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Cox, M. R., & Peterson, G. L. (1997). The effectiveness of in-situ limestone treatment of acid mine drainage Association of Engineering Geologists program with abstracts, 40th annual meeting; Converging at Cascadia. In Annual Meeting – Association of Engineering Geologists, vol.40 (93).
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Cram, J. C. (1996). Diversion well treatment of acid water, Lick Creek, Tioga County, PA. Ph.D. thesis, Pennsylvania State University at University Park,, University Park.
Abstract: Diversion wells implement a fluidized bed of limestone for the treatment of acid water resulting from acid mine drainage or acid precipitation. This study was undertaken to better understand the operation of diversion wells and to define the physical and chemical factors having the greatest impact on the neutralization performance of the system. The study site was located near Lick Creek, a tributary stream of Babb Creek, near the Village of Arnot in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Investigative methods included collection and analysis of site water quality and limestone data and field study of this as well as other diversion well sites. Analysis of data led to these general conclusions: The site received surface water influenced by three primary sources 1) precipitation, 2) mine drainage baseflow, and 3) melted snow. Water mostly influenced by precipitation events and mine drainage baseflow was more acidic than water influenced by melting snow conditions. The diversion wells were generally able to treat only half or less of the total stream flow of Lick Creek and under extremely high flow conditions the treatment provided was minimal. A range of flow conditions were identified which produced the best performance for the two diversion wells. Treatment produced by the system decreased through the loading cycle and increases to a maximum value after each weekly refilling of limestone. Fine grained sediment in the stream was found to be limestone of the same general composition as the material placed within the wells. Neutralization of acid water was largely due to microscopic particles rather than the limestone sediment discharged to the stream. Additional downstream buffering due to the limestone sediment physically discharged from the vessels was not apparent. Diversion well systems are inexpensive and simple to construct. In addition, the systems were found to be highly reliable and able to effectively treat acid water resulting from mine drainage and acid precipitation. Diversion wells provide better treatment when the treatment site is located at the source of the acidity (such as a mine discharge), rather than at the receiving stream. Systems should be designed with 15 to 20 feet of hydraulic head and the site must have year-round access. Diversion well systems require weekly addition of limestone gravel to the vessels to facilitate continual treatment. A great deal of commitment is necessary to maintain a diversion well system for long periods of time. These systems are more economical and require less attention that conventional chemical treatment of acid water. However, these systems require more attention that traditional passive treatment methods for treatment of acid, including mine drainage.
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Cravotta, C. A., III, & Trahan, M. K. (1999). Limestone drains to increase pH and remove dissolved metals from acidic mine drainage. Appl. Geochem., 14(5), 581–606.
Abstract: Despite encrustation by Fe and Al hydroxides, limestone can be effective for remediation of acidic mine drainage (AMD). Samples of water and limestone (CaCO3) were collected periodically for 1 a at 3 identical limestone-filled drains in Pennsylvania to evaluate the attenuation of dissolved metals and the effects of pH and Fe- and Al-hydrolysis products on the rate of CaCO3 dissolution. The influent was acidic and relatively dilute (pH < 4; acidity < 90 mg) but contained 1-4 mg . L-1 of O-2, Fe3+, Al3+ and Mn2+. The total retention time in the oxic limestone drains (OLDs) ranged from 1.0 to 3.1 hr. Effluent remained oxic (O-2 > 1 mg . L-1) but was near neutral (pH = 6.2-7.0); Fe and Al decreased to less than 5% of influent concentrations. As pH increased near the inflow, hydrous Fe and Al oxides precipitated in the OLDs, The hydrous oxides, nominally Fe(OH)(3) and Al(OH)(3), were visible as loosely bound, orange-yellow coatings on limestone near the inflow. As time elapsed, Fe(OH)(3) and Al(OH)(3) particles were transported downflow. The accumulation of hydrous oxides and elevated pH (> 5) in the downflow part of the OLDs promoted sorption and coprecipitation of dissolved Mn, Cu, Co, Ni and Zn as indicated by decreased concentrations of the metals in effluent and their enrichment relative to Fe in hydrous-oxide particles and coatings on limestone. Despite thick (similar to 1 mm) hydrous-oxide coatings on limestone near the inflow, CaCO3 dissolution was more rapid near the inflow than at downflow points within and the OLD where the limestone was not coated. The high rates of CaCO3 dissolution and Fe(OH3) precipitation were associated with the relatively low pH and high Fe3+ concentration near the inflow. The rate of CaCO3 dissolution decreased with increased pH and concentrations of Ca2+ and HCO3- and decreased Pco(2). Because overall efficiency is increased by combining neutralization and hydrolysis reactions, an OLD followed by a settling pond requires less land area than needed for a two-stagetreatment system consisting of an anoxic limestone drain and oxidation-settling pond or wetland. To facilitate removal of hydrous-oxide sludge, a perforated-pipe subdrain can be installed within an OLD. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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Cravotta, C. A., III, Watzlaf, G. R., Naftz, D. L., Morrison, S. J., Fuller, C. C., & Davis, J. A. (2002). Design and performance of limestone drains to increase pH and remove metals from acidic mine drainage Handbook of groundwater remediation using permeable reactive barriers; applications to radionuclides, trace metals, and nutrients.. Amsterdam: Academic Press.
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Crawford, G. A. (1995). Environmental Improvements by the Mining-industry in the Sudbury Basin of Canada. J. Geochem. Explor., 52(1-2), 267–284.
Abstract: Responsible mining companies have done much to redress the environmental damage of earlier technologies and continue to do more. In the Sudbury Basin, one of the most important mining areas in the world, both Inco Limited and Falconbridge Limited, two of the largest nickel producers, have significantly decreased sulphur dioxide emissions in the last 40 years from substantially 100% to about 10% or less of the sulphur in the ore; decreased water effluents by recycling; treated effluents to comply with government regulations; revegetated mine rock and surface tailings deposits and rehabilitated landscapes in the surrounding communities. Inco and Falconbridge continue to develop improved means for environmentally sound handling of all wastes including recycling and to reclaim land at abandoned mine sites. They have developed and implemented environmental policies and codes of practice, not only to comply with regulations, but to anticipate them. The mining industry recognizes the need for regulation to protect human health and the environment. Existing regulations are based on a hazard assessment approach. A more realistic, pragmatic and cost-effective basis for regulation is risk management. This relates any documented effects to measured exposures and recognizes the need for exposure levels low enough that incidence of adverse health effects is as low as in the surrounding ecosystem.
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