The Importance of Thiosalts Speciation: Review of Analytical Methods, Kinetics, and Treatment

Abstract

The presence of sulfuroxyion compounds (thiosalts) in mining wastewater is a concern because of their potential for acidification of receiving water bodies. Despite extensive research, generation and kinetic information of thiosalt species under different pH and temperature conditions is not fully understood, especially under the range of conditions likely to be encountered in receiving ponds. As a result, it is difficult to design ponds or develop treatment technologies to treat these compounds. The authors present a summary of relevant information in terms of generation and kinetics of thiosalts, analytical methods for measuring their concentrations, and treatment of thiosalt wastes.

KEY WORDS:

• analytical methods
• kinetics
• thiosalt
• treatment

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the financial support provided by CONACYT and NSERC. Also, the comments on the draft provided by Dr. Geert Van Biesen are appreciated.