EVALUATION OF MINE DRAINAGE ABATEMENT PROJECTS: COMPARISON OF RESULTS FROM SIMPLE FIELD TESTS OF WATER QUALITY WITH LABORATORY ANALYSES

摘要

Acid mine drainage (AMD) from surface and underground coal mines abandoned prior to August 3, 1977, has received additional attention in recent years. In response to this interest, the Mid-Continent Region of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has assisted in reconnaissance of AMD problem sites, design of passive treatment systems, and evaluation of AMD remediation measures. This paper will discuss the application and suitability of field test methods such as colorimetric analysis of key anions and cations. Field measurements were statistically compared with data generated from conventional laboratory techniques such as inductive coupled plasma (ICP) and ion chromatography. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the ability of low-cost field methods to supplement conventional analytical techniques. Important applications include: (1) reconnaissance sampling which can be followed by laboratory testing once field conditions are understood and (2) diagnostic tests to evaluate the performance of AMD treatment systems. Several field methods have been found to be comparable to laboratory tests, while others are useful only for an estimation of water quality. One test, the ferrous iron colorimetric method, is considered the standard method for this constituent and is recommended over laboratory testing. An evaluation of the use of field verse laboratory methods for determining total alkalinity is also included.