Acid Mine Water Flows Case Study
A reduction in metal pollutants of 90%
Acid mine waters flow from a site previously a coal mine. The site was re-vegetated, but the acid mine waters still flow from the site. These flows are rich in metals, minerals and sludges. The acidity of the flows are around 4.2pH.
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The flows emerge and are settled in a lagoon.
The flows then flow through a vertical flow reedbed.
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Last year the reeds were fully grown, with seed heads forming on most stems.
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The results from samples taken December 2013 are as follows.
![](/files/9714/2529/3301/sample-1.png)
![](/files/3714/2529/3310/sample-2.png)
The pH of the inflow was 3.9 and 6.6 for the outflow. The reduction in metals is 90%. The full system included a second reedbed. We re-built this second system just before Christmas. Once we get some good weather, we can get some photos.