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Author |
Younger, P.L. |
Title |
Passive in situ remediation of acidic mine waste leachates: progress and prospects |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Land Reclamation: Extending the Boundaries |
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Pages |
253-264 |
Keywords |
mine water treatment |
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The reclamation of former mining sites is a major challenge in many parts of the world. In relation to the restoration of spoil heaps (mine waste rock piles) and similar bodies of opencast backfill, key challenges include (i) the establishment of stable slopes and minimization of other geotechnical hazards (ii) developing and maintaining a healthy vegetative cover (iii) managing the hydrological behaviour of the restored ground. Significant advances have been made over the past four decades in relation to all four of these objectives. One of the most recalcitrant problems is the ongoing generation and release of acidic leachates, which typically emerge at the toes of (otherwise restored) spoil heaps in the form of springs and seepage areas. Such features are testament to the presence of a “perched” groundwater circulation system within the spoil, and their acidity reflects the continued penetration of oxygen to zones within the heaps which contain reactive pyrite (and other iron sulphide minerals). Two obvious strategies for dealing with this problem are disruption of the perched groundwater system and/or exclusion of oxygen entry. These strategies are now being pursued with considerable success where spoil is being reclaimed for the first time, by the installation of two types of physical barrier (dry covers and water covers). However, where a spoil heap has already been revegetated some decades ago, the destruction of an established sward or woodland in order to retro-fit a dry cover or water cover is rarely an attractive option for dealing with the “secondary dereliction” represented by ongoing toe seepages of acidic leachates. More attractive by far are passive treatment techniques, in which the polluted water is forced to flow through reactive media which serve to neutralize its acidity and remove toxic metals from solution. A brief historical review of the development of such systems reveals a general progression from using limestone as the key neutralizing agent, through a combined use of limestone and compost, to systems in which almost all of the neutralization is achieved by means of bacterial sulphate reduction in the saturated compost media of subsurface-flow bioreactors. In almost all cases, these passive treatment systems include an aerobic, surface flow wetland as the final “polishing” step in the treatment process. Such wetlands combine treatment functions (efficient removal of metals from the now-neutralized waters down to low residual concentrations, and re-oxygenating the water prior to discharge to receiving watercourses) with amenity value (attractive areas for recreational walking, bird-watching etc) and ecological value. |
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Passive in situ remediation of acidic mine waste leachates: progress and prospects; Isip:000183447100035; Times Cited: 0; ISI Web of Science |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17016 |
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158 |
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Younger, P.L.; Neal, C.; House, W.A.; Leeks, G.J.L.; Marker, A.H. |
Title |
The longevity of minewater pollution; a basis for decision-making U.K. fluxes to the North Sea; Land Ocean Interaction Study (LOIS); river basins research, the first two years |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1997 |
Publication |
The Science of the Total Environment |
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194-195 |
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457-466 |
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acid mine drainage; acidic composition; acidification; Cornwall England; decision-making; degradation; discharge; England; Europe; Great Britain; hydrolysis; mines; planning; pollutants; pollution; remediation; retention; Scotland; soils; surface water; United Kingdom; Wales; waste disposal; water quality; Western Europe 22, Environmental geology |
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0048-9697 |
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The longevity of minewater pollution; a basis for decision-making U.K. fluxes to the North Sea; Land Ocean Interaction Study (LOIS); river basins research, the first two years; 1997-078352; Special issue References: 30; illus. Netherlands (NLD); GeoRef; English |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 6259 |
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193 |
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Younger, P.L.; Cornford, C. |
Title |
Mine water pollution from Kernow to Kwazulu-Natal; geochemical remedial options and their selection in practice |
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Journal Article |
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2002 |
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Africa Bolivia case studies Cornwall England cost decision-making decontamination Durham England England Europe geochemistry Great Britain Hlobane Colliery hydrology Kernow England KwaZulu-Natal South Africa metals Milluni Mine mine drainage monitoring pollutants pollution Quaking Houses England remediation South Africa South America South Crofty Mine South-West England Southern Africa United Kingdom water treatment Western Europe Wheal Jane Mine 22, Environmental geology |
