Remediation of phosphogypsum stacks. Field pilot scale application

Komnitsas, K; Paspaliaris, I; Lazar, I; Petrisor, IG

dc.contributor.author	Komnitsas, K	en
dc.contributor.author	Paspaliaris, I	en
dc.contributor.author	Lazar, I	en
dc.contributor.author	Petrisor, IG	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:15:07Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:15:07Z
dc.date.issued	1999	en
dc.identifier.issn	15724409	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/13355
dc.title	Remediation of phosphogypsum stacks. Field pilot scale application	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1016/S1572-4409(99)80154-0	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1572-4409(99)80154-0	en
heal.publicationDate	1999	en
heal.abstract	At Navodari, 20 km north of Constanta in Romania, the treatment of phosphate ores for the production of fertilisers has resulted in the production of over 3,000,000 m3 of phosphogypsum which have been disposed of in three stacks over an area of 40 ha. For the assessment of the risks resulting from these tailings an environmental characterisation study and a risk analysis based on a source-pathway target principle were performed. These studies revealed that phosphogypsum stacks are characterised by residual acidity and elevated concentration of sulphates, toxic elements and radionuclides. In addition, the lack of a cover favours aerial transportation of fine particles and solubilisation and migration of toxic and radioactive elements causing contamination of surrounding soils, surface and ground waters. Previous laboratory glasshouse studies conducted have shown that modification of phosphogypsum with the addition of amendments and nutrients leads to the establishing of a substrate suitable for development of a vegetative cover consisting of perennial species and/or bushes. Based on these laboratory data, a field pilot scale study was carried out in order to examine in situ the potential of phosphogypsum stacks revegetation. In this paper, data derived from the field tests are presented and discussed. The critical parameters which play the most important role for the development of a vegetative cover are soil pH, presence of sufficient amounts of micronutrients in the tailings, sufficient water holding capacity of the substrate and selection of species which show a potential for growth in such environments. Data derived after a seven month field trial period indicate that a number of perennial species and bushes can be used for the development of a vegetative cover which will minimize future environmental risks and improve aesthetics in the area. © 1999 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.	en
heal.journalName	Process Metallurgy	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1016/S1572-4409(99)80154-0	en
dc.identifier.volume	9	en
dc.identifier.issue	C	en
dc.identifier.spage	645	en
dc.identifier.epage	654	en