https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=HPotter 2026-04-26T02:40:25Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.39.7 https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Sharnberry_Mine:_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=50972 2025-01-14T16:37:17Z

<p>HPotter: Page removed and redirect to new website.</p> <hr /> <div>Please see [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/metal-mine-water-pollution-investigations-in-the-river-wear-catchment/river-wear-catchment-metal-mine-water-pollution-investigations#sharnberry-mine Sharnberry Mine: Wear catchment]</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Gategill_Beck:_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=49644 2024-03-25T11:22:13Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Approved<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.62094020000001, -3.0456781999999975<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK),<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project picture=Gategill Beck.jpg<br /> |Picture description=The Wood End low level adit<br /> |Project summary=The Threlkeld mines were worked for lead and zinc between 1661 and 1928. The mines have a long history of causing pollution and fish kills, and the owners were first prosecuted in 1890. The mines are a significant source of heavy metal pollution, particularly cadmium and zinc, in Gategill Beck and the River Glenderamackin, which fails to achieve 'Good' status for the North West River Basin Management Plan. The metal pollution also affects the River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The main source of metals is the Woodend Low Level but there is also diffuse pollution from waste spoil heaps. <br /> <br /> Please search for Threlkeld mines pollution to find out more.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment<br /> |Subcatchment=Glenderamackin (Greta)<br /> }}<br /> {{Site<br /> |WFD water body code=GB112075070460<br /> |WFD water body name=Glenderamackin (Greta)<br /> |Heavily modified water body=No<br /> |Protected species present=No<br /> |Invasive species present=No<br /> }}<br /> {{Project background<br /> |Reach length directly affected=16km<br /> |Project started=2010<br /> }}<br /> {{Motivations<br /> |Specific mitigation=Pollution incident, Mine drainage metal concentrations<br /> |Physico-chemical quality elements=Nutrient concentrations,<br /> }}<br /> {{Measures<br /> |Bank and bed modifications measure=Deculverting, Sealing the culvert<br /> |Floodplain / River corridor=Dam lowering<br /> |Planform / Channel pattern=Lowering of impoundment, Pipe through dam for mine water to travel to future treatment scheme<br /> |Management interventions=Clean up pollution with Defra funding, research on how to capture mine water, reviewed treatment technologies, Passive treatment, potential locations for a treatment system to be constructed<br /> |Wider stakeholder / citizen engagement=Improving water quality,<br /> }}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> <br /> <br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Saltburn_Gill_ironstones_mines&diff=35551 2015-10-01T11:55:34Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Approved<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.571963, -0.960267<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Economic aspects, Social benefits, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Main contact id=HPotter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Contact organisation url=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/<br /> |Partner organisations=Environment Agency, DEFRA, The Coal Authority (UK)<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project picture=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck 1.jpg<br /> |Project summary=Saltburn Gill is a short coastal river, flowing into the North Sea across Saltburn Beach - a designated bathing water beach and one of the most popular surfing beaches on the east coast. The river extends inland for about 8km in a steep sided valley, part of the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).<br /> <br /> This on-going project targets a section of the Saltburn Gill that was negatively impacted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from abandoned mine workings, located upstream of the discharge point. Historically, East Cleveland was a major source of ore for the Teesside iron and steel industry, specially from the 1850’s until the early 1960’s. Afterwards, the decline of the mining activity resulted in an uncontrolled abandonment of the working mines in within the region. <br /> <br /> In May 1999, an uncontrolled mine discharge increased the typical iron levels of the Saltburn Beck from around 0.1 milligrammes per litre (mg/l) to in excess of 1200mg/l. Over 330kg of iron ochre was deposited on the stream bed every day. In one year, this is the equivalent of over 100 tonnes of iron being discharged into the North Sea. The devastating effects on the ecology readily appeared, mainly due to the drastic depletion in the oxygen levels. A biological impact survey of the stream showed that the pollution reduced the water quality of the beck from good to bad status along 2km of the watercourse, from the discharge point to the sea.<br /> <br /> The Saltburn Gill Action Group (SGAG) was set up in 2005 as a community action group. Assistance was given by The Environment Agency, Teesside University, the local Wildlife Trust, the Parish Council and others to try to find a solution to this problem. Then, several site investigations were carried out with insights to build up a treatment plant. A major partnership project between us, the Coal Authority and Saltburn Gill Action Group has been working to clean up the pollution since 2008.<br /> <br /> During the summer of 2013, Defra provided funding for the Coal Authority to pump water from the mines and build the first stage of a treatment scheme. This first stage is a settlement lagoon where iron precipitates out of the mine water to form a sludge at the bottom. A temporary chemical dosing system helps to remove more iron while the second stage is being built. Clean water is put back into the Gill, and since January 2014, the stream is no longer orange.<br /> <br /> In the summer of 2014, work started on the second stage of the passive treatment scheme – made up of 4 settlement ponds, a sludge drying bed and a reed bed wetland. The abstracted mine water first flows over an aeration cascade, which adds oxygen to the water and improves the rate the iron oxidises into a precipitate. It then flows by gravity into settlement ponds, where the metals can settle out to the bottom. This process takes 1 to 2 days, and leaves a sludge, iron ochre, which is disposed of at a later date.<br /> <br /> After the mine water has passed through the settlement ponds it then flows by gravity into the reed bed wetland. The reeds act like a natural filter, removing the majority of the remaining metal pollution. Clean water is then returned to the Gill. Once the treatment scheme is finished, the chemical dosing system can be removed – reducing long-term costs. The construction phase should be completed in early 2015, and the reeds will be planted in May 2015. As well as filtering and cleaning the mine water, the reed beds will provide a valuable new habitat for wildlife. <br /> <br /> Laboratory and field scale tests have shown that up to 99% of the iron should be removed by the treatment plant, with the local economic benefits of raising the quality of the river and foreshore predicted to be around £10.5 million over 25 years. This significantly outweighs the predicted lifetime cost of building and running the treatment plant (~£7m).<br /> <br /> Benefits of remediation:<br /> <br /> * The Saltburn Gill and Skelton Beck will no longer be polluted, and the risk of a catastrophic breakout of minewater will be reduced. <br /> * The aesthetic, ecological and recreational value of Saltburn Gill, Saltburn Beach and the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve will be improved. <br /> * Improved bathing water quality on Saltburn beach, encouraging recreation that contributes to the local economy. <br /> * The water body will achieve good chemical and ecological status as required by the Northumbria River Basin Management Plan.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill mine discharge point.JPG<br /> |Caption=Mine discharge point<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream I.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream II.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn.JPG<br /> |Caption=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill before treatment.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck - before treatment<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=150924 Saltburn cleaned.JPG<br /> |Caption=Crystal clear Saltburn Gill now that all four settlement ponds are on line (25 Sept 2015).<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck.jpg<br /> |Caption=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn aeration.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn aeration cascade, part of the minewater treatment system<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn settlement lagoons.