Ziemkiewicz, P. F., Skousen, J. G., & Simmons, J. (2003). Long-term Performance of Passive Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Systems. Mine Water Env., 22(3), 118–129.
Abstract: State and federal reclamation programs, mining operators, and citizen-based watershed organizations have constructed hundreds of passive systems in the eastern U.S. over the past 20 years to provide reliable, low cost, low maintenance mine water treatment in remote locations. While performance has been reported for individual systems, there has not been a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of each treatment type for a wide variety of conditions. We evaluated 83 systems: five types in eight states. Each system was monitored for influent and effluent flow, pH, net acidity, and metal concentrations. Performance was normalized among types by calculating acid load reductions and removals, and by converting construction cost, projected service life, and metric tonnes of acid load treated into cost per tonne of acid treated. Of the 83 systems, 82 reduced acid load. Average acid load reductions were 9.9 t/yr for open limestone channels (OLC), 10.1 t/yr for vertical flow wetlands (VFW), 11.9 t/yr for anaerobic wetlands (AnW), 16.6 t/yr for limestone leach beds (LSB), and 22.2 t/yr for anoxic limestone drains (ALD). Average costs for acid removal varied from $83/t/yr for ALDs to $527 for AnWs. Average acid removals were 25 g/m2/day for AnWs, 62 g/m2/day for VFWs, 22 g/day/t for OLCs, 28 g/day/t for LSBs, and 56 g/day/t for ALDs. It appears that the majority of passive systems are effective but there was wide variation within each system type, so improved reliability and efficiency are needed. This report is an initial step in determining passive treatment system performance; additional work is needed to refine system designs and monitoring.
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Simmons, J., Ziemkiewicz, P., & Black, D. C. (2002). Use of Steel Slag Leach Beds for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage. Mine Water Env., 21(2), 91–99.
Abstract: Steel slag from the Waylite steel-making plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was leached with acidic mine drainage (AMD) of a known quality using an established laboratory procedure. Leaching continued for 60 cycles and leachates were collected after each cycle. Results indicated that the slag was very effective at neutralizing acidity. The AMD/slag leachates contained higher average concentrations of Ba, V, Mn, Cr, As, Ag, and Se and lower average concentrations of Sb, Fe, Zn, Be, Cd, Tl, Ni, Al, Cu, and Pb than the untreated AMD. Based on these tests, slag leach beds were constructed at the abandoned McCarty mine site in Preston County, West Virginia. The leach beds were constructed as slag check dams below limestone-lined settling basins. Acid water was captured in limestone channels and directed into basins to leach through the slag dams and discharge into a tributary of Beaver Creek. Since installation in October 2000, the system has been consistently producing net alkaline, pH 9 water. The treated water is still net alkaline and has a neutral pH after it encounters several other acidic seeps downstream.
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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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Ziemkiewicz, P. F., Skousen, J. G., Skousen, J. G., & Ziemkiewicz, P. F. (1996). Prevention of acid mine drainage by alkaline addition. In Acid mine drainage control and treatment. Morgantown: West Virginia University and the National Mine Land Reclamation Center.
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Ziemkiewicz, P. F., Skousen, J. G., Skousen, J. G., & Ziemkiewicz, P. F. (1996). Overview of acid mine drainage at-source control strategies. In Acid mine drainage control and treatment. Morgantown: West Virginia University and the National Mine Land Reclamation Center.
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