Identifying environmental issues and remediation techniques for coal-mining affected surface water

人们担心煤炭开采对水环境的潜在影响。在艾伯塔省的东坡，采矿景观的渗滤液可能含有丰富的硒(Se)，并含有高浓度的主要离子，特别是钙，导致水系统中的水极硬。硒对水生环境的影响，包括对鱼类等水生生物的影响，得到了很好的研究。然而，几乎没有开发出处理矿井废水和减轻Se对水生系统影响的方法，而且已经开发的方法成本很高。极端的水硬度会导致方解石(一层具体的碳酸钙)的沉积，并改变水的化学成分，这可能会对水生生物的健康产生不利影响。在我们的行业合作伙伴CST Canada Coal Limited的支持下，这项研究将探索一种新的现场方法，通过应用微生物生物反应器的基本原理来降低矿井废水中的Se。此外，这项工作旨在更好地了解极端水硬度对接受矿山排水的水生生态系统健康的影响，特别是使用这些生态系统的鱼类种群。总体目标是为水生硒污染提供一种廉价、大规模的修复方法，并了解水硬度对水生生态系统的影响，以便制定减轻任何不利影响的战略。

There are concerns about potential impacts of coal mining on aquatic environments. In the Eastern Slopes of Alberta, leachate from mining landscapes can be rich in selenium (Se) and have high concentrations of major ions, especially calcium, resulting in extreme water hardness in aquatic systems. Effects of selenium on aquatic environments, including aquatic organisms such as fish, are well studied. However, few methods have been developed to treat mine drainage and lessen effects of Se on aquatic systems, and those that have been developed are expensive. Extreme water hardness results in the deposition of calcite (a concretious layer of calcium carbonate), and alters water chemistry which can have adverse effects on the heath of aquatic organisms. With support from our industry partner, CST Canada Coal Limited, this research will explore a novel in situ method to reduce Se in mine drainage by applying the fundamental principles of microbial bioreactors. In addition, this work aims to generate a greater understanding of the effects of extreme water hardness on the health of aquatic ecosystems that receive mine drainage, especially populations of fish that use these ecosystems. The overall objective is to provide an inexpensive, large-scale remediation method for aquatic Se contamination, and to understand effects of water hardness on aquatic ecosystems in order to develop strategies to mitigate any adverse effects.