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn settlement ponds, foreground, with reed bed and drying lagoon behind<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn MWTS schematic.jpg<br /> |Caption=Diagram showing the general layout of the minewater treatment scheme<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment<br /> |Subcatchment=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> }}<br /> {{Site<br /> |Name=Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve<br /> |WFD water body code=GB103025071960<br /> |WFD (national) typology=Low, Small, Calcareous<br /> |WFD water body name=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> |Heavily modified water body=No<br /> |Site designation=UK - Site of Special Scientific Interest<br /> |Protected species present=No<br /> |Invasive species present=No<br /> }}<br /> {{Project background<br /> |Project started=2009/07/01<br /> |Works started=2012/12/03<br /> |Total1 cost=700000<br /> }}<br /> {{Motivations<br /> |Specific mitigation=Pollution incident,<br /> |Hydromorphological quality elements=Quantity &amp; dynamics of flow, <br /> |Physico-chemical quality elements=Oxygen balance, PH, <br /> }}<br /> {{Measures<br /> |Other technical measure=Construction of a Treatment Plant<br /> }}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn case study July 2010.pdf<br /> |Description=EA, 2010. Abandoned mines case study: Saltburn Gill ironstone mines<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill Case Study for UK River Prize.pdf<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-15002074<br /> |Description=BBC, 2011. Polluted Saltburn Gill in Cleveland gets cash for clean-up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-20739848<br /> |Description=BBC, 2012. Saltburn polluted stream clean-up begins<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/144707.aspx<br /> |Description=EA, 2012. Saltburn’s ochre stream set for clean up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:Aerial_photo_of_the_lower_end_of_the_Saltburn_Beck_1.jpg&diff=35550 2015-10-01T11:54:49Z

<p>HPotter: Aerial view of polluted Saltburn Gill joining Skelton Beck and the sea</p> <hr /> <div>Aerial view of polluted Saltburn Gill joining Skelton Beck and the sea</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Saltburn_Gill_ironstones_mines&diff=35549 2015-10-01T11:48:49Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Approved<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.571963, -0.960267<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Economic aspects, Social benefits, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Main contact id=HPotter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Contact organisation url=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/<br /> |Partner organisations=Environment Agency, DEFRA, The Coal Authority (UK)<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project picture=Saltburn Gill iron mines.png<br /> |Project summary=Saltburn Gill is a short coastal river, flowing into the North Sea across Saltburn Beach - a designated bathing water beach and one of the most popular surfing beaches on the east coast. The river extends inland for about 8km in a steep sided valley, part of the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).<br /> <br /> This on-going project targets a section of the Saltburn Gill that was negatively impacted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from abandoned mine workings, located upstream of the discharge point. Historically, East Cleveland was a major source of ore for the Teesside iron and steel industry, specially from the 1850’s until the early 1960’s. Afterwards, the decline of the mining activity resulted in an uncontrolled abandonment of the working mines in within the region. <br /> <br /> In May 1999, an uncontrolled mine discharge increased the typical iron levels of the Saltburn Beck from around 0.1 milligrammes per litre (mg/l) to in excess of 1200mg/l. Over 330kg of iron ochre was deposited on the stream bed every day. In one year, this is the equivalent of over 100 tonnes of iron being discharged into the North Sea. The devastating effects on the ecology readily appeared, mainly due to the drastic depletion in the oxygen levels. A biological impact survey of the stream showed that the pollution reduced the water quality of the beck from good to bad status along 2km of the watercourse, from the discharge point to the sea.<br /> <br /> The Saltburn Gill Action Group (SGAG) was set up in 2005 as a community action group. Assistance was given by The Environment Agency, Teesside University, the local Wildlife Trust, the Parish Council and others to try to find a solution to this problem. Then, several site investigations were carried out with insights to build up a treatment plant. A major partnership project between us, the Coal Authority and Saltburn Gill Action Group has been working to clean up the pollution since 2008.<br /> <br /> During the summer of 2013, Defra provided funding for the Coal Authority to pump water from the mines and build the first stage of a treatment scheme. This first stage is a settlement lagoon where iron precipitates out of the mine water to form a sludge at the bottom. A temporary chemical dosing system helps to remove more iron while the second stage is being built. Clean water is put back into the Gill, and since January 2014, the stream is no longer orange.<br /> <br /> In the summer of 2014, work started on the second stage of the passive treatment scheme – made up of 4 settlement ponds, a sludge drying bed and a reed bed wetland. The abstracted mine water first flows over an aeration cascade, which adds oxygen to the water and improves the rate the iron oxidises into a precipitate. It then flows by gravity into settlement ponds, where the metals can settle out to the bottom. This process takes 1 to 2 days, and leaves a sludge, iron ochre, which is disposed of at a later date.<br /> <br /> After the mine water has passed through the settlement ponds it then flows by gravity into the reed bed wetland. The reeds act like a natural filter, removing the majority of the remaining metal pollution. Clean water is then returned to the Gill. Once the treatment scheme is finished, the chemical dosing system can be removed – reducing long-term costs. The construction phase should be completed in early 2015, and the reeds will be planted in May 2015. As well as filtering and cleaning the mine water, the reed beds will provide a valuable new habitat for wildlife. <br /> <br /> Laboratory and field scale tests have shown that up to 99% of the iron should be removed by the treatment plant, with the local economic benefits of raising the quality of the river and foreshore predicted to be around £10.5 million over 25 years. This significantly outweighs the predicted lifetime cost of building and running the treatment plant (~£7m).<br /> <br /> Benefits of remediation:<br /> <br /> * The Saltburn Gill and Skelton Beck will no longer be polluted, and the risk of a catastrophic breakout of minewater will be reduced. <br /> * The aesthetic, ecological and recreational value of Saltburn Gill, Saltburn Beach and the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve will be improved. <br /> * Improved bathing water quality on Saltburn beach, encouraging recreation that contributes to the local economy. <br /> * The water body will achieve good chemical and ecological status as required by the Northumbria River Basin Management Plan.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill mine discharge point.JPG<br /> |Caption=Mine discharge point<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream I.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream II.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn.JPG<br /> |Caption=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill before treatment.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck - before treatment<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=150924 Saltburn cleaned.JPG<br /> |Caption=Crystal clear Saltburn Gill now that all four settlement ponds are on line (25 Sept 2015).<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck.jpg<br /> |Caption=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn aeration.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn aeration cascade, part of the minewater treatment system<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn settlement lagoons.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn settlement ponds, foreground, with reed bed and drying lagoon behind<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn MWTS schematic.jpg<br /> |Caption=Diagram showing the general layout of the minewater treatment scheme<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment<br /> |Subcatchment=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> }}<br /> {{Site<br /> |Name=Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve<br /> |WFD water body code=GB103025071960<br /> |WFD (national) typology=Low, Small, Calcareous<br /> |WFD water body name=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> |Heavily modified water body=No<br /> |Site designation=UK - Site of Special Scientific Interest<br /> |Protected species present=No<br /> |Invasive species present=No<br /> }}<br /> {{Project background<br /> |Project started=2009/07/01<br /> |Works started=2012/12/03<br /> |Total1 cost=700000<br /> }}<br /> {{Motivations<br /> |Specific mitigation=Pollution incident,<br /> |Hydromorphological quality elements=Quantity &amp; dynamics of flow, <br /> |Physico-chemical quality elements=Oxygen balance, PH, <br /> }}<br /> {{Measures<br /> |Other technical measure=Construction of a Treatment Plant<br /> }}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn case study July 2010.pdf<br /> |Description=EA, 2010. Abandoned mines case study: Saltburn Gill ironstone mines<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill Case Study for UK River Prize.pdf<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-15002074<br /> |Description=BBC, 2011. Polluted Saltburn Gill in Cleveland gets cash for clean-up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-20739848<br /> |Description=BBC, 2012. Saltburn polluted stream clean-up begins<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/144707.aspx<br /> |Description=EA, 2012. Saltburn’s ochre stream set for clean up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:Saltburn_Gill_before_treatment.jpg&diff=35548 2015-10-01T11:47:41Z

