William H. J. Strosnider

Biochemical oxygen demand and nutrient processing in a novel multi-stage raw municipal wastewater and acid mine drainage passive co-treatment system

A laboratory-scale, four-stage continuous flow reactor system was constructed to test the viability of high-strength acid mine drainage (AMD) and municipal wastewater (MWW) passive co-treatment. The synthetic AMD had pH 2.60 and 1860 mg/L acidity as CaCO(3) equivalent with 46, 0.25, 2, 290, 55, 1.2 and 390 mg/L of Al, As, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn, respectively. The AMD was introduced to the system at a 1:2 ratio with raw MWW from the City of Norman, Oklahoma USA containing 265 ± 94 mg/L BOD(5), 11.5 ± 5.3 mg/L PO(4)(-3), and 20.8 ± 1.8 mg/L NH(4)(+)-N. During the 135 d experiment, PO(4)(-3) and NH(4)(+)-N were decreased to <0.75 and 7.4 ± 1.8 mg/L, respectively. BOD(5) was generally decreased to below detection limits. Nitrification increased NO(3)(-) to 4.9 ± 3.5 mg/L NO(3)(-)-N, however relatively little denitrification occurred. Results suggest that the nitrogen processing community may require an extended period to mature and reach full efficiency. Overall, results indicate that passive AMD and MWW co-treatment is a viable ecological engineering approach for the developed and developing world that can be optimized and applied to improve water quality with minimal use of fossil fuels and refined materials.

Unabated acid mine drainage from Cerro Rico de Potosí, Bolivia: uncommon constituents of concern impact the Rio Pilcomayo headwaters

Intensive mining and processing of the polymetallic sulfide ore body of Cerro Rico de Potosí (Bolivia) has occurred since 1545, leading to severe degradation of surface and subsurface waters, stream sediments, and soils at the headwaters of the economically vital, yet highly impacted, Rio Pilcomayo. Previous studies have documented extremely elevated concentrations of a limited suite of metals in local waterways from acid mine drainage (AMD), terrestrial and in-stream tailings, and ore processing plant discharges. However, contamination from a wider variety of ecotoxic metals/metalloids was considered likely due to the highly mineralized polymetallic nature of the ore body. To screen for this broader range of ecotoxic elements in AMD and receiving streams, data were gathered during two sampling events timed for the most extreme periods of the dry and wet seasons of one water-year. Concentrations of Ag, B, Ba, Mo, Sb, Se, Sn and V in AMD and receiving streams were greater than Bolivian discharge limits and receiving water body guidelines as well as international agricultural use standards. Locally, results indicate that contamination from mining Cerro Rico has a larger scope than previously thought and underscore the importance of remediation. Globally, the results raise the possibility that other mining regions could have unquantified hazards from overlooked ecotoxic elements and that screening for a broader range of contaminants may be warranted.

A LEGACY OF NEARLY 500 YEARS OF MINING IN POTOSÍ, BOLIVIA: ACID MINE DRAINAGE SOURCE IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION 1

Intensive mining and processing of silver, lead, tin and zinc ores have occurred in various locations within and around the city of Potosi, Bolivia since 1545. Surface and subsurface waters, stream sediments and soils are contaminated with various heavy metals. Acid mine drainage and processing plant effluent are primary contaminants in the headwaters of the economically vital, yet highly impacted, Rio Pilcomayo watershed. Previous studies have documented downstream heavy metal contamination. The acid mine drainage sources documented in this study help to link downstream pollution to primary origins. Selected acid mine drainage sources, from both operating and abandoned mines contributing to local streams, contained total metal concentrations of 0.284- 977 mg/L Al, 0.03-191 mg/L As, 0.025-50.68 mg/L Cd, 0.03-161 mg/L Cu, 0.15- 7,320 mg/L Fe, 0.3-438 mg/L Mn, 0.03-15.0 mg/L Pb and 1.46-11,760 mg/L Zn, with pH and specific conductance ranging from 2.46-6.39 and 893-19,070 μS/cm, respectively. Data were gathered during the dry season with flows ranging from nil to 4.59 L/s. Metals concentrations and pH values in all mine drainage sources sampled are several orders of magnitude above compliance with Bolivian environmental law.

Possible health effects of living in proximity to mining sites near Potosí, Bolivia.

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the health effects of living downstream from mines in the Potosí region of Bolivia. Methods: Histories, physical examinations, and urinalyses were completed on adults recruited from mining and nonmining villages in Bolivia. Blood concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb were determined in a subset of participants. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Mining region participants had significantly higher frequencies of hypertension, hematuria, and ketonuria. Hematuria was significantly elevated among those watering livestock downstream from mines and eating grains from their own farm (odds ratio = 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 17.7). Significantly higher blood concentrations of Pb were observed in a subsample of participants with hematuria (4.80 &mgr;g/dL vs 10.91 &mgr;g/dL; P = 0.026). Conclusions: Efforts to abate environmental exposure to toxic metals seem warranted.

Carbon Dioxide Dynamics and Sequestration in Mine Water and Waste

AbstractThe role and importance of CO2 in the mining sector has been overlooked until relatively recently. This review presents the complexities of CO2 and mine water evolution . Carbon sequestration using mine waters and solid wastes and recent research on the profound impacts of dissolved CO2 on active and passive treatment were reviewed. The literature indicates great promise for more efficient and fiscally competitive operations, lower environmental impacts, and a decreased carbon footprint for such operations. However, a tremendous amount of research and field testing is necessary to move many of these approaches forward to full scale common application.ZusammenfassungDie Rolle und Bedeutung von CO2 im Bergbausektor wurde bis vor kurzem nicht hinreichend berücksichtigt. Der folgende Überblick stellt die Komplexität des Systems CO2 und Grubenwassers dar. Die Kohlenstoffbindung mit Grubenwasser und festen Abfällen sowie die jüngsten Forschungen über die tiefgreifenden Auswirkungen von gelöstem CO2 über aktive und passive Behandlung wurden geprüft. Aus den Angaben in der Literatur ergeben sich große Erwartungen an die Effizienz und Wirtschaftlichkeit sowie geringe Umweltauswirkungen (bessere CO2-Bilanz) bei solchen Verfahren. Allerdings sind noch umfangreiche Forschungen und Feldversuche erforderlich, um die zahlreichen Ansätze in die Praxistauglichkeit zu überführen.ResumenEl rol y la importancia de CO2 en el sector minero han sido desestimadas hasta tiempos recientes. Esta recopilación crítica presenta las complejidades de la interacción entre CO2 y agua de minas. Se recopiló la información sobre la captura de carbono usando aguas y residuos sólidos de minas y sobre las investigaciones recientes acerca del impacto profundo de CO2 disuelto sobre los tratamientos pasivos y actives. La bibliografía sugiere amplias posibilidades para desarrollar operaciones más eficientes y más competitivas, con menores impactos ambientales y menores huellas de carbono. Sin embargo, una cantidad muy grande de investigación y de testeo en campo es aún necesaria para llevar muchas de estas aproximaciones hacia una aplicación a gran escala.摘要近几年,二氧化碳在采矿领域中的地位和作用引起广泛关注。文章介绍了二氧化碳在矿井水领域的复杂反应动力学机理及演化过程,综述了利用矿井废水及固体废弃物进行CO2捕集的研究现状,评价了溶解二氧化碳对于矿井废水主动处理与被动力处理的影响。该类技术具有经济、有效、低环境影响和碳占用少的巨大潜力。目前,还需要大量深入研究及野外试验才能使该技术成为现实。

Emergy and Carbon Footprint Analysis of the Construction of Passive and Active Treatment Systems for Net Alkaline Mine Drainage

