Treatment Techniques of the Acid Mine Water Using the Successive Alkalinity Producing System

Authors

Jayprakash Dhiwar
M. Tech. Scholar (Environmental Science & Engineering), Bhilai Institute of Technology, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India.

Sindhu J. Nair
Professor & M. Tech. Coordinator, Department of Civil Engineering, Bhilai Institute of Technology, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India.

Abstract

Mining practices cause environmental problems, affects human health and damages the ecosystem. It disturbs geo-formations which take millions of years to form. It also affects the natural process like hydrology. Due to mining activities, different types of problems may arise from direct physical hazard to pollution of water and soil. Acid mine drainage (AMD) which refers to polluted, typically acidic mine water formed from oxidation of predominant traces of sulphide ores from mining exposures, which at later stage undergoes Chemical reactions under atmospheric condition Successive Alkalinity Producing System (SAPS) are most efficient technique to treat AMD water. The main principle behind this is the combination of both anaerobic wetland and ALD. The SAPS uses the benefit of vertical flow of influent also called as vertical flow wetlands. The SAPS like anaerobic wetlands that are constructed on top of limestone drainage beds. Mine wastewater flows vertically through organic matter and limestone layer which adds the alkalinity to influent.