Removal of Sulfate, Zinc, and Lead from Alkaline Mine Wastewater Using Pilot-scale Surface-Flow Wetlands at Tara Mines, Ireland

O’Sullivan, Aisling D.; Murray, D. A.; Otte, Marinus L.

doi:10.1007/s10230-004-0040-4

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…(Karathanasis and Johnson, 2003;Peltier et al, 2003;Walker and Hurl, 2002;Goulet and Pick, 2001a;Mays and Edwards, 2001;Debusk et al, 1998;Mungur et al, 1995). In wetlands containing organic sediments, most metals were typically present in sediments as immobile residual forms of metal sulfides, limiting the bioavailability and toxicity of these elements due to the neutral to alkaline pH and reducing biogeochemistry of the treatment system in the sediment layer (O'Sullivan et al, 2004a;O'Sullivan et al, 2004b;Debusk et al, 1998). O'Sullivan et al (2004b) found that the high iron content of both sediment and suspended solids suggest that removal of zinc an lead from the water column could likely be due to contact of these metals with iron precipitates either through co-precipitation or adsorption, which was support by the presence of dissolved zinc and lead in sediment pore waters during iron reduction.…”

Section: Phytoremediation Processesmentioning

confidence: 94%

Wetlands

Champagne¹

2007

Natural Processes and Systems for Hazardous Waste Treatment

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The ability of natural wetlands to improve water quality through its physical, chemical and biological processes and their interactions has been recognized for many years. The processes and functions occurring within these natural systems have been modified and adapted for many different types of water quality improvement applications. These systems have proven effective in the mitigation of municipal, agricultural and industrial wastewaters, in reducing the nutrient concentrations of solid waste applied to land, in retaining heavy metals resulting from urban stormwater runoff, drainage and mining activities. In addition to improving water quality, wetlands are also able to store and slowly release surface water, rainfall runoff, groundwater and flood waters. Conversely, they can maintain stream flows during dry periods and replenish groundwater sources. Wetlands also provide a valuable aquatic habitat for a diverse species of flora and fauna. Wetland System DefinitionsIn general terms, wetlands are lands where a depth of water covers the soil, or where water is present either at or near the surface of the soil or within the root zone, consistently or intermittently throughout the year, including during the growing season. The presence of water at or near the soil surface is at a frequency and duration sufficient to contribute to the formation of hydric soils which are characteristic of wetlands and the establishment of plants (hydrophytes) adapted for life in saturated soil conditions in their rhizosphere, and animal communities living in the soil and on its surface. In some cases, there are wetlands that lack hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation, however, these wetlands support other organisms which are indicative of recurrent saturation and flooding (NAS, 1995). Natural WetlandsNatural wetlands are poorly drained, transitional areas between deeper open water and dry land. Often located in low-lying areas, wetlands receive runoff water 189 Natural Processes and Systems for Hazardous Waste Treatment Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by The University of Queensland Library on 09/30/15.

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Section: Phytoremediation Processesmentioning

confidence: 94%

Wetlands

Champagne¹

2007

Natural Processes and Systems for Hazardous Waste Treatment

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“…Each cell had a c. 50cm substrate base consisting of a mix of spent mushroom compost and fine gravel and had a hydraulic head of c. 25cm. Design specifications have been reported in detail elsewhere (O'Sullivan et al 2000;O'Sullivan et al 2004a). The treatment strategy behind the constructed wetlands design was to promote some slow flow over the surface (facilitating suspended solids precipitation) while providing some subsurface flow through the substrate (maximising substrate contact time) to facilitate biological sulphate reduction.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of Constructed Wetland Substrates by Chemical Sequential Extraction and X-Ray Diffraction Analyses

O’Sullivan¹,

Conlon²,

Moran³

et al. 2005

Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Acade

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Substrates from four-and-a-half year old constructed wetlands built to treat wastewater from an active metal mine were analysed for elevated metal and sulphur concentrations by chemical sequential extractions and X-ray diffraction analyses. Amounts of Fe, Pb, Zn and S were quantified in substrates from the first cells of multi-celled (in-series) treatment wetland systems at three different depths. The analyses showed that the majority of metals removed from the wastewater were retained in residual immobile forms in the upper 0 Á/5cm of the waterlogged anaerobic substrates. Although substantial concentrations of metals and sulphur were retained in the substrates, the amounts were generally not sufficient to allow accurate mineralogical identification by X-ray diffraction. Classification of the sediments using X-ray techniques was further confounded by the highly organic nature of the wetland substrates. These results suggest that chemical analyses of wetland substrates may still provide a clearer interpretation of metal accumulation over time, especially in wastewaters characterised by relatively low metal concentrations flowing through organically rich substrates. While X-ray diffraction can provide useful interpretation of sediment crystallography and mineralogy, there are limitations in using this technology to characterise young wetland substrates.

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“…) because of many systems only being in operation for between 10 and 15 years (O'Sullivan et al . ).…”

Section: Efficacy Of Wetland Plants In Remediating Heavy‐metal‐contaimentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The CWs at Tara Mines removed 81% S0 4‐s , 32% Pb and 74% Zn (Table ) (O'Sullivan et al . ). CWs have also been used to remove heavy metals from industrial wastewaters (Khan et al .…”

Section: Efficacy Of Wetland Plants In Remediating Heavy‐metal‐contaimentioning

confidence: 97%

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How do the plants used in phytoremediation in constructed wetlands, a sustainable remediation strategy, perform in heavy‐metal‐contaminated mine sites?

Adams

Raman

Hodgkins

2012

Water & Environment J

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This review draws on knowledge for the treatment of heavy‐metal leachate in contaminated mine sites. Mine waste rock dumps and tailings generate a continuous stream of metalliferous and saline leachate over the long term. The mining industry has many legacy sites, which have compromised aquatic ecosystems and groundwater because of heavy‐metal contamination. Chemical and engineering methods are available and have been extensively utilised. However, these methods require intensive energy and often produce substantial volumes of secondary waste. We therefore argue in favour of phytoremediation as a sustainable remediation strategy leading towards efficient and sustainable metal removal and immobilisation through constructed wetlands.

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Removal of Sulfate, Zinc, and Lead from Alkaline Mine Wastewater Using Pilot-scale Surface-Flow Wetlands at Tara Mines, Ireland

Cited by 18 publications

References 31 publications

Wetlands

Wetlands

Characterisation of Constructed Wetland Substrates by Chemical Sequential Extraction and X-Ray Diffraction Analyses

How do the plants used in phytoremediation in constructed wetlands, a sustainable remediation strategy, perform in heavy‐metal‐contaminated mine sites?

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