Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Source Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage at a Backfilled Coal Mine Using Remote Sensing and Biogeochemistry

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A biological source treatment (BST) technique using remote sensing and biogeochemistry has been developed to address acid mine drainage (AMD) at its source. The BST technique utilizes down-hole injections of microbial inoculum and substrate amendments to establish a biofilm on the surface of metal sulfides (AMD source material). The treatment results in an elevated groundwater pH (from acidic to circum-neutral levels) and prevents further oxidation of AMD source material. The first 2 years of an ongoing field study of the BST technique at a reclaimed coal mine in central Tennessee (USA) has produced successful results. For instance, the water chemistry in a monitoring well down-gradient from injection wells has improved substantially as follows: the pH increased 1.3 units from 5.7 to 7.3, the dissolved (0.45 µm-filtered) iron concentration decreased by 84% from 93 to 15 mg/l, the conductivity decreased by 379 µS/cm, and sulfate decreased by 78 mg/l. Electromagnetic induction surveys were conducted to identify AMD source material and monitor BST performance by measuring changes in subsurface resistivity throughout the site. These surveys revealed a treatment zone created between injection wells where the resistance of contaminated groundwater from up-gradient AMD sources increased as it flowed past injection wells, thus, suggesting this technique could be used to treat AMD sources directly or to intercept and neutralize sub-surface AMD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Adams, D. J., Gardner, K. R., Davidson, R. A ., Esplin, D. N., Pickett, T. M., Heyrend, T. T., et al (1995). Biotechnology for pollution prevention in the mining industry, the North West Mining Association Open Industry Briefing, Spokane, WA. Dec 4–8.

  • American Public Health Association (APHA) (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (20nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batten, K. M., & Scow, K. M. (2003). Sediment microbial community composition and methylmercury pollution at four mercury mine-impacted sites. Microbial Ecology, 46, 429–441.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canty, M. (1998). Overview of the sulfate-reducing bacteria demonstration project under the Mine Waste Technology Program. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 9, 61–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, L., Bigham, J. M., Schwertmann, U., Kyek, A., & Wagner, F. (2002). Scavenging of As from acid mine drainage by schwertmannite and ferrihydrite: A comparison with synthetic analogues. Environmental Science & Technology, 36, 1712–1719.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, I. S., Shin, P. K., & Kim, B. H. (2000). Biological treatment of acid mine drainage under sulphate-reducing conditions with solid waste materials as substrate. Water Research, 34, 1269–1277.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Characklis, W. G. (1990). Laboratory biofilm reactors. In W. G., Characklis, K. C., & Marshall (Eds.) Biofilms. New York: Wiley.

  • Christensen, B. E., & Characklis, W. G. (1990). Physical and chemical properties of biofilms. In W. G., Characklis, K. C., & Marshall (Eds.) Biofilms. New York: Wiley.

  • Dvorak, D. H., Hedin, R. S., Edenborn, H. M., & McIntire, P. E. (1992). Treatment of metal-contaminated water using bacterial sulfate reduction: Results from pilot scale reactors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 40, 609–616.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El Bayoumy, M., Bewtra, J. K., Hamdy, I. A., & Biswas, N. (1999). Removal of heavy metals and COD by SRB in UAFF reactor. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 125, 532–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, P., Ragusa, S., & Catcheside, D. (1998). Growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria under acidic conditions in an anaerobic bioreactor as a treatment system for acid mine drainage. Water Research, 32, 3724–3730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammarstrom, J. M., Sibrell, P. L., & Belin, H. E. (2003). Characterization of limestone reacted with acid-mine drainage in a pulsed limestone bed treatment system at the Friendship Hill National Historical Site, Pennsylvania, USA. Applied Geochemistry, 18, 1705–1721.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, S., Fallgren, P. H., Morris, J. M., & Gossard, R. B. (2007). Biological source treatment of acid mine drainage using microbial and substrate amendments: microcosm studies. Mine Water and the Environment, (in press).