<p>HPotter: Saltburn Gill at confluence with Skelton Beck</p> <hr /> <div>Saltburn Gill at confluence with Skelton Beck</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Saltburn_Gill_ironstones_mines&diff=35547 2015-10-01T11:44:52Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Approved<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.571963, -0.960267<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Economic aspects, Social benefits, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Main contact id=HPotter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Contact organisation url=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/<br /> |Partner organisations=Environment Agency, DEFRA, The Coal Authority (UK)<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project picture=Saltburn Gill iron mines.png<br /> |Project summary=Saltburn Gill is a short coastal river, flowing into the North Sea across Saltburn Beach - a designated bathing water beach and one of the most popular surfing beaches on the east coast. The river extends inland for about 8km in a steep sided valley, part of the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).<br /> <br /> This on-going project targets a section of the Saltburn Gill that was negatively impacted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from abandoned mine workings, located upstream of the discharge point. Historically, East Cleveland was a major source of ore for the Teesside iron and steel industry, specially from the 1850’s until the early 1960’s. Afterwards, the decline of the mining activity resulted in an uncontrolled abandonment of the working mines in within the region. <br /> <br /> In May 1999, an uncontrolled mine discharge increased the typical iron levels of the Saltburn Beck from around 0.1 milligrammes per litre (mg/l) to in excess of 1200mg/l. Over 330kg of iron ochre was deposited on the stream bed every day. In one year, this is the equivalent of over 100 tonnes of iron being discharged into the North Sea. The devastating effects on the ecology readily appeared, mainly due to the drastic depletion in the oxygen levels. A biological impact survey of the stream showed that the pollution reduced the water quality of the beck from good to bad status along 2km of the watercourse, from the discharge point to the sea.<br /> <br /> The Saltburn Gill Action Group (SGAG) was set up in 2005 as a community action group. Assistance was given by The Environment Agency, Teesside University, the local Wildlife Trust, the Parish Council and others to try to find a solution to this problem. Then, several site investigations were carried out with insights to build up a treatment plant. A major partnership project between us, the Coal Authority and Saltburn Gill Action Group has been working to clean up the pollution since 2008.<br /> <br /> During the summer of 2013, Defra provided funding for the Coal Authority to pump water from the mines and build the first stage of a treatment scheme. This first stage is a settlement lagoon where iron precipitates out of the mine water to form a sludge at the bottom. A temporary chemical dosing system helps to remove more iron while the second stage is being built. Clean water is put back into the Gill, and since January 2014, the stream is no longer orange.<br /> <br /> In the summer of 2014, work started on the second stage of the passive treatment scheme – made up of 4 settlement ponds, a sludge drying bed and a reed bed wetland. The abstracted mine water first flows over an aeration cascade, which adds oxygen to the water and improves the rate the iron oxidises into a precipitate. It then flows by gravity into settlement ponds, where the metals can settle out to the bottom. This process takes 1 to 2 days, and leaves a sludge, iron ochre, which is disposed of at a later date.<br /> <br /> After the mine water has passed through the settlement ponds it then flows by gravity into the reed bed wetland. The reeds act like a natural filter, removing the majority of the remaining metal pollution. Clean water is then returned to the Gill. Once the treatment scheme is finished, the chemical dosing system can be removed – reducing long-term costs. The construction phase should be completed in early 2015, and the reeds will be planted in May 2015. As well as filtering and cleaning the mine water, the reed beds will provide a valuable new habitat for wildlife. <br /> <br /> Laboratory and field scale tests have shown that up to 99% of the iron should be removed by the treatment plant, with the local economic benefits of raising the quality of the river and foreshore predicted to be around £10.5 million over 25 years. This significantly outweighs the predicted lifetime cost of building and running the treatment plant (~£7m).<br /> <br /> Benefits of remediation:<br /> <br /> * The Saltburn Gill and Skelton Beck will no longer be polluted, and the risk of a catastrophic breakout of minewater will be reduced. <br /> * The aesthetic, ecological and recreational value of Saltburn Gill, Saltburn Beach and the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve will be improved. <br /> * Improved bathing water quality on Saltburn beach, encouraging recreation that contributes to the local economy. <br /> * The water body will achieve good chemical and ecological status as required by the Northumbria River Basin Management Plan.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill mine discharge point.JPG<br /> |Caption=Mine discharge point<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream I.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream II.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn.JPG<br /> |Caption=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=150924 Saltburn cleaned.JPG<br /> |Caption=Crystal clear Saltburn Gill now that all four settlement ponds are on line (25 Sept 2015).<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck.jpg<br /> |Caption=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn aeration.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn aeration cascade, part of the minewater treatment system<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn settlement lagoons.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn settlement ponds, foreground, with reed bed and drying lagoon behind<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn MWTS schematic.jpg<br /> |Caption=Diagram showing the general layout of the minewater treatment scheme<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment<br /> |Subcatchment=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> }}<br /> {{Site<br /> |Name=Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve<br /> |WFD water body code=GB103025071960<br /> |WFD (national) typology=Low, Small, Calcareous<br /> |WFD water body name=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> |Heavily modified water body=No<br /> |Site designation=UK - Site of Special Scientific Interest<br /> |Protected species present=No<br /> |Invasive species present=No<br /> }}<br /> {{Project background<br /> |Project started=2009/07/01<br /> |Works started=2012/12/03<br /> |Total1 cost=700000<br /> }}<br /> {{Motivations<br /> |Specific mitigation=Pollution incident,<br /> |Hydromorphological quality elements=Quantity &amp; dynamics of flow, <br /> |Physico-chemical quality elements=Oxygen balance, PH, <br /> }}<br /> {{Measures<br /> |Other technical measure=Construction of a Treatment Plant<br /> }}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn case study July 2010.pdf<br /> |Description=EA, 2010. Abandoned mines case study: Saltburn Gill ironstone mines<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill Case Study for UK River Prize.pdf<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-15002074<br /> |Description=BBC, 2011. Polluted Saltburn Gill in Cleveland gets cash for clean-up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-20739848<br /> |Description=BBC, 2012. Saltburn polluted stream clean-up begins<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/144707.aspx<br /> |Description=EA, 2012. Saltburn’s ochre stream set for clean up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Saltburn_Gill_ironstones_mines&diff=35546 2015-10-01T11:42:57Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Approved<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.571963, -0.960267<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Economic aspects, Social benefits, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Peter<br /> |Main contact surname=Aldred<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Contact organisation url=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/<br /> |Partner organisations=Environment Agency, DEFRA, The Coal Authority (UK)<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project picture=Saltburn Gill iron mines.png<br /> |Project summary=Saltburn Gill is a short coastal river, flowing into the North Sea across Saltburn Beach - a designated bathing water beach and one of the most popular surfing beaches on the east coast. The river extends inland for about 8km in a steep sided valley, part of the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).