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  • Suppression of Acid Mine Drainage from Pyrite through the use of Adsorbed Phospholipid

Suppression of Acid Mine Drainage from Pyrite through the use of Adsorbed Phospholipid

  • 08 Oct 2014
  • 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • One Parkway Building, 1515 Arch Street, 18th Floor Planning Commission Conference Room, Philadelphia, PA
  • 52

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Please note new meeting date and room. Meetings will now be held on the second Wednesday of the month in the Planning Commission Conference Room, same building and floor.

Suppression of Acid Mine Drainage from Pyrite through the use of Adsorbed Phospholipid


Daniel R. Strongin, Ph.D.

Department of Chemistry, Temple University



Abstract: Research has addressed the chemistry relevant to the environmental problem referred to as Acid mine drainage (AMD), resulting from the oxidation of metal-sulfides, primarily pyrite.  This environmental impact of AMD includes acidification of rivers and streams as well as leaching of toxic metals from the metal-sulfide material.  Studies in our laboratory have investigated the use of phospholipid layers on pyrite to suppress the oxidation of the mineral in abiotic and biotic conditions.  Even in the presence of iron oxidizing bacteria the lipid layer, which assembles into a bilayer structure, significantly suppresses the rate of pyrite oxidation. Recent studies have investigated the ability of the adsorbed lipid layers to suppress pyrite oxidation under environmental conditions for times approaching three years. In particular, using columns packed with mining waste (with and without lipid adsorption), the release of sulfate and soluble iron was investigated in addition to the pH of the effluent. Mining waste that was pretreated with phospholipid was associated with an effluent that had a higher pH and significantly lower amounts of sulfate and iron than mining waste that was not pretreated with phospholipid. Metagenomic analysis of the microbial communities associated with the mining waste samples revealed the development of AMD-like communities dominated by acidophilic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria on untreated samples, but not on mining waste pretreated with phospholipid.   


Daniel Strongin is a Professor of Chemistry at Temple University. He has a strong interdisciplinary scientific interest in the area of surface chemistry, with an emphasis on understanding the chemistry of environmentally relevant surfaces. His particular expertise is in the application of surface spectroscopic techniques for the investigation of the surface chemistry and reactivity of mineral and nanoparticle surfaces. Dr. Strongin’s research effort includes the study of the corrosion of sulfide minerals, the sequestration of toxic metals by carbonate minerals, and the use of nanomaterials for the environmental remediation of toxic materials. 



Engineers: This seminar does qualify for 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH). A Certificate of Attendance will be available on site for AWRA-PMAS members only. The meeting price for non-members who wish to receive a Certificate of Attendance for the PDH is $10.00 ($3.00 for meeting + $7.00 for certificate).


Please note: all registrations for lunch orders close by noon on the day before the presentation. Thank you!


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