Mechanochemical synthesis of the copper autunites—a new route to remediation of potentially toxic elements

Authors: Kirk, CA; MacIver-Jones, FM; Wu, C; Johnson, B

Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2315_074

Cite As:
Kirk, CA, MacIver-Jones, FM, Wu, C & Johnson, B 2023, 'Mechanochemical synthesis of the copper autunites—a new route to remediation of potentially toxic elements', in B Abbasi, J Parshley, A Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2023: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2315_074

Download citation as:   ris   bibtex   endnote   text   Zotero


Abstract:
This paper focusses on the potentially toxic elements (PTE), uranium (U) and arsenic (As), which are both of concern in many developing nations that have active mining histories. U and As are toxic and carcinogenic, with U also being radioactive. In some ex-mining sites where these two contaminants co-exist (e.g., at the South Terras Mine, UK and the Zoige deposit, China) the untreated mine tailings have weathered and formed secondary mineral phases such as metatorbernite (Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2.8H2O) and metazeunerite (Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2.8H2O). These minerals (part of the autunite group) are highly stable phases, and their formation has thus acted as a natural remediation solution and prevented U and As contamination from migrating through the surrounding environment. In this research, we describe a novel method for the synthesis of metatorbernite and metazeunerite from laboratory reagents, which we suggest could be a promising treatment method for U- and As-containing mining wastes. The method we describe uses mechanochemical techniques, which eliminate the need for a solvent and is compatible with existing infrastructure in the mining industry (e.g. grinding and milling facilities). We discuss the method development and directions for future work, highlighting that the successful development of this technique could have significant societal impacts, particularly in developing regions with poor waste management. Our ultimate aim is to develop a sustainable remediation strategy that can be easily scaled up and applied to other hazardous solid wastes to markedly reduce latent environmental and health risks.