<br /> <br /> This on-going project targets a section of the Saltburn Gill that was negatively impacted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from abandoned mine workings, located upstream of the discharge point. Historically, East Cleveland was a major source of ore for the Teesside iron and steel industry, specially from the 1850’s until the early 1960’s. Afterwards, the decline of the mining activity resulted in an uncontrolled abandonment of the working mines in within the region. <br /> <br /> In May 1999, an uncontrolled mine discharge increased the typical iron levels of the Saltburn Beck from around 0.1 milligrammes per litre (mg/l) to in excess of 1200mg/l. Over 330kg of iron ochre was deposited on the stream bed every day. In one year, this is the equivalent of over 100 tonnes of iron being discharged into the North Sea. The devastating effects on the ecology readily appeared, mainly due to the drastic depletion in the oxygen levels. A biological impact survey of the stream showed that the pollution reduced the water quality of the beck from good to bad status along 2km of the watercourse, from the discharge point to the sea.<br /> <br /> The Saltburn Gill Action Group (SGAG) was set up in 2005 as a community action group. Assistance was given by The Environment Agency, Teesside University, the local Wildlife Trust, the Parish Council and others to try to find a solution to this problem. Then, several site investigations were carried out with insights to build up a treatment plant. A major partnership project between us, the Coal Authority and Saltburn Gill Action Group has been working to clean up the pollution since 2008.<br /> <br /> During the summer of 2013, Defra provided funding for the Coal Authority to pump water from the mines and build the first stage of a treatment scheme. This first stage is a settlement lagoon where iron precipitates out of the mine water to form a sludge at the bottom. A temporary chemical dosing system helps to remove more iron while the second stage is being built. Clean water is put back into the Gill, and since January 2014, the stream is no longer orange.<br /> <br /> In the summer of 2014, work started on the second stage of the passive treatment scheme – made up of 4 settlement ponds, a sludge drying bed and a reed bed wetland. The abstracted mine water first flows over an aeration cascade, which adds oxygen to the water and improves the rate the iron oxidises into a precipitate. It then flows by gravity into settlement ponds, where the metals can settle out to the bottom. This process takes 1 to 2 days, and leaves a sludge, iron ochre, which is disposed of at a later date.<br /> <br /> After the mine water has passed through the settlement ponds it then flows by gravity into the reed bed wetland. The reeds act like a natural filter, removing the majority of the remaining metal pollution. Clean water is then returned to the Gill. Once the treatment scheme is finished, the chemical dosing system can be removed – reducing long-term costs. The construction phase should be completed in early 2015, and the reeds will be planted in May 2015. As well as filtering and cleaning the mine water, the reed beds will provide a valuable new habitat for wildlife. <br /> <br /> Laboratory and field scale tests have shown that up to 99% of the iron should be removed by the treatment plant, with the local economic benefits of raising the quality of the river and foreshore predicted to be around £10.5 million over 25 years. This significantly outweighs the predicted lifetime cost of building and running the treatment plant (~£7m).<br /> <br /> Benefits of remediation:<br /> <br /> * The Saltburn Gill and Skelton Beck will no longer be polluted, and the risk of a catastrophic breakout of minewater will be reduced. <br /> * The aesthetic, ecological and recreational value of Saltburn Gill, Saltburn Beach and the Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve will be improved. <br /> * Improved bathing water quality on Saltburn beach, encouraging recreation that contributes to the local economy. <br /> * The water body will achieve good chemical and ecological status as required by the Northumbria River Basin Management Plan.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill mine discharge point.JPG<br /> |Caption=Mine discharge point<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream I.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream II.JPG<br /> |Caption=Impact on the Saltburn Gill stream<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn.JPG<br /> |Caption=The Saltburn Gill joining the Skelton Beck in Saltburn<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=150924 Saltburn cleaned.JPG<br /> |Caption=Crystal clear Saltburn Gill now that all four settlement ponds are on line (25 Sept 2015).<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck.jpg<br /> |Caption=Aerial photo of the lower end of the Saltburn Beck<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn aeration.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn aeration cascade, part of the minewater treatment system<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn settlement lagoons.jpg<br /> |Caption=Saltburn settlement ponds, foreground, with reed bed and drying lagoon behind<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=Saltburn MWTS schematic.jpg<br /> |Caption=Diagram showing the general layout of the minewater treatment scheme<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment<br /> |Subcatchment=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> }}<br /> {{Site<br /> |Name=Saltburn Gill Nature Reserve<br /> |WFD water body code=GB103025071960<br /> |WFD (national) typology=Low, Small, Calcareous<br /> |WFD water body name=Saltburn Gill Catch trib of North Sea<br /> |Heavily modified water body=No<br /> |Site designation=UK - Site of Special Scientific Interest<br /> |Protected species present=No<br /> |Invasive species present=No<br /> }}<br /> {{Project background<br /> |Project started=2009/07/01<br /> |Works started=2012/12/03<br /> |Total1 cost=700000<br /> }}<br /> {{Motivations<br /> |Specific mitigation=Pollution incident,<br /> |Hydromorphological quality elements=Quantity &amp; dynamics of flow, <br /> |Physico-chemical quality elements=Oxygen balance, PH, <br /> }}<br /> {{Measures<br /> |Other technical measure=Construction of a Treatment Plant<br /> }}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn case study July 2010.pdf<br /> |Description=EA, 2010. Abandoned mines case study: Saltburn Gill ironstone mines<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study documents<br /> |File name=Saltburn Gill Case Study for UK River Prize.pdf<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-15002074<br /> |Description=BBC, 2011. Polluted Saltburn Gill in Cleveland gets cash for clean-up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-20739848<br /> |Description=BBC, 2012. Saltburn polluted stream clean-up begins<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references<br /> |Link=www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/144707.aspx<br /> |Description=EA, 2012. Saltburn’s ochre stream set for clean up<br /> }}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:150924_Saltburn_cleaned.JPG&diff=35545 2015-10-01T11:40:21Z

