Acid -producing potential of naturally mixed masses of black shale
The main objective of this master thesis is to investigate the acid-producing potential of black shale mixed with other masses of varying grain size.
Black shales/alum shale are common sedimentary rocks in the Oslo area. When exposed to air and water, it may give acid rock drainage, enriched in heavy metals and naturally occurring radionuclides. To avoid negative effects on the environment, constructions and infrastructure, excavated acid-producing rocks must be disposed of properly.
Excavated black shale from planned construction work in Oslo will exceed the capacity of current disposal sites. Often, black shale is mixed with surrounding masses of clean rock. As the acid-producing potential of such mixed masses is uncertain, large amounts of potentially clean masses are sent to disposal sites.
Long-term container and column experiments with mixed masses have been set up as a part of the NGI project Under Oslo in collaboration with SFI earthresQue.
A master's student will follow up on these experiments to investigate the acid-producing potential of mixed masse. Additionally, supplementary experiments or geochemical modelling can be done.
