Effect of acid buffering capacity on the remobilization of heavy metals in sewage sludge barrier for tailings

Remobilization of heavy metals from the bottom liner system due to the seepage of acid mine drainage (AMD) is an important concern in the long-term management of tailing impoundment. Titration tests were carried out to evaluate the acid buffering capacity (ABC) of sewage sludge and to investigate its effect on the remobilization of heavy metals. Test results demonstrate that the ABC increases with solid/liquid ratio and anaerobic incubation time and it is mainly attributed to the abundant organic matters contained and increasing carbonate loads. The added heavy metals (Zn, Pb, and Cu) were well immobilized during the anaerobic incubation stage but were released out dramatically during the acidification especially when pH drops below 6.0 because of dissolution of carbonates and cation exchange of clay minerals. The calculated results, from a simplified model, indicate that high levels of remobilization of heavy metals are not expected during the typical management time because of the high ABC of compacted sewage sludge barrier. These results support that sewage sludge is a suitable bottom liner material for the management of AMD from tailings.