<p>HPotter: Clean Saltburn Gill at confluence with Skelton Beck, 25 Sept 2015</p> <hr /> <div>Clean Saltburn Gill at confluence with Skelton Beck, 25 Sept 2015</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Minsterley_Brook_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=28922 2014-09-18T10:53:27Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Andrew<br /> |Main contact surname=Pearson<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK),<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project picture=Wood adit.jpg<br /> |Picture description=Wood Adit<br /> |Project summary=Minsterley Brook catchment includes a number of separate mines as part of the South Shropshire Metal Mining area, including Snailbeach, Tankerville, and Roman Gravels mines. The catchment is part of the Rea Brook which drains into the main River Severn at Shrewsbury. The mines were worked for mainly lead ores, but also zinc ore and latterly barites until closure in the 1940s, leaving spoil deposits and drainage adits which discharge to Minsterley Brook at various points. The mines are a significant source of heavy metal pollution in the catchment, and the discharges from them represent one of the longest continuous sources of pollution in the whole Severn River Basin. <br /> http://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File%3AMinsterley_key_sources_map.jpg<br /> <br /> Environment Agency routine monitoring found there were high levels of zinc in Minsterley Brook over most of its length, exceeding the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for the brook (75ug/l). As a result, the watercourse isn't achieving the 'Good status' for water quality as set out in our Severn River Basin Plan. The Boat Level adit discharge is the main source of the zinc (around 3000kg per annum) and other heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, and discharges these pollutants into the Hogstow Brook. Immediately downstream of the Boat Level adit the zinc concentrations are up to 47x the EQS. At Minsterley, the zinc concentrations are 8x the EQS. Downstream of the mines, concentrations exceed the EQS for over 15km, until the Rea Brook reaches Hanwood and dilution from other rivers lowers the concentration to below the EQS. <br /> <br /> Ecological surveys of the brooks have found aquatic insects were suffering as a result of these heavy metals, which can settle in river sediments. There is also a lower than expected population of small fish species. There are four other, smaller discharges of metals into the catchment from Snailbeach Spoil Tip, Wood Adit, Roman Gravels and Tankerville spoil tips, which together contribute about a quarter of the metal load in wet conditions. These spoil heaps are listed on the Mining Waste Directive Inventory of sites causing serious environmental harm. Snailbeach Spoil Tip (also known as White Tip) is part of the Snailbeach mine schedule monument, and “ranks as one of the best surviving examples of a lead mining complex&quot;.<br /> http://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File%3A120726_Snailbeach_headworks.JPG<br /> http://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File%3A120726_White_Tip_Snailbeach.JPG<br /> http://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File%3A120726_Restored_White_Tip.JPG<br /> http://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File%3ABuddles_Snailbeach_Mine_Perimeter_Track_Copyright_Ian_Watson_Coal_Authority.jpg<br /> <br /> The Environment Agency continue to investigate and monitor the water quality in the Minsterley and Rea Brooks, and with funding from Defra have set up a partnership with the Coal Authority to look at options for potentially removing the metals from discharges. The ultimate aim is to construct long term sustainable treatment schemes that deal with the problem at the source and help the Minsterley &amp; Rea Brooks to meet the EQS and return to 'Good' ecological and chemical status.<br /> <br /> Investigations to date have identified that the discharges from the Boat Level and Snailbeach Spoil Tip are the most feasible to be treated (subject to pilot trials), and the Coal Authority are carrying out comprehensive flow monitoring of these discharges. Using waters from Snailbeach Spoil tip, the partnership is working with academics and consultants to develop possible treatment technologies, such as ion exchange, to remove the metals from the discharges. Once treatment options have been identified, the partnership will consult with the public and other stakeholders on the next stages.<br /> }}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:Buddles_Snailbeach_Mine_Perimeter_Track_Copyright_Ian_Watson_Coal_Authority.jpg&diff=28921 2014-09-18T10:40:43Z

<p>HPotter: Buddles and Snailbeach. Copyright Ian Watson, Coal Authority.</p> <hr /> <div>Buddles and Snailbeach. Copyright Ian Watson, Coal Authority.</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:120726_Restored_White_Tip.JPG&diff=28920 2014-09-18T10:38:24Z

<p>HPotter: Restored section of White Tip, Snailbeach</p> <hr /> <div>Restored section of White Tip, Snailbeach</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:120726_White_Tip_Snailbeach.JPG&diff=28919 2014-09-18T10:36:02Z

<p>HPotter: White Tip, Snailbeach - unrestored section</p> <hr /> <div>White Tip, Snailbeach - unrestored section</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:120726_Snailbeach_headworks.JPG&diff=28918 2014-09-18T10:33:47Z

<p>HPotter: Snailbeach mine</p> <hr /> <div>Snailbeach mine</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:Minsterley_key_sources_map.jpg&diff=28917 2014-09-18T10:31:48Z

<p>HPotter: Map of key sources of metal pollution in the Minsterley Brook</p> <hr /> <div>Map of key sources of metal pollution in the Minsterley Brook</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Carnon_River:_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=26320 2014-08-11T15:02:30Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Draft<br /> }}<br /> {{Location}}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK),<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project summary=The Carnon River catchment is located in a region of Cornwall historically renowned for tin and copper mining activities. It flows through an area described in the 19th century as ‘the richest square mile anywhere on<br /> earth’ and is now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk/areas-places-activities/gwennap-kennall-vale-and-perran-foundry). Mining in the catchment started with simple tin streaming to exploit the alluvial tin deposits along the river. By the early 18th century, the area became one of the most heavily mined, with deep workings across the region exploring the rich mineral lodes for tin, copper, arsenic, silver and lead. Some of the workings associated with Wheal Jane and Mount Wellington mines were extended underneath the river itself at a very shallow depth – just a few metres below the surface.<br /> <br /> The entire length of the river is impacted by historic mining, as are both major tributaries, with numerous individual sources. The headwaters around Chacewater contain several historic mining and processing sites, notably Wheal Daniell. Further downstream at Twelveheads, the St Day Stream joins, carrying drainage from the Wheal Maid mine and tailings dam as well as other mineworkings in the Poldice Valley. Below Twelveheads, the County Adit discharges into the Carnon. This is not associated with one particular mine, rather it drains a huge heavily mined area to the west of the river. Construction of the Great County Adit started in 1748, and it is made up of a network of tunnels nearly 40 miles in length, draining over 100 individual mines. Recent data suggest County Adit contributes 70-80% of downstream loadings of<br /> cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc, and effectively 100% of arsenic and iron. The average annual loads from the adit are: Cd 20 kg; Ni 570 kg; As 1,500 kg; Cu 1,600 kg; Zn 13,700 kg; Fe 80,000 kg.<br /> <br /> There are large areas of mine spoil along the river valley sides which are almost certainly causing diffuse impacts in wet weather. For example, monitoring by the Environment Agency showed that the Wheal Maid tailings dam is causing serious environmental impacts and it has therefore been included on the inventory of abandoned mine waste facilities required by the EU Mining Waste Directive (http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/139297.aspx).<br /> <br /> Further downstream, the biggest tributary, the Hicks Mill Stream, enters the main Carnon. This drains a very heavily mined area on the outskirts of Redruth and contributes 20-25% of loadings of cadmium, copper and zinc. Also here at Bissoe is the Wheal Jane mine site and tailings dam. Wheal Jane was the last operating mine in the area, but when it finally closed in 1991, the dewatering pumps were<br /> removed and the workings flooded. In January 1992 a massive uncontrolled release of highly acidic minewater occurred through the Nangiles adit portal. This became one of the most notorious pollution incidents in South West history with a large area of the Fal Estuary stained bright orange by the resultant plume. Although the effect was determined to be short-term, options for long term treatment of the Wheal Jane minewaters needed to be explored. Passive treatment was trialled but ultimately found to be inadequate and since 2000, a full scale treatment plant has operated at the mine site, discharging treated minewater into the Carnon via the Clemmows Stream.<br /> <br /> WFD Compliance<br /> The whole river length from headwaters to tidal limit is non-compliant with Water Framework Directive Standards to varying degrees for cadmium, nickel, arsenic, copper, zinc and iron. The WFD monitoring site at Bissoe is below all the main impacts and most recent mean levels here are: Cd 1.72ug/l (EQS = 0.09); Ni 35ug/l (EQS = 20); As 80ug/l (EQS = 50); Cu 123ug/l (bioavailable EQS ~2); Zn 1054ug/l (bioavailable EQS ~12); Fe 2578ug/l (EQS = 1,000).<br /> <br /> All of these are non-compliant, but copper and zinc concentrations are approximately 80-90 times the standard for good status, whilst cadmium (a Priority Hazardous Substance under the WFD) concentrations are about 20 times the level needed to achieve good status. Invertebrate surveys here have also exhibited ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ status. The river is effectively dead in terms of ecology.<br /> <br /> Remediation<br /> Treatment and management of the Wheal Jane minewaters will continue under the Coal Authority with funding from Defra. However, because of the extent, number and nature of other abandoned metal mines impacting the catchment, we do not currently know if it will be technically feasible to clean up the river at an acceptable cost.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=130708 Wheal Maid tailings lower.JPG<br /> |Caption=Wheal Maid tailings dam, looking east (July 2013)<br /> }}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=DSC03296.JPG<br /> |Caption=Wheal Maid tailings dam, looking west (June 2014)<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment}}<br /> {{Site}}<br /> {{Project background}}<br /> {{Motivations}}<br /> {{Measures}}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:DSC03296.JPG&diff=26318 2014-08-11T14:53:42Z

