The laboratory weathering procedure will generate data that can be used to: (1) determine whether a solid material will produce an acidic, alkaline, or neutral effluent, (2) identify solutes in the effluent that represent dissolved weathering products formed during a specified period of time, (3) determine the mass of solute release, and (4) determine the rate at which solutes are released (from the solids into the effluent) under the closely controlled conditions of the test.

Data generated by the laboratory weathering procedure can be used to address the following objectives: (1) determine the variation of drainage quality as a function of compositional variations (for example, iron sulfide and calcium+magnesium carbonate contents) within individual mine-rock lithologies, (2) determine the amount of NP accessible in a mine-rock sample to neutralize acid and maintain drainage pH≥6.0 under the conditions of the test, (3) estimate mine-rock weathering rates to aid in predicting the environmental behavior of mine rock, and (4) determine mine-rock weathering rates to aid in experimental design of site-specific kinetic tests.

The laboratory-weathering procedure provides conditions conducive to oxidation of solid material constituents and enhances the transport of weathering reaction products contained in the resulting weekly effluent. This is accomplished by controlling the exposure of the solid material sample to such environmental parameters as reaction environment temperature and application rate of water and oxygen.

Because efficient removal of reaction products is vital to track mineral dissolution rates during the procedure, laboratory leach volumes are large per unit mass of rock to promote the rinsing of weathering-reaction products from the mine-rock sample. A comparison of laboratory kinetic tests with field tests has shown that more reaction products from mineral dissolution are consistently released per unit weight and unit time in laboratory weathering tests (9). For example, sulfate release rates observed in laboratory tests of metal-mine rock have been reported to be 3 to 8 times those for small-scale field test piles of Duluth Complex rock (10), and from 2 to 20 times those for small-scale field test piles of Archean greenstone rock (11). A greater increase is anticipated when laboratory rates are compared with field rates measured from operational waste-rock piles.

Fundamental assumptions governing Options A and B of the procedure:

1.1 This kinetic test method covers a laboratory weathering procedure that (1) enhances reaction-product transport in the aqueous leach of a solid material sample of specified mass, and (2) measures rates of weathering-product mass release. Soluble weathering products are mobilized by a fixed-volume aqueous leach that is performed and collected weekly. Leachate samples are analyzed for pH, alkalinity/acidity, specific conductance, sulfate, and other selected analytes.

1.1.1 This test method is intended for use to meet kinetic testing regulatory requirements for mining waste rock and ores sized to pass a 6.3-mm (0.25-in.) Tyler screen.

1.1.2 Interlaboratory testing of this method has been confined to mine waste rock. Application of this test method to metallurgical-processing waste (for example, mill tailings) is outside the scope of the test method.

1.2 This test method is a modification of a laboratory weathering procedure developed originally for mining wastes (1-3). However, it may have useful application wherever gaseous oxidation coupled with aqueous leaching are important mechanisms for contaminant mobility.

1.3 This test method calls for the weekly leaching of a well-characterized solid material sample (weighing at least 1000-g), with water of specified purity, and the collection and chemical characterization of the resulting leachate. Test duration is determined by the user’s objectives of the test.

1.4 As described, this test method may not be suitable for some materials containing plastics, polymers, or refined metals. These materials may be resistant to traditional particle size reduction methods.

1.5 Additionally, this test method has not been tested for applicability to organic substances and volatile matter.

1.6 This test method is not intended to provide leachates that are identical to the actual leachate produced from a solid material in the field or to produce leachates to be used as the sole basis of engineering design.

1.7 This test method is not intended to simulate site-specific leaching conditions. It has not been demonstrated to simulate actual disposal site leaching conditions. Furthermore, the test is not designed to produce effluents that are in chemical equilibrium with the solid phase sample.

1.8 This test method is intended to describe the procedure for performing the laboratory weathering of solid materials to generate leachates. It does not describe all types of sampling and analytical requirements that may be associated with its application.

1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.