Development of Functionalized Clay-Based Reactive Media for Removal of Cationic Salts from Brine Effluent (Salinity Mitigation for Potash Mine Effluent)

One-third of the world’s demand for potash is being supplied by Saskatchewan. The potash mining industry is thus a core element driving rapid economic development in the province. However, potash mining operations generate a substantial volume of highly saline mine wastewater. There are strong demands for mitigating the salinity of potash mine water in Saskatchewan. A novel salinity mitigation strategy specialized for potash mine water that uses functionalized reactive clay materials as remedial agents has been proposed. The proposed research is organized into the development of (1) recyclable surface-modified reactive clay media for salinity mitigation, (2) innovative salinity mitigation using nanoclay-amended sorbents, and (3) novel biomass sorbents recycled from the treatment of potash mine wastewater. Up-to-date knowledge, cutting-edge research tools in geoenvironmental engineering, microbial and chemical analyses, and synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy analyses will be combined to generate innovative solutions for the management and reclamation of potash mine water. The proposed research is therefore aligned with the goals of sustainable economic development and environmental protection in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Won Jae Chang

Student:

Partner:

International Minerals Innovation Institute;Agrium;Mosaic (Belle Plaine);PotashCorp

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: