ABSTRACT
Acid mine drainage is a common problem associated with coal and metal mining. In Colorado, many high-elevation mines have adverse climatic conditions and limited accessibility that preclude construction and maintenance of traditional water treatment systems. This chapter analyzes forest materials for suitable characteristics as media for treatment of acid mine drainage. Materials analyzed included litter and humus layers beneath three forest types and charcoal because it is easily made on-site. A stock solution was prepared with a 75:100:20 ratio of Mn to Zn to Cd, similar to concentrations found in Colorado acid mine drainages. For metal ion removal, a stock solution was prepared with 750 mg/L Mn, 1000 mg/L Zn, and 200 mg/L Cd to approximate relative concentration ratios in water from some Colorado metal mines. Reduction of metal ion concentrations in abandoned mine drainages with on-site forest litter and humus appears promising.
