peatlands as filters for polluted mine water—a case study from an uranium-contaminated karst system in south africa—part iv quantifying the chemical filter component泥炭地作为污染过滤器我u2014u2014案例研究从uranium-contaminated岩溶系统在南africa-part iv量化化学过滤器组件.pdfVIP

Water 2011, 3, 391-423; doi:10.3390/w3010391 OPEN ACCESS water ISSN 2073-4441 /journal/water Article Peatlands as Filters for Polluted Mine Water?—A Case Study from an Uranium-Contaminated Karst System in South Africa Part IV: Quantifying the Chemical Filter Component Frank Winde School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa; E-Mail: frank.winde@nwu.ac.za; Tel.: +27-18-299-1582; Fax: +27-18-299-1582 Received: 12 February 2011 / Accepted: 10 March 2011 / Published: 15 March 2011 Abstract: This is the final part of a paper series on the ability of peat to filter uranium (U) from mining-polluted water. The focus is on the characterization and site-specific quantification of the chemical component of the filter model introduced in Part II. Based on U levels in different sediment-water systems of the study area that were analyzed in this paper, peat generally displays the highest geochemical U enrichment even though absolute U levels are relatively low. Results of batch experiments suggest that peat removes U from local mine waters exceptionally well, reaching a removal efficiency of close to 100%. However, almost all of the initially sorbed U is released again on subsequent contact with clean dolomitic water. A synoptic summary of the findings presented in Parts I to IV concludes the paper series. Keywords: peat; uranium; batch experiments; geochemical enrichment; remob