Abstract
The mineral acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most serious environmental impacts of mining. Watercourses impacted by DAM are assessed as unfit, causing serious environmental consequences and severe socioeconomic problems. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the potential of a residue, shrimp-shell, as source of chitin and alkalinity for remediation of mine-impacted water (MIW), seeking their subsequent reuse for secondary non-potable reuse. Comparative tests with the shrimp-shells were performed, differentiating between body (CR) and head (CB), and commercial chitin (QT 70% purity), with samples of surface water and groundwater from the impacted “Região Carbonífera Catarinense” (Brazil). Assays were performed in batch-microcosms with different concentrations of substrate, contact time and stirring speed. Metals were almost removed [Fe (> 92%), Al (> 99%), and Mn (40-60%)]. CR showed the best results after 48 hours of treatment with 200 rpm and 10 g L–1 of substrate. The higher increase in pH was in the samples with CR, from ~ 3 to ~ 7. The results indicated the potential of direct use of shrimp shells to treat effluents for secondary non-potable reuse.
Keywords:
chitin; bioremediation; sorption; reuse; solved metals
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