Calcium polysulfide remediation of hexavalent chromium contamination from chromite ore processing residue

Past disposal of high-lime chromite ore processing residue (COPR) from a chemical works in S.E. Glasgow, UK, has led to continuing release of toxic and carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) to groundwaters which are highly contaminated with Cr(VI)O 4 2−. Traditional methods of remediating Cr(VI)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2006-07, Vol.364 (1), p.32-44
Main Authors: Graham, Margaret C., Farmer, John G., Anderson, Peter, Paterson, Edward, Hillier, Stephen, Lumsdon, David G., Bewley, Richard J.F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Calcium Compounds - chemistry
Calcium polysulfide
Carcinogens, Environmental - chemistry
Chromium - chemistry
COPR
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Exact sciences and technology
Groundwater
Groundwaters
Hexavalent chromium
Industrial Waste - analysis
Metallurgy
Natural water pollution
Pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Remediation
Scotland
Sulfides - chemistry
Thiosulfates - chemistry
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Supply - analysis
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Past disposal of high-lime chromite ore processing residue (COPR) from a chemical works in S.E. Glasgow, UK, has led to continuing release of toxic and carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) to groundwaters which are highly contaminated with Cr(VI)O 4 2−. Traditional methods of remediating Cr(VI)-contaminated land, e.g. using ferrous sulfate and organic matter, have had limited success in converting Cr(VI) to less harmful and insoluble Cr(III). This paper describes the first application of calcium polysulfide (CaS x ) to the remediation of contaminated groundwater and high-lime COPR in a series of laboratory experiments, which have demonstrated the effectiveness of the treatment in quantitatively and rapidly reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III) over the pH range (8–12.5) typically found at the sites. Cr(III)-organic complexes, present in groundwater at one location, were also effectively precipitated upon treatment with CaS x . The potential for large-scale use of CaS x in the remediation of Cr(VI) from COPR is also discussed.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2005.11.007