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.

Abstract: Parts of the Norwegian river Gaula are strongly polluted from former mining activity in the area. In the most polluted parts of the river the concentration levels of Cu and Zn in 1986-1987 were up to 155 mu g l (super -1) and 186 mu g l (super -1) , respectively. In 1989 the spoil heaps in the mining area were covered with protective layers of moss-covered plastic. In 1991-1992 the concentration levels of Cu and Zn had decreased by 75% and 65%, respectively. Animal life in the polluted area seemed to be strongly affected by the trace metals in 1986-1987. The 1991-1992 results showed a marked increase in the number of species and in the number of individuals of each species of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera, compared with the results from 1986-87. Good correlations were found between the concentrations of Cu in the water and both the number of species and the number of individuals of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera. Analysis of the species Baetis rhodani, Diura nanseni and Rhyacophila nubila showed an average total dry weight content of Cu up to 264 mu g g (super -1) , of Zn up to 1930 mu g g (super -1) and of Cd up to 16 mu g g (super -1) . The contents of the three trace metals were significantly different from one species to another and in part between the stations for each species. In 1987 trout died after an exposure of one to two days on three test sites in the river, whereas in 1991-1992 40-75% of the trout survived an exposure period of several weeks at two of the sites. Electrofishing in 1991-1992 indicated recolonization of trout in the lower parts of the former affected and uninhabitable area.

Abstract: Because of its location in the sensitive Coromandel Peninsula, strict water management and environmental requirements had to be met on the Golden Cross Mine Project. This led to the development of new technologies for cyanide recovery and the adoption of advanced water management and water treatment systems. This paper discusses the water management and treatment system adopted for contaminated water at Golden Cross. While permit discharge levels must be and are met for mine discharge waters, the ultimate success of the water management system is demonstrated by the results downstream; biological surveys show no changes to the resident aquatic life in the river.