Application of fungi as bioflocculant for mine drainage treatment with extra high total suspended solid

Abstract

Liquid waste with a high amount of total suspended solids (TSS) is one of the significant environmental issues from coal mining activities in Kalimantan island under high precipitation in of an extensive zone of coverage. The TSS concentration with Nano-sized particle in mine drainage is caused by clay minerals which are dominated by montmorillonite type. Therefore, a vast chemical agent is usually used to treat TSS concentrations of liquid waste less than 300 mg/L based on government regulation. However, in this case, the chemical flocculant triggers the onset of secondary pollutant because of carcinogenic and non-biodegradable conditions. This study aims to observe specific fungi, Marasmius sp, as bio-flocculant for the treatment of mine drainage with extra high TSS. The fungi can produce a biodegradable polymer that precipitate the montmorillonite with two-mode action, namely bio-flocculant polymerization and mycelial trapping. A role model was performed in a laboratory-scale less than 1 L in several graduated/measuring cylinders under 22-30 °C. The results of clarity and flocculation rate tests indicated that the minerals in the mine drainage samples from PT.BC mining excavation area, had been precipitated rapidly. The clarity test by using spectrophotometer indicated that eighty six percent (86%) clarity value averagely in one-hour treatment, while the TSS concentration amount decreased down to 110.1 mg/L from original measured at 11,000 mg/L based on the flocculation rate test.