Characterization and treatment of comtaminants of emerging concern in mine effluents

该项目涉及三所大学、一个研究中心和四个矿业合作伙伴，旨在研究矿山废水中新出现的关注污染物（CECs）的特征和处理。在本研究的背景下，矿山废水中的CECs包括四类：1)新污染物（如Mn、Se、Sb）；2)常见污染物（如砷、铜、锌），但在敏感环境（如寒冷气候）中目标浓度很低；3)难以处理的污染物（如硫酸盐、盐度）；4)氮化合物（氨、亚硝酸盐和硝酸盐）。其中一些污染物目前通过水生毒性评估进行监测。预计在不久的将来会有具体的排放标准，但由于ces处理的操作挑战，包括复杂的化学，持久性，氧化或还原条件的要求，缺乏经过验证的BATEA，以及对污染物混合物和可变出水质量的最佳效率条件的了解不足，因此很难遵守这些标准。因此，矿业公司在水管理方面的未来重点应该是：1)改善/开发可持续的CECs处理技术；2)限制残余盐度的产生；3)产生稳定的污泥。本研究主要围绕以下3个目标开展：1)深入表征4种活性胺类化合物的废水，以鉴别出CECs；O2)处理CECs，重点关注浓度和温度；O3)含CECs矿井污水处理前后的水毒性评价。该方法将包括实际废水的表征，随后是模拟和真实废水的可处理性测试，以及最佳性能解决方案的毒性评估。具体目标是制定准确的物种形成分析和治疗CECs的方案。通过对技术和环境方面的深入了解，所获得的结果将使在工业伙伴和加拿大其他地方的场地上有更好的大规模应用潜力。该项目将培养3名博士和2名PDF。

This project involves three universities, one research center, and four mining industry partners, and aims at thecharacterization and treatment of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in mine effluents. In the context ofthis study, the CECs in mine effluents include four categories: 1) new contaminants (e.g. Mn, Se, Sb); 2)common contaminants (e.g. As, Cu, Zn), but with very low target concentrations in sensitive environments,such as the cold climate; 3) difficult to treat contaminants (e.g. sulfate, salinity); and 4) nitrogen compounds(ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates). Some of these contaminants are currently monitored via aquatic toxicityassessment. Specific discharge criteria are expected in the near future, but they would be difficult to complywith because of the operational challenges for CECs treatment, including a complex chemistry, persistency,requirements of oxidizing or reducing conditions, lack of a proven BATEA, and insufficient knowledge as tothe optimal efficiency conditions with mixtures of contaminants and variable effluent quality. Thus, futurepriorities of mining companies in water management should: 1) improve/develop sustainable treatmenttechnologies for CECs; 2) limit residual salinity creation; and 3) produce stable sludge. The study, which aimsknowledge advancing on the characterization of mine effluents and performance improvement of CECstreatment processes, is centered around 3 objectives: O1) thorough characterization of effluents from 4 activemines for CECs identification; O2) treatment of CECs, with focus on concentration and temperature; and O3)evaluation of aquatic toxicity, before and after treatment of actual mine effluents containing CECs. Themethodology will consist of characterization of actual effluents, followed by treatability testing with mock andreal effluents, and toxicity evaluation of the optimal performance solution. A specific goal is to developprotocols for accurate speciation analysis and treatment of CECs. The results obtained would allow, through anadvanced understanding of the technological and environmental aspects, better potential applications on a largescale, on the sites of the industrial partners and elsewhere in Canada. The project will train 3 PhD and 2 PDF.