PARENT SESSION
PW5 - Microbial Treatment and Biorecovery of Acid Mine Drainage
Wednesday, 20 November 2002
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall

(P774) In situ Bioremediation of Acid Mining Lakes by Addition of Organic Sub-strate and Lime.

Geller, Walter^*,1, Wendt-Potthoff, Katrin¹, Koschorreck, Matthias¹, ¹ UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle Lmtd., Magdeburg, Germany

ABSTRACT- Geller, W Wendt-Potthoff, K Koschorreck, M Key Words: Acid Lakes, Mining Lakes, in-situ Bioremediation, sulfur reduction, in-lake treatment Presenter: W. Geller, UFZ Author to contact: W. Geller UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Brueckstr. 3a D-39114 Magdeburg Germany T ++49 391 8019100 F ++49 391 8019111 geller@gm.ufz.de Preference: Oral 1st Choice: 4F 2nd Choice: 1S In situ Bioremediation of Acid Mining Lakes by Addition of Organic Substrate and Lime. Geller, W, Wendt-Potthoff, K, Koschorreck, M, UFZ - Centre for Environmental Research, Magdeburg, Germany. As a result of pyrite oxidation in surrounding dumps acid mining lakes have formed by sulfuric acid leaching into the lake. Lake sediments have an intrinsic capacity to produce alkalinity by microbial sulfate and iron reduction. Iron and sulfate are being reduced to form iron sulfides accompanied by the consumption of H+ ions. The remediation strategy presented here aims at the specific stimulation of these microbial processes by controlled supply of carbon and nutrients. In an up scaling approach, Carbokalk (a by-product from the sugar industries) and straw amendments are being investigated in 24 m3 to 5,000 m3 enclosure systems within an experimental mining lake in Lusatia/SE-Germany. Microbiological and geochemical findings are presented. Applicability and drawbacks of this bioremediation technique are being discussed.

Key words: Acid Lakes, Mining Lakes, in-situ bioremediation, sulfur reduction