/pdf/a-comprehensive-review-on-the-applications-of-coal-fly-ash-mt8gcj5phv.pdf

A comprehensive review on the applications of coal fly ash

growing scientifi c evidence of the negative impacts . Our analyses of current studies and water-quality data from WV streams revealed serious environmental impacts that mitigation practices successfully Published studies human health impacts.

/pdf/mountaintop-mining-consequences-2epsulfugd.pdf

Mountaintop mining consequences

https://www.mde.maryland.gov/programs/Marylander/Documents/Canedo-Arguelles_13_SalinisationOfRivers_UrgentEcologicalIssue.pdf

Salinisation of rivers: An urgent ecological issue

Acid mine drainage (AMD), characterized by low pH and high concentrations of sulfate and heavy metals, is an important and widespread environmental problem related to the mining industry. Sulfate-reducing passive bioreactors have received much attention lately as promising biotechnologies for AMD treatment. They offer advantages such as high metal removal at low pH, stable sludge, very low operation costs, and minimal energy consumption. Sulfide precipitation is the desired mechanism of contaminant removal; however, many mechanisms including adsorption and precipitation of metal carbonates and hydroxides occur in passive bioreactors. The efficiency of sulfate-reducing passive bioreactors is sometimes limited because they rely on the activity of an anaerobic microflora [including sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB)] which is controlled primarily by the reactive mixture composition. The most important mixture component is the organic carbon source. The performance of field bioreactors can also be limited by AMD load and metal toxicity. Several studies conducted to find the best mixture of natural organic substrates for SRB are reviewed. Moreover, critical parameters for design and long-term operation are discussed. Additional work needs to be done to properly assess the long-term efficiency of reactive mixtures and the metal removal mechanisms. Furthermore, metal speciation and ecotoxicological assessment of treated effluent from on-site passive bioreactors have yet to be performed.

Passive treatment of acid mine drainage in bioreactors using sulfate-reducing bacteria: critical review and research needs.

Acid mine drainage: Prevention, treatment options, and resource recovery: A review

Mountaintop removal–valley fill mining results in the conversion of steep, forested headwater catchments to low gradient and open canopy channels. We compared the ecological functions of five reference stream channels to five constructed channels (age ranging from 3 to 20 years) on reclaimed mines in southern West Virginia. Variables included stream flow, habitat, water chemistry, riparian vegetation, organic matter (OM) processing, and invertebrate and amphibian communities. Although dissolved metal concentrations remained low, constructed channels produced significantly higher levels of conductivity and total dissolved solids as compared to reference streams. Macroinvertebrate and amphibian richness were comparable between constructed and reference channels; however, there was a distinct shift from sensitive lotic taxa in reference channels to tolerant lentic taxa in constructed channels. Constructed channels also had reduced OM decomposition rates. Nevertheless, constructed channels had significantly higher OM retention than reference channels, and consequently exhibited significantly higher overall OM processing and higher dissolved carbon concentrations. As the time since reclamation increased, we observed slight declines in conductivity and significant increases in total invertebrate richness. Our results provide measures of functional equivalencies between reference and constructed streams, which can serve as a basis for informed permitting and mitigation decisions in mined watersheds.

Ecological function of constructed perennial stream channels on reclaimed surface coal mines

Many modern industries rely on rare earth elements (REEs) to produce products that are essential to both civil and defense applications. In a prior study (Vass et al., 2019), the authors showed that REE grades in acid mine drainage (AMD) and associated byproduct precipitates from AMD treatment (AMDp) warrant evaluation as a feedstock for REE production. The current work extends that effort through a broad survey of 141 AMD treatment sites in Northern and Central Appalachia. In this study, 185 raw AMD and 623 AMDp field samples were obtained and analyzed to assess the REE and major metal concentrations. Results show that an average of 282 μg/L and 724 g/tonne of REEs occur in AMD and AMDp respectively. Additionally, both basins contained similar distributions of REEs, and these distributions tended to favor heavy and critical REEs when compared with traditional REE ore deposits. Geospatial analysis identified a total resource of 340 tonnes stored at the 141 sites sampled in this study. While this analysis did not quantify the basin-wide REE inventory, it does indicate the impact that processing cut-off grades will have on the overall AMDp resource base.

