Thesis (doctoral)--TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 2006. / "International Mine Water Association." Includes bibliographical references (p. [337]-420) and index. Also available in print.

Gypsiferous water, i.e water containing high levels of calcium sulphate, is used to irrigate crops such as maize and wheat on a commercial scale, in some parts of South Africa due to shortage of irrigation water. Gypsiferous water is saline due to the presence of Ca2+, S042- and sometimes Mg2+ in solution. These salts may have a detrimental effect on herbicide performance. Possible herbicide injury to crops has been reported in areas irrigated with gypsiferous water, which suggested interaction between herbicides and gypsiferous water. Bioassay experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to assess whether the bioactivity and persistence of the selected herbicides were affected by the presence of gypsum in the soil. The biological activity of atrazine was significantly increased in the presence of gypsum, and in the case of 2,4-D the same effect was even more pronounced. In contrast, the activity of metolachlor was reduced in the presence of gypsum. These differential effects on herbicide activity would have important practical consequences for herbicide performance, i.e weed control efficacy, selectivity, and behaviour in soil. In the persistence experiment, the activity of all herbicides decreased with time. However, the presence of gypsum had a significant effect on the rate of dissipation of only atrazine. In the presence of gypsum the rate of loss of atrazine was significantly less compared to its rate of loss in soil that did not contain gypsum. The rate of loss of metolachlor was not significantly affected by the presence of gypsum, and in the case of 2,4-D the trends were not clear at all. A further experiment was conducted to determine the leaching potential of metolachlor and atrazine in soil irrigated with either gypsiferous water or uncontaminated water. In the leaching experiment metolachlor showed a significant growth reduction of 39% in the first 10 cm column zone in soil irrigated with gypsiferous water and no further losses were observed in deeper column segments, and this indicated that there would be no threat of groundwater contamination. However, the results showed that weeds with shallow roots would be effectively controlled in this column. Similar results were observed in soil without gypsiferous water irrigated. The findings of this experiment appear to contradict the findings of Chapter 4 for metolachlor, however it is to be considered that in Chapter 4 the "close system" was used and in the leaching experiment an "open system" was used. In addition, the calcium sulphate concentrations for the two experiments were different. In the atrazine experiment it was found that 0.1 mg kg-1 would pose a serious threat to groundwater contamination and sensitive follow-up crops. There is a need to reduce the atrazine dosage rate to 0.05 mg kg-1 because no threat to groundwater was observed at this rate. However, weed control efficacy at this low rate maybe poor. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric): Weed Science)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Mine water poses a serious environmental challenge and contains elements such as Fe, Al, and Mn in potentially toxic concentrations. The major anion in mine water is sulphate. The complexity and diversity of mine water composition makes its treatment very expensive, and there is no “one-fits-all” treatment option available for mine water. Active treatment of mine water produces water with good quality but the processes are not sustainable because of the costs. Previous studies have shown that acid mine drainage can be treated with coal FA to produce better quality water. The use of coal FA, a waste material from coal fired power station and mine water would go a long way in achievement of sustainable treatment of mine water as per previous studies. In this study mine water and coal FA were characterized to determine their physiochemical properties. This study linked the modelling results obtained by using the Geochemist’s workbench (GWB) software to the results obtained during the actual treatment of Matla mine water and Rand Uranium mine water using coal FA and lime. The chemistry involved when Matla mine water and Rand Uranium mine water were treated with flocculants was also investigated. Lastly the chemistry and kinetics involved was investigated when mine water was treated with various ameliorants such as Matla coal FA, lime and/or Al(OH)3 using jet loop mixing or overhead stirring. Mine water from Matla coal mine had a pH of 8 and therefore was classified as neutral mine drainage (NMD). Rand Uranium mine water had a pH of less than 3 and therefore was classified as acid mine drainage (AMD). The concentration of sulphate, Na, Ca, Mg, B, Hg, Se and Cd ions in Matla mine water was 1475, 956, 70, 40, 15, 2.43, 1.12 and 0.005 mg/L respectively. The concentration of sulphate, Fe, Ca, Mn, Mg, Al, B, Cr, Pb, U, Cd, Se and As ions in Rand Uranium mine water was 4126, 896, 376, 282, 155, 27, 5.43, 3.15, 0.51, 0.29, 0.007, 0.06 and 0.006 mg/L respectively . These concentrations were above the target water quality range (TWQR) for potable water set by the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and World Health Organization (WHO). The gross alpha radioactivity was 6.01 Bq/L and gross beta radioactivity was 6.05 Bq/L in Rand Uranium mine water.

