Mine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water
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Abstract
Hydrous ferric-oxide (HFO) coatings on streambed sediments may attenuate dissolved phosphate (PO4) concentrations at acidic to neutral pH conditions, limiting phosphorus (P) transport and availability in aquatic ecosystems. Mesh-covered tiles on which “natural” HFO from abandoned mine drainage (AMD) had precipitated were exposed to treated municipal wastewater (MWW) effluent or a mixture of stream water and effluent. Between 42 and 99% of the dissolved P in effluent was removed from the water to a thin coating (~2 μm) of HFO on the mesh. Geochemical equilibrium model results predicted the removal of 76 to 99% of PO4 from the water by adsorption to the HFO, depending on the HFO quantity, initial PO4 concentration, and pH. The measurements and model results indicated the capacity for P removal decreased as the concentration of P associated with the HFO increased. Continuing accumulation of HFO from upstream AMD sources replenish the in-stream capacity for P attenuation below the MWW discharge. This indicates AMD pollution may conceal P inputs and limit the amount of dissolved P transported to downstream ecosystems. However, HFO-rich sediments also represent a potential source of “legacy” P that could confound management practices intended to decrease nutrient and metal loadings.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water |
| Series title | Science of the Total Environment |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152672 |
| Volume | 815 |
| Year Published | 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Pennsylvania Water Science Center |
| Description | 152672, 8 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Other Geospatial | Four Mile Run |