Construction of a capillary barrier cover for reactive mine waste management utilizing municipal biosolids

Christopher Hey, Paul Simms

In the proceedings of: GeoEdmonton 2018: 71st Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 13th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Hydrogeological Characterization

ABSTRACT: The potential use of municipal biosolids as a replacement for clays and silts in the development of a capillary barrier cover for reactive mine tailings is evaluated at a laboratory scale. Low saturated hydraulic conductivities were observed in biosolids during material characterization (k = 4.21 x 10 -7 cm/s), and high degrees of saturation have been shown to be maintained at elevated suctions indicating high moisture retention properties. Numerical modelling results indicate a robust saturated layer can be maintained over a 91-day simulation. Laboratory scale column tests will be analyzed and compared to the findings of simulations.

RÉSUMÉ: La possibilites municipaux pour remplacer les matériaux argiles et limons dans la construction des couvercles barrières capillaires pour les déchets minières réactifs sont évaluer au niveau du laboratoire. La conductivité hydraulique des biosolides observée pendant caractérisation était très faible (k = 4.21 x 10 -7 cm/s), et les hautes niveaux de saturation étaient Les maintenue pendant la duration de la simulation de 91 jours. Testes conduit aux niveaux du laboratoire utilisant des colonnes seront évaluées pour comparer les résultats avec seuils obtenus par simulation.

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