Digital Commons Network^™

Biotreatment And Chemical Speciation Of Lead And Zinc Mine/Mill Wastewater Discharges In Missouri, U.S.A., Mujde Erten-Unal, Bobby G. Wixson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Continued mining development in the world's largest lead producing area has generated and increased concern over effective mine water treatment in Missouri's New Lead Belt. A new type of mine/mill wastewater treatment system was constructed which consisted of a tailings pond followed by a series of artificially constructed meandering biotreatment channels and a polishing lagoon. This system provided additional retention time and distance for the removal of heavy metals by abundant aquatic plants and sedimentation. Seasonal field sampling and analytical testing that evaluated the present system confirmed that it provided good treatment for removal of heavy metals within the company …