SCHOOL OF MATHAMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES

THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT
.

ASSESSING CONTRIBUTION OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE AND NCHANGA MINE

TO
ACIDITY OF CHINGOLA STREAMS
(Mushihima,and Chingola Streams as well as Kafue River)

PROJECT PROPOSAL

BY
MULAYE MUKALA

(14205060)
BSc Chemistry 4th year

Under the supervision of

Mr. PATRICK HAYUMBU
ABSTRACT
The continuous discharge of copper mine waste water in to the Mushihima, and Chingola Streams as
well as Kafue River in Chingolacould alter the ecology of those streams. This study will seek to
evaluate the contributions of acid mine drainage (AMD) and Nchanga Mine Water Treatment Plant
(KCM Water Treatment plant Plant) to this pollution problem. In the main project this work will be
done in three seasons (that is, the wet or rainy season – November to April, the cold dry season –
May to July and the hot dry season - August to October) but this report covers only the rainy season.
Water samples will be collected and analyzed for metals (Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Ni, and Mn), sulphates
(SO42-), conductivity and ph. The results will be compared at two levels. The first level is comparison
AMD acidity and residual KCM Water Treatment Plant acidity while the second level comparison will
involve comparison of Chingola water samples with potable water permissible standard limits set by
the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) and the World HealthOrganization (WHO).
 Acronyms and abbreviations
AAS Atomic absorption Spectrometry

AMD Acid Mine Drainage

ZEMA Zambia Environmental Management Agency

NWSC Nkana Water and Sewerage Company

WHO World Health Organization

ZABS Zambia Bureau of Standards

NWASCO National Water Supply and Sanitation Council

GRZ Government Republic of Zambia

WARMA Water Resources Management Agency

NISIR National Institute of Scientific Research

 Table of Contents
ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................................................2
1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................5
2. STUDY BACKGROUND....................................................................................................................5
2.1 Effects Of Acid Mine Drainage And Mine Waste Water...............................................................6
3. PROBLEM STATEMENT..................................................................................................................7
4. PROBLEM JUSTIFICATION..............................................................................................................7
5. OBJECTIVES....................................................................................................................................8
5.1 Specific objectives........................................................................................................................8
6. RESEARCH QUESTIONS..................................................................................................................8
7. HYPOTHESIS STATEMENTS.............................................................................................................8
8. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION....................................................8
9. SCOPE OF STUDY...........................................................................................................................9
10. ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE..........................................................................................................9
10.1 Sampling Procedure and Storage of Samples...........................................................................9
10.2 Sample Preparation...................................................................................................................9

10.2.1 TOTAL METAL ANALYSIS ((cadmium(Cd), nickel(Ni) ,copper(Cu),chromium

(Cr),arsenic(Ar),Selenium (Se), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K),Sodium (Na),Mercury
(Hg),Manganese (Mn),Cobalt(Co),Iron (Fe),Zinc(Zn),Lead(Pb) ) ) 9
10.2.2 TOTAL SULPHATE ANALYSIS................................................................................................9
10.2.3 pH MEASUREMENTS.........................................................................................................10
11. PROJECT WORK PLAN..............................................................................................................10
12. PROJECT BUDGET.....................................................................................................................11
13. REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................11
1. INTRODUCTION
Water is vital to all living organisms on the earth, as the earth’s population continues to increase rapidly, so
does the growing need for fresh water (e.g. drinking, cooking, washing, carrying wastes, cooling machines,
irrigating, receiving sewage). While water is important to human health and other living organisms, it
should be noted that if it is improperly managed, it can be a health/ecological hazard to humans,
other living organism and the environment.

2. STUDY BACKGROUND
.

Water pollution is the harmful contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, aquifers, oceans
and ground water. This form of degradation occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly
discharged in to the water without adequate treatment or removal of harmful compounds.

