Evaluating the use of biosurfactants in the removal of arsenic from mine tailings

Fereshteh Arab, Catherine N. Mulligan

In the proceedings of: GeoMontréal 2013: 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 11th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Geoenvironment I

ABSTRACT: In many places around the globe, arsenic is considered as a primary pollutant in water, affecting millions of people. Previously, various methods have been developed to treat the contaminated soils. During the past decade, researchers have been investigating the use of biosurfactants to enhance the process of contaminant removal of from soil. In this research, laboratory simulation tests were conducted by using various biosurfactants, such as rhamnolipids and sophorolipids, in order to examine the efficiency of these biosurfactants in removing arsenic from mine tailings. The effects of biosurfactant concentration, pH, washing time and the presence of other heavy metals on the removal efficiency were investigated. Additionally, the capability of biosurfactants to alter the speciation of the heavy metals was studied. The result of these investigations will be used to develop an efficient, environmentally friendly and economically feasible system for the treatment of mine tailings.

RÉSUMÉ: Partout dans le monde, l'arsenic est considéré comme un polluant primaire dans l'eau qui touche des millions. Au paravant, diverses méthodes ont été développées pour le traitement des sols contaminés. Parmi lesquelles, on nomme les enquêtes sur l'utilisation des biosurfactants pour améliorer le processus d'élimination des contaminants du sol. Dans cette recherche, les tests de simulation de laboratoire ont été effectués en utilisant des divers biosurfactants, comme les rhamnolipides et sophorolipides pour examiner l'efficacité de ces biosurfactants à éliminer l'arsenic des résidus miniers. Les effets de la concentration de tensioactif, le pH, le temps de lavage, et la présence d'autres métaux lourds sur l'efficacité d'élimination ont été étudiés. En outre, la capacité de biosurfactants de modifier la spéciation des métaux lourds a été étudiée. Les résultats de ces enquêtes seront utilisés pour développer un système efficace, respectueux de l'environnement et économiquement viable pour le traitement des résidus miniers.

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Cite this article:
Fereshteh Arab; Catherine N. Mulligan (2013) Evaluating the use of biosurfactants in the removal of arsenic from mine tailings in GEO2013. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{GeoMon2013Paper472,author = Fereshteh Arab; Catherine N. Mulligan,title = Evaluating the use of biosurfactants in the removal of arsenic from mine tailings ,year = 2013}