Date of Award

2000

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Geology

Keywords

Geochemistry.

Supervisor

Hudec, P.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

The oxidation of sulfides (primarily pyrite and pyrrhotite) exposed in mine waste accumulations may produce a&barbelow;cid m&barbelow;ine d&barbelow;rainage (AMD), which is characterized by a low pH, a high sulfate content, and the presence of dissolved metals. In this study, CHILLER was used to study how various feldspars (albite, anorthite and microcline) neutralize/buffer the acid generated from pyrite oxidation. Pyrite:feldspar ratios of 1:4, 1:1 and 4:1 were modeled to determine the effects of changing the pyrite:feldspar ratio. The results from the 1:1 pyrite:feldspar reaction models were explored in detail. For each reaction model, a different series of mineral pH-buffering assemblages formed from the products of the feldspar dissolution reactions, buffering the acidity to different values. Altering the pyrite:feldspar ratio (1:4, 1:1 and 4:1) had no affect on the sequence of alteration minerals formed, so the resultant buffering reactions, buffered pH values and final equilibrated pH were the same for each group of modeled reactions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Earth Sciences. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1999 .L38. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 39-02, page: 0459. Adviser: Peter P. Hudec. Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2000.

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