Keywords: remediation, mechanochemistry, uranium, arsenic

References:
Abrahams, O, Kgalamono, S, Nattey, C, Ndaba, N, Rees, D, Wilson, K, 2013, ‘Preliminary report on the Survey of Namibia Customs Smelter Workers Tsumeb, Namibia’ Occupational Medicine, National Istitute for Occupational Health (NIOH).
Baláž, P, Achimovičová, M, Baláž, M, Billik, P, Cherkezova-Zheleva, Z, Criado, JM, Delogu, F, Dutková, E, Gaffet, E, Gotor, FJ, Kumar, R, Mitov, I, Rojac, T, Senna, M, Streletskii, A & Wieczorek-Ciurowa, K 2013, ‘Hallmarks of mechanochemistry: from nanoparticles to technology’, Chemical Society Reviews, vol. 42, no. 18, pp. 7571-7637.
Boldyrev. VV, “Mechanochemistry and mechanical activation of solids”, Russian Chemical Reviews, 2006, vol. 75(3), pp 177-189.
Bostick, WD 2003, ‘Use of apatite for chemical stabilization of subsurface contamiants’, Office of Scientific and Technical Information, viewed 16 June 2023, .
Bostick, WD, Stevenson, RJ, Jarabek, RJ & Conca, JL 1999, ‘Use of apatite and bone char for the removal of soluble radionuclides in authentic and simulated doe groundwater (Reprinted from Advances in Environmental Research, vol 3, pg 488-498, 2000)’, Adv. Environ. Res., vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 12.
Chareyron, B 2014, ‘Radiological Impact of Roessing Rio Tinto Uranium Mine’, International Nuclear Information System, viewed 16 June 2023, .
Clapp, J 2001 ‘Toxic Exports The Transfer of Hazardous Wastes from Rich to Poor Countries’, Cornell University Press, New York.
Corkhill, CL, Crean, DE, Bailey, DJ, Makepeace, C, Stennett, MC, Tappero, R, Grolimund, D & Hyatt, NC 2017, ‘Multi-scale investigation of uranium attenuation by arsenic at an abandoned uranium mine, South Terras’, npj Materials Degradation, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 19.
Cotruvo, JA 2017, ‘2017 WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality: First Addendum to the Fourth Edition’, Journal AWWA, vol. 109, no. 7, pp. 44-51.
Cretaz, F, Szenknect, S, Clavier, N, Vitorge, P, Mesbah, A, Descostes, M, Poinssot, C & Dacheux, N 2013, ‘Solubility properties of synthetic and natural meta-torbernite’, Journal of Nuclear Materials, vol. 442, no. 1, pp. 195-207.
Dzik, EA, Lobeck, HL, Zhang, L & Burns, PC 2017, ‘Thermodynamic properties of phosphate members of the meta-autunite group: A high-temperature calorimetric study’, The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, vol. 114, no. pp. 165-171.
Dzik, EA, Lobeck, HL, Zhang, L & Burns, PC 2018, ‘High-temperature calorimetric measurements of thermodynamic properties of uranyl arsenates of the meta-autunite group’, Chemical Geology, vol. 493, pp. 353-358.
Gates-Rector, S & Blanton, T 2019, ‘The Powder Diffraction File: a quality materials characterization database’, Powder Diffraction, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 352-360.
Gorman-Lewis, D, Shvareva, T, Kubatko, K-A, Burns, PC, Wellman, DM, McNamara, B, Szymanowski, JES, Navrotsky, A & Fein, JB 2009, ‘Thermodynamic Properties of Autunite, Uranyl Hydrogen Phosphate, and Uranyl Orthophosphate from Solubility and Calorimetric Measurements’, Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 43, no. 19, pp. 7416-7422.
Guéguen, Y & Frerejacques, M 2022, ‘Review of Knowledge of Uranium-Induced Kidney Toxicity for the Development of an Adverse Outcome Pathway to Renal Impairment’, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 23, no. 8, pp. 4397.
International Atomic Energy Agency 2018, Uranium Resources as Co- and By-Products of Polymetallic, Base, Rare Earth and Precious Metal Ore Deposits, Vienna.
Jerden, JL & Sinha, AK 2003, ‘Phosphate based immobilization of uranium in an oxidizing bedrock aquifer’, Applied Geochemistry, vol. 18, no. 6, pp. 823-843.
Kulaszewska, J 2018, ‘Stability and structure of the Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2-x(AsO4)x.8H2O solid solution and its environmental significance’, PhD thesis, University of Loughborough, Loughborough.
Kulaszewska, J, Dann, S, Warwick, P & Kirk, C 2019, ‘Solid solution formation in the metatorbernite- metazeunerite system (Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2-x(AsO4)x.8H2O) and their stability under conditions of variable temperature’, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, vol. 377, no. 2147.
Kumar S, Alex, TC & Kumar, R 2000, ‘ Mechanical activation of solids in extractive mineralogy’, in P BalÁž (ed.), Process Metallurgy, Elsevier, viewed 16 June 2023,
Locock, AJ & Burns, PC 2003, ‘Crystal structures and synthesis of the copper-dominant members of the autunite and meta-autunite groups: torbernite, zeunerite, metatorbernite and metazeunerite, The Canadian Mineralogist, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 489-502.