Abstract Multi-criteria sustainability assessments were completed for the construction of a net-alkaline mine drainage passive treatment system (PTS) in northeastern Oklahoma to compare resource use and greenhouse gas emissions with a hypothetical active treatment system (ATS) alternative. Emergy analysis, an environmental accounting method assessing resource use, and carbon footprint analysis, a tool to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions, were completed for the construction of both systems. Assessing sustainability using multiple criteria is important in evaluating systems on the basis of resource use and environmental impact. Construction of the hypothetical ATS required seven times more emergy purchased from the economy and emitted three times more carbon dioxide equivalents than construction of the PTS. Concrete was the largest factor in both the emergy analysis (ATS and PTS) and carbon footprint (ATS only). Diesel fuel was the largest factor in the carbon footprint of PTS construction. This multi-criteria sustainability assessment shows that a hypothetical ATS alternative to the PTS would have used more resources and emitted more greenhouse gases during construction.ZusammenfassungAn Hand mehrfacher Kriterien wurden Nachhaltigkeitseinschätzungen für die Konstruktion eines passiven Aufbereitungssystems (PTS) für netto-alkalische Bergbauwässer im nordöstlichen Oklahoma erstellt, um den Verbrauch von Ressourcen und die Freisetzung von Treibhausgas mit der hypothetischen Variante eines aktiven Aufbereitungssystems (ATS) zu vergleichen. Für die Konstruktion beider Systeme wurde eine Emergieanalyse, welche der umweltbezogenen Bilanzierung und Einschätzung des Ressourcenverbrauches dient, und eine Analyse des Kohlenstoff-Fußabdruckes, ein Werkzeug zur Einschätzung von Treibhausgasemission, ausgeführt. Die Nutzung mehrfacher Kriterien bei der Einschätzung von Nachhaltigkeit ist wichtig, wenn Systeme auf der Basis von Ressourcenverbrauch und Umwelteinwirkung bewertet werden. Die Konstruktion des hypothetischen ATS benötigte sieben mal mehr Emergie, aus der Wirtschaft angekauft, und verursachte eine dreifach höhere Emission von Kohlendioxyd-Äquivalenten als die Konstruktion des PTS. Beton war der größte Faktor sowohl in der Emergieanalyse (ATS und PTS) wie im Kohlenstoff-Fußabdruck (nur ATS). Dieseltreibstoff war der größte Faktor im Kohlenstoff-Fußabdruck der PTS-Konstruktion. Diese auf mehrfachen Kriterien beruhende Nachhaltigkeitseinschätzung zeigt, dass die Alternative eines hypothetischen ATS statt des PTS während der Erbauung mehr Ressourcen verbraucht und mehr Treibstoffgase emittiert hätte.ResumenRelevamientos de sustentabilidad utilizando multi-criterios fueron realizados para la construcción de un sistema de tratamiento pasivo de drenaje alcalino de mina (PTS) en el noreste de Oklahoma, comparando el uso de recursos y las emisiones de gases invernadero con la alternativa hipotética de construir un sistema de tratamiento activo (ATS). El análisis “emergy” -método ambiental de relevar el uso de recursos- y análisis de huella de carbono -herramienta para evaluar emisiones de gases invernadero- fueron utilizados en la comparación de la construcción de ambos sistemas. Los relevamientos de sustentabilidad usando criterios múltiples son importantes en la evaluación de sistemas sobre la base del uso de recursos y del impacto ambiental. La construcción de un hipotético ATS requeriría 7 veces más energía y emitiría 3 veces más dióxido de carbono que la construcción del PTS. El concreto fue el mayor factor en el análisis “emergy” (ATS y PTS) y en la huella de carbono (sólo ATS). El combustible diesel fue el mayor factor en la huella de carbono dejada por la construcción del PTS. Este relevamiento de sustentabilidad utilizando múltiples criterios muestra que una hipotética alternativa ATS al PTS hubiera usado más recursos y emitido mayor cantidad de gases invernadero durante su construcción.摘要利用多指标可持续评价系统评价了在俄克拉何马州(Oklahoma)东北部建立碱性废水被动处理系统(PTS)的环境影响,对比了构建被动处理系统(PTS)与假设的主动处理系统(ATS)的资源利用和温室气体排放差异。能值分析是一种用于评价资源利用程度的环境计算方法,碳足迹分析是一种评价温室气体排放量的分析工具。资源利用和环境影响是多标准可持续性评价的重要评价因素。构建假设的主动处理系统(ATS)比构建被动处理系统(PTS)能量消耗多7倍和二氧化碳排放多3倍。混凝土是主动与被动处理系统的能值分析和主动处理系统的碳足迹分析的最主要影响因素,柴油燃料是被动处理系统的碳足迹分析的最主要影响因素。多因素可持续性评价结果表明,构造假设的主动力处理系统比构建被动处理系统消耗更多资源、排放更多温室气体。

Removal of Less Commonly Addressed Metals via Passive Cotreatment.