<p>HPotter: Wheal Maid tailings dam (looking west) - June 2014</p> <hr /> <div>Wheal Maid tailings dam (looking west) - June 2014</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:130708_Wheal_Maid_tailings_lower.JPG&diff=26317 2014-08-11T14:49:57Z

<p>HPotter: Wheal Maid tailings dam - July 2013</p> <hr /> <div>Wheal Maid tailings dam - July 2013</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Carnon_River:_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=26316 2014-08-11T14:45:08Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Draft<br /> }}<br /> {{Location}}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK),<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project summary=The Carnon River catchment is located in a region of Cornwall historically renowned for tin and copper mining activities. It flows through an area described in the 19th century as ‘the richest square mile anywhere on<br /> earth’ and is now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk/areas-places-activities/gwennap-kennall-vale-and-perran-foundry). Mining in the catchment started with simple tin streaming to exploit the alluvial tin deposits along the river. By the early 18th century, the area became one of the most heavily mined, with deep workings across the region exploring the rich mineral lodes for tin, copper, arsenic, silver and lead. Some of the workings associated with Wheal Jane and Mount Wellington mines were extended underneath the river itself at a very shallow depth – just a few metres below the surface.<br /> <br /> The entire length of the river is impacted by historic mining, as are both major tributaries, with numerous individual sources. The headwaters around Chacewater contain several historic mining and processing sites, notably Wheal Daniell. Further downstream at Twelveheads, the St Day Stream joins, carrying drainage from the Wheal Maid mine and tailings dam as well as other mineworkings in the Poldice Valley. Below Twelveheads, the County Adit discharges into the Carnon. This is not associated with one particular mine, rather it drains a huge heavily mined area to the west of the river. Construction of the Great County Adit started in 1748, and it is made up of a network of tunnels nearly 40 miles in length, draining over 100 individual mines. Recent data suggest County Adit contributes 70-80% of downstream loadings of<br /> cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc, and effectively 100% of arsenic and iron. The average annual loads from the adit are: Cd 20 kg; Ni 570 kg; As 1,500 kg; Cu 1,600 kg; Zn 13,700 kg; Fe 80,000 kg.<br /> <br /> There are large areas of mine spoil along the river valley sides which are almost certainly causing diffuse impacts in wet weather. For example, monitoring by the Environment Agency showed that the Wheal Maid tailings dam is causing serious environmental impacts and it has therefore been included on the inventory of abandoned mine waste facilities required by the EU Mining Waste Directive (http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/139297.aspx).<br /> <br /> Further downstream, the biggest tributary, the Hicks Mill Stream, enters the main Carnon. This drains a very heavily mined area on the outskirts of Redruth and contributes 20-25% of loadings of cadmium, copper and zinc. Also here at Bissoe is the Wheal Jane mine site and tailings dam. Wheal Jane was the last operating mine in the area, but when it finally closed in 1991, the dewatering pumps were<br /> removed and the workings flooded. In January 1992 a massive uncontrolled release of highly acidic minewater occurred through the Nangiles adit portal. This became one of the most notorious pollution incidents in South West history with a large area of the Fal Estuary stained bright orange by the resultant plume. Although the effect was determined to be short-term, options for long term treatment of the Wheal Jane minewaters needed to be explored. Passive treatment was trialled but ultimately found to be inadequate and since 2000, a full scale treatment plant has operated at the mine site, discharging treated minewater into the Carnon via the Clemmows Stream.<br /> <br /> WFD Compliance<br /> The whole river length from headwaters to tidal limit is non-compliant with Water Framework Directive Standards to varying degrees for cadmium, nickel, arsenic, copper, zinc and iron. The WFD monitoring site at Bissoe is below all the main impacts and most recent mean levels here are: Cd 1.72ug/l (EQS = 0.09); Ni 35ug/l (EQS = 20); As 80ug/l (EQS = 50); Cu 123ug/l (bioavailable EQS ~2); Zn 1054ug/l (bioavailable EQS ~12); Fe 2578ug/l (EQS = 1,000).<br /> <br /> All of these are non-compliant, but copper and zinc concentrations are approximately 80-90 times the standard for good status, whilst cadmium (a Priority Hazardous Substance under the WFD) concentrations are about 20 times the level needed to achieve good status. Invertebrate surveys here have also exhibited ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ status. The river is effectively dead in terms of ecology.<br /> <br /> Remediation<br /> Treatment and management of the Wheal Jane minewaters will continue under the Coal Authority with funding from Defra. However, because of the extent, number and nature of other abandoned metal mines impacting the catchment, we do not currently know if it will be technically feasible to clean up the river at an acceptable cost.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment}}<br /> {{Site}}<br /> {{Project background}}<br /> {{Motivations}}<br /> {{Measures}}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Carnon_River:_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=26315 2014-08-11T14:35:00Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Draft<br /> }}<br /> {{Location}}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK),<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project summary=The Carnon River catchment is located in a region of Cornwall historically renowned for tin and copper mining activities. It flows through an area described in the 19th century as ‘the richest square mile anywhere on<br /> earth’ and is now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk/areas-places-activities/gwennap-kennall-vale-and-perran-foundry). Mining in the catchment started with simple tin streaming to exploit the alluvial tin deposits along the river. By the early 18th century, the area became one of the most heavily mined, with deep workings across the region exploring the rich mineral lodes for tin, copper, arsenic, silver and lead. Some of the workings associated with Wheal Jane and Mount Wellington mines were extended underneath the river itself at a very shallow depth – just a few metres below the surface.<br /> <br /> The entire length of the river is impacted by historic mining, as are both major tributaries, with numerous individual sources. The headwaters around Chacewater contain several historic mining and processing sites, notably Wheal Daniell. Further downstream at Twelveheads, the St Day Stream joins, carrying drainage from the Wheal Maid mine and tailings dam as well as other mineworkings in the Poldice Valley. Below Twelveheads, the County Adit discharges into the Carnon. This is not associated with one particular mine, rather it drains a huge heavily mined area to the west of the river. Construction of the Great County Adit started in 1748, and it is made up of a network of tunnels nearly 40 miles in length, draining over 100 individual mines. Recent data suggest County Adit contributes 70-80% of downstream loadings of<br /> cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc, and effectively 100% of arsenic and iron. The average annual loads from the adit are: Cd 20 kg; Ni 570 kg; As 1,500 kg; Cu 1,600 kg; Zn 13,700 kg; Fe 80,000 kg.