Locock, AJ, Burns, PC, Duke, MJM & Flynn, TM 2004, ‘Monovalent cations in structures of the meta-autunite group’, The Canadian Mineralogist, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 973-996.
MacIver-Jones, FM 2022, ‘The Structure, Stability, and Synthesis of Copper Autunite Minerals with Implications for Uranium Remediation’, PhD thesis, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh.
MacIver-Jones, FM, Sutcliffe, P, Graham, MC, Morrison, CA & Kirk, CA 2021, ‘Locating hydrogen positions in the autunite mineral metatorbernite [Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8H2O]: a combined approach using neutron powder diffraction and computational modelling’, IUCrJ, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 963-972.
Mehta, VS, Maillot, F, Wang, Z, Catalano, JG & Giammar, DE 2014, ‘Effect of co-solutes on the products and solubility of uranium(VI) precipitated with phosphate’, Chemical Geology, vol. 364, pp. 66-75.
Ohnuki, T, Kozai, N, Samadfam, M, Yasuda, R, Yamamoto, S, Narumi, K, Naramoto, H & Murakami, T 2004, ‘The formation of autunite (Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2nH2O) within the leached layer of dissolving apatite: incorporation mechanism of uranium by apatite’, Chemical Geology, vol. 211, no. 1, pp. 1-14.
Ranu, B & Stolle, A (eds) 2014, Ball Milling Towards Green Synthesis: Applications, Projects, Challenges, The Royal Society of Chemistry, viewed 13 June 2023,
Shvareva, TY, Fein, JB & Navrotsky, A 2012, ‘Thermodynamic Properties of Uranyl Minerals: Constraints from Calorimetry and Solubility Measurements’, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 607-613.
Spano, TL, Dzik, EA, Sharifironizi, M, Dustin, MK, Turner, M & Burns, PC 2017, ‘Thermodynamic investigation of uranyl vanadate minerals: Implications for structural stability’, American Mineralogist, vol. 102, no. 6, pp. 1149-1153.
Stephanie, S, Adel, M, Michael, D, Abdoulaye, M-A, Laura, B, Malvina, M, Yannis, Z, Evelyne, V, Thomas, V, Nicolas, C, Joseph, L & Nicolas, D 2020, ‘Uranium removal from mining water using Cu substituted hydroxyapatite’, Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 392, no. 122501.
Suzuki, Y, Mukai, H, Ishimura, T, Yokoyama, TD, Sakata, S, Hirata, T, Iwatsuki, T & Mizuno, T 2016, ‘Formation and Geological Sequestration of Uranium Nanoparticles in Deep Granitic Aquifer’, Scientific Reports, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 22701.
United Nations Environment Programme 2017, Mine Tailings and Storage: Safety is No Accident, Geneva
United Nations Environment Programme 2020a, An Assessment Report on Issues of Concern: Chemicals and Waste Issues Posing Risks to Human Health and the Environment, Geneva.
United Nations Environment Programme 2020b, Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, Geneva.
United States Environmental Protection Agency 2009, National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, United States.
Valenzuela, I. (2018) ‘Trends and Treatment of Impurities in Copper Mining’. International Seminar on Copper Impurities in Copper Raw Material, .
Vladimir, VB 2006, ‘Mechanochemistry and mechanical activation of solids’, Russian Chemical Reviews, vol. 75, no. 3, pp. 177.
Vochten, R 1990, ‘Transformation of chernikovite and sodium autunite into lehnerite’, American Mineralogist, vol. 75, no. 1-2, pp. 221-225
World Health Organisation 2012, Uranium in drinking-water: background document for development of WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality, Geneva.
World Health Organisation 2017, Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first addendum, Geneva.
World Health Organisation 2019, Exposure to Arsenic: a Major Public Health Concern, Geneva.
Yariv, S & Lapides, I 2000, ‘The Effect of Mechanochemical Treatments on Clay Minerals and the Mechanochemical Adsorption of Organic Materials onto Clay Minerals’, Journal of Materials Synthesis and Processing, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 223-233.
Zhang, Q, Saito, F, Ikoma, T, Tero-Kubota, S & Hatakeda, K 2001, ‘Effects of Quartz Addition on the Mechanochemical Dechlorination of Chlorobiphenyl by Using CaO’, Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 35, no. 24, pp. 4933-4935.
Zhou, L, Dong, F, Li, H, Huo, T, Wang, P, Liu, M, Yang, G, Zhang, W, Hu, W, Nie, X, He, H, Li, B & Frost, RL 2019, ‘Surface interaction between metazeunerite and an indigenous microorganism Kocuria rosea: Implications for bioremediation of As-U tailings’, Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 359, pp. 393-401.




© Copyright 2024, Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG), The University of Western Australia. All rights reserved.
View copyright/legal information
Please direct any queries or error reports to repository-acg@uwa.edu.au