Effects of typical flotation reagent on microbial toxicity and nickel bioavailability in soil.

The combined toxicological effects of nickel (Ni) and butyl xanthate (BX), that is commonly used in flotation reagents for non-ferrous metals ore processing such as Ni, copper and lead ores, on soil microbial communities were studied by determining soil microbial activity, soil enzyme activities and Ni bioavailability. The results revealed that the exchangeable (EXC) and reducible (RED) fractions of Ni were higher in Ni/BX mixture than Ni alone, probably because BX reacts with Ni to form complexes that lead an increase in bioavailability of Ni. The presence of BX and Ni inhibited microbial activity and enzyme activities during the first 30-days. Then, from 30 days to 180 days, different trends were observed according to the condition: microbial activity was stimulated with BX alone while it was inhibited with Ni/BX mixture. This observation was supported by the fact that the inhibitory ratio (I) was higher for Ni/BX mixture than BX alone. Results showed that the sensitivity to one or both contaminants followed the order: urease (UA) > invertase (INV). EXC fraction of Ni/BX mixture were significantly correlated with UA, INV, I, peak power (Ppeak) and peak time (Tpeak), respectively (p < 0.01), suggesting that Ni bioavailability might explain the Ni toxicity against microbial communities under combined pollution conditions. Such observations allow us to better understand toxic effects of Ni pollution when accompanied with BX, facilitating precisely evaluation of potential risks in mining areas.

Application of natural zeolite for phosphorus and ammonium removal from aqueous solutions.

Removal of both nutrients ammonium and phosphorus by natural zeolite has been studied in lab scale by using a mechanically stirred batch system (1000 ml). Zeolite, a mean particle size of 13 microm, was used as an adsorbent for the removal of ammonium and then as a seed material for the precipitation of calcium phosphate. A relationship was established between the uptake of ammonium by zeolite and the ratio of initial ammonium concentration to zeolite dosage. Ammonium uptake of zeolite was almost completed within initial 5 min of adsorption period. There is no pronounced effect of zeolite and ammonium, neither positive nor negative on the amount of calcium phosphate precipitation. The extent of the precipitation of phosphate increased with rising pH. It was also observed that when the system was allowed to relax at constant pH (i.e. under relatively low super saturations), a certain lag time was noted to elapse at the onset of the precipitation. At the pH 7.2, the amount of initial fast precipitation within 5 min and total precipitation within 120 min were around 34% and 93%, respectively. Precipitation of calcium phosphate on to ammonium-loaded zeolite was achieved at low super saturations (< pH 7.5) through secondary nucleation and crystal growth, leading to an increase in particle size.

P-recovery by secondary nucleation and growth of calcium phosphates on magnetite mineral.

Precipitation of calcium phosphates from supersaturated solutions seeded with magnetite powder (magnetite mineral, Fe3O4) has been studied in lab scale in the pH range 6.9-7.7. While the initial concentration of phosphorus was 1.29 mmol/l, the initial molar ratio of Ca/P was taken one to three times of the stoichiometric calcium to phosphorus ratio of hydroxyapatite. To bring out the secondary nucleation, the precipitation system was allowed to relax and pH of the solution was maintained at the initially preset value. The period before base was added for the first time during relaxation was defined as lagtime and sodium hydroxide added during the relaxation was evaluated as the degree of growth. The lagtime was found to be dependent on the solution pH, therefore on the initial amount of precipitation. Coverage of seed surface by heterogeneous nucleation is essential. Since all precipitation by secondary nucleation took place on the seed material, precipitation during relaxation was due to growth of the solid phase on the seed surfaces. It was found that there was a pH range in which growth rate was directly proportional to pH. However, at lower residual concentrations of phosphorus, despite relatively higher pH, the growth rate was decreased.

Magnetite seeded precipitation of phosphate.

Seeded precipitation of Ca phosphate on magnetite mineral (Fe3O4) surfaces was investigated using a Jar Test system in supersaturated solutions at 20 degrees C and ionic strength 0.01 mol l(-1) with relative super saturation, 12.0-20.0 for HAP. pH of the solution, initial phosphorus concentration and molar Ca/P ratio were investigated as the main parameters, which effect the seeded precipitation of Ca phosphate. Results showed that there is no pronounced effect of magnetite seed, neither positive nor negative on the amount of calcium phosphate precipitation. pH was found to be the main parameter that determines the phosphate precipitated onto the seed surface. Increasing of the pH of precipitation reaction was resulted in the decrease in percentage amount of phosphate precipitated onto seed surfaces to total precipitation (magnetite seeded precipitation efficiency). It was concluded that the pH dependence of magnetite-seeded precipitation should be considered in the light of its effect on the supersaturated conditions of solution. Saturation index (SI) of solution with respect to the precipitate phase was considered the driving force for the precipitation. A simulation programme PHREEQC (Version 2) was employed to calculate the Saturation-index with respect to hydroxyapatite (HAP) of the chemically defined precipitation system. It was found a good relationship between SI of solution with respect to HAP and the magnetite seeded precipitation efficiency, a second order polynomial function. Results showed that more favorable solution conditions for precipitation (higher SI values of solution) causes homogenous nucleation whereas heterogeneous nucleation led to a higher magnetite seeded precipitation efficiency.