The aim of this work was the evaluation and method optimalization for determination of sulfates in aqueous solutions with application on different kinds of waters. For determination of sulfates were used two different procedures, turbidimetric and volumetric. In turbidimetric procedure was use optimized conditions applicable determination of sulfates in range from 0 – 20 mg.l-1. For stabilization of the colloid was use glycerine, himself sulfates sedimentation is discharged in BaSO4 form. By volumetric methods are used titration on the dithizone like indicator while using Pb(NO3)2 like volumetric reagent. Other indicator bromsulfonazo III, whitch are used for determination of sulfates by the help of volumetric solutions Ba(ClO4)2 and BaCl2. All volumetric determinations proceeded in acidic medium. During research of interferences ions on the individual titraction was detected substantial effect Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe3+, which was needing divide off on the exchanger resin. Ions aforementioned don't interfere turbidimetric determination of sulfates.

Ph.D. / Mining operations significantly influence the environment due to direct and indirect discharges of waste products into the aquatic systems. The primary aim of this study was to assess the current situation in the platinum mining area and develop a management plan to ensure that existing and potential environmental impacts caused by platinum mining and processing are mitigated. To do this, an assessment was carried out to investigate changes in critical aquatic invertebrate and fish community distributions and assess how they relate to measured environmental factors. Five sites were selected, one reference site which is upstream of heavy mining activities and four sites within heavy mining and processing activities. Standard techniques for water, sediment, invertebrate and fish sampling were used. Macro-invertebrates sampled were identified to family level whereas fish were identified to species level. Multivariate analysis used was cluster analysis by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) for both macro-invertebrates and fish. Three methods of ordination were used to analyze the biotic and abiotic data namely N-MDS, Correspondence Analysis (CA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Cluster analysis of macro-invertebrates data revealed three major groups based on sampling period (low flow or high flow) and the last cluster according to the locality. Multidimensional scaling ordination of high and low flow for macro-invertebrate communities confirmed the groupings detected by cluster analysis. Cluster analysis for fish communities revealed two groups at 50% similarity; the first group is the combination of reference and exposure sites for both high and low flow sampling regimes. No fish were sampled at site 4 during both low and high flow regimes. Multidimensional scaling ordination of high and low flow fish communities confirmed the groupings detected by cluster analysis. Analysis using a similarity profile (SIMPROF) test indicated that fish communities are statistically (p=5%) the same. It was found that macro-invertebrates and fish respond differently to environmental variables.

