Performance assessment of laboratory and field-scale multi-step passive treatment of iron-rich acid mine drainage for design improvement

Abstract

Multi-step passive systems for the treatment of iron-rich acid mine drainage (Fe-rich AMD) perform satisfactorily at the laboratory scale. However, their field-scale application has revealed dissimilarities in performance, particularly with respect to hydraulic parameters. In this study, the assessment of factors potentially responsible for the variations in performance of laboratory and field-scale multi-step systems was undertaken. Three laboratory multi-step treatment scenarios, involving a combination of dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) units, anoxic dolomitic drains, and passive biochemical reactors (PBRs), were set up in 10.7-L columns. The field-scale treatment consisted of two PBRs separated by a wood ash (WA) reactor. The parameters identified as possibly influencing the performances of the laboratory and field-scale experiments were the following: AMD chemistry (electrical conductivity and Fe and SO₄²⁻ concentrations), flow rate (Q), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (k_sat). Based on these findings, the design of an efficient passive multi-step treatment system is suggested to consider the following: (1) Fe pretreatment, using materials with high k_sat and low HRT. If a PBR is to be used, the Fe load should be < 26 g/m³ substrate/day (Fe < 200 mg/L) and SO₄²⁻ < 110 g/m³ substrate/day; (2) PBR/DAS filled with a mixture with at least 20% of neutralizing agent; (3) include Q and k_sat (> 10⁻³ cm/s) in the long-term prediction. Finally, mesocosm testing is strongly recommended prior to construction of full-scale systems for the treatment of Fe-rich AMD.