The Occurrence and Concentration of Rare Earth Elements in Acid Mine Drainage and Treatment Byproducts. Part 2: Regional Survey of Northern and Central Appalachian Coal Basins

Steel slag leach beds were constructed at the abandoned McCarty mine site in Preston County, West Virginia. The leach beds were constructed as slag check dams below limestone-lined settling basins. Acid water was captured in limestone channels and directed into basins to leach through the slag dams and discharge into a tributary of Beaver Creek. Since installation in October 2000, the system has been consistently producing net alkaline, pH 9.0 water. The water is still net alkaline and has stabilized at a neutral pH after the treated water encounters several other acidic seeps downstream. In addition, other than elevated Cr, which exceeds EPA water criteria for freshwater aquatics at the Beaver pond discharge, metals in the system effluent are within acceptable limits.

http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Ziemkiewicz/publication/226492948_Use_of_Steel_Slag_Leach_Beds_for_the_Treatment_of_Acid_Mine_Drainage/links/550962740cf2d7a2812c9a95.pdf

USE OF STEEL SLAG LEACH BEDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE: THE McCARTY HIGHWALL PROJECT

In 2000, the State of West Virginia passed legislation requiring commercial forest land as a preferred post-mining land use on surface coal mines, and especially on those sites where mountaintop removal mining is occurring and valley fills are being constructed. Due to West Virginia's mountainous terrain, most future surface mine permits will be impacted by this change in post-mining land use. Therefore, interest has been renewed into studies examining forest productivity and minesoil development on areas planted in trees. Since fresh geologic materials in minesoils undergo rapid pedogenic changes, long-term studies may provide valuable insight into tree growth, plant succession al changes, and soil development over time. In summer of 2000, soil development and forest productivity were evaluated on a 30-year-old (pre-SMCRA) surface mine in northern West Virginia that had been planted with white pine (Pinus strobus L.). The site offered a unique research opportunity in that one-half of the site was planted to white pine, while the other half was left to natural revegetation. Canopy tree species composition, density, basal area, and height, along with species composition and density of woody understory seedlings, were evaluated in the pine plantation and on the naturally revegetated site. On each site, three soil pits were dug, the minesoils were classified, and soil samples were taken from each described horizon to determine physical .and chemical properties. Forest productivity, including productivity of volunteer hardwoods, was much greater on the pine planted site than on the naturally revegetated site. Species composition of woody regeneration in the understory showed that both sites will revert to mixed hardwoods similar to the surrounding forest via natural succession. Minesoils on both sites experienced rapid soil development during the 30-year post-mining period. All six minesoil profiles had well developed Bw horizons and would have been classified as Inceptisols. Minesoil development was better on the naturally revegetated site possibly due to the difference in ground cover type. Additional

Forest Productivity aud Minesoil Development Under A White Pine Plantation Versus Natural Vegetation After 30 Years

Steel slags are composed of calcium alumino-silicate oxides. Most slags have a sandy texture, but others have a silty texture and give a fine, powdery feel. Neutralization potentials of steel slags range from 45 to 78%, which make them candidates for neutralizing the acidity in acid mine drainage. Analysis of total metal content in Mingo Junction steel slab shows high concentrations of aluminum, chromium, iron, manganese, and titanium. Upon leaching this slag with water, the leachate had a pH of 11.7 and n alkalinity of 1,450 mg/L as CaCO{sub 3} equivalent. In general, steel slag yielded more alkalinity than equal weights of limestone (500 to 1,500 mg/L compared to 60 to 80 mg/L) during leaching studies. Leaching the slag with water and a weak sulfuric acid solution showed that the metals contained in the slag were not readily leachable since these metals were found at low concentrations in the leachate. When different amounts of slag were mixed with an acid-producing coal refuse and then leached with water, pH values of the leachate varied between 3.5 and 7.3. Slightly elevated levels of selenium, nickel, manganese, and possibly iron were found in leachates of refuse/slag mixtures compared to refuse alone. Due tomore » slag's high availability in some areas and low cost, steel slags show potential as an acid-neutralizing material for coal refuse and acid-producing spoils, and for treating acid mine drainage directly. If slag is to be used as an alkaline amendment, it must be added in sufficient quantities to ensure nonacid conditions now and in the future, since under acid conditions some metals may become available. Steel slag can also be used as a liming material for soils. The most promising use for steel slag is as a source of alkalinity to fresh waters that may subsequently encounter acid mine drainage, such as alkaline leach beds or limestone sand applications to headwater streams.« less

Paul F. Ziemkiewicz

Papers

Ecological function of constructed perennial stream channels on reclaimed surface coal mines

The Occurrence and Concentration of Rare Earth Elements in Acid Mine Drainage and Treatment Byproducts. Part 2: Regional Survey of Northern and Central Appalachian Coal Basins

USE OF STEEL SLAG LEACH BEDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE: THE McCARTY HIGHWALL PROJECT

Forest Productivity aud Minesoil Development Under A White Pine Plantation Versus Natural Vegetation After 30 Years

Steel slag in acid mine drainage treatment and control