Experimental view of the sub-tropical clayey soils-acid mine drainage interactions

Issues of acid mine drainage (AMD) from mining activities is a lingering phenomenon to the present day developing South Africa as well as in most developed countries around the globe. However, the insistent rise in environmental contamination in South Africa is drastically attracting massive concerns. Vital concerns of AMD in South Africa still remain the threat to soil, surface, subsurface and ground water reserves among others, which are known to consequentially affect human and environmental health. This persistent challenge has given rise to the need for investigating the buffering efficacy of clayey mineral soils for use as natural contaminant barriers to pollutant species from AMD. Also, increasing climatic changes, growing population and depletion of natural resources from mining and related operations have further increased these environmental challenges. However, the constantly growing challenges gave bearing for this study to experimentally outline series of vital tests on three subtropical clayey soils infused with AMD for the determination of their mineral buffering efficacy towards potential use as natural containment liners in areas affected by AMD. Series of dissolution, diffusion and water sampling analysis were initiated herein on the respective soil systems leading to progressive investigations and analysis for decisive interpretations in subsequent studies. In summary, the general outcome was below the accepted criterion specified for clay liner construction in South Africa. However, the tested samples can be incorporated into the design and construction of composite barriers for acid-generating wastes.