CONTAMINATION AND POLLUTANT ATTENUATION DOWNSTREAM OF THE KOLONTÁR RED MUD IMPOUNDMENT FAILURE, HUNGARY
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Hull
Department Name: Biological Sciences
Abstract
The major pollution event caused by the breach of a dam containing red mud (a by-product of bauxite ore processing for alumina manufacture) at Kolontár in Hungary received widespread international media attention in early October 2010. This is the first event of its type and scale in Europe. While there have been similar events where dams holding mine wastes have failed, which are often acidic or rich in cyanide and ecotoxic metals, there have not previously been documented large scale releases of waste material with the extremely alkaline nature such as that released at Kolontár. Initial environmental monitoring at the site was focussed on the immediate impacts of the hyperalkaline (pH up to 13) water on the receiving streams, which had a major effect on instream organisms for over 50 miles. Beyond this short-term impact and given the lack of precedent for such events, we know relatively little about the longer-term behaviour of the potential contaminants released in the red mud. At other sites affected by hyperalkaline waters from red mud (albeit on a far smaller scale), such contaminants of concern include aluminium, arsenic, molybdenum and vanadium. This study aims to undertake a detailed analysis of the sediments and waters downstream of the spill to assess the nature and form of these, and other trace contaminants. This information is crucial to (a) characterise the spatial extent and severity of the polluted area, (b) assess which specific contaminants are present in the waters and sediments at levels of environmental significance and (c) understand the long-term prospects for mobility and availability of trace elements in the river systems downstream of Kolontár. Detailed sampling of the different phases (e.g. suspended in water, dissolved in water, settled on streambed) of contaminants along the impacted areas of the Marcal, Raba and Mosoni-Duna rivers will be undertaken. The field sampling will be coupled with laboratory tests on the mobility of contaminants in the sludge. Together, these data will help us understand the spatial trends in nature and form of contaminants and how key variables such as pH and the particle size distribution of the released materials are likely to affect their long term mobility in the environment. The work will be undertaken in liaison with scientists in Hungary and the outputs of the work will directly inform long-term management of the pollution spill. Beyond the direct relevance to management of the situation in Hungary, the improved understanding on how trace contaminants from caustic waste materials behave in the environment after such a major event will be useful for informing environmental management at other polluted sites.
Publications
Anton ÁD
(2014)
Geochemical recovery of the Torna-Marcal river system after the Ajka red mud spill, Hungary.
in Environmental science. Processes & impacts
Burke I.T.
(2012)
Long-term behaviour of contaminant metals in red mud
Lehoux AP
(2013)
Gypsum addition to soils contaminated by red mud: implications for aluminium, arsenic, molybdenum and vanadium solubility.
in Environmental geochemistry and health
Lockwood C
(2014)
Mobilisation of arsenic from bauxite residue (red mud) affected soils: Effect of pH and redox conditions
in Applied Geochemistry
Lockwood CL
(2015)
Leaching of copper and nickel in soil-water systems contaminated by bauxite residue (red mud) from Ajka, Hungary: the importance of soil organic matter.
in Environmental science and pollution research international
Lockwood CL
(2013)
Arsenic release from red mud affected soil-water systems
Mayes W
(2016)
Advances in Understanding Environmental Risks of Red Mud After the Ajka Spill, Hungary
in Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy
Mišík M
(2014)
Red mud a byproduct of aluminum production contains soluble vanadium that causes genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in higher plants.
