An integrated algal sulphate reducing high rate ponding process for the treatment of acid mine drainage waste waters

摘要

Acid mine drainage pollution may be associated with large water volume flows and exceptionally long periods of time over which the drainage may require treatment. Waste water ponding is used as the basis for appropriate reactor designs for acid minedrainage treatment, including high rates of sulphate reduction and the precipitation of metal sulphides. Together with co-disposal of organic wastes, algal biomass is generated as an independent carbon source for sulfate reducing bacteria production. Treatment of tannery effluent in a custom-designed high rate algal pond system, and its use as a carbon source in the generation and precipitation of metal sulphides, has been demonstrated through pilot to full-scale implementation. The treatment of both mine drainage and zinc refinery waste waters are reported. A complementary role for microalgal production in the generation of alkalinity and bioadsorptive removal of metals has been utilized and an integrated algal sulphate-reducing ponding process for the treatment of acidic and metal waste waters is described.