Although we tend to envision the air we breathe to be clean, the industrial progress of our era has produced an array of invisible but highly hazardous pollutants that endanger our environment and jeopardize our health. .cndot. Mining and industrial operations involving large scale excavation and movement of soil, ash, dust and waste material unavoidably lead to significant impacts on the surrounding natural environment. .cndot. The most damaging impact of many mining operations is the exposure of minerals to the open air where they may become vulnerable to acidification and release harmful contaminants. This is commonly termed acid mine drainage, which is the creation of acidic conditions through the exposure and oxidation of sulfide minerals at a mine site. Sulfide minerals and associated acidity can be found in many mine tailing components and industrial site wastes and tailings from mill processing. Acid mine drainage is also reported at many types of precious-metal, base-metal and uranium mines. .cndot. Fossil fueled industrial sites emit Fly and Bottom ash containing PAHs (poly-nuclear- aeromatic-hydrcarbons) that are radioactive. These are commonly disposed of being spread on the surface of fields, only to become airborne and leached into the ground water. Most of these sites are found near large cities. These particles have been identified as causing cancer, emphysema, and other related diseases when inhaled into the lungs. .cndot. Another example of air-soil-and water contamination is the results of the Chernobyl explosion. The radionuclides radioisotopes released rained down on the earth and will remain there for thousands of years to come. The soil is contaminated with deadly radioactive hot spots. If untreated they will transmigrate through the eco system and cause mass mutation to all forms of life. Radiotoxic elements like cesium-137, plutonium 239, americium 241, just to name a few of the many that spewed forth from the stricken reactor. They lay loosely on the land surface for miles surrounding Chernobyl. These radiotoxic materials are the most dangerous of the radioactive group. Soluble plutonium foams are deposited in the bones and americium is deposited in the bones and kidneys. Acute damage is the result and short life duration is expected. These hot spots can be treated and stabilized and be prevented from leaching deep into the water table and from becoming airborne. .cndot. The dust of minerals, such as coal, being transported in open rail cars or trucks, which can prove harmful if allowed to become airborne and escape into the air and surrounding environs. This invention provides a reliable, durable method for stabilizing fly ash, crushed ore, mine tailings radioactive hot spots and industrial waste effectively preventing them from invading Earths biosphere. The development and implementation of reliable environmental protection techniques will enhance industrial activity and environmental maintenance.:
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:12:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015