Post on 28-Dec-2015
transcript
Biochemical Reactors for Treating Mining-influenced Water
ITRC BCR Implementation
Cherri Baysinger, MODavid Cates, Ok
Steve Hill, RegTech
Garden Grove, California
3/26/14
Today’s Implementation Session
Guidance Overview Demonstration of the use of the Guidance Collecting Implementation target information
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We need your help to identify implementation targets!
Biochemical Reactors for Mining Influenced Water
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What is a Biochemical Reactor (BCR)?
…engineered treatment system that uses an organic substrate to drive microbial and chemical reactions to reduce concentration of metals, acidity, and sulfate in MIW.
Penn Hill #2 BCR, PA
Biochemical Reactors for Mining Influenced Water
There are over 500,000 abandoned mine sites in the U.S.
MIW impacts state lands, federal lands, public land, private lands
Many sites are in remote areas with extreme climates Monitoring and maintenance is required Local environmental groups can help remediate MIW
Liability (Good Samaritan Act)
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Advantages
Low energy requirements May be low maintenance if designed properly Can be used in remote situations Removes metals Flexible and versatile Treats wide variety of MIW Will improve ecological function of receiving stream
Cautions
BCRs may not consistently meet strict water quality standards
BCRs are not walk away systems Monitoring is required Maintenance may be needed periodically
Biochemical Reactors for Treating Mining-Influenced Water - Guidance
Applicability Testing Design Construction and startup Monitoring, operation and maintenance Challenges
Fact Sheet in your booklet defines a BCR
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Is My Water BCR-Worthy
Figure courtesy of Jim J. Gusek, 2009
Elements in Blue can be treated in a BCR
Periodic Table of Treatable Elements
Testing
Proof of Principle Bench Testing Pilot Testing
Solid Substrate Liquid Substrate
Design
Construction
Subgrade
Organic Matter & Limestone Mix
Gravel Drainage Layer
Drainage system
Geosynthetic liner
Discharge
In flowSampling
PortLight Weight Fill
Topsoil
Inoculum
Geotextile
Geosynthetic liner
Down flow
Organic Matter &
Limestone Mix
Lady Leith BCR, Jefferson Co, MT
1 Source 4 Receiving Stream
3 Completed BCR2 Construction
ITRC BCR-1, 2013: Appendix B14
Monitoring
Can be frequent and seasonal Mostly manual (can include lab
analysis) Influent
• Flow and water chemistry
System effluent & other pre- and post-treatment units
• Flow and water chemistry
Collecting effluent samples from the Luttrell BCR, MT
Substrate Monitoring
Chemistry (compare to design conditions)
Substrate testing – ORP & Physical collection
Substrate test for disposal Substrate replacement or
additional amendment
Centi
met
ers
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Oxide Zone
Transitional Zone
Sulfide Zone
Relatively fresh Substrate
Troubleshooting
Chemical trends Physical Trends
ITRC BCR-1, 2013: Section 6.3.2
Adjustable Elevation Head Weir for BCR Effluent
Challenges
Rumors that BCRs do not work should be dispelled Better design Monitoring is required Maintenance is required
Barrier State or Federal Good Samaritan Legislation will allow application of
BCRs at abandoned and remote sites
Animas River Stakeholder Group
Act of Congress: Good Samaritans and Draining Mines 2014
Video 12 minutes, 31 secondshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkjFdgshv1Y&feature=youtu.be
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User Groups: Use and Benefit
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EXPECTED USER GROUP
INTENDED USEBENEFIT TO BE RECEIVED
BY USERS
Consultants Use the BCR document as a Technical guide for preparing work plan submittals to regulators
Provides more consistent content of workplans
Regulators Review workplans Good checklist of technical elements that should be in a work plan
Consultants Use as justification to clients when submitting a proposal
Integrity of ITRC and their guidance offers confidence / acceptability of the proposal
Community and Tribal stakeholders
Good Samaritan Act can limit third party liability.
Site cleanup!
Demonstrating Document Use
Consultant uses the ITRC guidance to prepare a proposal (work plan) for the regulator to use,
The regulator uses the ITRC doc to review and comment on the proposal (work plan)
The message is “the ITRC BCR Guidance can provide a synergy among the parties by providing proposal or work plan containing the elements described in the BCR guidance.
Everyone should then be on the same page to streamline the process.
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Small Group Discussion What ideas do you have for getting the ITRC
Biochemical Reactors for Mining-influenced Water Web-based Guidance used on streams impacted by Mining-influenced Water
Do you know of any state or other agency guidance that would benefit by incorporating or referencing this ITRC document
Do you know of any sites where the BCR guidance would apply
Small group facilitator will collect information on handout and provide to Team Leaders for follow-up
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Example Implementation Targets
1,2 3,6
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10,14,15
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Help Us Build ITRC Success
Identify target users
Promote document use to colleagues by sharing document information sheet
Promote free web-based document and online training
Report document use to ITRC
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What action are you going to take?