Effective remediation of grossly polluted acidic, and metal-rich, spoil heap drainage using a novel, low-cost, permeable reactive barrier in Northumberland, UK

Jarvis, Adam P.; Moustafa, Mohamed E.; Orme, Patrick; Younger, Paul L.

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2005.11.028

Cited by 48 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Smith and Bradshaw 1979) and recent studies are encouraging (Archer and Caldwell 2004). The input of dissolvedphase metals from point sources, such as adits, may be controlled by non-invasive approaches such as permeable reactive barriers, used with some success for the remediation of acid mine drainage in northeast England and elsewhere (Jarvis et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Contamination from historic metal mines and the need for non-invasive remediation techniques: a case study from Southwest England

Rieuwerts

Austin

Harris

2008

Environ Monit Assess

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The UK is legally required by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) to improve the environmental quality of inland and coastal waters in the coming years. Historic metal mine sites are recognised as an important source of some of the elements on the WFD priority chemicals list. Despite their contamination potential, such sites are valued for their heritage and for other cultural and scientific reasons. Remediating historic mining areas to control the contamination of stream waters, whilst also preserving the integrity of the mine site, is a challenge but might be achieved by novel forms of remediation. In this study, we have carried out environmental monitoring at a historic, and culturally-sensitive, lead-silver mine site in southwest England and have undertaken a pilot experiment to investigate the potential for a novel, non-invasive remediation method at the site. Concentrations of Pb and Zn in mine spoil were clearly elevated with geometric mean concentrations of 6,888 and 710 microg g(-1), respectively. Mean concentrations of Pb in stream waters were between 21 and 54 microg l(-1), in exceedance of the WFD environmental quality standard (EQS) of 7.2 microg l(-1) (annual average). Mean Zn concentrations in water were between 30 and 97 microg l(-1), compared to the UK EQS of 66.5 microg l(-1) (average). Stream sediments within, and downstream from, the mining site were similarly elevated, indicating transport of mine waste particles into and within the stream. We undertook a simple trial to investigate the potential of hydroxyapatite, in the form of bonemeal, to passively remove the Pb and Zn, from the stream waters. After percolating through bonemeal in a leaching column, 96-99% of the dissolved Pb and Zn in stream water samples was removed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Contamination from historic metal mines and the need for non-invasive remediation techniques: a case study from Southwest England

Rieuwerts

Austin

Harris

2008

Environ Monit Assess

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“…Apenas alguns estudos analisaram as variações hidroquímicas das águas subterrâneas em áreas de mineração de sulfetos metálicos (NORDSTROM et al, 2000). A maior parte das pesquisas sobre efeitos da DAM em águas subterrâneas ocorreu em áreas de mineração de carvão (JARVIS et al, 2006;YOUNGER, 2004;GALHARDI e BONOTTO, 2015). Nestas áreas, a longevidade da acidez nas águas devido à dissolução dos sulfetos presentes nos corpos das galerias subterrâneas pode se estender ao longo de centenas ou milhares de anos (YOUNGER, 1997;YOUNGER, 2004).…”

Section: Figura 1 -Principais Efeitos Da Dam Sobre O Meio Subsuperficialunclassified

Efeitos da drenagem ácida de mina sobre a qualidade das águas subterrâneas: preceitos legais e técnicos