Any factors that render water unfit for use through contamination pauses serious risks to health
and economic productivity of the country. It is therefore imperative that measures retaken to ensure
that water does not hinder the sustainable national development effort.(GRZ N. E., 1994)

A one of the prerequisites of sustainable development is to ensure humanity’s access to

uncontaminated water resources such as rivers, lakes, streams and oceans, Antithetical to this,
human beings are responsible for many different causes and characteristics of water pollution. For
instance the heavy metals, oil, acid and other organic toxins that come from industries are
responsible for the great amount of waste water that pollutes bodies of water surrounding their
industries. As a specific example, AMD, the outflow of acidic water from a mining site and mine
waste water from treatment plants often contribute to water pollution around mining areas
worldwide. The AMD acidic water is produced from the oxidation of iron sulphide (FeS 2, also called
pyrite or fool’s gold) often found in conjunction with valuable metals. This acid is carried off the
mine site by rain water or surface drainage into nearby streams creating environmental risks. Mine
waste water is generated during mineral processing (E.g. stone cutting, washer water, scrubber
water) from equipment cooling, mine dewatering and from storm water run offs and processing
plants, this water is discharged on to surface waters or nearby streams.

Zambia is home to a number of copper mines and Nchanga Mine in Chingola is one of them. The
Zambian government has organisations that carry out the water regulatory activities for protection
of water bodies and supplies. These include: ZEMA, WARMA, and NWSCO
 The population of Chingola is 148 583 (central statistical office 2010 census). , The majority of this
population uses surface water draws its water supply from the Kafue River and its tributaries,
namely Mushihima, and Stream and Chingola Stream.

2.1 Effects of Acid Mine Drainage and Mine Waste Water

Poor water quality affects human beings, animals as well as on other environmental materials
which come in contact with that water in the following ways:

I. Effects of Acidity
 Disturbs the reproductive system of aquatic life and thus may decrease their population
 Formation of sink holes
 Loss of biodiversity
 Contamination of surface and ground water
¿
II. Sulphates ( SO 2−¿
4 )
 Dehydration
 Diarrhoea
 Astringent taste of water
 Severe, chronic diarrhoea for animals
 In a few instances causes death in animals
 Corrodes plumbing materials
III. Effects of metals
 Reduced growth and development
 Cancer
 Nervous system damage
 And in extreme cases death
IV Effects of pH
Ranges from 0 to 14, pH value below seven denotes acidic water and pH below seven
denotes alkaline water
 Water with an elevated pH above 11 can cause skin, eye and mucous membrane
irritation
 Water with a low pH has corrosive effects
[3] PROBLEM STATEMENT
Water is a critical resource for mining projects. From a sustainable mining perspective,
management and protection of both process water and waste water is of paramount importance to
every mine. Increased acidity of water can destroy living organisms and can render water arising
from poorly controlled mining activities unacceptable for potable water and other water uses.

 Acidity due to AMD can destroy aquatic life and consequently affect the food chain. It also
leads to loss of biodiversity and is a hazard to human health.

 Contamination of water due to mine effluents that are not properly treated to safe levels
due to acidity or high concentration of pollutants such as; metals, sulphide minerals,
dissolved solids or salts can negatively affect surface water,aquatic systems, and ground
water quality. For instance,impacts on aquatic life include increased morbidity(health or
reproductive problems, reduction in number of species present) and mortality. Impacts on
human health occur where the quality of water supplies for various applications such as for
domestic use.

[4] PROBLEM JUSTIFICATION

Inadequate support to water regulatory authorities who, amongst other things, conduct water
environmental monitoring programs precludes water environmental management strategies that
assess and minimize impacts of water contamination by ZEMA and its stakeholders.

