Pollution control measures on abandoned mines and changes of effluentquality in Japan

摘要

Pollution control activities in Japan have been taken since the 1970's for abandoned metalsand sulfur mines with measures covering approximately 500 abandoned mines. Variousmethods were applied for reducing effluent volume and quality. However the effluent wateris unavoidable and in most cases and flowing out continues even after the application of thepollution control measures. Mine drainage treatments are generally expected to continue almost perpetually and the costfor it is one of the social problems surrounding this issue. More effective measures toimprove and reduce the effluent are desired by all. In this research, effluent volume and water quality were investigated and analyzed for theeffectiveness of the measures, by comparing it with the data before measures where taken.