Zhou, Yan,2025-12-172025-12-172018https://hdl.handle.net/11541.2/1362011 ethesis (xvii, 146 pages) :illustrationsIncludes bibliographical references (pages 123-146)Acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) from both operating and inactive/abandoned mines, caused principally by the oxidation of sulfide minerals, is a complex and long-term risk to the global environment. In the last few decades, many approaches have been developed to reduce sulfide oxidation including passivation methods, chemical additives, and inhibition of growth of iron-oxidising bacteria. Among all methods, passivation is a low-cost and low-maintenance treatment option during which thin organic or inorganic protective coatings are formed on the pyrite surface, resulting in significantly reduced oxidation rate and acid generation rate (AGR). Earlier published works have shown that the incorporation of Al into Fe (oxy)hydroxides on pyrite surface reduces the rate and driving force of transformation of amorphous to non-passivating crystalline Fe (oxy)hydroxides under certain conditions. However, little data are available in the open literature regarding the role of Al species in stabilisation of passivation layers on the pyrite surface.enAcid mine drainageAluminum oxide.Mine drainagePyritesthesis