Composition for treating an excavation activity

Abstract

A composition for treating an excavation activity includes a reagent suspended in foam to form a reagent-foam mixture. The reagent is selected to react with at least one of sulfides or bacteria in waste rock or tailings materials to reduce acid rock drainage. The reagent includes at least one of limestone, dolomite, sodium bicarbonate, steel slag, fly ash, or sodium hydroxide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for treating an excavation activity, comprising:
 a. a reagent suspended in foam to form a reagent-foam mixture, wherein said reagent is selected to react with at least one of sulfides or bacteria in waste rock or tailings materials to reduce acid rock drainage; and   b. wherein said reagent comprises at least one of limestone, dolomite, sodium bicarbonate, steel slag, fly ash, or sodium hydroxide.   
     
     
         2 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said foam comprises at least one of sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate, or natural surfactants derived from animal proteins. 
     
     
         3 . The composition as is  claim 1 , wherein said reagent-foam mixture comprises less than approximately 10 percent by volume of reagent. 
     
     
         4 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said reagent comprises carbon dioxide or an inert gas that displaces oxygen. 
     
     
         5 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said reagent comprises at least one of milk, sodium thiocyanate, bio-solids, sawdust, paper, or composted animal manure. 
     
     
         6 . The composition as in  claim 1 , wherein said reagent comprises at least one of iron, copper, manganese oxide, zeolite minerals, peat, activated carbon, or organic resins. 
     
     
         7 . A composition for treating an excavation activity, comprising:
 a. a reagent suspended in foam to form a reagent-foam mixture, wherein said reagent is selected to react with at least one of sulfides or bacteria in waste rock or tailings materials to reduce acid rock drainage; and   b. wherein said reagent comprises at least one of milk, sodium thiocyanate, bio-solids, sawdust, paper, or composted animal manure.   
     
     
         8 . The composition as in  claim 7 , wherein said foam comprises at least one of sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate, or natural surfactants derived from animal proteins. 
     
     
         9 . The composition as is  claim 7 , wherein said reagent-foam mixture comprises less than approximately 10 percent by volume of reagent. 
     
     
         10 . The composition as in  claim 7 , wherein said reagent comprises carbon dioxide or an inert gas that displaces oxygen. 
     
     
         11 . The composition as in  claim 7 , wherein said reagent comprises at least one of iron, copper, manganese oxide, zeolite minerals, peat, activated carbon, or organic resins. 
     
     
         12 . A composition for treating an excavation activity, comprising:
 a. a reagent suspended in foam to form a reagent-foam mixture, wherein said reagent is selected to react with at least one of sulfides or bacteria in waste rock or tailings materials to reduce acid rock drainage; and   b. wherein said reagent comprises at least one of iron, copper, manganese oxide, zeolite minerals, peat, activated carbon, or organic resins.   
     
     
         13 . The composition as in  claim 12 , wherein said foam comprises at least one of sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate, or natural surfactants derived from animal proteins. 
     
     
         14 . The composition as is  claim 12 , wherein said reagent-foam mixture comprises less than approximately 10 percent by volume of reagent. 
     
     
         15 . The composition as in  claim 12 , wherein said reagent comprises carbon dioxide or an inert gas that displaces oxygen.