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O'Sullivan, A. D., McCabe, O. M., Murray, D. A., & Otte, M. L. (1999). Wetlands for rehabilitation of metal mine wastes. Biology and Environment-Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 99b(1), 11–17.
Abstract: Aspects of research work undertaken by the Wetland Ecology Research Group at University College Dublin are summarised here. Wastes from mining activities generally contain high concentrations of heavy metals and other toxic substances. Reclamation methods to treat these wastes include the use of wetlands, for revegetation of mine tailings under flooded conditions and for the treatment of tailings water. Both natural and constructed wetlands are frequently employed for the treatment of mine wastes. Through a complex array of plant, soil and microbial interactions contaminants, such as heavy metals and sulphates, can be successfully removed from wastewater. Suitable vegetation can stabilise the tailings sediment, thereby preventing it from being dust-blown or leached into the surrounding environment. Our research suggests that these two techniques for treatment of mine wastes are successful and economically viable.
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Zaluski, M. (1999). Design and construction of bioreactors with sulfate-reducing bacteria for acid mine drainage control. Phytoremediation and Innovative Strategies for Specialized Remedial Applications, , 205–210.
Abstract: At many abandoned mine sites in the Western U.S., conventional treatment of AMD is not feasible due to the of lack of power and limited site accessibility. Therefore, three bioreactors were built at an abandoned mine site in Montana to demonstrate feasibility of treating AMD using sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) in a passive water treatment train. The SRB are capable of increasing the pH and reducing the load of dissolved metals in the effluent. The reactors, constructed in the Fall of 1998, were designed to evaluate the SRB technology applied under different environmental conditions. Each bioreactor was designed with mechanisms to enable simulation of seasonal dry and wet climatic conditions. Two bioreactors were placed in trenches and one was constructed above the ground to investigate impact of seasonal freezing and thawing on SRB activity. Two bioreactors contain a passive pretreatment section to increase pH of water before the AMD enters the bioreactor chamber.
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Gatzweiler, R. (2001). Cover design for radioactive and AMD-producing mine waste in the Ronneburg area, Eastern Thuringia. Waste Management, 21(2), 175–184.
Abstract: At the former uranium mining site of Ronneburg, large scale underground and open pit mining for nearly 40 years resulted in a production of about 113 000 tonnes of uranium and about 200 million cubic metres of mine waste. In their present state, these materials cause risks to human health and strong environmental impacts and therefore demand remedial action. The remediation options available are relocation of mine spoil into the open pit and on site remediation by landscaping/contouring, placement of a cover and revegetation. A suitable vegetated cover system combined with a surface water drainage system provides long-term stability against erosion and reduces acid generation thereby meeting the main remediation objectives which are long-term reduction of radiological exposure and contaminant emissions and recultivation. The design of the cover system includes the evaluation of geotechnical, radiological, hydrological, geochemical and ecological criteria and models. The optimized overall model for the cover system has to comply with general conditions as, e.g. economic efficiency, public acceptance and sustainability. Most critical elements for the long-term performance of the cover system designed for the Beerwalde dump are the barrier system and its long-term integrity and a largely self-sustainable vegetation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Stewart, D., Norman, T., Cordery-Cotter, S., Kleiner, R., Sweeney, E., & Nelson, J. D. (1997). Utilization of a ceramic membrane for acid mine drainage treatment. Tailings and Mine Waste '97, , 453–460.
Abstract: BASX Systems LLC has developed a treatment system based on ceramic membranes for the removal of heavy metals from an acid mine drainage stream. This stream also contained volatile organic compounds that were required to be removed prior to discharge to a Colorado mountain stream. The removal of heavy metals was greater than 99% in most cases. A decrease of 30% in chemicals required for treatment and a reduction by more than 75% in labor over a competing technology were achieved. These decreases were obtained for operating temperatures of less than 5 degrees C. This system of ceramic microfiltration is capable of treating many different types of acid mine waste streams for heavy metals removal.
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Hause, D. R., & Willison, L. R. (1986). Deep Mine Abandonment Sealing and Underground Treatment to Prelude Acid Mine Drainage.
Abstract: Beth Energy's Mine 105W is located in Barbour County, West Virginia, near Buckhannon. The mine was opened by drifts updip into the Pittsburgh Seam in 1971 and operated until June, 1982. Most of the water which enters Mine 105W percolates down from previously mined areas in the Redstone Seam, Mine 101, which generally lies 38 feet above the Pittsburgh Seam. The quality of this water is good as it enters Mine 105W. While operating, the Mine 105W water was segregated by pumping. The bulk of the water was collected in sumps near the main area of infiltration from the Redstone Seam and was pumped to Gnatty Creek Portal where, because of the quality, it was minimally treated and discharged. The remainder of the water flowed to the original West Portal where it was occasionally treated with lime.
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