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Scholz, M. (2002). Mature experimental constructed wetlands treating urban water receiving high metal loads. Biotechnology Progress, 18(6), 1257–1264.
Abstract: The aim was to assess over 2 years the treatment efficiencies of vertical-flow wetland filters containing macrophytes and granular media of different. adsorption capacities. Different concentrations of lead and copper sulfate (constant for 1 year each) were added to urban beck inflow water in order to simulate pretreated (pH adjustment assumed) mine wastewater. After 1 year of operation, the inflow concentrations for lead and copper were increased from 1.30 to 2.98 and from 0.98 to 1.93 mg/L, respectively. However, the metal mass load rates (mg/m(2)/d) were increased by a factor of approximately 4.9 for lead and 4.3 for copper. No breakthrough of metals was recorded. Lead and copper accumulated in the biomass of the litter zone and rhizomes of the macrophytes. Furthermore, microbiological activity decreased during the second year of operation. Bioindicators such as ciliated protozoa and zooplankton decreased sharply in numbers but diatoms increased. In conclusion, the use of macrophytes and, adsorption media did not significantly enhance the filtration of lead and copper. Particulate lead is removed by filtration processes including straining. Furthermore, some expensive and time-consuming water quality variables can be predicted with less expensive ones such as temperature in order to reduce sampling costs.
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Catalan, L. J. J., & Yin, G. (2003). Comparison of calcite to quicklime for amending partially oxidized sulfidic mine tailings before flooding. Environ Sci Technol, 37(7), 1408–1413.
Abstract: Flooding partially oxidized mine tailings for the purpose of mitigating further oxidation of sulfide minerals and generation of acid drainage is generally preceded by treatment with alkaline amendments to prevent releasing previously accumulated acidity to the water cover. This work compares the ability of calcite (CaCO3) and quicklime (CaO), two common amendments, to establish and maintain pH conditions and dissolved metal concentrations within environmentally acceptable ranges over long time periods. Although higher initial pH values were obtained with quicklime, the pH of quicklime treated tailings decreased over time. This was attributed to the low buffering capacity of quicklime treated tailings and to the consumption of hydroxide ions by incongruent dissolution of water-insoluble iron oxyhydroxysulfate minerals. In contrast, the pH of tailings treated with calcite increased initially and then remained stable at pH approximate to 6.7. This pH behavior was due to the lower reactivity of iron oxyhydroxysulfates with calcite, the increased buffering capacity provided by bicarbonate ions, and the incomplete dissolution of calcite. Overall, calcite was found preferable to quicklime for maintaining long-term neutral pH conditions in the treated tailings. With the exception of zinc, acceptable dissolved metal concentrations were achieved with calcite treated tailings.
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Zhuang, J. M. (2004). Lignor(TM) process for acidic rock drainage treatment. Environ. Technol., 25(9), 1031–1040.
Abstract: The process using lignosulfonates for acidic rock drainage (ARD) treatment is referred to as the Lignor(TM) process. Lignosulfonates are waste by-products produced in the sulfite pulping process. The present study has shown lignosulfonates are able to protect lime from developing an external surface coating, and hence to favor its dissociation. Further, the addition of lignosulfonates to ARD solutions increased the clotting and settling rate of the formed sludge. The capability of lignosulfonates to form stable metal-lignin complexes makes them very useful in retaining metal ions and thus improving the long-term stability of the sludge against leaching. The Lignor(TM) process involves metal sorption with lignosulfonates, ARD neutralization by lime to about pH 7, pH adjustment with caustic soda to 9.4 – 9.6, air oxidation to lower the pH to a desired level, and addition of a minimum amount of FeCl3 for further removal of dissolved metals. The Lignor(TM) process removes all concerned metals (especially Al and Mn) from the ARD of the Britannia Mine (located at Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada) to a level lower than the limits of the B.C. Regulations. Compared with the high-density sludge (HDS) process, the Lignor(TM) process has many advantages, such as considerable savings in lime consumption, greatly reduced sludge volume, and improved sludge stability.
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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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Murray-Gulde, C. L. (). Contributions of Schoenoplectus californicus in a constructed wetland system receiving copper contaminated wastewater. Water, Air, Soil Pollut., 163(1-4), 355–378.
Abstract: Functional roles of Schoenoplectus californicus, giant bulrush, were evaluated in an 3.2 ha (8-acre) constructed wetland treatment system receiving copper-contaminated water. The constructed wetland used in this research was designed to decrease bioavailable copper concentrations in a wastestream and eliminate associated toxicity to downstream biota by exploiting the thermodynamic processes responsible for copper speciation. This was achieved by integrating carbon, sulfur and copper biogeochemical cycles. In this system, S. californicus, which represents an integral part of the carbon cycle, provides a physical, chemical and biological role in removing metals from the aqueous phase. The specific contributions of S. californicus in this system are to provide a sustainable carbon source for removal of copper by (1) provision of an organic ligand for sorption of copper entering the system, (2) production of organic ligands through growth of S. californicus, (3) accretion of organic ligands over time due to decomposition of S. californicus detritus, and (4) use of organic carbon as an energy source for dissimilatory sulfate production. Shoots and roots of viable S. californicus sorbed 0.88% and 5.88%, respectively, of copper entering the system. The half-life of S. californicus detritus in the constructed wetland system was approximately 184 d, indicating that sufficient detritus will accrete over time, providing binding sites for copper and an energy source for bacterial metabolic processes that contribute to copper immobilization in wetland systems.
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