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Pollution by mine drainage is a major problem in many parts of the world. The most frequent contaminants are Fe, Mn, Al and SO (sub 4) with locally important contributions by other metals/metalloids including (in order of decreasing frequency) Zn, Cu, As, Ni, Cd and Pb. Remedial options for such polluted drainage include monitored natural attenuation, physical intervention to minimise pollutant release, and active and passive water treatment technologies. Based on the assessment of the key hydrological and geochemical attributes of mine water discharges, a rational decision-making framework has now been developed for deciding which (or which combinations) of these options to implement in a specific case. Five case studies illustrate the application of this decision-making process in practice: Wheal Jane and South Crofty (Cornwall), Quaking Houses (Co Durham), Hlobane Colliery (South Africa) and Milluni Tin Mine (Bolivia). In many cases, particularly where the socio-environmental stakes are particularly high, the economic, political and ecological issues will prove even more challenging than the technical difficulties involved in implementing remedial interventions which will be robust in the long term. Hence truly “holistic” mine water remediation is a multi-dimensional business, involving teamwork by a range of geoscientific, hydroecological and socio-economic specialists. |
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Proceedings of the Ussher Society, vol.10, Part 3 |
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40th annual meeting of the Ussher Society |
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2004-019557; 40th annual meeting of the Ussher Society, Saint Austell, United Kingdom, Jan. 3-4, 2002 Scott Simpson lecture References: 39; illus. incl. 3 tables; GeoRef; English |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 16506 |
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194 |
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Author |
Younger, P.L. |
Title |
The adoption and adaptation of passive treatment technologies for mine waters in the United Kingdom |
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Journal Article |
Year |
2000 |
Publication |
Mine Water Env. |
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19 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
84-97 |
Keywords |
wetlands SAPS aerobic wetlands acidity aerobic anaerobic compost iron metals passive reactive barrier water treatment |
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During the 1990s, passive treatment technology was introduced to the United Kingdom (UK). Early hesitancy on the part of regulators and practitioners was rapidly overcome, at least for net-alkaline mine waters, so that passive treatment is now the technology of choice for the long-term remediation of such discharges, wherever land availability is not unduly limiting. Six types of passive systems are now being used in the UK for mine water treatment: ¨ aerobic, surface flow wetlands (reed-beds); ¨ anaerobic, compost wetlands with significant surface flow; ¨ mixed compost / limestone systems, with predominantly subsurface flow (so-called Reducing and Alkalinity Producing Systems (RAPS)); ¨ subsurface reactive barriers to treat acidic, metalliferous ground waters; ¨ closed-system limestone dissolution systems for zinc removal from alkaline waters; ¨ roughing filters for treating ferruginous mine waters where land availability is limited. Each of these technologies is appropriate for a different kind of mine water, or for specific hydraulic circumstances. The degree to which each type of system can be considered “proven technology” corresponds to the order in which they are listed above. Many of these passive systems have become foci for detailed scientific research, as part of a $1.5M European Commission project running from 2000 to 2003. |
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1025-9112 |
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The adoption and adaptation of passive treatment technologies for mine waters in the United Kingdom; 1; FG 5 Abb., 1 Tab.; AMD ISI | Wolkersdorfer |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 17448 |
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198 |
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Author |
Younger, P.L. |
Title |
Minewater treatment using wetlands |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1997 |
Publication |
Water and Environment Manager |
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Volume |
2 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
11 |
Keywords |
Wetlands and estuaries geographical abstracts: physical geography hydrology (71 6 8) wetlands mine drainage water treatment |
Abstract |
Experiences gained by the UK Mining Industry and effluent treatment companies in theuse of wetlands for treating minewaters are discussed. Discharges from abandoned mines is a major cause of freshwater pollution in some regions. Key topics relating to the use of wetlands for minewater treatment will be discussed at a CIWEM conference in Newcastle on 5 September 1997. |
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Minewater treatment using wetlands; 0283405; Geobase |
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CBU @ c.wolke @ 10624 |
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200 |
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