MINIMIZATION OF ROCK PILE LEACHATE FORMATION AND METHODS OF TREATING ROCK PILE LEACHATES

摘要

Methods of treating leachates in rock piles. Exemplary leachates include neutral aqueous leachates containing selenates and nitrates, said leachates being found in waste rock piles from coal mining operations. In certain embodiments, the method includes introducing an inert gas to the lower section of the rock pile, and allowing bacteria indigenous to the mining site to reduce the selenates and nitrates to selenium and nitrogen, respectively.