2018 Symposium Brochure

Passive Wetland Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Acid mine drainage is a common environmental problem that effects water ways throughout Appalachia. The acid is mainly formed when pyrite minerals that have been exposed to the surface from mining operations oxidize in water. The acidic waters are detrimental to the aquatic life that live in the system. Most life will die off from the impacted systems. This experiment tests how effective passive wetlands are at removing heavy metals from Lambert Run, which has been impacted by acid mine drainage. The removal efficiency will be tested by measuring the heavy metal content in the water before and after a series of five wetlands. Over an eight-month period samples will be taken from each site and tested. Since iron is one of the most prevalent metals in an acid mine drainage system, iron will be the targeted metal for removal. Passive wetlands can be an effective way to improve waters impacted by acid mine drainage and this study will give insight to the public on how effective they can be. Funding: State (West Virginia Water Research Institute) Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program