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METAL ATTENUATION PROCESSES AT MINING SITES
Citation:
WILKIN, R. T. METAL ATTENUATION PROCESSES AT MINING SITES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-07/092, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
Published report
Description:
The purpose of this Issue Paper is to provide scientists and engineers responsible for assessing remediation technologies with background information on MNA processes at mining-impacted sites. The global magnitude of the acid drainage problem is clear evidence that in most cases natural processes are incapable of ameliorating the acidity and metal contamination produced by oxidizing sulfide minerals. However, monitored natural attenuation may be an effective strategy to augment more active approaches of remediation. Some of the key issues concerning the application of natural attenuation for inorganic contaminants are discussed, such as the geochemical mechanisms responsible for attenuation, attenuation capacity, monitoring parameters, and evaluating whether attenuated metal and metalloid contaminants will remain immobile.