A systematic mapping and scoping review on geopolymer and permeable reactive barrier for acid mine drainage treatment research

Abstract

Geopolymer has been recently gaining attention due to its excellent properties in various applications. It is an inorganic material that can be synthesized in the presence of a precursor rich in aluminosilica and an activator. This novel material also resembles the structure of a zeolite which makes it suitable in wastewater treatment applications. Meanwhile, one of the contributors to toxic metals in wastewater is the mining industry. The presence of these toxic metals in wastewater due to environmental impact brought by mining activities can contaminate both the ground and surface water. In addition, this could also cause environmental damage affecting the biodiversity around the area. One of the many challenges that the mining industry faces that contributes to environmental pollution is the generation of acid mine drainage. This is produced through further exposure of sulfide ore and other minerals to water and oxygen. On the other hand, the permeable reactive barrier is an emerging remediation technique that can be used to treat acid mine drainage. This paper reviews the current trend on geopolymer and permeable reactive barrier for acid mine drainage treatment research. This paper aims to identify the topics that have been studied and to elucidate the potential areas for research which could serve as a reference to future works. © 2020, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd