Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines

TODD, AARON; Robertson, Iain; Walsh, Rory; Byrne, Patrick; Edwards, Paul; Williams, Thomas

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131011

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Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines

AARON TODD, Iain Robertson

, Rory Walsh, Patrick Byrne

, Paul Edwards

, Thomas Williams

Journal of Hydrology, Volume: 634, Start page: 131011

Swansea University Authors: AARON TODD, Iain Robertson , Rory Walsh

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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131011

Abstract

Abandoned metal mines pollute rivers with both acidic and circumneutral metal-rich waters, sometimes from well-mapped mines, but often from long-abandoned adits with limited historical records. Changes in water quality over the monitored timescales were calculated for three mines across Wales (Nanty...

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Published in:	Journal of Hydrology
ISSN:	0022-1694
Published:	Elsevier BV 2024
Online Access:	Check full text
URI:	https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65798
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first_indexed	2024-03-07T18:05:52Z
last_indexed	2024-03-07T18:05:52Z
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Changes in water quality over the monitored timescales were calculated for three mines across Wales (Nantymwyn, Parys Mountain and Frongoch), each abandoned since the early 20th century. Using all available spot sampling data provided by the environmental regulator, it was found that there was a sustained input of metals to the receiving watercourses with no or limited reduction in the concentrations from the mines without remediation, despite the passage of time and impacts of weathering. At Nantymwyn, comparison with five months’ sampling in 2019 showed no significant change (p > 0.05) in metal concentrations compared to the same months in 1985. Parys Mountain showed an increase in filtered zinc concentrations of 2 % between 2004 and 2020. At Frongoch, however, a substantial reduction in its environmental impact was observed after remediation, including a 90 % reduction in total lead concentrations. 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spelling	v2 65798 2024-03-07 Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines 500d8da3b3b6bb2906971d3331bfde99 AARON TODD AARON TODD true false ef8912c57e0140e9ecb2a69b7e34467e 0000-0001-7174-4523 Iain Robertson Iain Robertson true false f3633408adc4dc477955b2eca4c4c9af Rory Walsh Rory Walsh true false 2024-03-07 Abandoned metal mines pollute rivers with both acidic and circumneutral metal-rich waters, sometimes from well-mapped mines, but often from long-abandoned adits with limited historical records. Changes in water quality over the monitored timescales were calculated for three mines across Wales (Nantymwyn, Parys Mountain and Frongoch), each abandoned since the early 20th century. Using all available spot sampling data provided by the environmental regulator, it was found that there was a sustained input of metals to the receiving watercourses with no or limited reduction in the concentrations from the mines without remediation, despite the passage of time and impacts of weathering. At Nantymwyn, comparison with five months’ sampling in 2019 showed no significant change (p > 0.05) in metal concentrations compared to the same months in 1985. Parys Mountain showed an increase in filtered zinc concentrations of 2 % between 2004 and 2020. At Frongoch, however, a substantial reduction in its environmental impact was observed after remediation, including a 90 % reduction in total lead concentrations. Realisation that the pollution from these sites does not reduce over the decades since abandonment should galvanize the resolve to understand the highest priority sites, and where possible remediate them. Journal Article Journal of Hydrology 634 131011 Elsevier BV 0022-1694 Lead mine; Abandoned metal mine; Metal pollution; Water quality; Remediation 31 5 2024 2024-05-31 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131011 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University SU Library paid the OA fee (TA Institutional Deal) This work was supported by the EU Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2), funding Aaron’s PhD, allowing this research to be undertaken. KESS 2 is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys. 2024-04-24T16:43:46.7860180 2024-03-07T18:02:16.6654763 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Geography AARON TODD 1 Iain Robertson 0000-0001-7174-4523 2 Rory Walsh 3 Patrick Byrne 0000-0002-2699-052x 4 Paul Edwards 0000-0003-3227-0921 5 Thomas Williams 0000-0002-9502-1378 6 65798__30141__255314b878d34424a015135e687cdbd4.pdf 65798.VoR.pdf 2024-04-24T16:39:25.5319285 Output 5543316 application/pdf Version of Record true ©2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
title	Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines
spellingShingle	Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines AARON TODD Iain Robertson Rory Walsh
title_short	Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines
title_full	Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines
title_fullStr	Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines
title_full_unstemmed	Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines
title_sort	Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines
author_id_str_mv	500d8da3b3b6bb2906971d3331bfde99 ef8912c57e0140e9ecb2a69b7e34467e f3633408adc4dc477955b2eca4c4c9af
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author	AARON TODD Iain Robertson Rory Walsh
author2	AARON TODD Iain Robertson Rory Walsh Patrick Byrne Paul Edwards Thomas Williams
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description	Abandoned metal mines pollute rivers with both acidic and circumneutral metal-rich waters, sometimes from well-mapped mines, but often from long-abandoned adits with limited historical records. Changes in water quality over the monitored timescales were calculated for three mines across Wales (Nantymwyn, Parys Mountain and Frongoch), each abandoned since the early 20th century. Using all available spot sampling data provided by the environmental regulator, it was found that there was a sustained input of metals to the receiving watercourses with no or limited reduction in the concentrations from the mines without remediation, despite the passage of time and impacts of weathering. At Nantymwyn, comparison with five months’ sampling in 2019 showed no significant change (p > 0.05) in metal concentrations compared to the same months in 1985. Parys Mountain showed an increase in filtered zinc concentrations of 2 % between 2004 and 2020. At Frongoch, however, a substantial reduction in its environmental impact was observed after remediation, including a 90 % reduction in total lead concentrations. Realisation that the pollution from these sites does not reduce over the decades since abandonment should galvanize the resolve to understand the highest priority sites, and where possible remediate them.
published_date	2024-05-31T16:43:45Z
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Long-term changes in water quality downstream of three abandoned metal mines

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