Stabilization of mercury-containing wastes using sulfide

This paper summarizes the findings of our studies on mercury stabilization using sulfide. Primary stabilization variables such as stabilization pH and sulfide/mercury molar ratio were tested. Mercury stabilization effectiveness was evaluated using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and the constant pH leaching tests. The influence of interfering ions on mercury immobilization was also tested. The experimental results indicate that the sulfide-induced treatment technology is an effective way to minimize mercury leaching. It was found that the most effective mercury stabilization occurs at pH 6 combined with a sulfide/mercury molar ratio of 1. The combined use of increased dosage of sulfide and ferrous ions ([S]/[Hg] = 2 and [Fe]/[Hg] = 3 at pH = 6) can significantly reduce interferences by chloride and/or phosphate during sulfide-induced mercury immobilization. The sulfide-treated waste stabilization efficiency reached 98%, even with exposure of the wastes to high pH leachants.