ON-SITE MEASUREMENT OF METALS IN WATER SAMPLES TAKEN FROM NANT GWYDYR AND LLYN GERIONYDD USING A COGENT ENVIRONMENTAL PDV6000PLUS METALS ANALYSER

摘要

Heavy metals are the main cause of pollution from mine water but these are not routinely analysed and the main method of analysis is by spot sampling and then analysis at a laboratory remote from the sampling point. This paper sets out to show how a well tried and trusted technology pioneered in the early 1980's and now incorporating the latest electronic technology gives an easy to use method to measure heavy metals and provide information to enable mine operators to treat discharges in a cost effective manner. It has been shown that the only reliable method of obtaining accurate results and mitigating damage to the environment is by on-line monitoring. We at Cogent environmental believe that real time analysis by on-line or portable heavy metal analysers is the best method of analysis, as real time results provide real time data and with real-time data real-time decisions can be made. Relying upon results which may be several days old can be no real way to monitor or control a system. It is generally thought that the metal content of mine water does not change appreciably but without real time continuous or semi continuous data how do they know the effect of rainfall events, variations in groundwater levels, collapses within the mine and localised seismic events . We believe that new advances in Anodic Stripping Voltammetry technology provides a real opportunity for both researchers and treatment plant managers to monitor and deal with the problems associated with heavy metals in mine water.