  • Johnson, D. B., Dziurla, M. A., Kolmert, A., & Hallberg, K. B. (2002). The microbiology of acid mine drainage: Genesis and biotreatment. South African Journal of Science, 98, 249–255.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. B., & Hallberg, K. B. (2005). Acid mine drainage remediation options: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 338, 3–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jong, T., & Parry, D. L. (2003). Removal of sulfate and heavy metals by sulfate reducing bacteria in short-term bench scale upflow anaerobic packed bed reactor runs. Water Research, 37, 3379–3389.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalin, M. (2004). Passive mine water treatment: The correct approach? Ecological. Engineering, 22, 299–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalin, M., & Chaves, W. L. C. (2003). Acid reduction using microbiology: Treating AMD effluent emerging from an abandoned mine portal. Hydrometallurgy, 71, 217–225.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keeney, D. R., & Nelson, D. W. (1982). Nitrogen-inorganic forms. In A. L., Page, R. H., Miller, D. R., & Keeney (Eds.) Methods of soil analysis, Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties-agronomy monograph no. 9(2nd ed.). Madison, WI: ASA.

  • Kim, S. D., Kilbme, J. J., & Cha, D. K. (1999). Prevention of acid mine drainage by sulfate reducing bacteria: organic substrate addition to mine waste piles. Environmental Engineering Science, 16, 139–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levings, C. D., Barry, K. L., Grout, J. A., Piercey, G. E., Marsden, A. D., Coombs, A. P., et al. (2004). Hydrobiologia, 525, 185–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyew, D., Knowles, R., & Sheppard, J. (1994). The biological treatment of acid mine drainage under continuous flow conditions in a reactor. Transactions of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, 72(B), 42–47.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Machemer, S. D., & Wildeman, T. R. (1992). Adsorption compared with sulfide precipitation as metal removal processes from acid mine drainage in a constructed wetland. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 9, 115–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paterson, N. (1995). Application of geophysical methods to the detection and monitoring of acid mine drainage. In Proceedings of SAGEEP 1995, Orlando, FL (pp.181–184). Denver, Colorado, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society

  • Spindler, K. M., & Olyphant, G. A. (2004). Geophysical investigations at an abandoned mine site subjected to reclamation using coal-combustion byproducts. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, 10, 243–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabak, H. H., Scharp, R., Burckle, J., Kawahara, F. K., & Govind, R. (2003). Advances in biotreatment of acid mine drainage and biorecovery of metals: 1. Metal precipitation for recovery and recycle. Biodegradation, 14, 423–436.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tuttle, J. H., Dugan, P. R., & Randles, C. I. (1969). Microbial sulfate reduction and its potential utility as an acid mine water pollution abatement procedure. Applied Microbiology, 17, 297–302.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ueshima, M., Fortin, F., & Kalin, M. (2004). Development of iron-phosphate biofilms on pyretic mine waste rock surfaces previously treated with natural phosphate rocks. Geomicrobiology Journal, 21, 313–323.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Houten, R. T., Hulshoff Pol, L. W., & Lettinga, G. (1994). Biological sulphate reduction using gas lift reactors fed with hydrogen and carbon dioxide as energy and carbon sources. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 44, 586–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watten, B. J., Sibrell, P. L., & Schwartz, M. F. (2004). Effect of acidity and elevated PCO2 on acid neutralization within pulsed limestone bed reactors receiving coal mine drainage. Environmental Engineering Science, 21, 786–802.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, J. S., McGinness, S., & Lappin-Scott, H. M. (1998). Metal removal by sulphate-reducing bacteria from natural and constructed wetlands. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 84, 240–248.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. V., Borda, M. J., Schoonen, M. A. A., & Strongin, D. R. (2003). Pyrite oxidation inhibition by a cross-linked lipid coating. Geochemical Transactions, 4, 8–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X. V., Kendall, T. A., Hao, J., Strongin, D. R., Schoonen, M. A. A., & Martin, S. T. (2006). Physical structures of lipid layers on pyrite. Environmental Science & Technology, 40, 1511–1515.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Joel Mason and Roger Gray for conducting field sampling and EM surveys. Financial support was provided by the United States Department of Energy (DoE) and Rio Tinto Energy America through WRI’s Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC26-98FT40322 with DoE. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the DoE.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Research Institute, 365 North 9th St., Laramie, WY, 82072, USA

    Song Jin, Paul H. Fallgren, Jeffrey M. Morris & Jeffrey S. Cooper

Authors
  1. Song Jin
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul H. Fallgren
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jeffrey M. Morris
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeffrey S. Cooper
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Song Jin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jin, S., Fallgren, P.H., Morris, J.M. et al. Source Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage at a Backfilled Coal Mine Using Remote Sensing and Biogeochemistry. Water Air Soil Pollut 188, 205–212 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-007-9536-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-007-9536-4

Keywords