Mine abandonment and the discharge of contaminated mine water is recognised globally as a major source of surface water and groundwater pollution. Contamination generally arises from the oxidation of sulphide minerals, principally pyrite, by the mining process, and the subsequent chemical reactions can lead to the discharge of mineralised, often acidic, iron, and sulphate rich waters. In many historically mined river catchments, mine water discharge is the main cause of poor water quality. Within the UK, managing the legacy of abandoned mines is one of the principal challenges presented by modern environmental legislation, particularly the EU Water Framework Directive, a challenge that is exacerbated by the diverse and widespread nature of historical mining. The impact and hazard associated with abandoned mining in one of the UK’s most intensively mined regions, the Almond River Catchment, Scotland, was examined via: 1) a detailed GIS mapping and investigation of historical mining processes in the catchment, 2) mine site discharge sampling, 3) detailed site investigations, 4) geochemical modelling of four mine waste sites and 5) analysis of temporal and spatial river water quality in the catchment. The results are then brought together to produce a catchment scale mine water hazard map. Mapping has identified over 300 mine sites in the catchment including coal, oil shale and ironstone mine wastes and flooded coal and oil shale mines. The historical development of oil shale retort methods has been shown to have an impact on potential hazard. Sampling of discharge waters from the different mining activities, in conjunction with detailed mineralogical analysis and geochemical modelling at the four mine waste sites has characterised the main hazards. Ironstone and pyrite bearing coal mine wastes discharge waters with highly elevated Fe and sulphate concentrations, up to 160mgl-1 and 1900mgl-1 respectively, due to extensive pyrite oxidation and acid generating salt dissolution (principally jarosite). Coal mine wastes show variable mineralogy, due to the diverse nature of coal bearing strata, and discharge waters with variable chemistry. Oil Shale mine wastes are generally depleted in pyrite due to historic processing and discharge low sulphate waters with moderately elevated Fe concentrations, up to 5mgl-1. Flooded coal mines discharge sulphate dominant alkaline waters, due to the availability of carbonate minerals in the mine complex, with elevated Fe concentrations, up to 50mgl-1, while flooded oil shale mines discharge waters with moderately elevated Fe concentrations, up to 4mgl-1, due to lower pyrite content in mine strata and reduced availability of oxygen related to mine abandonment age. Once in the surface water environment iron and sulphate display significant concentration-flow dependence: iron increases at high flows due to the re-suspension of river bed iron precipitates (Fe(OH)3); sulphate concentrations decrease with increased flow as a result of dilution. Further examination of iron and sulphate loading at low flows indicates a close correlation of iron and sulphate with mined areas; cumulative low flow load calculations indicate that coal and oil shale mining regions contribute 0.21 and 0.31 g/s of iron, respectively, to the main Almond tributary. Decreases in iron loading on river sections demonstrate the deposition and diffuse storage of iron within the river channel. This river bed iron is re-suspended with increased flow resulting in significant transport of diffuse iron downstream with load values of up to 50 g/s iron. Based on this hazard classification, a catchment scale mine water hazard map has been developed. The map allows the prioritisation of actions for future mine water management.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mine water, that is all forms of water associated with and affected by mining operations is probably the largest area of concern in the environmental geology of mining. This study looks at the inter-relationship between mine water geochemistry and mine water management. The objectives of this study are: 1. To examine major geochemical processes influencing mine water; 2. To apply new national water and environmental legislation to the mining industry and discover how mine water management will be regulated; 3. To examine the approach of Integrated Catchment Management, and discover how this approach can be applied to the mining industry; 4. To conduct two case studies, where environmental geochemistry, general geochemistry and multivariate analyses are used as tools to investigate groundwater contamination problems in mining areas, and therefore suggest mine water management interventions; and 5. To, considering mine water problems discovered in the case studies, develop a newly-patented chemical treatment method for possible application in the mining industry. The changing legal framework - principally the implementation of the National Water Act (Act No 36 of 1998) and the National Environmental Management Act (Act No 107 of 1998) - is leading to the responsibilities of a mine becoming substantially clearer, and responsibilities which in the past could have been ignored until public outcry will now be difficult to escape. Two case studies are investigated. In