es3003475_si_001.pdf (927.54 kB)
Speciation of Arsenic, Chromium, and Vanadium in Red Mud Samples from the Ajka Spill Site, Hungary
journal contribution
posted on 2012-03-20, 00:00 authored by Ian T. Burke, William M. Mayes, Caroline
L. Peacock, Andrew P. Brown, Adam P. Jarvis, Katalin GruizResults are presented from X-ray absorption spectroscopy
based
analysis of As, Cr, and V speciation within samples of bauxite ore
processing residue (red mud) collected from the spill site at Ajka,
Western Hungary. Cr K-edge XANES analysis found that Cr is present
as Cr3+ substituted into hematite, consistent with TEM
analysis. V K-edge XANES spectra have E1/2 position and
pre-edge features consistent with the presence of V5+ species,
possibly associated with Ca-aluminosilicate phases. As K-edge XANES
spectra identified As present as As5+. EXAFS analysis reveals
arsenate phases in red mud samples. When alkaline leachate from the
spill site is neutralized with HCl, 94% As and 71% V are removed from
solution during the formation of amorphous Al-oxyhydroxide. EXAFS
analysis of As in this precipitate reveals the presence of arsenate
Al-oxyhydroxide surface complexes. These results suggest that in the
circumneutral pH, oxic conditions found in the Torna and Upper Marcal
catchments, incorporation and sorption, respectively, will restrict
the environmental mobility of Cr and As. V is inefficiently removed
from solution by neutralization, therefore, the red mud may act as
a source of mobile V5+ where the red mud deposits are not
removed from affected land.