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Sibrell, P. L. (2000). ARD remediation with limestone in a CO2 pressurized reactor. ICARD 2000, Vols I and II, Proceedings, , 1017–1026.
Abstract: We evaluated a new process for remediation of acid rock drainage (ARD). The process treats ARD with intermittently fluidized beds of granular limestone maintained within a continuous now reactor pressurized with CO2. Tests were performed over a thirty day period at the Toby Creek mine drainage treatment plant, Elk County, Pennsylvania in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Equipment performance was established at operating pressures of 0, 34, 82, and 117 kPa using an ARD flow of 227 L/min. The ARD had the following characteristics: pH, 3.1; temperature, 10 OC; dissolved oxygen, 6.4 mg/L; acidity, 260 mg/L; total iron, 21 mg/L; aluminum, 22 mg/L; manganese, 7.5 mg/L; and conductivity, 1400 muS/cm. In all cases tested, processed ARD was net alkaline with mean pH and alkalinities of 6.7 and 59 mg/L at a CO2 pressure of 0 kPa, 6.6 and 158 mg/L at 34 kPa, 7.4 and 240 mg/L at 82 kPa, and 7.4 and 290 mg/L at 117 kPa. Processed ARD alkalinities were correlated to the settled bed depth (p <0.001) and CO2 pressure (p <0.001). Iron, aluminum, and manganese removal efficiencies of 96%, 99%, and 5%, respectively, were achieved with filtration following treatment. No indications of metal hydroxide precipitation or armoring of the limestone were observed. The surplus alkalinity established at 82 kPa was successful in treating an equivalent of 1136 L/min (five-fold dilution) of the combined three ARD streams entering the Toby Creek Plant. This side-stream capability provides savings in treatment unit scale as well as flexibility in treatment effect. The capability of the system to handle higher influent acidity was tested by elevating the acidity to 5000 mg/L with sulfuric acid. Net alkaline effluent was produced, indicating applicability of the process to highly acidic ARD.
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Jeffree, R. A. (2000). Rum Jungle mine site remediation: Relationship between changing water quality parameters and ecological recovery in the Finniss River system. ICARD 2000, Vols I and II, Proceedings, , 759–764.
Abstract: The Finniss River system in tropical northern Australia has received 'acid-drainage' contaminants from the Rum Jungle uranium/copper mine site over the past 4 decades. Following mine-site remediation that began in 1981-82 the annual contaminant loads of sulfate, Cu, Zn and Mn have declined by factors of 3, 7, 5 and 4, respectively over 1990-93, compared to the 1969-74 pre-remediation loads. Comparison of the frequency distributions of contaminant water concentrations over these pre- and post-remedial periods have shown varying degrees of reduction in the highest levels following mine-site remediation, that are consistent with reductions in their annual-cycle loads. Among the three selected major metal contaminants the reductions in maximum water concentrations are most pronounced for Cu. The demonstrated reductions in the highest water concentrations of all four contaminants are also associated with previously reported ecological improvement in the Finniss River system, compared to the benchmark of environmental detriment established in 1973/74, prior to the beginning of remediation at the mine site.
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Groudev, S. N., Georgiev, P. S., Spasova, I. I., & Nicolova, M. N. (2000). In situ treatment of mine waters by means of a permeable barrier. Groundwater 2000, , 417–418.
Abstract: Acid ground waters contaminated with radioactive elements (U, Ra, Th), toxic heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, Fe), arsenic and sulphates were treated by means of a permeable barrier. The barrier was filled with a mixture of biodegradable solid organic substrates (spent mushroom compost, sawdust and cow manure) and was inhabited by a mixed microbial community consisting of sulphate-reducing bacteria and other metabolically interdependent microorganisms. An efficient removal of the pollutants was achieved by this barrier during the different climatic seasons, even at ambient temperatures close to degrees C. The microbial dissimilatory sulphate reduction and the sorption of pollutants by the organic matter in the barrier were the main processes involved in this removal.
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Mitchell, P. (2000). Silica micro encapsulation: An innovative commercial technology for the treatment of metal and radionuclide contamination in water and soil. Environmental Issues and Management of Waste in Energy and Mineral Production, , 307–314.
Abstract: Klean Earth Environmental Company (KEECO) has developed the Silica Micro Encapsulation (SME) technology to treat heavy metals and radionuclides in water and soil. Unlike conventional neutralization/precipitation methods, SME encapsulates the contaminants in a permanent silica matrix resistant to degradation under even extreme environmental conditions. Encapsulated metals and radionuclides are effectively immobilized, minimising the potential for environmental contamination and impacts on human or ecosystem health. The effectiveness of SME has been proven through independent reviews, laboratory and field trials and commercial contracts, and the technology can be used to control and prevent acid drainage and the transport of soluble metals from mine sites, tailings areas, landfills and industrial sites. Successful demonstrations in the treatment of sediments and in brownfield redevelopment, treatment of metal-finishing wastewaters, and control of hazardous, low-level, and mixed waste at DOE/DOD sites and commercial nuclear power plants have also been undertaken. This paper describes the reactions involved in the SME process, the methods by which SME chemicals are introduced to various media, and recent project applications relevant to the cost effective remediation and prevention of environmental problems arising from energy and mineral production.
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Fripp, J., Ziemkiewicz, P. F., & Charkavorki, H. (2000). Acid Mine Drainage Treatment. Ecosystem Management and Restoration Research Program Technical Notes, Erdc Tn-Emrrp-Sr-14, 7.
Abstract: Contaminated water flowing from abandoned coal mines is one of the most significant contributors to water pollution in former and current coal-producing areas. Acid mine drainage (AMD) can have severe impacts to aquatic resources, can stunt terrestrial plant growth and harm wetlands, contaminate groundwater, raise water treatment costs, and damage concrete and metal structures. In the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States alone, more than 7,500 miles of streams are impacted. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission estimates that the economic losses on fisheries and recreational uses are approximately $67 million annually (ref). While most modern coal-mining operations (Figure 1) must meet strict environmental regulations concerning mining techniques and treatment practices, there are thousands of abandoned mine sites in the United States (Figure 2). Treatment of a single site can result in the restoration of several miles of impacted streams. The purpose of this document is to briefly summarize key issues related to AMD treatment. This document is intended as a brief overview; thus, it is neither inclusive nor exhaustive. The technical note presents the preliminary planning issues
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