtgärder var dock svåra att hitta.  Arbetet visade på en komplexitet i bildandet av svavelväte. De fysiska förutsättningarna i ledningarna såsom dimensioner, flödeshastighet, temperatur etc. påverkar också svavelvätebildingen. Förutsättningarna i ledningarna beror av många faktorer vilka ständigt varierar. Samtliga beskrivna åtgärder har enligt de kommuner där de införts och testats haft önskad effekt utifrån en subjektiv bedömning. Studien visar att grundläggande mätningar är nödvändiga för att klargöra vilka åtgärder som är mest effektiva vid givna förutsättningar. För att i framtiden kunna tackla detta antagligen växande problem i svenska ledningsnät bör alltså fler och noggrannare mätningar göras. Mätningarna bör göras både innan och efter en åtgärd sats in samt uppföljande mätning för att se om åtgärden bibehåller önskad effekt. En databas med denna typ av mätningar skulle dels gynna framtida forskning, dels hjälpa kommuner att välja rätt metod för att lösa svavelvätereleaterade problem. / Hydrogen sulphide is a toxic gas with a malodorous smell. Even in very low amounts, 0.02ppm, the rotten egg odor is noticable. The limit exposure per day is 5ppm according to The Swedish Work Environment Authority's restrictions. In addition, the gas is very corrosive to concrete and equipment, thus reducing the lifetime of wastewater collection systems. Hydrogen sulphide is formed in wastewater under anaerobic conditions, which typically occur in wastewater systems with long residence times. The aim of this study was to find which methods are used to reduce the formation of hydrogen sulphide. How these have preformed in practice and try to find a connection between which methods are suitable in which type of system. This was done with a literature study as well as data collection via telephone, e-mail and interviews.  Dosing with chemicals proved to be the most common method to reduce hydrogen sulphide, followed by some kind of ventilation devices. Measurements of hydrogen sulphide content in connection with these methods was, however, difficult to find among the contacted users.  This study showed a complexity in the formation of hydrogen sulphide since the conditions in wastewater collection systems depend on many factors which constantly varies. According to the municipalities where methods were introduced and tested, the desired effect based on a subjective assessment was reached. The study shows that measurements are necessary to clarify which methods are most effective under given conditions.  In order to deal with this possibly growing problem in Swedish waste water collection systems, more accurate data collection should be done. Both before, after and follow up data, regarding the intervention should be collected when studying this issue. Doing so would greatly benefit future research and help municipalities in solving this problem.

No description available.

Greenstone belts are dominated by volcanic rocks with lithogeochemical characteristics that reflect a range of possible geodynamic settings. Many analogies with modern tectonic settings have been suggested. Increasing exploration and comprehensive sampling of volcanic rocks in modern oceans provides the unique opportunity to characterize different melt sources from intraoceanic settings. This thesis examines geochemical data from more than 2850 submarine mafic and more than 2200 submarine felsic volcanic rocks, representing a wide range of settings. The results show significant geochemical variability spanning the full range of compositions of volcanic rocks found in ancient greenstone belts. This diversity reflects complex rift and spreading regimes, variations in crustal thickness, dry melting versus wet melting, mantle mixing and crustal contamination. Highly variable melting conditions are thought to be related to mantle heterogeneities, complex mantle flow regimes and short-lived tectonic domains, such as those caused by diffuse spreading, multiple overlapping spreading centers and microplate breakouts. Systematic differences in the volcanic rocks are revealed by a combination of principal components analysis and unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Rocks from most arc-backarc systems have strongly depleted mantle signatures and well-known subduction-related chemistry. This contrasts with rocks in Archean greenstone belts, which show no, or at least weaker, subduction-related chemistry and stronger mantle enrichment resulting from a less-depleted mantle, less wet-melting, and variable crustal contamination. The geochemistry of the modern volcanic rocks reflects lower mantle temperatures, thinner crust and subduction-related processes of present-day settings. However, rocks that are geochemically identical to those in Archean greenstone belts occur in many modern back-arc basins, such as the Lau Basin. Crustal growth and area-age relationships in the Lau Basin are similar to observed ages and compositions of volcanic assemblages in greenstone belts, such as the Blake River Group of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Such settings are recognized as favorable locations for volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, and therefore the particular geochemical signatures of the volcanic rocks are important for enhanced area selection in base and precious metal exploration.

