Utilization Of Fly Ash In Heavy Metal Removal From Acid Mine Drainage

Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) contains very toxic heavy metal with strong acidity. The high concentration of heavy metals in AMD have the potential as a major contamination sources that affect human life, aquatic and other natural resources. In this study, the removal of heavy metals was carried out by using low-cost industrial waste material which is fly ash. The adsorption capacity of fly ash was determined by two methods which are batch adsorption and tank remediation test. The effects of quantity of dosage, pH and heavy metal concentration were investigated. Fly ash consist of carbonate minerals (>50%) with high potential as adsorbent material to treat acid mine. The maximum adsorption rate for fly ash occurred at pH 5 for Pb, pH 7 for Zn and pH 3 for Cu. Adsorption capacity also increased with increasing dose. Fly ash as high alkaline material remediated and neutralized AMD solution from acidic phase (pH 2.11) to neutral phase (pH 7.09). Increasing pH value during treatment process will increase the capacity of the removal of heavy metals.