For instance, the afore mentioned marginal support ZEMA may lead to inadequately enforced
environmental regulations on mining industries on the Copperbelt due to paucity of analytical data
of the chemical species associated with AMD and mine waste water from accredit able national
environmental laboratories based at national research or academic institutions,

Regulatory authorities must have sufficient reliable information on the concentration of species in
mine effluent water and those associated with AMD.
3[5] OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of this study is to investigate the chemical species associated with acid mine
drainage and mine effluent water in the three selected streams namely: Chingola Stream,
Mushihima, and Stream and the Kafue River.

5.1 Specific objectives

I. To disaggregate contributions of AMD and mine plant effluent water to acidity in selected
streams
2−¿ ¿
II. To determine the concentration of various species (Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, Mn, Zn and SO 4 pH
and the conductivity of water.
III. To compare the measured concentrations, pH and conductivity to the permissible limits set
by the ZABS and WHO

4[6] RESEARCH QUESTIONS

[1.] What is the acid profile (composition) of the two selected streams and the Kafue River?

1.[2.] What is the quality of raw and treated water at the selected sites?

2.[3.] Does the water quality comply with the standard limits as set by WHO and ZABS?

5[7] HYPOTHESIS STATEMENTS

1. The acid profile(composition) of the three selected streams is at safe levels
2. The water quality complies with the standard limits set by ZABS and WHO

6[8] SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY AND SCIENTIFIC

CONTRIBUTION
A study into the characterisation assessment of water acidity at Mushihima and Chingola Streams
as well as the Kafue River will show the concentrations of parameters which will form the basis for;
prevention of future loss of aquatic habitat due to acidic water from AMD or waste water
processing plants, provide an inventory of existing acidic water generating sections of the mine
that require remedial interventions, contribute information on the status of monitoring and
enforcement of water treatment of Nchanga Mine waste water and continue improving
environmental exposure assessment capacity of the CBU’s Chemistry Department as a
 stakeholder of Zambian water regulatory authorities. All the above are critically required for water
pollution control that will lead tosignificantly reduced morbidity and mortality to exposed population
as well as sound ecological status of the studied streams and the Kafue River in the Chingola
Area...

[9] SCOPE OF STUDY

¿
This study will determine four sets of parameters, namely;; pH, total sulphates( SO 2−¿
4 ), total

selected metals and conductivity in raw and mine treatment plant water.The study area is Chingola
Town and the selected sites are on Mushihima Stream, Chingola Streams and Kafue River.

Samples will be collected during rainy season in January and February, 2017 pH and conductivity
of the samples will be measured in the field during sampling while Analysis of sulphates and metals
will done at a National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (NISIR’s) Analytical Services
Laboratory.

7[10] ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE

10.1 Sampling Procedure and Storage of Samples

A well-mixed sample size of about 200mls will be taken from the lot; the sample will be
preserved in a well enclosed plastic container and acidified to a pH of less than 2 and stored in a
refrigerator until required.

100ml of sample is measured and placed in a 250ml volumetric flask.

10.2 Sample Preparation

10.2.1 TOTAL METAL ANALYSIS

(cadmium(Cd), nickel(Ni) ,copper(Cu),chromium (Cr),arsenic(Ar),Selenium (Se), Magnesium

(Mg), Potassium (K),Sodium (Na),Mercury (Hg),Manganese (Mn),Cobalt(Co),Iron
(Fe),Zinc(Zn),Lead(Pb) )

An Atomic Absorption Spectrometer(AAS) will be used to analyse for metals (standard operating
procedure for elemental analysis). This method’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) involves single
stage nitric acid digestion of sample preparation for metal analysis. Boil slowly to the lowest volume of
about 10 to 15ml. Do not let the sample dry whilst boiling it. For coloured wastewater samples continue
adding HNO3 acid until the sample becomes clear or light colour appears.
Wash the walls of the flask with distilled water, filter using 0.45μm filter paper, transfer to a 100ml
volumetric flask and add 20ml of 0.5% HNO3 and for those metals that require addition of suppressants
add appropriate amount, then fill up to the mark with distilled water.
When preparing working standards add 0.5% HNO3 acid and suppressants wherever necessary.
The sample is now ready for determination of metals of interest.
Analysis is carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Thereafter, appropriate triplicate
aliquots of the sample will be aspirated into a previously calibrated spectrometer. The table below
shows each analyte’s concentration range that will be used in this study. (National Institute of Scientific
Research SOP-0001, 2009)

