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Author Younger, P.L.
Title Passive in situ remediation of acidic mine waste leachates: progress and prospects Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Land Reclamation: Extending the Boundaries Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 253-264
Keywords mine water treatment
Abstract 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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Notes Passive in situ remediation of acidic mine waste leachates: progress and prospects; Isip:000183447100035; Times Cited: 0; ISI Web of Science Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 17016 Serial 158
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Author 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 Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication The Science of the Total Environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 194-195 Issue Pages 457-466
Keywords 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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ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Medium
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Notes 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 Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 6259 Serial 193
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Author Younger, P.L.; Cornford, C.
Title Mine water pollution from Kernow to Kwazulu-Natal; geochemical remedial options and their selection in practice Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords 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
Abstract 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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Publisher Proceedings of the Ussher Society, vol.10, Part 3 Place of Publication (down) Editor
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Series Editor Series Title 40th annual meeting of the Ussher Society Abbreviated Series Title
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Notes 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 Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 16506 Serial 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 Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Mine Water Env. Abbreviated Journal
Volume 19 Issue 2 Pages 84-97
Keywords wetlands SAPS aerobic wetlands acidity aerobic anaerobic compost iron metals passive reactive barrier water treatment
Abstract 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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ISSN 1025-9112 ISBN Medium
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Notes The adoption and adaptation of passive treatment technologies for mine waters in the United Kingdom; 1; FG 5 Abb., 1 Tab.; AMD ISI | Wolkersdorfer Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 17448 Serial 198
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Author Younger, P.L.
Title Minewater treatment using wetlands Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Water and Environment Manager Abbreviated Journal
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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Notes Minewater treatment using wetlands; 0283405; Geobase Approved no
Call Number CBU @ c.wolke @ 10624 Serial 200
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