Influence of biopolymers on geotechnical properties and erosion resistance of colliery spoil dumps
摘要
Conventional chemical soil binders used on colliery spoil (CS i.e., the material that lies above a coal seam) dumps to mitigate wind and water erosion are facing significant scrutiny due to potential environmental and stability risks. These binders can cause toxicity and leaching, which may harm human health and safety. Using biopolymers would be a new and eco-friendly method that can improve the erosion stability of CS dumps. This article investigates the behaviour of three distinct biopolymers: Agar gum (AG), Guar gum (GG), and Xanthan gum (XG). These biopolymers were used to stabilize CS. The surface charges of these biopolymers vary. XG is anionic, while GG and AG are non-ionic. The study found that biopolymer-treated CS improved in both index and geotechnical properties. This improvement is due to the biopolymers’ high viscosity, ability to aggregate, adsorption capabilities, and the formation of cross-linking bonds. The effectiveness of the improvement contrasts on the concentration and type of the biopolymer used. Furthermore, the biopolymer-treated CS were tested for stability against wind and water erosion through various tests, such as pinhole, surface resistance, cylindrical dispersion, and water retention tests. The results showed that even a small amount, 0.5% concentration of biopolymer solution can increase adhesion effects of CS. Moreover, microscopic analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed how the structure of the soil changed after being treated with biopolymers. These changes were correlated to improve the geotechnical properties of CS soil. The long chains of biopolymers interacted with the soil to cause these changes. Finally, a leachate analysis was inculcated to measure the effectiveness of untreated and biopolymer-treated CS soil comparatively.