<br /> <br /> There are large areas of mine spoil along the river valley sides which are almost certainly causing diffuse impacts in wet weather. Further downstream, the biggest tributary, the Hicks Mill Stream, enters the main Carnon. This drains a very heavily mined area on the outskirts of Redruth and contributes 20-25% of loadings of cadmium, copper and zinc. Also here at Bissoe is the Wheal Jane mine site and tailings dam. Wheal Jane was the last operating mine in the area, but when it finally closed in 1991, the dewatering pumps were<br /> removed and the workings flooded. In January 1992 a massive uncontrolled release of highly acidic minewater occurred through the Nangiles adit portal. This became one of the most notorious pollution incidents in South West history with a large area of the Fal Estuary stained bright orange by the resultant plume. Although the effect was determined to be short-term, options for long term treatment of the Wheal Jane minewaters needed to be explored. Passive treatment was trialled but ultimately found to be inadequate and since 2000, a full scale treatment plant has operated at the mine site, discharging treated minewater into the Carnon via the Clemmows Stream.<br /> <br /> WFD Compliance<br /> The whole river length from headwaters to tidal limit is non-compliant with Water Framework Directive Standards to varying degrees for cadmium, nickel, arsenic, copper, zinc and iron. The WFD monitoring site at Bissoe is below all the main impacts and most recent mean levels here are: Cd 1.72ug/l (EQS = 0.09); Ni 35ug/l (EQS = 20); As 80ug/l (EQS = 50); Cu 123ug/l (bioavailable EQS ~2); Zn 1054ug/l (bioavailable EQS ~12); Fe 2578ug/l (EQS = 1,000).<br /> <br /> All of these are non-compliant, but copper and zinc concentrations are approximately 80-90 times the standard for good status, whilst cadmium (a Priority Hazardous Substance under the WFD) concentrations are about 20 times the level needed to achieve good status. Invertebrate surveys here have also exhibited ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ status. The river is effectively dead in terms of ecology.<br /> <br /> Remediation<br /> Treatment and management of the Wheal Jane minewaters will continue under the Coal Authority with funding from Defra. However, because of the extent, number and nature of other abandoned metal mines impacting the catchment, we do not currently know if it will be technically feasible to clean up the river at an acceptable cost.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment}}<br /> {{Site}}<br /> {{Project background}}<br /> {{Motivations}}<br /> {{Measures}}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Carnon_River:_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=26314 2014-08-11T14:30:49Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Draft<br /> }}<br /> {{Location}}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK),<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project summary=The Carnon River catchment is located in a region of Cornwall historically renowned for tin and copper mining activities. It flows through an area described in the 19th century as ‘the richest square mile anywhere on<br /> earth’ and is now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk/areas-places-activities/gwennap-kennall-vale-and-perran-foundry). Mining in the catchment started with simple tin streaming to exploit the alluvial tin deposits along the river. By the early 18th century, the area became one of the most heavily mined, with deep workings across the region exploring the rich mineral lodes for tin, copper, arsenic, silver and lead. Some of the workings associated with Wheal Jane and Mount Wellington mines were extended underneath the river itself at a very shallow depth – just a few metres below the surface.<br /> <br /> The entire length of the river is impacted by historic mining, as are both major tributaries, with numerous individual sources. The headwaters around Chacewater contain several historic mining and processing sites, notably Wheal Daniell. Further downstream at Twelveheads, the St Day Stream joins, carrying drainage from the Wheal Maid mine and tailings dam as well as other mineworkings in the Poldice Valley. Below Twelveheads, the County Adit discharges into the Carnon. This is not associated with one particular mine, rather it drains a huge heavily mined area to the west of the river. Construction of the Great County Adit started in 1748, and it is made up of a network of tunnels nearly 40 miles in length, draining over 100 individual mines. Recent data suggest County Adit contributes 70-80% of downstream loadings of<br /> cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc, and effectively 100% of arsenic and iron. The average annual loads from the adit are:<br />  Cd 20 kg<br />  Ni 570 kg<br />  As 1,500 kg<br /> Cu 1,600 kg<br />  Zn 13,700 kg<br />  Fe 80,000 kg<br /> <br /> There are large areas of mine spoil along the river valley sides which are almost certainly causing diffuse impacts in wet weather. Further downstream, the biggest tributary, the Hicks Mill Stream, enters the main Carnon. This drains a very heavily mined area on the outskirts of Redruth and contributes 20-25% of loadings of cadmium, copper and zinc. Also here at Bissoe is the Wheal Jane mine site and tailings dam. Wheal Jane was the last operating mine in the area, but when it finally closed in 1991, the dewatering pumps were<br /> removed and the workings flooded. In January 1992 a massive uncontrolled release of highly acidic minewater occurred through the Nangiles adit portal. This became one of the most notorious pollution incidents in South West history with a large area of the Fal Estuary stained bright orange by the resultant plume. Although the effect was determined to be short-term, options for long term treatment of the Wheal Jane minewaters needed to be explored. Passive treatment was trialled but ultimately found to be inadequate and since 2000, a full scale treatment plant has operated at the mine site, discharging treated minewater into the Carnon via the Clemmows Stream.<br /> <br /> WFD Compliance<br /> The whole river length from headwaters to tidal limit is non-compliant with Water Framework Directive Standards to varying degrees for cadmium, nickel, arsenic, copper, zinc and iron. The WFD monitoring site at Bissoe is below all the main impacts and most recent mean levels here are:<br />  Cd 1.72ug/l (EQS = 0.09)<br />  Ni 35ug/l (EQS = 20)<br />  As 80ug/l (EQS = 50)<br />  Cu 123ug/l (EQS ~2)<br />  Zn 1054ug/l (EQS ~12)<br />  Fe 2578ug/l (EQS = 1,000)<br /> <br /> All of these are non-compliant, but copper and zinc concentrations are approximately 80-90 times the standard for good status, whilst cadmium (a Priority Hazardous Substance under the WFD) concentrations are about 20 times the level needed to achieve good status. Invertebrate surveys here have also exhibited ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ status. The river is effectively dead in terms of ecology.<br /> <br /> Remediation<br /> Treatment and management of the Wheal Jane minewaters will continue under the Coal Authority with funding from Defra. However, because of the extent, number and nature of other abandoned metal mines impacting the catchment, we do not currently know if it will be technically feasible to clean up the river at an acceptable cost.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment}}<br /> {{Site}}<br /> {{Project background}}<br /> {{Motivations}}<br /> {{Measures}}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Minsterley_Brook_Abandoned_Metal_Mines&diff=24688 2014-06-05T13:18:44Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Andrew<br /> |Main contact surname=Pearson<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK),<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project picture=Wood adit.jpg<br /> |Picture description=Wood Adit<br /> |Project summary=Minsterley Brook catchment includes a number of separate mines as part of the South Shropshire Metal Mining area, including Snailbeach, Tankerville, and Roman Gravels mines. The catchment is part of the Rea Brook which drains into the main River Severn at Shrewsbury. The mines were worked for mainly lead ores, but also zinc ore and latterly barites until closure in the 1940s, leaving spoil deposits and drainage adits which discharge to Minsterley Brook at various points. The mines are a significant source of heavy metal pollution in the catchment, and the discharges from them represent one of the longest continuous sources of pollution in the whole Severn River Basin. <br /> <br /> Our routine monitoring found there were high levels of zinc in Minsterley Brook over most of its length, exceeding the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for the brook (75ug/l). As a result, the watercourse isn't achieving the 'Good status' for water quality as set out in our Severn River Basin Plan. The Boat Level adit discharge is the main source of the zinc (around 3000kg per annum) and other heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, and discharges these pollutants into the Hogstow Brook. Immediately downstream of the Boat Level adit the zinc concentrations are up to 47x the EQS. At Minsterley, the zinc concentrations are 8x the EQS. Downstream of the mines, concentrations exceed the EQS for 15km, until the Rea Brook reaches Hanwood and dilution from other rivers lowers the concentration to below the EQS. <br /> <br /> Ecological surveys of the brooks have found aquatic insects were suffering as a result of these heavy metals, which can settle in river sediments. There is also a lower than expected population of small fish species. There are four other, smaller discharges of metals into the catchment from Snailbeach Spoil Tip, Wood Adit, Roman Gravels and Tankerville spoil tips, which together contribute about a quarter of the metal load in wet conditions. These spoil heaps are listed on the Mining Waste Directive Inventory of sites causing serious environmental harm.