Abstract: The generation of acid mine drainage is a serious environmental problem associated with coal mining. The chemistry of acid mine drainage is outlined. The prevention and minimization of acid mine drainage formation is examined. The in situ inhibition and remediation of acid mine drainage is described. Methods for the passive treatment of acid mine drainage after formation are discussed. The design of treatment systems is considered. -P.M.Taylor

Abstract: Passive methods of treating mine water utilize chemical and biological processes that decrease metal concentrations and neutralize acidity. Compared to conventional chemical treatment, passive methods generally require more land area, but utilize less costly reagents and require less operational attention and maintenance. Currently, three types of passive technologies exist: aerobic wetlands, wetlands that contain an organic substrate, and anoxic limestone drains. Aerobic wetlands promote mixed oxidation and hydrolysis reactions, and are most effective when the raw mine water is net alkaline. Organic substrate wetlands promote anaerobic bacterial activity that results in the precipitation of metal sulfides and the generation of bicarbonate alkalinity. Anoxic limestone drains generate bicarbonate alkalinity and can be useful for the pretreatment of mine water before it flows into a wetland. Rates of metal and acidity removal for passive systems have been developed empirically. Aerobic wetlands remove Fe and Mn from alkaline water at rates of 10-20 g×m-2×d-1 and 0.5-1.0 g×m-2×d-1, respectively.

Abstract: When designing wetland treatment systems for trace metal removal, both aerobic and anaerobic processes can be incorporated into the final design. Aerobic processes such as adsorption and ion exchange can successfully treat neutral drainage in overlandflow systems. Acid drainage can be treated in anaerobic systems as a result of sulfate reduction processes which neutralize pH and precipitate metals.Test work on both aerobic and anaerobic systems has been conducted in Minnesota. For the past three years, overland flow test systems have successfully removed copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc from neutral mine drainage. Nickel, which is the major contaminant, has been reduced around 90 percent from 2 mg/L to 0.2 mg/L. A sulfate reduction system has successfully treated acid mine drainage for two years, increasing pH from 5 to over 7 and reducing concentrations of all metals by over 90 percent.Important factors to consider when designing wetlands to remove trace metals include not only the type of wetlandrequired but also the size of the system and the residence time needed to achieve the water quality standards.