Applied Energy Research Laboratory (AERL), Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Dr., Moscow, ID 83844-0902, USA.
Sci Total Environ. 2020 May 15;717:137211. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137211. Epub 2020 Feb 8.
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) caused by abandoned mines is an enormous source of negative impact on the environment and the species that inhabit it. The low levels of pH and high concentration of metals and metalloids (copper, gadolinium, lithium, etc.) in mining pits with standing water lead to changing the balance of surrounding organisms and ecosystems. The scale of the issue and the quantity of AMD sites throughout the globe are factors that make AMD a critical environmental threat. Many AMD treatments have been implemented to reduce the negative impact of AMD, with many solutions being very costly and only suited for particular project situations. Policymakers have strong leverage in correcting AMD problems by developing regulations and laws. This study proposes three more sustainable solutions for reducing and eventually eliminating the impact of AMD with less capital investment while also resolving the landfill problem as well. Also, some governmental strategies are suggested for forming collaborative relationships between industry professionals from different perspectives with the goal to resolve the AMD issue through innovative ideas. Implementation of previous strategies and suggested ones, as well as the further involvement of more communities, can enhance the sustainability of life exposed to AMD.
废弃矿山导致的酸性矿山排水 (AMD) 对环境和栖息其中的物种造成了巨大的负面影响。积水矿坑中较低的 pH 值和高浓度的金属和类金属(铜、钆、锂等)导致周围生物和生态系统的平衡发生变化。该问题的规模以及全球 AMD 地点的数量是使 AMD 成为严重环境威胁的因素。已经实施了许多 AMD 处理方法来减少 AMD 的负面影响,其中许多解决方案非常昂贵,并且仅适用于特定的项目情况。政策制定者可以通过制定法规和法律来强力解决 AMD 问题。本研究提出了另外三种更可持续的解决方案,通过较少的资本投资来减少和最终消除 AMD 的影响,同时解决垃圾填埋场问题。此外,还提出了一些政府策略,以便在不同视角的行业专业人员之间形成合作关系,通过创新理念解决 AMD 问题。实施以前的策略和建议的策略,以及更多社区的进一步参与,可以提高 AMD 暴露地区的生活可持续性。