Abandoned Mine Posts

by Bruce Golden, Regional Coordinator
The media attention surrounding the recent Quecreek mining accident has had an unexpected side effect. The general public now has the notion that substantial amounts of water exist underground in mine pools. What the public may not appreciate is that this water has been polluted by the mining environment and deemed unsuitable for practically all normal uses.

Related to this is the growing realization of the importance of water resources. As our demands for quantity and quality of water increase, it’s becoming much clearer how precious our water resources are. Without proper management, our demands for clean, plentiful water will ultimately outstrip supply, even in areas where water is plentiful.

It’s refreshing that many are now considering polluted mine pools as a potential resource. DEP Secretary David E. Hess espoused this view in a recent address to the power industry, urging the industry to satisfy some of its large appetite for water from underground mine pools. Taking this approach, the total quantity of available, usable water becomes substantially larger for all. Another advantage is realized for mine pools that need to be pumped to prevent surface breakouts. The water used in power production needs to be pumped and treated, so maintaining safe underground water levels is a bonus that accrues as an offshoot of producing power.

Challenges do exist in using polluted mine water. Power production requires clean water. The most demanding challenge is the cost-effective removal of pollutants from the mine water.

The most important point in all this is the “big picture” thinking that is occurring around the state and throughout government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations and at the grass-roots level. The emphasis is on solving problems in creative ways and using the resources we have to the best advantage.

What’s beer have to do with AMD? Plenty, according to University of Tulsa chemistry professor Tom Harris, who wants to use stale beer to make wetlands more efficient in removing mine pollutants. The heart of the idea is addition of sulfate-reducing bacteria, which act to transform heavy metals to insoluble sulfides. Check out these links to news articles to find out more:

• Intoxicating Toxic Cleanup
• Feeding Old Beer to Hungry Bacteria May Help Clean Up Superfund Site
• Beer Could Help Cleanup

So the next time you see those hard working watershed volunteers with a case of Rolling Rock next to a wetland, you can be sure they’re performing a legitimate scientific inquiry. Here’s to you, Professor Harris.