This thesis examines the bioleaching of six different Canadian nickel sulphide ores at pH levels above what is generally considered optimum (~ 2). The majority of work discussed in this thesis was conducted with a low-grade metamorphosed ultramafic nickel sulphide ore from Manitoba, Canada (Ore 3), which is not currently exploitable with conventional technologies. The ore contains 21% magnesium and 0.3% nickel. Nickel is the only significant metal value, and is present primarily as pentlandite. A substantial fraction of the magnesium is present as the serpentine mineral lizardite, making processing difficult with conventional pyro- and biohydrometallurgical techniques. The work with this ore has two equally important objectives: to minimize magnesium mobilization and to obtain an acceptable level of nickel extraction. Batch stirred-tank bioleaching experiments were conducted with finely ground ore ( 147 µm) with temperature and pH control. The first phase of experimentation examined the effect of pH (2 to 6) at 30 °C, and the second phase examined all combinations of three pH levels (3, 4 and 5) and five temperatures (5, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 °C).

The kinetics for sulphidation on a Ni-20 wt. % Cr alloy at 700ºC and sulphur potentials below 10⁻⁹ atmospheres have been studied using a thermogravimetric technique. The morphology of the reaction product was studied using optical microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and X-ray techniques. The kinetics were observed to be parabolic at sulphur potentials below 5 x 10⁻¹⁰ atmospheres with rates much slower than those reported for pure chromium under similar conditions. The parabolic kinetic reaction rate constant was found to vary as a semilogarithmic function of sulphur potential. The reaction product consisted of an external scale, identified as mainly Cr₃S₄, with dissolved nickel up to 5% and a subscale with morphological break-down of the alloy/external scale interface. Approximate determinations of the diffusivity of chromium in the alloy and the scale as well as sulphur diffusivity in the alloy have been made. Tentative mechanisms have been proposed to explain the diffusion control of the reaction and the stabilization of the external scale by dissolved nickel. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

<p> The East South C (E.S.C.) ore zone at the Dickenson Mine, Red Lake, is a major auriferous banded sulphide orebody which cross-cuts sulphide facies banded iron formation (S.F.B.I.F.) near its eastern termination. Pyrite was obtained from sulphide-rich portions of the ore zone as well as from sulphide-poor E.S.C. mineralization not spatially associated with S.F.B.I.F., S.F.BI.F., shear zone hosted mineralization such as the 1492 and F ore zones, and from quartz-carbonate vein mineralization in the South C ore zone. Forty-three pyrite separates from the zones were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for Co and Ni, in order to determine the origin of the E.S.C. ore zone. The average Ni and Co content of these pyrites are as follows: S.F.B.I.F.,7.9 and 13.6 ppm respectively; remobilized S.F.B.I.F. 10.3 and 13.6; carbonatized S.F.B.I.F. 10.9 and 22.6; South C 14.9 and 50.6; 1492 zone 34.1 and 28.4; F-zone 11.2-27.6; sulphide-poor E.S.C. 26.2 and 48.4 and sulphide-rich E.S.C., 17.91 and 16.63.</p> <p> High and variable Co values were found to be associated with carbonate-rich samples, irrespective of the type of mineralization and low and similar Co values were found in all carbonate-poor samples irrespective of their origin. Therefore, the Co content of pyrite cannot be used as a discriminant of genetically dissimilar pyrite. The Ni content in pyrite from S.F.B.I.F. is low and constant, while in shear zone and vein mineralization it is higher and more variable. The E.S.C. ore zone has similar values to that found in the epigenetic mineralization, however, a few sulphide-rich samples are similar to those found in S.F.B.I.F., suggesting a bimodal source of sulphide for the E.S.C.. It is proposed that the hydrothermal system which produced the E.S.C., 1492, F and South C ore zones, locally incorporated sulphides from the S.F.B.I.F. to produce the sulphide-rich mineralization found at the eastern extremity of the E.S.C. ore zone.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

No description available.

