Neutralisation distance of acid drainage and migration range of pollutants

Abstract : Acid mine drainage (AMD) release to surface water is naturally followed by neutralisation and subsequent precipitation of the pollutants load. This occurs between 50 m to 50 km from source, depending on topography, hydrography, geology and chemistry. Factors influencing this distance are discussed in view of a cost-efficient mitigation of AMD pollution. This approach should complement the evaluation of AMD likeliness and potential neutralisation (acid base accounting). In the source-Transfer- Receptor framework, ABA provides information on source while neutralisation zone modelling provides information on transfer pathway. Remediation targets and facilities depend on the location of potential targets vs neutralisation distance.