Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1016/B978-012370626-3.00246-5
Title (Primary) Restoration of acid drainage
Title (Secondary) Encyclopedia of inland Waters
Author Geller, W.; Koschorreck, M.; Schultze, M.; Wendt-Potthoff, K. ORCID logo
Publisher Likens, G.E.
Year 2009
Department SEEFO
Volume Vol. 1
Page From 342
Page To 358
Language englisch
Abstract Acid drainage (AD) is the acidic water both from anthropogenic and from natural acid sources. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most serious worldwide historic environmental legacies of the mining industry. Contaminations coming from natural causes by weathering of pyrite or at active volcanoes are similar to those of acid mine drainage. There are active and passive technologies of water treatment to successfully remove contaminants and to neutralize the acidity.The restoration measures of AD-water aim to make the water neutral and to eliminate toxic metals, aluminum, and iron. The core processes for AD restoration are chemical treatment with alkaline substances and biological reduction of the metals and sulfate. Active treatment plants reach high efficiencies as needed for big volumes of strongly acidified water. Passive treatment is the deliberate improvement of water quality with low-flow, low-maintenance processes. The passive systems are simple and cheap, but not readily controlled. Both levels of treatment may include chemical and different biological processes, often arranged in sequence.To remedy acidification and metal loadings of acid ground water and pit lakes, suitable in situ treatments are also necessary. The chemical treatment of acid pit lakes can be sustainable in meromictic lakes, which have a permanent, anoxic deep-water body.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=192
Geller, W., Koschorreck, M., Schultze, M., Wendt-Potthoff, K. (2009):
Restoration of acid drainage
In: Likens, G.E. (ed.)
Encyclopedia of inland Waters
Vol. 1
Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 342 - 358 10.1016/B978-012370626-3.00246-5