Mine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water

Peter M. Smyntek; Natalie Lamagna; Charles A. Cravotta; William H. J. Strosnider

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152672

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Mine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water

Peter M. Smyntek·Natalie Lamagna·Charles A. Cravotta·William H. J. Strosnider

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Abstract

Hydrous ferric-oxide (HFO) coatings on streambed sediments may attenuate dissolved phosphate (PO 4 ) 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 PO 4 from the water by adsorption to the HFO, depending on the HFO quantity, initial PO 4 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.

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Science of the Total Environment Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 40.28279959861071° to 40.32050383546901° latitude; -79.44746017456055° to -79.39699172973633° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Peter M. Smyntek, Natalie Lamagna, Charles A. Cravotta, William H. J. Strosnider. 2022. Mine drainage precipitates attenuate and conceal wastewater-derived phosphate pollution in stream water. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152672

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