The viability of removing less commonly addressed metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb) in a passive cotreatment concept was tested using a microcosm-scale, three-stage batch reactor system in which acid mine drainage from an abandoned adit on Cerro Rico de Potosí and raw municipal wastewater from Potosí, Bolivia, were introduced at a 5:1 ratio. The acid mine drainage had pH 3.58, acidity 1080 mg L as CaCO equivalent, and elevated concentrations of dissolved Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb, among other metals/metalloids. The municipal wastewater had pH 9.05 and alkalinity 418 mg L as CaCO equivalent, with 5.6 and 38 mg L of nitrate and phosphate, respectively. Previous analyses noted substantial pH increase, phosphate removal, denitrification, and removal of Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Prompted by these results, subsequent analyses were conducted for the current study, which noted that dissolved concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb decreased by 78.5, 18.3, 25.5, and 45.9%, respectively. Additionally, concentrations of Ce, Cr, Gd, and La decreased throughout the system. The study revealed the broader applicability of passive cotreatment of acid mine drainage and municipal wastewater, specifically for removing metals that are often difficult to address with conventional passive treatment approaches, such as Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb. Results could be applicable for treatment alternatives in developing and developed countries where these waste streams occur in close proximity.

Effects on the Underlying Water Column by Extensive Floating Treatment Wetlands

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are an emerging engineering option with promise for simultaneous water quality improvement and habitat creation. Relatively little research has been published regarding their construction or effects on the underlying water column. In this field-scale experiment, four different extensive FTW designs were constructed using minimal materials, including drainpipe, burlap, mulch, utility netting, and reused polyethylene bottles. The FTWs were then planted with spp. (cattail) and L. (common rush). Over 28 mo, the water column beneath FTWs in two test ponds was compared to that in an open water control pond. The ponds (190 ± 10 m) were fed with well water enriched with nitrate to emulate agricultural ponds. Although observed differences were relatively small, statistically significant differences were noted. With respect to the control, waters underneath FTWs had lower dissolved oxygen, sulfate, nitrate, and pH, dampened diurnal temperature fluctuations, and greater alkalinity. The FTWs created habitat and were colonized by species of insects, birds, amphibians, snails, and spiders. Results indicated that spp. is suitable for FTW creation. However, a more supportive planting matrix is suggested to encourage faster plant growth and protect against wind and wave action damage. Although plant growth was limited, results suggest that FTWs may be applied to encourage less aerobic and more organic rich and thermally insulated conditions for water quality improvement in agricultural ponds and other aquatic systems while also creating valuable habitat.

Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of karst waters with and without acid mine drainage: Impacts at a SW China coalfield

Karst water resources, which are critical for the support of human societies and ecological systems in many regions worldwide, are extremely sensitive to mining activities. Identification and quantification of stable isotope (δ(2)HH2O andδ(18)OH2O) composition for all sources is essential if we are to fully understand the dynamics of these unique systems and propose successful remediation strategies. For these purposes, a stable isotope study was undertaken in two similar watersheds, one impacted by acid mine drainage, and the other not. It was found that the majority of δ(2)HH2O and δ(18)OH2O values of acid mine drainage (AMD), AMD-impacted and Main channel mix waters plotted above the local meteoric water line (LMWL), while the non-AMD-impacted water was below the LMWL. The AMD and AMD-impacted water had a similar composition ofδ(18)OH2O and heavierδ(2)HH2O than that of the other waters as a result of pyrite oxidation and Fe hydrolysis. The non-AMD-impacted and spring waters were the background waters in the study area. The composition ofδ(2)HH2O and δ(18)OH2O for the former was influenced by the re-evaporation and water-rock interaction, and that for the latter was controlled by re-condensation. Along the water flow, the Main channel mix water is recharged by AMD-impacted, non-AMD-impacted and spring waters. The composition ofδ(2)HH2O andδ(18)OH2O for the Main channel mix water was coincident with the characteristics of water mixing, supported by three-component mixing modeling of upstream spring, non-AMD-impacted and AMD-impacted waters. The composition of δ(2)HH2O and δ(18)OH2O for the Main channel mix water was mainly affected by the AMD-impacted water. These results help elucidate the impact of AMD on δ(2)HH2O and δ(18)OH2O compositions for karst waters and demonstrate the utility for impact assessments and remediation planning in these unique systems.

ASSESSING THE BENEFITS OF A PASSIVE TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR MINE DRAINAGE IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA USING EMERGY ANALYSIS

A ten-cell passive treatment system (PTS) in the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Ottawa County, Oklahoma treats approximately 605,000 L of net-alkaline, lead-zinc mine drainage daily using a single initial oxidation pond followed by two parallel treatment trains of aerobic surface flow wetlands, vertical flow bioreactors, re-aeration ponds and horizontal flow limestone beds, and a common final polishing cell. Re-aeration is achieved via renewable energy resources (solar and wind). Design and construction of the PTS cost