Remediation of abandoned mine sites using constructed wetlands: A Colorado perspective
- Haley and Aldrich, Inc., Denver, CO (United States)
- Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, Denver, CO (United States)
In recent years, constructed wetlands have been used to remediate acid mine drainage which has resulted from both coal and metal mining activities. These wetlands are use din conjunction with other engineered components to create a passive mine drainage treatment system (PMDT). Passive systems are designed to remediate mine drainage using minimum capital expenditures and little to no operational and maintenance costs. The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) is responsible for the design, construction, and operation of constructed wetlands in Colorado. Only 5 systems are in existence at this time, located in terrain varying from gentle foothills to remote, sub-alpine mountains. The design of a wetland system is based on a multitude of factors such as site terrain and access, mine drainage composition, and in the Rocky Mountain region, altitude. The impact of altitude, climate, terrain, and other physical site constraints on each wetland design will be discussed. In addition, chemical issues critical to the design of each wetland such as pH and alkalinity will be presented. Finally, the performance of each wetland system will be examined.
- OSTI ID:
- 98656
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9506226-; TRN: 95:006357-0003
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 12. American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation annual meeting: decades later - a time for reassessment, Gillette, WY (United States), 3-8 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Decades later: A time for reassessment. Volume 1 and Volume 2; Schuman, G.E. [High Plains Grasslands Research Station, Cheyenne, WY (United States)]; Vance, G.F. [Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)] [eds.]; PB: 889 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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