Adsorção do arsênio dissolvido em águas de drenagens ácidas mineiras por um óxido de ferro (ferrihidrita)

Abstract

The abandonment of mining areas without any planning to mitigate possible environmental damage, generated a scenario marked by serious impacts on water systems, among which are high metal content and acid drainage. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ability of a hydrated iron oxide (ferrihydrite) in retaining arsenic present in contaminated watercourses. Laboratory scale tests were carried out under conditions found in acidic waters at Mina de São Domingos, a former mining area inserted in the northern sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). Along the main water line of the region, pH values of 2 and dissolved arsenic concentrations of 32.3 mg/L were found.