both cases, general geochemistry and hydrogeochemistry, coupled with factor analysis are used to determine the major signatures in groundwater chemistry and the major sources of contamination. On the basis of this, management interventions are suggested. In the first case study, Sishen Iron Ore Mine of the Northern Cape, three signatures are identified in the groundwater: a clean dolomitic water signature, and a contamination signature from the mine and one from agriculture. The extent of nitrate and diesel contamination is shown to be related to agriculture, the use of explosives and to mine workshops and depots. Surface water controls may help reduce these problems. In the second case study, West Driefontein Gold Mine of the Far West Rand, two signatures are identified in the groundwater: a clean dolomitic water signature and a signature relating to contamination from the mine. Cluster analysis is used to suggest three groundwater zones, the chemistry of one being fairly clean dolomitic aquifer, the chemistry of the second affected by the mine and the chemistry of the third affected by granites. Contamination is shown to be related to mining operations, especially the slimes dams, and agriculture. Rehabilitation of dams and dumps, as well as surface water controls may help reduce these problems. Considering mine water problems discovered in the case studies, a newly-patented chemical treatment method is examined and tested for possible application in the mining industry. It is shown to be extremely effective for the removal of calcium from water, but less effective for the removal of iron and manganese. More broadly, this study shows the inter-dependence between mine water geochemistry and mine water management, and the need to be multi-disciplinary in approach. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mynwater, dit is aile soorte water wat geaffekteer en geassosieer word met mynbou bedrywighede, is moontlik die grootste rede tot kommer in omgewingsgeologie van mynbou. Hierdie studie stel ondersoek in na die verhouding tussen mynwater geochemie en mynwater bestuur. Die doelwitte van die studie is soos volg: 1. Om die hoof geochemiese prosesse te ondersoek wat mynwater beinvloed: 2. Om die nuwe nasionale water- en omgewingswette toe te pas op die mynboubedryf en te ondersoek hoe die bestuur van mynwater gereguleer sal word; 3. Om die benadering van Gerntegreerde Opvangs Bestuur ("Integrated Catchment Managemement") te ondersoek, en te ondersoek hoe hierdie benadering op die mynbou industrie toegepas kan word' 4. Om twee gevallestudies te doen, waar omgewingsgeochemie, algemene geochemie en multivariant analise gebruik word as middels om grondwater besoedeling in mynbougebiede te ondersoek, en daarvolgens om mynwater bestuurswysigings voor te stel; en 5. Om, nemende in ag die mynwater probleme wat ontdek is in die gevallestudies, 'n nuutgepatenteerde chemiese behandelingsmetode, vir moontlike toepassing in die mynbou industrie, te ontwikkel. Die veranderende regtelike raamwerk - hoofsaaklik die implementering van die Nasionale Waterwet (Wet No. 36 van 1998) en die Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur Wet (Wet No.1 07 van 1998) - lei daartoe dat 'n myn verantwoordelik moet wees om opmerklik skoner te word, verantwoordelikhede wat in die verlede maklik gergnoreer kon word maar wat nou te moeilik is om te ignoreer as gevolg van publieke uitroepe. Twee gevalle is ondersoek. In be ide studies word algemene geochemie en hidrogechemie, saam met faktoranalise, gebruik om die hoof kenmerke te bepaal in grondwaterchemie en die hoof bronne van besoedeling. Deur dit as basis te gebruik word bestuurswysigings voorgestel. In die eerste gevallestudie, Sishen Ystererts Myn in die Noordkaap, is drie kenmerkende samestellings qeidentitiseer in die grondwater: 'n skoon dolomitiese samestelling, en een elk van 'n myn en landbou gekontamineerde samestelling. Die omvang van nitraat en diesel kontaminasie word aangedui as geassosieerd met landbou, die gebruik van plofstowwe, mynwerkswinkels en depots. Oppervlak waterbeheer mag help om hierdie probleme te beheer. In die tweede gevallestudie, Wes Driefontein Goudmyn in die Ver Wesrand, is twee kenmerkende samestellings in die grondwater gerdentifiseer: 'n skoon dolomitiese samestelling en 'n samestelling geassosieer met kontaminasie van die myn. "Cluster" analise is gebruik om drie grondwatersones te identifiseer, die eerste een se chemie stem redelik ooreen met 'n skoon akwifer, die tweede een se chemie is bernvloed deur die myn en die derde se chernie is deur granite bemvloed. Kontaminasie word aangedui as geassosieer met mynboubedrywighede, veral die slikdamme, en landbou. Rehabilitasie van damme en afvalhope, asook oppervlak waterbeheer mag help om die probleem te verminder. Deur die mynwater probleme wat in die gevallestudies ontdek is in ag te neem, word 'n nuutgepatenteerde chemiese behandeling ondersoek en getoets vir moontlike toepassing in die mynboubedryf. Dit word aangewys as uiters effektief vir die verwydering van kalsium, maar minder effektief in die verwydering van yster en mangaan. In die algemeen, wys hierdie studie inter-afhanklikheid tussen mynwater geochemie en mynwater bestuur, en 'n behoefte aan 'n rnultidissiplinere benadering.

