Effects of depth on mineralogy, chemistry and phosphorus sorption capacity of mine drainage residuals from two passive treatment systems
Data files
Mar 11, 2026 version files 1.34 MB
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CoresPointOfZeroNetCharge.csv
3.17 KB
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MDRCoresMetals.csv
3.16 KB
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MDRCoresMetalsDesorption.xlsx
46.67 KB
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MDRCoresPhosphorusSorption.xlsx
37.35 KB
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MDRCoresSSA.xlsx
9.68 KB
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MDRCoresXRD.csv
1.23 MB
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README.md
4.60 KB
Abstract
Mine drainage residuals (MDRs) formed in mine drainage passive treatment systems are predominantly iron oxide minerals which have been shown to be effective phosphorus (P) sorbents. As iron oxides transform over time into more crystalline mineral forms, their sorption capacity for P and metals may be limited. This study investigated how MDRs from two passive treatment systems transformed in-situ over time as inferred bt depth and how this affects their P sorption capacity and potential to release metals, impacting their potential to be beneficially reused as P sorbents. It was found that initially formed MDRs found near the surface of the sludge column are primarily ferrihydrite and poorly crystalline goethite with a great specific surface area that transforms into more crystalline goethite with a lesser specific surface area found at depth. In laboratory sorption studies, the fresher MDRs sorbed more P than older MDRs found deeper in the sludge column, yet all MDRs removed over 75% of P within 24 hours with a dose of 10 g L-1 and an initial P concentration of 50 mg L -1 P. Despite the elevated metal concentrations of the MDRs, desorption of metals was minimal and did not exceed chronic or acute aquatic life criteria for freshwater systems.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.g1jwstr3j
Description of the data and file structure
These data files are for figures presented in Dorman, D.M., Nairn, R.W. (2025) “Effects of Depth on Mineralogy, Chemistry and Phosphorus Sorption Capacity of Mine Drainage Residuals from Two Passive Treatment Systems”. Please see the above manuscript for a complete explanation and discussion of the data herein.
Samples were collected from the oxidation ponds of the Rock Island #7 Passive Treatment System (RI7PTS) (34.8478, -95.5354) and the Mayer Ranch Passive Treatment System (MRPTS) (36.9223, -94.8733) located in Oklahoma, USA.
Sample IDs:
RI7PTS 0-10 represents the top 10-cm segment collected from the 0-10 cm of cores of mine drainage residuals (MDRs) collected from the Rock Island #7 Passive Treatment System (RI7PTS). RI7PTS 40-50 represents the middle 10-cm segment collected from the 40-50 cm depth of the cores collected from RI7PTS, and RI7PTS 80-90 represents the bottom 10-cm segment collected from the 80-90 cm depth of the cores collected from RI7PTS.
MRPTS 0-10 represents the top 10-cm segment collected from the 0-10 cm of cores of MDRs collected from the Mayer Ranch Passive Treatment System (MRPTS). MRPTS 50-60 represents the middle 10-cm segment collected from the 50-60 cm depth of the cores collected from MRPTS, and MRPTS 100-110 represents the bottom 10-cm segment collected from the 100-110 cm depth of the cores collected from MRPTS.
Files and variables
MDRCoresMetals.csv
All data obtained from ICP-OES measurements from 0.25 g of MDR digested in 10 mL of trace metal grade nitric acid.
MDRCoresSSA.xlsx
Each 10-cm subsample was analyzed for specific surface area (SSA) by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method using nitrogen gas as the adsorbate on a Micrometrics TriStar II Plus surface area and porosity analyzer by the Integrated Core Characterization Center laboratory at the University of Oklahoma.
MDRCoresXRD.csv
Samples were measured using a Rigaku SmartLab diffractometer.
Samples were randomly oriented powder samples analyzed on a Rigaku SmartLab diffractometer (Cu-Kα radiation, 45 kV, 150 mA, 5–80° 2θ, 0.01° per step, 10° per min) to identify the specific iron oxide phases present.
The Rigaku SmartLab Studio and JADE Pro software packages were used to analyze the XRD data.
CoresPointOfZeroNetCharge.csv
Samples were analyzed following the ion adsorption method, washing initially with 20 mL of 1.0 M NaCl, followed by washing three times with 20 mL of 0.5M NaCl spanning a pH of 4.0-9.0, and washing five times with 20 mL of 0.01 M NaCl with pH readjustment each wash. After the final wash, the supernatant pH was measured, and the samples were weighed to compensate for entrained NaCl. Then the samples were washed five times with 20 mL of 0.5 NH4NO3. Each wash was filtered through a 0.45 µm filter for Na and Cl analysis. The pH was measured using an Accumet benchtop pH probe, Na concentrations were measured following EPA Method 3015A and 6010C using the CEM MARS system and a Varian Vista-Pro ICP-OES, and Cl- concentrations were measured using a SEAL Analytical Discrete Analyzer AQ300.
MDRCoresPhosphorusSorption.xlsx
All data represent the pH and phosphorus (P) concentrations before and after shaking for 24 hours with 100 mL of 50 mg/L P solution and a range of mass of MDRs (0.05 to 1.0 g) from different depth samples from cores collected from RI7PTS and MRPTS. The pH was measured using an Accumet benchtop pH probe. Samples were filtered through a 0.45 µm filter and were analyzed for ortho-phosphate concentrations (reported as mg/L P) using a SEAL Analytical Discrete Analyzer AQ300. Ce is the equilibrium concentration of P remaining in solution after 24 hours and Cs is the amount of P sorbed after 24 hours.
MDRCoresMetalsDesorption.xlsx
All data represent the aqueous metals concentrations in solution after shaking for 24 hours with 100 mL of 50 mg/L P solution and a range of masses of MDRs (0.05 to 1.0 g) from different depth samples from cores collected from RI7PTS and MRPTS. Samples were filtered through a 0.45 µm filter and were analyzed for metals concentrations using a CEM MARS system and a Varian Vista-Pro ICP-OES. Blank cells indicate concentrations were below the practical quantitation limit (PQL).
Code/software
All data is able to viewed using Microsoft Excel.