Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources EngineersISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online)한국자원공학회

In this study, mushroom compost (MC) and mushroom compost mixed with sand-sized limestone (MCL), commonly used in successive alkalinity producing systems (SAPS), were loaded into two columns and introduced into acid mine drainage (AMD) for nine weeks to compare water quality. The mushroom compost had no neutralizing ability and, therefore, did not remove the components of Al, Fe²⁺, and Mn. Aluminum was continuously removed in the gravel-sized limestone layer, thereby reducing the neutralization function of limestone. The mushroom compost with sand limestone increased the pH 3.52 to 5.90 and had Al deposited in the compost layer. For nine weeks, the space of the limestone layer was maintained, pH was measured as 6.58, and alkalinity was measured as 131.09 mg/L CaCO₃. Sand limestone in the mushroom compost layer thus increased pH and served as a filter for Al, thus maintaining the neutralization function of the gravel-sized limestone layer for a long time.