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Johnson, D. B., & Hallberg, K. B. (2005). Acid mine drainage remediation options: a review. Science of the Total Environment, 338(1-2), 3–14.
Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) causes environmental pollution that affects many countries having historic or current mining industries. Preventing the formation or the migration of AMD from its source is generally considered to be the preferable option, although this is not feasible in many locations, and in such cases, it is necessary to collect, treat, and discharge mine water. There are various options available for remediating AMD, which may be divided into those that use either chemical or biological mechanisms to neutralise AMD and remove metals from solution. Both abiotic and biological systems include those that are classed as “active” (i.e., require continuous inputs of resources to sustain the process) or “passive” (i.e., require relatively little resource input once in operation). This review describes the current abiotic and bioremediative strategies that are currently used to mitigate AMD and compares the strengths and weaknesses of each. New and emerging technologies are also described. In addition, the factors that currently influence the selection of a remediation system, and how these criteria may change in the future, are discussed.
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Whitehead, P. G. (2005). Bioremediation of acid mine drainage: an introduction to the Wheal Jane wetlands project. Science of the Total Environment, 338(1-2), 15–21.
Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a widespread environmental problem associated with both working and abandoned mining operations. As part of an overall strategy to determine a long-term treatment option for AMD, a pilot passive treatment plant was constructed in 1994 at Wheat Jane Mine in Cornwall, UK. The plant consists of three separate systems; each containing aerobic reed beds, anaerobic cell and rock filters, and represents the largest European experimental facility of its kind. The systems only differ by the type of pre-treatment utilised to increase the pH of the influent minewater (pH<4): lime-dosed (LD), anoxic limestone drain (ALD) and lime free (LF), which receives no form of pre-treatment. The Wheal Jane pilot plant offered a unique facility and a major research project was established to evaluate the pilot plant and study in detail the biological mechanisms and the geochemical and physical processes that control passive treatment systems. The project has led to data, knowledge, models and design criteria for the future design, planning and sustainable management of passive treatment systems. A multidisciplinary team of scientists and managers from the U.K. universities, the Environment Agency and the Mining Industry has been put together to obtain the maximum advantage from the excellent facilities facility at Wheal Jane. (C) 2004 Elseaier B.V All rights reserved.
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Bolzicco, J., Carrera, J., & Ayora, C. (2004). Eficiencia de la barrera permeable reactiva de Aznalcollar (Sevilla, Espana) como remedio de aguas acidas de mina. Reactive permeable disposal barrier at Aznalcollar Mine, Seville, Spain; as remediation for acid mine drainage. Revista Latino-Americana de Hidrogeologia, 4, 27–34.
Abstract: As a result of the collapse of a mine tailing dam in april 1998 about 40 km of the Agrio and Guadiamar valleys were covered with a layer of pyrite sludge. Although most of the sludge was removed, a small amount remains in the soil of the Agrio valley and the aquifer remains polluted with acid water (ph<4) and metals (10 mg/L Zn, 5 mg/L Cu and Al). A permeable reactive barrier was build across the aquifer to increase the alcalinity and retain the metals. The barrier is made up of three sections of 30 m longX1.4 m thickX5 m deep (average) containing different proportions of limestone gravel, organic compost and zero-valent iron. The residence time of the water in the barrier is about two days. Within the barrier, the pH values increase to near neutral mainly due to calcite dissolution. Metals co-precipitate as oxyhydroxides, and they are also adsorbed on the organic matter surface. Down-stream the barrier, the total pollution removal is around 60-90% for Zn and Cu, and from 50 to 90% for Al and acidity.
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Johnson, D. B., & Hallberg, K. B. (2002). Pitfalls of passive mine water treatment. Reviews in Environmental Science & Biotechnology, 1(5), 335–343.
Abstract: Passive (wetland) treatment of waters draining abandoned and derelict mine sites has a number of detrac-tions. Detailed knowledge of many of the fundamental processes that dictate the performance and longevity of constructed systems is currently very limited and therefore more research effort is needed before passive treatment becomes an “off-the-shelf” technology.
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Kalin, M., Cairns, J., & McCready, R. (1991). Ecological engineering methods for acid mine drainage treatment of coal wastes. Resources, conservation and recycling, 5(2-3), 265–275.
Abstract: The treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) through the utilization of alkali generating microbes has potential as an alternate approach to conventional lime treatment. Organic matter, a source of fixed carbon for the alkali generating microbial ecosystem, has been tested in 6 different types of AMD. The AMD characteristics range in acidities from 2 mg/l to 900 mg/l (CaCO3 equivalent), while sulphate concentrations range from 75 to 7300 mg/l. Alkali generating populations identified include iron reducers, sulphate reducers and ammonifiers. In coal AMD amended with organic matter, the microbial alkali generation is dominated by ammonifiers. Concentrations of Al, Fe and Zn in the AMD water decreased with concurrent increases in pH (3.2 to 6.5) in localized areas in the test cells.
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