Wetlands as a means to reduce the environmental impact of mine drainage waters / Asa Sjoblom

Thesis(Ph.D.)--Linkoping University, 2003.

In many mining regions of the world, pollution of surface water and groundwater by drainage water originating from mines and mining waste poses either a serious threat to the environment, or a severe environmental problem. During the last two and a half decades,treatment of mine drainage waters in constructed and natural wetlands has emerged as an alternative to more conventional methods to handle the problem. In this thesis, the major biogeochemical processes behind metal immobilization in wetlands are summarized. Factors that influence the efficiency and longevity of these processes are discussed based on a review of previous experiences from wetlands exposed to mine drainage waters. The potential for successful treatment is largely determined by the characteristics of the drainage, the morphology of the wetland, and the degree of maintenance planned. In a maintenance-free wetland,factors that have to be considered include: changes in drainage water production and wetland performa