10.2.2 TOTAL SULPHATE ANALYSIS

Sulphates are precipitated in an acidic media (HCl medium) with Barium Chloride (BaCl 2) crystals. The
light absorbance of the BaCl2 suspension is measured at 420nm in a UV-Vis spectrophotometer.

A standard calibration curve will be made by taking the following volumes

from the 100 ppm standard solutions; 10 ml, 20 ml, 40 ml and 80 ml into 100 ml volumetric flask and fill
up to the mark.
5 ml of conditioning reagent will be added and mixed for a minute then 0.5 g BaCl2 is added.
Shake and after 2 minutes of BaCl 2 addition, the absorbance of the resulting solution will be read, a
milky/whitish colour at 420 nm wavelength on the UV-Vis.
For samples take 100 ml of samples 5 ml of conditioning reagent will be added and mixed for a minute
then 0.5 g BaCl2 is added.
Shake and after 2 minutes of BaCl2 addition, the absorbance of the resulting solution will be read.

10.2.3 pH MEASUREMENTS
A pH meter will be used to measure pH in the field by filling. 20 ml of sample water in a cell and
a pH electrode will be placed in the sample and the shown meter reading of the pH taken.
8[11] PROJECT WORK PLAN
Table 1: Work plan and activity schedule
Month Activity

December/January Proposal Presentation and Purchase Of Project Requisites

January/February Sampling And Sample Preparation

February Analysis Of Parameters

March InterpretationOf Laboratory Results Report Writing

April i. Final Project Presentation

ii. Printing And Binding Of The Report
May SubmissionOf The Bound Report (Thesis).

9[12] PROJECT BUDGET

 Table 2: Project Budget
Description Amount (ZMK)

Sampling requisites (CBU)

Visit of Sampling sites in preparation for fieldwork (CBU)

Sample collection (CBU)

Sample analysis(NISIR) ≈ 600

Transport 400

Printing & binding of thesis 200

Miscellaneous 200

Total 1,500
13. REFERENCES
Roy m Harrison (2006). An Introduction to Pollution Science; a chemical contaminant perspective
Birmingham UK..

Roy M Harrison (2007).Principles of enviromental chemistry; chemistry of fresh

waters.Birmingham UK.

Andrew EA Eaton. (1995). standard methods foe the examination of water and waste water;
supplement to the 16ED.Washington DC.USA

David Coil, Erin Mckittrick, AndrewMattox, Nick Hoagland,Bretwood Higman (2014).Acid Mine
Drainage.http://groundtruthtrekking.org/issues/metals/acidmine drainage.html.

Nkusuwila Nachalwe. (2001).The zambian legislation regulating pollution and its effectiveness in
pollution control; an analysis Lusaka Zambia

WHO. (2011). Guidelines for drinking-water quality - 4th. Switzerland: World Health
Organization.

Zandonda, H. (1993). Mine Drainage and Environmetal Protection from Waste Water
Disporsal. Industrial Pollution On Kafue River, http://www.imwa.info/docs/imwa
1993/IMWA 1993 Zandonda 415-424.pdf.

Nkhuwa D.C.W, and Sichingabula, H. M. (1998). Anthropogenic influences on groundwater

resources in Lusaka. Zambia.

Health Effects of pH on water.https://www.livestrong.com> article

Water Research Centre-Sulfate. www.water-research.net>sulfate.

Health risks of heavy metals | APEC water systems. www.freedrinking water.com

WHO. (1996). Guidelines for drinking water quality. 2nd Ed, vol. 2. Geneva: World Health
Organization.