Galhardi

Soldera

2018

RHE

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Resumo: Atividades de mineração podem causar degradação ambiental em grandes extensões, comprometendo solos, águas superficiais e subterrâneas, atmosfera e a biota. A exploração mineral tem como consequência a exposição de grandes quantidades de sulfetos a processos de intemperismo que geram ambientes ácidos em consequência da produção de drenagem ácida de mina (DAM), promovendo a solubilização de metais e o transporte destes para os fluxos de águas naturais. Entretanto, as variações hidroquímicas das águas subterrâneas em áreas de mineração e os efeitos da DAM sobre os aquíferos foram ainda pouco investigados no Brasil. Este trabalho visou identificar as principais normas legais que gerem a qualidade dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos no Brasil, de forma a integrar aspectos ambientais, técnicos e legais concernentes aos impactos da DAM sobre as águas subterrâneas, possibilitando, dessa forma, identificar os fatores mais urgentes a serem desenvolvidos com o intuito de proteger efetivamente tais recursos. Entre tais fatores, a definição de critérios de lançamento de efluentes sobre os solos e águas é essencial, inclusive para projetar-se um sistema de coleta, tratamento e disposição final de resíduos em áreas de mineração que atendam a preceitos básicos de qualidade ambiental. Para isso, uma avaliação criteriosa sobre os processos ambientais e geoquímicos operantes no meio é essencial durante o planejamento pré-mineração, operatório e pós-operação. Desta forma, os problemas concernentes aos efluentes ácidos gerados, que podem comprometer profundamente os ecossistemas, não serão resolvidos em curto prazo por meio de uma intervenção pontual e desarticulada com parâmetros legais e ambientais.Palavras-chave: Drenagem ácida de mina. Contaminação ambiental. Águas subterrâneas. Hidrogeologia. Abstract:Mining activities can increase environmental problems, compromising soils, surface water, groundwater, atmosphere and biota. Mineral exploitation can result in the exposure of large amounts of sulfides to weathering processes that generate acid effluents due to the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD), promoting solubilisation and transporting of metals to natural waters. However, the hydrochemical variations of groundwater in mining areas and the effects of AMD on aquifers were still poorly investigated. This work aimed to identify the main legal aspects for managing the quality of water resources in Brazil, specifically the groundwaters, in order to integrate environmental, technical and legal aspects concerning the impacts of AMD on groundwaters, thus allowing us to identify the factors to be developed in order to effectively protect these resources. The definition of criteria for the release of acid effluents into soils and water resources is essential to project a system for the collection, treatment and final disposal of wastes in mining areas complying with basic parameters of environmental quality. Therefore, a careful evaluation of environmental and geochemical processes is essential during the pre-mining, mining...

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“…Physical, chemical, and/or biological processes in reactive barriers reduce contaminant concentrations in groundwater [5,6]. For example, several investigators documented reduced concentrations of heavy metals in groundwater flowing through permeable reactive barriers [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Others reported decreased concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons [13][14][15] and chlorinated solvents [7,8,10,13,16,17] at field sites equipped with reactive barriers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Configuring passive wells with reactive media for treating contaminated groundwater

Hudak

2008

Environ. Prog.

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Passive (nonpumped) wells filled with reactive media may be an effective alternative to permeable reactive barriers for treating contaminated groundwater in deep aquifers. This study's objective was to evaluate alternative passive well configurations for treating contaminated groundwater in a simulated aquifer. Six configurations of 17 wells were tested, each well screened across the saturated zone. Passive wells occupied various locations on monitoring transects. Five configurations involved one or more monitoring transects perpendicular to regional groundwater flow, positioned downgradient of a contaminant plume. In a sixth configuration, monitoring transects were ±45° to groundwater flow, joined downgradient of the contaminant plume. A numerical mass transport model, accounting for advection and hydrodynamic dispersion, tested the ability of each passive well configuration to reduce contaminant concentrations and prevent offsite contaminant migration. For a fixed number of wells, relatively effective strategies include: (a) spanning the lateral width of a contaminant plume; (b) multiple monitoring transects, with relatively close well spacing along upgradient transects; and (c) 45° monitoring transects. Overall, the 45° structure was most effective. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008

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Effective remediation of grossly polluted acidic, and metal-rich, spoil heap drainage using a novel, low-cost, permeable reactive barrier in Northumberland, UK

Cited by 48 publications

References 6 publications

Contamination from historic metal mines and the need for non-invasive remediation techniques: a case study from Southwest England

Contamination from historic metal mines and the need for non-invasive remediation techniques: a case study from Southwest England

Efeitos da drenagem ácida de mina sobre a qualidade das águas subterrâneas: preceitos legais e técnicos

Configuring passive wells with reactive media for treating contaminated groundwater

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