The purpose of this master thesis is to investigate how to evaluate CPT-soundings in sulphide soilfrom Mälardalen in CONRAD. The objective is to conclude whether sulphide soil from Mälardalenshould be evaluated with existing methods or a new method should be developed. The only existingevaluation methods for sulphide soil are empirically derived for sulphide soil along the coast of Gulfof Bothnia known as Svartmocka. There are currently no guidelines for when to use this evaluationmethod. In the industry, sulphide soil in Mälardalen is evaluated as clay for lack of alternatives, butthis solution has no scientific basis. There is therefore a need for an extended investigation on howsulphide soil from Mälardalen should be evaluated. Previous research has been summarized and provides the basis for the design of the analysis method. Geotechnical investigation data from two sites have been collected and analysed: Spångadalen, innorthwest Stockholm and part of the new railway Norrbotniabanan located north of Umeå in thenorthern part of Sweden. At Spångadalen, the main reason for the investigation is the construction oftwo storm water management ponds. Here some extended laboratory experiments have been carriedout to supplement existing data.Since the purpose of this thesis is to investigate how to evaluate the sulphide soil in Mälardalen, thedata from Spångadalen has be evaluated both with the method for clay and sulphide soil. The datafrom Norrbotniabanan has only been evaluated as sulphide soil. The comparison between theevaluation methods and areas is bases on the difference between the different investigation methods. The parameters of undrained shear strength, pre-consolidation pressure and overconsolidation ratiofrom CPT-soundings has been compared with the same parameters from direct shear tests, fall conetests, field vane tests and CRS. The comparison has also included the spread of the evaluated CPTs indifferent areas. Further the cone factors for the undrained shear strength and pre-consolidationpressure in the empirical equations in CONRAD has been evaluated for the soil in Spångadalen. Theevaluated in based on the evaluation of the CPT preformed in CONRAD and values for the undrainedshear strength and pre-consolidation pressure from other reference methods. The cone factors for theundrained shear strength and pre-consolidation pressure were then compared to the existing conefactors.The conclusion is that no significant results indicates that sulphide soil in Mälardalen differs fromclay although it shares some characteristic with the sulphide soil from Norrbotniabanan. Sulphidesoil from Spångadalen should not even be called sulphide soil since the amount of sulphide was toolow, which was discovered during the study. It should instead be called clay with elements of sulphide. Sulphide soil from Mälardalen should therefore continue to be evaluated as clay. However, furtherresearch on the subject is needed to ensure this conclusion for other areas with sulphide soil in Mälardalen. / Syftet med denna examensuppsats är att undersöka hur CPT-undersökningar I sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör utvärderas i CONRAD. Målet är att genom analys finna underlag för slutsatser,antingen för att sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör utvärderas med befintliga metoder eller att en nyutvärderingsmetod bör utvecklas. De befintliga utvärderingsmetoderna för sulfidjord är empiristbaserade på sulfidjord längst med kust av Bottenviken, känd som Svartmocka. Idag saknas detriktlinjer för när denna ut metod ska användas och i branschen utvärderas sulfidjord från Mälardalensom lera i brist på alternativ. Denna lösning saknar dock vetenskaplig grund. Det finns därför ettbehov av en utökad undersökning kring hur sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör utvärderas.Tidigare forskning har sammanställts och lagat till grund för utformningen av analysmetoden.Geotekniska undersökningsdata från två områden har samlats in och analyserats. Ett område ligger iSpångadalen väster om Stockholm i Mälardalen. Det huvudsakliga skälet till undersökningarna ärbyggandet av två dagvattendammar. Det andra området ligger norr om Umeå i norra delen av Sverige.De undersökningarna kommer från en del av den nya järnvägen Norrbotniabanan. I Spångadalen harutökade laboratorieförsök utförts som komplement till befintliga data.Då syfte med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur sulfidjord i Mälardalen bör utvärderas harundersökningarna från Spångadalen utvärderats med metoderna för både lera och sulfidjord.Undersökningarna från Norrbotniabanan har endast utvärderats som sulfidjord. Jämförelsernamellan de olika utvärderingsmetoderna och utvärderingsmetoderna baseras på skillnaderna mellande olika undersökningsmetoderna. Parametrarna för odränerad skjuvhållfasthet,förkonsolideringstryck och överkonsolideringsgrad från CPT-sonderingarna har jämförts medsamma parametrar från direkt skjuvförsök, fallkonförsök, vingförsök och CRS. Jämförelseninkluderar också spridningen av de utvärderade CPT-sonderingarna i olika områden.Fortsättningsvis har konfaktorerna för den odränerade skjuvhållfastheten ochförkonsolideringentrycket i de empiriska ekvationerna för CONRAD utvärderats för jorden iSpångadalen. Utvärderingen baserades på CPT resultaten från CONRAD och värden för denodränerade skjuvhållfastheten och förkonsolideringstrycket från andra referensmetoder.Konfaktorerna för den odränerade skjuvhållfastheten och förkonsolideringstrycket jämfördes sedanmed de befintliga konfaktorerna.Slutsatsen är att inga signifikanta resultat visar på att sulfidjord från Mälardalen avviker från leratrots att den i vissa avseenden liknar sulfidjord från Norrbotniabanan. Sulfidjord från Spångadalenbör inte ens benämnas som sulfidjord då sulfidhalten var för låg, vilket upptäcktes under projektet.Den bör istället benämnas som lera med inslag av sulfid. Sulfidjord från Mälardalen bör därför ävenfortsatt utvärderas som lera. Dock behövs fortsatt forskning inom ämnet behövs för att säkerställadenna slutsats.

