Item Restricted to University of Alberta Users

Log In with CCID to View Item
Usage
  • 89 views
  • 1 download

Tasmanian Acid Drainage Reconnaissance — Acid Drainage From Abandoned Mines in Tasmania

  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
  • Tasmania’s mineral endowment has resulted in 600 abandoned mines. Commonly occurring sulfide minerals such as pyrite and pyrrhotite can generate acid drainage and also mobilise heavy metals. Due to the State’s steep topography and high rainfall the risk to water quality in the receiving environments is significant. Surface waters impacted by abandoned mine sites typically showed high sulfate and metal distribution at pH range of 2.0 to 5.0. The impacted waters generally showed metal distribution in the high acid/extreme metal to low acid/low metal range. A similar trend was shown by sulfate distribution. Elevated levels of metals and sulfate downstream from several abandoned mine sites indicated that active sulfide oxidation is occurring and these sites may be potential point sources of metal pollution in the receiving environment. High correlation between metal and sulfate distribution suggests that sulfate distribution in surface waters may be used as a cost-effective investigation tool for preliminary assessment of acid drainage.

  • Date created
    2003
  • Subjects / Keywords
  • Type of Item
    Article (Published)
  • DOI
    https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-0t9a-8x66
  • License
    Use of this product is restricted to current faculty, staff, and students of the University. It is the responsibility of each user to ensure that he or she uses this product for individual, non-commercial educational or research purposes only, and does not systematically download or retain substantial portions of information. Users may not reproduce or redistribute unprocessed/raw data portions of the data to any third party, or otherwise engage in the systematic retransmission or commercialization of the data.