C. Gonzalez-Merchan, T. Genty, B. Bussière
Sep 1, 2016
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Influential Citations
17
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Journal
Minerals Engineering
Abstract
Abstract Available technologies for cyanides (CN − ) treatment in gold mine effluents marginally degrade the thiocyanates (SCN − ). Commonly, they convert the CN − into a less toxic compound, such as cyanates (OCN − ), which afterwards are oxidized and generate ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N). Thus, the pretreated effluents require additional steps for complete degradation of SCN − and NH 3 -N. Recent research shows that ferrates [Fe(VI)] might represent a sustainable option for the efficient treatment of gold mine effluents. In this context, the objective of the present study was to assess the performance of Fe(VI) in SCN − and/or NH 3 -N treatment, as well as in their by-products degradation. The performance of Fe(VI) was evaluated using three different synthetic effluents (solutions) and two gold mine effluents contaminated by SCN − and/or NH 3 -N. Results indicated that more than 97% of SCN − were degraded with Fe(VI), while the NH 3 -N increased up to 50%, after SCN − oxidation of the presence of NH 3 -N, within one hour of reaction time. Consequently, for effluents that contain SCN − and NH 3 -N, longer reaction time is required or complementary treatment technologies, such as nitrification – denitrification, should be evaluated for complete degradation of N-compounds.