Research Initiatives for Developing Passive-Treatment Technologies for Ameliorating Acid Mine Drainage in New Zealand (2008)

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Type of Content
Conference Contributions - OtherPublisher
University of Canterbury. Civil and Natural Resources EngineeringISBN
978-1-60560-548-7Collections
Abstract
Water chemistry was monitored monthly for ten months from an acid mine drainage (AMD) seep emanating at Stockton Coal Mine within the Mangatini watershed in New Zealand. Metal concentrations of the seep water were Fe (4.31-146 mg/L), Al (7.43-76.7 mg/L), Cu (0.0201-0.0669 mg/L), Ni (0.0629-0.261 mg/L), Zn (0.380-1.39 mg/L), Cd (0.000540-0.00134 mg/L) and Pb (0.0049-0.0056 mg/L), pH was 2.49-3.34 and total acidity (pH 8.3) was 78.5-626 mg/L as CaCO3. Water chemistry signature prompted laboratory mesocosm studies measuring the effectiveness of sulfate-reducing bioreactors (SRBRs) for generating alkalinity and sequestering metals. Alkaline materials utilized in the SRBRs included industrial waste products such as mussel shells, nodulated stack dust (NSD) derived from the cement industry, and limestone. Organic substrate materials included post peel, a by-product from fence post manufacture, Pinus radiata bark and compost. Seven SRBRs comprised of varying substrate mixes received aerated AMD for nearly four months. AMD was sourced from the pond that collected the seep water. The SRBR containing NSD successfully removed all metals, but effluent was caustic with pH>9. Bioreactors consisting of 20-30% mussel shells were most successful at immobilizing metals and generating circumneutral effluent. Systems containing mussel shells sequestered more than 0.8 moles of metals/m3 of substrate/day at stable operating conditions and yielded effluent concentrations (removal efficiencies) of 0.120-3.46 mg/L Fe (96.5-99.8%), 0.0170-0.277 mg/L Al (99.5-99.9%), <0.0005-<0.001 mg/L Cu (>99.7->99.9%), <0.0005-0.0020 mg/L Ni (99.3->99.7%), <0.001-0.005 mg/L Zn (99.7-99.9%), < 0.00005 Cd (>98.3->98.9%) and <0.0001-0.0001 Pb (99.5-<99.7%). The system consisting of limestone as the only alkalinity generating material was less effective (15.4-64.3 mg/L Fe). Results from duplicate systems but different reactor shapes indicated reactor dimensions influence flow characteristics and therefore treatment efficacy.
Citation
McCauley, C.A., O'Sullivan, A.D., Weber, P.A., Trumm, D.A., Brough, A.K., Milke, M.W. (2008) Research Initiatives for Developing Passive-Treatment Technologies for Ameliorating Acid Mine Drainage in New Zealand. Richmond, VA, USA: 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, 14-19 Jun 2008.This citation is automatically generated and may be unreliable. Use as a guide only.
Keywords
SRBR; bioreactor; AMD; engineered wetlands; vertical-flow wetlands; mine-water treatment; sulfate reduction; Stockton MineRelated items
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Development of Passive Treatment Systems for Treating Acid Mine Drainage at Stockton Mine
McCauley, C.; O'Sullivan, A.D.; Weber, P.; Trumm, D. (University of Canterbury. Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, 2008)Acid mine drainage (AMD) at Stockton Coal Mine is generated from the oxidation of pyrite in carbonaceous mudstones exposed during surface mining. Acidity production causes metals such as Fe and Al to leach from overburden ... -
Development of Passive Treatment Systems for Treating Acid Mine Drainage at Stockton Mine
McCauley, C.; O'Sullivan, A.D.; Weber, P.; Trumm, D. (University of Canterbury. Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, 2008)Acid mine drainage (AMD) at Stockton Coal Mine emanates from the oxidation of pyrite within carbonaceous mudstones during mining, which subsequently releases acidity resulting in metals leaching from overburden. Water ... -
Stockton Mine Acid Mine Drainage and Its Treatment using Waste Substrates in Biogeochemical Reactors
McCauley, C.; O’Sullivan, A.D.; Weber, P.; Trumm, D. (University of Canterbury. Civil and Natural Resources EngineeringUniversity of Canterbury. Geological Sciences, 2009)Thirteen acid mine drainage (AMD) sites were monitored at Stockton Coal Mine near Westport, New Zealand to identify and quantify contaminants of concern and delineate their spatial and temporal variability. Metals ...