Passive Treatment of Acidic Coal Mine Drainage: The Anna S Mine Passive Treatment Complex

Abstract

The Anna S coal mine complex in Tioga County, PA, produces drainage with a pH of 2.8-3.6 containing 3-36 mg/L Al, 1-36 mg/L Fe, and 6-9 mg/L Mn. In 2003, the Babb Creek Watershed Association installed two systems that passively treat three discharges from the mine complex. Both systems contain four parallel vertical flow ponds followed by aerobic wetlands. The vertical flow ponds contain a total of 35,483 t of limestone and 4,913 m 3 of organic substrate. During the last 6 years, the systems have treated an average of 1,971 L/min of flow to neutral pH with 135-146 mg/L of alkalinity (as CaCO 3 ), with less than 1 mg/L of Al and Fe, and 2-4 mg/L of Mn. The vertical flow ponds have generated alkalinity at rates of 32-53 g/m 2 /day as CaCO 3 . No seasonal variation in treatment effectiveness has been observed, despite relatively harsh winter seasons. The total cost of the passive systems was $2.5 million (US). The 20 year projected unit treatment cost, including periodic replacement of the organic substrate, is $403-618 per t (as CaCO 3 ) of net alkalinity generated.

Metabolic adaptation of a Chlamydomonas acidophila strain isolated from acid mine drainage ponds with low eukaryotic diversity

“…AMD tolerant biota might have potential for bioremediation, with biological-based processes potentially more cost effective and sustainable than chemical based methods such as anoxic limestone drains and chemical addition Hedin et al, 2010;Johnson and Hallberg, 2005). Bioremediation methods can include utilisation of bacterial SO 4 reduction and neutralisation (Neculita et al, 2007) or aerobic wetlands that can oxidise and precipitate dissolved metals (Dean et al, 2013).…”

Microbial Community Shifts in Response to Acid Mine Drainage Pollution Within a Natural Wetland Ecosystem

“…This generates acidity and mobilizes large concentrations of iron (Fe), and other toxic trace metals and metalloids, depending on the composition of the exposed rock ( Robb, 1994 ; Mason, 2002 ). AMD pollution from abandoned mines worldwide therefore is a major problem that needs to be mitigated and managed ( Hedin et al, 1994 ; Mayes et al, 2009b ).…”

Estudo do potencial de adsorção de íons de ferro de água contaminada com drenagem ácida de mina utilizando geopolímero à base de cinza da casca de arroz e resíduo cerâmico

“…Resoluções do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) n o 357 de 17 de março de 2005 (águas doces de Classe 3) e n o 430 de 13 de maio de 2011 (efluentes), em que o valores máximos permitidos são de 5,0 g L -1 e 15 g L -1 , respectivamente. O valor do pH obtido foi de 3,1, característico de águas afetadas pela DAM (HEDIN et al, 2010). Quando comparado à legislação, que requer valores entre 5,0 e 9,0, o pH encontrado no presente estudo é considerado muito baixo.…”