in The Science of the total environment
William Mayes (Author)
(2011)
Trace and rare earth element dispersal downstream of the Ajka red mud spill, Hungary
Description | The work demonstrated the potential environmental impacts of large scale release of bauxite processing residue (red mud) into the environment. The work with our colleagues in Hungary and the UK highlighted key risks in the water environment associated with soluble oxyanion-forming elements (e.g. vanadium). Some of these elements were present in potentially carcinogenic form and should be a priority for management both at the site and more broadly at alumina processing sites. |
Exploitation Route | The findings have already been important in prompting a range of environmental studies in the alumina industry and novel treatment technologies at disposal sites. |
Sectors | Chemicals Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Findings of the work were communicated to Hungarian authorities via project partner Prof Katalin Gruiz (Budapest University of Technology and Economics) and with a direct address to Secretary of State Dr Zoltan Illes by the grantholder PI. This information was used to assist in directing some of the longer term management of the spill. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Leverhulme Artist-in-Residence |
Amount | £14,200 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AIR-2014-012 |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | Resource Recovery and Remediation of Alkaline Wastes |
Amount | £1,100,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/L014211/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Austrian cancer experts |
Organisation | Medical University of Vienna |
Country | Austria |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration between Universities of Hull, Leeds and Vienna (Medical University). Leeds and Hull provided sample analyses and interpretation for experiments undertaken by the Austrian team. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Vienna team undertook experiments which added significant value to the environmental risk assessments undertaken as part of the NERC work. |
Impact | Paper in Science of the Total Environment (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.06.052). Disciplines involved are oncology, epidemiology, geochemistry and environmental science. |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Limerick, Ireland |
Organisation | University of Limerick |
Country | Ireland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Dr WM Mayes acted as technical reviewer of pilot scale bioremediation system for highly alkaline red mud leachate. Discussions as part of the formation of a consortium, BRAVO, recently recognised as a Raw Materials Commitment (RMC) by the High Level Steering Group of the European Innovation Partnership. |
Collaborator Contribution | Discussions as part of the formation of a consortium, BRAVO, recently recognised as a Raw Materials Commitment (RMC) by the High Level Steering Group of the European Innovation Partnership. |
Impact | Consortium recognised as a Raw Materials Commitment (RMC) by the High Level Steering Group of the European Innovation Partnership. The partnership is multi-disciplinary: chemical engineering, geotechnical experts, environmental geochemists, ecologists, materials scientists. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Burke - US TV appearance |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Burke I. T. (2011) The red mud accident at Ajka Hungary. Interview for MSNBC programme 'Caught on Camera' television show. (Screened in March 2012.) Led to further enquiries for information. Led to further enquiries for information. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Cafe Scientifique (WM Mayes) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk on the red mud incident to a generalist audience at a public house in Beverley. Part of a Cafe Scientifique public science series. Extensive discussion afterwards about environmental risk, chemicals in the environment and environmental law. Requests for additional talks |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Commentary on Rio Doce mine spill (Brazilian media) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview with Brazilian journalist about the impacts of recent Brazilian mine tailings failure and comparisons with events in Hungary. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://operamundi.uol.com.br/conteudo/reportagens/42318/rompimentos+de+barragens+de+mineradoras+tem+... |
Description | Mayes - La Recherche |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interview about the environmental effects of the red mud spill that appeared in the popular French Science magazine "La Recherche". This led to specific requests for further information from France and Hungary. Requests for further information. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Mayes Planet Earth |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Interview and subsequent press release about the recovery of the rivers affected by the red mud spill. Discussions with alumina industry trade organisations - impact of this yet to occur. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=1767&cookieConsent=A |
Description | Mayes RSC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Interview with the Royal Society of Chemistry and subsequent press release about the recovery of the systems affected by the red mud spill. Some further requests for information forthcoming. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/10/hungary-ajka-red-mud-river-system-recovery |
Description | Newcastle seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Seminar on project: Alkaline residues and the environment: impacts and opportunities |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | OU Seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited seminar at Open University |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Renforth Planet Earth |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | interview and subsequent press release about carbon capture as a result of the red mud spill in Hungary Story picked up by other web news providers (Science Daily etc.) that increased dissemination to generalist audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
URL | http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=1177 |
Description | Rotary club (WM Mayes) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk on the Hungarian red spill. Talk sparked questions and discussions about environmental risk and liabilities associated with extractive industries. Talk led to further requests for public talks and consultancy income advising on some local pollution issues. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |