Encyclopedia of Science

[Fegos]

Greetings all,
First post, but I have lurked here for some time. I'm a bit of a science geek. I find that most of the time at least one of you has an answer to, what amounts to a huge spectrum of questions, so here goes.
I work for an environmental consulting firm, I have a client who wants to construct a wetland area for the purpose of cleaning up some mine drainage. The water in question has a lot of copper, some iron, calcium, arsnic, lead and is fairly acidic, PH around 5.5. It is at 9kft elevation and at about 39 degrees north lat. Just a shout out, to see if any yall, can come up with anything.
Thanks for your time
Mike

[CynthiaA]

[quote="Fegos"]Greetings all,
First post, but I have lurked here for some time. I'm a bit of a science geek. I find that most of the time at least one of you has an answer to, what amounts to a huge spectrum of questions, so here goes.
I work for an environmental consulting firm, I have a client who wants to construct a wetland area for the purpose of cleaning up some mine drainage. The water in question has a lot of copper, some iron, calcium, arsnic, lead and is fairly acidic, PH around 5.5. It is at 9kft elevation and at about 39 degrees north lat. Just a shout out, to see if any yall, can come up with anything.
Thanks for your time
Mike [/quote]

Wow Mike (Fegos), you are on my hero list! I strongly support pro-environmental issues. I am not an expert in any way, but I did find some interesting ideas which may assist you, or lead you to some viable solutions.

There is a system known as Anoxic Limestone Drain. The limestone acts in the same way as microbes raising the pH and decreasing the acidity of the water flowing through the wetlands. The potential problem is within one to two years the limestone can become clogged. Thus the Oxic Limestone drain is born. It is similar to an anoxic drain, only it has a drain which can be flushed every year (or as needed) by high pressure to clean the drain. Seems like a good idea.

Wetlands are great tools. There has been some recent research pertaining to plants which absorb the pollutants in the water. The problem existed that the plants would absorb the toxins, but in the roots, which meant the plants had to be pulled up to clean up. Now there is research where enzymes within plants carry the toxins to the leaves, making plants a much more viable option for wetlands.

One potential problem using plants is wildlife. Animals can destroy plants. One solution is to trap the destructive wildlife and relocate them to other areas. It is something to keep an eye on.

Edible oils. I read an article about an experiment using edible oils to clean up toxins. The edible oil is injected through hydraulic factures into the ground. The edible oil creates ideal conditions for the microbes that clean up toxins. These microbes flourish in edible oils. Contaminants are drawn to the edible oil as well. The edible oil traps them. The edible oil is thought to both trap and destroy contaminants underground.

From one science geek to another, Mike, my thought is you already have knowledge of all of the things I have listed. My hope is my post will get others to post who may have access to new technology or ideas which may help in the clean up of contaminated mine drainage.

Thanks for the post.

Cynthia

[gullyfourmyle]

The first thing to do would be to determine what the chemical characteristics are for existing bodies of standing water in that area so that a couple of benchmarks can be established; one for what the water should be like in its uncontaminated state and one for the water in its forecast condition once the wetlands have been constructed, the project can be monitored to determine early whether it will be successful as is or whether additional techniques need to be employed.

With respect to harm from the plants from wildlife, my experience is that wildlife tends to browse on native plants which actually stimulates growth. It can look unsightly but it isn't cabbage you're trying to grow so unless the area has already been vegetatively denuded, it shouldn't matter. Generally wild animals don't eat the entire plant. Goats on the other hand, do. So unless you have a lot of goats around, you probably won't have much trouble. If you do, cover the area with netting to protect seeds (from birds) and seedlings until they are established.

As water quality improves you have options for introducing protozoa. Seems like fun. You can create your own new world.

[Fegos]

[quote="gullyfourmyle"]Seems like fun. You can create your own new world.[/quote]

I know. Aint it cool?

Thanks for the response. Right now I have a great plan drawn up and am just waiting for the legal and monetary go ahead. I'm waiting on a few water rights issues and for the owner to say he'll pay for it. If I get to do it this summer, I'll post a few pics when I'm done.

[CynthiaA]

The newsroom at Michigan State University (MSU) released an article announcing a new approach to purifying water involving membrane nanotech. The National Science Foundation (NSF) granted MSU 2.5 million in grant money to combine nanocarbon tubes with membranes to produce a carbon nanotube membrane to clean the waters of Earth.

Membranes can produce ultra pure water. They are used in some places to turn sea water into fresh water. The goal is to create a hybrid that will be able to process water with improved results.

My first thought is nanotech is hazard to humans. I have not read anything stating this has changed or that scientists have found a way to utilize nanotech without damaging humans. So I have to question this approach becase of this.

Still it is interesting to consider as a water purifying project!

Cyndi