<p>The Athabasca oil sands produce 20% of Canada’s oil, which in turn creates trillions of cubic meters of waste. The Alberta government mandates that oil sands land be reclaimed to its natural state after mining has occurred. Syncrude Canada is currently creating a novel freshwater fen on top of a composite tailings (CT) deposit as a pilot large-scale reclamation project. CT are both microbially and sulfur rich, in addition, the fen could be a potential source of labile organics and sulfate reducing bacteria which could further stimulate sulfur cycling by microorganisms with the potential to stimulate H₂S_(g) generation, a health and safety concern. Therefore, this thesis examines three main research questions regarding this H₂S production within the Sandhill reclamation fen: 1) Is H₂S generation widespread within the porewaters of the CT and sand cap of the developing Sandhill Fen reclamation project? 2)<strong> </strong>Do microbial metabolisms capable of metabolizing Fe and S linked to H₂S generation occur within CT and sand cap of the developing Sandhill Fen? and 3) Will seasonality and ongoing fen construction impact H₂S generation?</p> <p>Field and experimental results herein discuss potential microbial and abiotic metabolisms and pathways that effect sulfur and iron cycling that could affect hydrogen sulfide generation within the composite tailings and developing fen during three seasonal sampling campaigns from June 2010 to July 2011. Results indicate that detectable H₂S_(aq) occurred in the fen porewaters during each sampling campaign, with a trend of increasing H₂S_(aq) concentrations as construction of the fen progressed. Further, enrichment results indicate that microbial sulfur and iron redox reactions are likely affecting the H₂S_(aq) generation. Experimental microcosm results indicate that the CT may contain unstable sulfur species that can contribute to H₂S_(aq) generation and sequestration in the CT as pyrite. Additionally, the evolution of the Sandhill Fen changed the microbial communities that were present <em>in situ</em> as well as shifted dominance of species type in environmental microbial enrichments. The putative function of these bacteria show a shift from autotrophy to increased heterotrophic metabolisms as the fen is being constructed, suggesting the addition of labile organic substrates from the peat and woody debris are both changing the dominant metabolisms and well as increasing microbial diversity to the underlying CT and sand cap of Sandhill Fen. Results of this thesis established widespread microbial Fe and S metabolisms within CT for the first time and indicated that fen reclamation will alter microbial activity with implications for S cycling within CT. Although this thesis covers a short sampling time frame, it is clear that H₂S_(aq) generation is an important factor to consider during large scale CT reclamation. While microorganisms are present and could be impacting Fe and S cycling, the CT materials should be investigated further in regards to their potential for H₂S_(aq) generation. More consideration should be given to inhibiting H₂S_(aq) generation or supporting FeS formation within the reclamation fen.<strong></strong></p> / Master of Science (MSc)