Benner, S. G., Blowes, D. W., & Ptacek, C. J. (1997). A full-scale porous reactive wall for prevention of acid mine drainage. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, 17(4), 99–107.
Abstract: The generation and release of acidic drainage containing high concentrations of dissolved metals from decommissioned mine wastes is an environmental problem of international scale. A potential solution to many acid drainage problem is the installation of permeable reactive walls into aquifers affected by drainage water derived from mine waste materials. A permeable reactive wall installed into an aquifer impacted by low-quality mine drainage waters was installed in August 1995 at the Nickel Rim mine site near Sudbury, Ontario. The reactive mixture, containing organic matter, was designed to promote bacterially mediated sulfate reduction and subsequent metal sulfide precipitation. The reactive wall is installed to an average depth of 12 feet (3.6 m) and is 49 feet (15 m) long perpendicular to ground water flow. The wall thickness (flow path length) is 13 feet (4 m). Initial results, collected nine months after installation, indicate that sulfate reduction and metal sulfide precipitation is occurring. Comparing water entering the wall to treated water existing the wall, sulfate concentrations decrease from 2400 to 4600 mg/L to 200 to 3600 mg/L; Fe concentration decrease from 250 to 1300 mg/L to 1.0 to 40 mg/L, pH increases from 5.8 to 7.0; and alkalinity (as CaCO<inf>3</inf>) increases from 0 to 50 mg/L to 600 to 2000 mg/L. The reactive wall has effectively removed the capacity of the ground water to generate acidity on discharge to the surface. Calculations based on comparison to previously run laboratory column experiments indicate that the reactive wall has potential to remain effective for at least 15 years.
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Herbert, R. B., Jr., Benner, S. G., & Blowes, D. W. (1998). Reactive barrier treatment of groundwater contaminated by acid mine drainage; sulphur accumulation and sulphide formation. In M. Herbert, & K. Kovar (Eds.), Groundwater Quality: Remediation and Protection (pp. 451–457). IAHS-AISH Publication, vol.250.
Abstract: A permeable reactive barrier was installed in August 1995 at the Nickel Rim Mine near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, for the passive remediation of groundwater contaminated with acid mine drainage. The reactive component of the barrier consists of a mixture of municipal and leaf compost and wood chips: the organic material promotes bacterially-mediated sulphate reduction. Hydrogen sulphide, a product of sulphate reduction, may then complex with aqueous ferrous iron and precipitate as iron sulphide. This study presents the solid phase sulphur chemistry of the reactive wall after two years of operation, and discusses the formation and accumulation of iron sulphide minerals in the reactive material. The results from the solid-phase chemical analysis of core samples indicate that there is an accumulation of reduced inorganic sulphur in the reactive wall, with levels reaching 190 mu mol g (super -1) (dry weight) by July 1997.
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Schueck, J. H. (1995). Limestone diversion wells; a low-maintenance, cost-effective method for treating acid-mine drainage with limestone. In C. R. Carnein, & J. H. Way (Eds.), Guidebook for the Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists, vol.60 Applied geology in the Lock Haven and Williamsport region, Clinton and Lycoming counties, northcentral Pennsylvania (pp. 9–12).
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Fernandez Rubio, R. (2001). Un recurso valioso las aguas de mina. A valuable resource, mine waters. Industria y Mineria, 345, 14–22.
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Palmer, J. P. (1990). Reclamation and Decontamination of Metalliferous Mining Tailings. Int. J. Mine Water, 9(1-4), 223–235.
Abstract: Parts of Britain have large accumulations of metalliferous tailings derived from mining in the lath, 19th and 20th centuries. These tailings were never subject to land reclamation schemes at the time of mining and are situated very close to water courses. They cause considerable environmental damage in terms of contamination of soils, dust blow and pollution of water courses and groundwater. In some parts of the country mine drainage is a major part of river pollution. In recent years, particularly in Wales, efforts have been made to “clean up” these sites. This has involved using techniques to isolate and contain the spoil, diversion of water courses, and the installation of water treatment facilities and drainage and the establishment of a vegetation cover. Research is also being initiated to investigate ways of decontaminating these metalliferous spoils as an alternative to using covering systems to reclaim them.
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