Neutralisation distance of acid drainage and migration range of pollutants

Bruno Lemiere (1)

1 BRGM - Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM)

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.

Keywords: acid mine drainage; AMD; sediments; heavy metals; catchment

Domains: Sciences of the Universe [physics]; Earth Sciences; Geochemistry; Environmental Sciences; Global Changes

Bruno Lemiere. Neutralisation distance of acid drainage and migration range of pollutants. International Mine Water Association Symposium (IMWA 2010), Sep 2010, Sydney (Nova Scotia), Canada. p. 35-38. ⟨hal-00546400⟩