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采矿业合作伙伴，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(例如，锰、硒、锑)；2)常见污染物(例如，As、铜、锌)，但在寒冷气候等敏感环境中的目标浓度非常低；3)难以处理的污染物(例如，硫酸盐、盐度)；以及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CECs处理的操作挑战，包括复杂的化学、持久性、对氧化或还原条件的要求、缺乏已证实的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，这些标准将很难得到遵守。因此，矿业公司未来在水管理方面的优先事项应该是：1)改进/开发CEC的可持续处理技术；2)限制剩余盐度的产生；3)产生稳定的污泥。这项研究旨在提高对矿山废水特征和CEC处理工艺性能的认识，主要围绕3个目标：1)彻底表征4个活化区的废水以确定CECs；O2)CECs的处理，重点关注浓度和温度；以及03)在处理含有CECs的实际矿山废水之前和之后对水生毒性进行评估。方法学将包括对实际流出物的表征，然后用模拟和真实流出物进行可处理性测试，以及对最佳性能溶液的毒性评估。一个具体的目标是制定准确的CECs形态分析和处理方案。所取得的成果将使人们能够通过对技术和环境方面的深入了解，更好地在工业伙伴现场和加拿大其他地方进行大规模的潜在应用。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.