Abstract
This research was carried out to investigate the effect of microscopic silica matrix coagulation on heavy metals and anion removal in mining wastewater. pH and alkalinity played an important role to coagulate heavy metals such as Al, and Fe and an anion such as ${SO_4}^{2-}$ with silica matrix as well as NaOH. However, the efficiency to form coagulates was much greater in silica matrix-treated wastewater than NaOH-treated one. Fe in wastewater formed coagulation with both silica matrix and NaOH treatments resulting in lowering Fe content in wastewater at above pH 9. For Al removal in wastewater, silica matrix-treated wastewater at above pH 12.3 formed stable coagulate with Al, while NaOH-treated one did not. Alkalinities of 89 and 220 mg/L were required to stabilize silica matrix treated coagulate with Fe and Al, respectively. Reaction time of ten minute was required to provide enough reaction for coagulation between heavy metals and silica matrix. Heavy metals and anion leachates were much lower in coagulate with silica matrix than that with NaOH, which indicates that silica matrix could be used to remove heavy metals efficiently.
