Evaluating aggregate stability, surface properties and disintegration behavior of bauxite residue induced by Ca/Na

Xue, S., Ke, W., Zhu, F., Fan, J., Wang, Q., Liu, Z. and Hartley, W. (2020) Evaluating aggregate stability, surface properties and disintegration behavior of bauxite residue induced by Ca/Na. Land Degradation & Development.

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Abstract

Bauxite residue, a typical industrial solid waste which contains a large amount of Na+, is usually physically degraded. Understandings of aggregate formation, which is a critical process in soil development, are essential to facilitate ecological rehabilitation on the disposal areas. However, few studies have investigated the aggregation behavior and mechanisms of key salt ions (Ca2+ and Na+) in residue aggregates. Therefore, an integrated method of Le Bissonnais’ method, the combined determination method, and laser diffraction measurements was applied to evaluate aggregate stability, surface properties and disintegration behavior of bauxite residue following Ca/Na additions. With increasing Ca2+ addition, mean weight diameter (MWD) increased, indicating improved resistance to dispersion. Ca2+ had a positive effect on flocculation of silt‐size microaggregates, whilst disintegration was induced following Na+ addition. Repeated laser diffraction analysis of residue samples circulating in 50 mmol L‐1 electrolyte solution (Ca2+/Na+) provided a detailed view of the changes in particle size distribution as aggregates fragmented. The visualized three‐dimensional surface map revealed that Na+ promoted the disintegration of >250 μm aggregates into finer dispersed particles, whilst Ca2+ protected the microaggregates from fragmenting into smaller particles. Variation in electrochemical properties of aggregate surfaces affected the micro‐morphology significantly. The findings provide a new approach to specify pedogenic aggregate behavior of bauxite residue, whilst revealing the effects of Ca2+/Na+ on aggregate stability, surface electrochemical properties and its micromorphology. The results will provide a detailed understanding of aggregate behavior during soil formation process in bauxite residue.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: Bauxite residue, aggregate behavior, laser diffraction, surface electrochemistry soil formation
Divisions: Crop and Environment Sciences (to 31.07.20)
Depositing User: Ms Kath Osborn
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2020 12:15
Last Modified: 24 Jun 2021 03:30
URI: https://hau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17572

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