Speciation of Arsenic, Chromium, and Vanadium in Red Mud Samples from the Ajka Spill Site, Hungary

Results 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,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2012-03, Vol.46 (6), p.3085-3092
Main Authors: Burke, Ian T, Mayes, William M, Peacock, Caroline L, Brown, Andrew P, Jarvis, Adam P, Gruiz, Katalin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aluminum Oxide - chemistry
Applied sciences
Arsenic - analysis
Chemical elements
Chemical precipitation
Chromium - analysis
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental Monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Extraction and Processing Industry
Hungary
Industrial Waste - analysis
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge
Pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Soil Pollutants - analysis
Sorption
Spectrum analysis
Vanadium - analysis
Waste materials
Wastes
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
X-Ray Diffraction
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Summary:Results 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.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es3003475