Environmental impact of the red mud and other residues from the alumina production

Abstract

Ovaj seminarski rad prikazuje glavne značajke crvenog mulja i drugih ostataka iz proizvodnje aluminija te njihov utjecaj na okoliš. Crveni mulj i otpadna lužina su dvije tvari koje godišnje nastaju u velikim količinama i predstavljaju prijetnju za okoliš ako dođe do curenja ili širenja čestica i kapljica na okolno područje i u rijeke, te se zbog toga moraju odlagati na siguran način. Krške rijeke su jako osjetljiv ekosustav i treba biti oprezan s izgradnjom bilo kakvih tvornica u njihovoj blizini jer može vrlo lako doći do zagađenja čime se uništava pitka voda i direktno se utječe na život čovjeka i organizama. Opisan je način nadziranja i sanacije ekološke katastrofe izlijevanja mulja 2010. godine iz tvornice aluminija Ajka u Mađarskoj te je prikazana važnost brzog odgovora na nastalu situaciju. Također je opisana i sanacija ovog otpada iz tvornice glinice Jadral kod Obrovca u Hrvatskoj koja je trajala oko 5 godina, nije dovršena i koštala je previše, iako su postojali i drugi mogući načini sanacije boksitnog otpada. Crveni mulj je tvar koja može učiniti štetu okolišu, ali, ako je njome rukovano na pravilan način, može biti jako korisna u očuvanju okoliša. Izuzetno je važno razvijati multidisciplinaran pristup u zaštiti okoliša, provoditi česte kontrole i brzo reagirati ako se dogodi neka nesreća ili je potrebna sanacija.This seminar paper presents the main features of red mud and other residues from alumina production and their environmental impact. Red mud and the related waste base are two substances that are produced annually in large amounts and pose a threat to the environment if leakage or the spread of particles and droplets occur in the surrounding area and into rivers and therefore, they have to be safely disposed. The karst rivers are a very sensitive ecosystem and people should be careful with the construction of any factories in their vicinity as it can very easily cause pollution, which destroys resources of drinkable water and directly affects the lives of humans and organisms. The method of monitoring and remediation of the ecological catastrophe spill in 2010 in case of the Ajka alumina plant in Hungary is described and as well as the importance of a rapid response after this spill. The process of remediation of waste from the Jadral alumina plant near Obrovac in Croatia is also described. It lasted about 5 years, it was not completed until now with too high recovery costs, although there were other possible ways of remediation for the bauxite waste. Red mud is a substance that can do harm to the environment, but if properly handled, it can be very useful in protecting the environment. It is extremely important to develop a multidisciplinary approach in environmental protection, to carry out frequent controls and to respond quickly in case of an accident and if the remediation is necessary