Effect of acid mine drainage (AMD) on the alteration of hydrated Portland cement and calcareous sandstone

AMD is the acidic discharge generated by the oxidation of sulfide minerals from active or disused mine workings and contains high concentrations of toxic metals and sulfuric acid. Host rocks and concrete-based infrastructures in permanent contact with AMD are highly vulnerable to the geochemical processes caused by acidity (e.g. concrete corrosion). Experiments using columns filled with calcareous sandstone and hydrated Portland cement were...