Environmental applications of high purity dolomite as flocculant, oxydant and metal precipitator

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In a society that is in constant change and development, the increased use of our natural resources is irreversible. Canada's exploitable natural resources foster dependence on our primary industry sectors - mining, energy (petroleum, hydropower) and agriculture. Unfortunately, these activities harm the environment because of their associated pollution. Thus, following principles of sustainable development, it is necessary to provide these industries with new techniques for not only managing environmental pollutants but also striving towards environmental restoration. The proposed project wants to develop new environmental applications of a carbonate sedimentary rock called dolomite. The active mineral dolomite (CaMg (CO3)2) is currently known for its use in agriculture including liming. In this project, a high purity dolomite will be used in a new application as a coagulant and disinfectant (oxidant). Three environmental applications are targeted through this project: acid mine drainage, agricultural runoff and landfill leachates. These matrices will be treated with dolomite under different physical characteristics ranging from the size of gravel (to be used in reactive filters) to fine-grained powder (to be used in reactors as a neutralizer). This project will generate new knowledge (chemistry and geochemistry of a new natural product) and apply existing abilities in eco-design and the engineering of reactors to develop innovative mitigation for significant environmental impacts due to pollution by acid mine drainage, agricultural runoff and landfill leachates.