The South African Electricity Supply Industry is one of the backbone industries in South Africa. During 2003, it became clear that the demand for electricity in South Africa was increasing at a rate that had not been predicted nor recognised before. This was a clear indication that Eskom, the national electricity supply utility, would have to invest in additional generating capacity before 2007. Eskom envisioned these problems and introduced a DSM programme, which is aimed at reducing the national peak power demand. In so doing, the immediate need for additional power generating capacity will be postponed. A major part of this program is the concept of electrical load shifting. In 2000 mining in South Africa consumed 29% of the total quantity of electricity generated, of which the gold-mining industry consumed more than half. Electricity is the exclusive power source for the application of vital health and safety-related requirements in gold mines. In some cases, these consume in excess of 55% of the total electricity used on a mine. Water-pumping systems are a major part of these important applications. This dissertation presents a study of certain aspects of real-time energy management on old gold mines, by focusing on electrical load shifting on underground water pumping systems. Old gold mines use old, proven and energy-intensive methods that were not designed to conserve energy. This study also researches the challenges associated with the implementation of energy management strategies on old gold mines. Research was done on three old gold mines to determine the potential for load shifting on the underground water pumping systems of old gold mines. Integrated simulations were used as the main method of establishing this potential as well as the financial savings potential for the client. The simulation results showed large amounts of load-shifting potential for all three case studies and substantial financial savings potential for the clients. Real-time, load-shifting strategies were implemented on the three systems analysed in the case studies. The results generated by these strategies showed that load shifting could be realised on these systems, and confirmed the potential calculated in the simulations. Further research into the results however showed that the old infrastructure in the old mines caused many problems and influenced the sustainability of these strategies. From this study, the conclusions were made that; (a) there exists a potential for energy management on old gold mines, (b) there exists large potential for the implementation of sustainable energy management strategies on old gold mines, and (c) it is feasible to implement energy management strategies on old gold mines. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / In this study, comparative sorption studies of the major metal ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, K+ and Na+) in the brine wastewater were performed on hydrophilic materials (PAN nanofibre, PAN+TiO2 nanofibre, PAN+ZEOLITE nanofibre) and Purolite S950 resin to investigate their uptake performances. For this purpose, PAN nanofibre was electrospun and subsequently doped with 3 wt% each of titanium dioxide and zeolite respectively, in controlled experimental conditions in order to improve its performance. This was followed by the characterization of the respective hydrophilic materials (PAN, PAN+TiO2 and PAN+ZEOLITE nanofibres) using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR); Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). SEM showed that the incorporation of titanium dioxide or zeolite into the PAN structure made the surface rougher than that of the ordinary PAN nanofibre and FT-IR revealed the peaks belonging to titanium dioxide and zeolite respectively, showing the inorganic materials are within the PAN structure. The XRD analysis complemented the FT-IR of the nanofibres by revealing the peaks characteristic of titanium dioxide and zeolite are present on the PAN structure.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the groundwater around the Aitik copper mine- one of Europe’s largest copper mine located 15 km outside of Gällivare, Sweden - as well the placement of the groundwater pipes around the area. The study also included a survey of what kind of terms, regarding groundwater that may become relevant in the future for an activity of Aitik’s size and type. Monitoring data was analysed between the years 2014 – 2018 for the parameters; pH, SO4, Cd, Co, Cu, Zn, Ni and U. The correlation between the parameters where tested and the monitoring data where compared to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency criteria for groundwater as well to the groundwater chemistry from a reference area nearby, Liikavaara Östra. The result of the study shows that low pH raises the mobility of the metals Cd, Co, Cu, Zn and Ni. The result also indicates that SO4, Ni and Co are higher than the reference area but that the groundwater overall shows small signs of being affected by sulphide weathering. Therefore, metals can’t be excluded from originating from high background contents. The geographic analyse shows that the groundwater pipes are well placed in compared with the water flow direction and that two of the pipes can be excluded from sampling. Future terms regarding groundwater will likely regard protective measures and quantity restrictions. Still monitoring groundwater quality is very important to control environmental impact of the activity and to prevent deterioration of quality in the future.