<br /> <br /> We're continuing to investigate and monitor the water quality in the Minsterley and Rea Brooks, and with funding from Defra, we've set up a partnership with the Coal Authority to look at options for potentially removing the metals from discharges from the Boat Level and Snailbeach Spoil Tip to improve the water quality. We are working with the Coal Authority, academics and consultants to develop and test treatment technologies to remove the metals from the discharges. Construction of treatment schemes would deal with the problem at the source and help the Minsterley &amp; Rea Brooks to meet the EQS and return to 'good' ecological and chemical status. <br /> }}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Force_Crag_Mine_Remediation&diff=23072 2014-04-23T09:21:13Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Draft<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.58382682817484, -3.2381772994995117<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Habitat and biodiversity, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Main contact id=HPotter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Partner organisations=The Coal Authority (UK), Defra (Dept for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), National Trust, Newcastle University<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project summary=Force Crag mine, worked for zinc, lead and barytes until 1991, was famously the last working mine in the Lake District. Mine water discharges and diffuse pollution from waste heaps mean it's a major source of cadmium, zinc and lead, depositing around 3 tonnes each year into the watercourse. The metals pollute the Coledale Beck and the Newlands Beck as far as Bassenthwaite Lake, and prevent these water bodies achieving good Chemical and Ecological status for the Water Framework Directive.<br /> <br /> The site is now owned by the National Trust and run as a visitor attraction. It's within the Lake District High Fells SAC and two SSSI’s; Force Crag mine itself and Buttermere High Fells. It is also a Scheduled Monument.<br /> <br /> We've been working in partnership with the Coal Authority, the National Trust and Newcastle University to develop a remediation scheme for this site with funding from Defra. The ‘vertical flow pond’ designed by Newcastle University is the first of its kind in the UK and uses compost, limestone and woodchips to remove metals from the water without the need for added energy or chemicals. This passive system works by passing the mine water down through the compost mixture where microbial activity binds the metals as sulphides, before discharging through a small wetland and into the Coledale Beck.<br /> <br /> In September 2013, the Coal Authority began building the treatment scheme within the existing bunding of the former tailings lagoon. The National Trust and English Heritage supported the scheme as the next stage in the life cycle of this historic industrial site. On 31 March 2014, the valves were opened and mine water started filling up the ponds. Because the treatment relies on microbial activity to bind the metals, it will be a few weeks before we know how well the system is performing. The benefits of cleaning up the Force Crag mine water are estimated to be £1.6m - £4.9m over 25 years, at a cost of ~£1.5m.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=2014 April completed Force Crag scheme - John Malley.jpg<br /> |Caption=April 2014. Completed Force Crag mine water treatment scheme. Photo by John Malley.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment}}<br /> {{Site}}<br /> {{Project background}}<br /> {{Motivations}}<br /> {{Measures}}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Force_Crag_Mine_Remediation&diff=23063 2014-04-23T09:18:13Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Draft<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.58382682817484, -3.2381772994995117<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project summary=Force Crag mine, worked for zinc, lead and barytes until 1991, was famously the last working mine in the Lake District. Mine water discharges and diffuse pollution from waste heaps mean it's a major source of cadmium, zinc and lead, depositing around 3 tonnes each year into the watercourse. The metals pollute the Coledale Beck and the Newlands Beck as far as Bassenthwaite Lake, and prevent these water bodies achieving good Chemical and Ecological status for the Water Framework Directive.<br /> <br /> The site is now owned by the National Trust and run as a visitor attraction. It's within the Lake District High Fells SAC and two SSSI’s; Force Crag mine itself and Buttermere High Fells. It is also a Scheduled Monument.<br /> <br /> We've been working in partnership with the Coal Authority, the National Trust and Newcastle University to develop a remediation scheme for this site with funding from Defra. The ‘vertical flow pond’ designed by Newcastle University is the first of its kind in the UK and uses compost, limestone and woodchips to remove metals from the water without the need for added energy or chemicals. This passive system works by passing the mine water down through the compost mixture where microbial activity binds the metals as sulphides, before discharging through a small wetland and into the Coledale Beck.<br /> <br /> In September 2013, the Coal Authority began building the treatment scheme within the existing bunding of the former tailings lagoon. The National Trust and English Heritage supported the scheme as the next stage in the life cycle of this historic industrial site. On 31 March 2014, the valves were opened and mine water started filling up the ponds. Because the treatment relies on microbial activity to bind the metals, it will be a few weeks before we know how well the system is performing. The benefits of cleaning up the Force Crag mine water are estimated to be £1.6m - £4.9m over 25 years, at a cost of ~£1.5m.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=2014 April completed Force Crag scheme - John Malley.jpg<br /> |Caption=April 2014. Completed Force Crag mine water treatment scheme. Photo by John Malley.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment}}<br /> {{Site}}<br /> {{Project background}}<br /> {{Motivations}}<br /> {{Measures}}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study:Force_Crag_Mine_Remediation&diff=23048 2014-04-23T08:29:09Z

<p>HPotter: </p> <hr /> <div>{{Case study status<br /> |Approval status=Draft<br /> }}<br /> {{Location<br /> |Location=54.544388925907825, -3.274526596069336<br /> }}<br /> {{Project overview<br /> |Status=In progress<br /> |Themes=Environmental flows and water resources, Habitat and biodiversity, Water quality<br /> |Country=England<br /> |Main contact forename=Hugh<br /> |Main contact surname=Potter<br /> |Contact organisation=Environment Agency<br /> |Multi-site=No<br /> |Project summary=Force Crag mine, worked for zinc, lead and barytes until 1991, was famously the last working mine in the Lake District. Mine water discharges and diffuse pollution from waste heaps mean it's a major source of cadmium, zinc and lead, depositing around 3 tonnes each year into the watercourse. The metals pollute the Coledale Beck and the Newlands Beck as far as Bassenthwaite Lake, and prevent these water bodies achieving good Chemical and Ecological status for the Water Framework Directive.<br /> <br /> The site is now owned by the National Trust and run as a visitor attraction. It's within the Lake District High Fells SAC and two SSSI’s; Force Crag mine itself and Buttermere High Fells. It is also a Scheduled Monument.<br /> <br /> We've been working in partnership with the Coal Authority, the National Trust and Newcastle University to develop a remediation scheme for this site with funding from Defra. The ‘vertical flow pond’ designed by Newcastle University is the first of its kind in the UK and uses compost, limestone and woodchips to remove metals from the water without the need for added energy or chemicals. This passive system works by passing the mine water down through the compost mixture where microbial activity binds the metals as sulphides, before discharging through a small wetland and into the Coledale Beck.<br /> <br /> In September 2013, the Coal Authority began building the treatment scheme within the existing bunding of the former tailings lagoon. The National Trust and English Heritage supported the scheme as the next stage in the life cycle of this historic industrial site. On 31 March 2014, the valves were opened and mine water started filling up the ponds. Because the treatment relies on microbial activity to bind the metals, it will be a few weeks before we know how well the system is performing. The benefits of cleaning up the Force Crag mine water are estimated to be £1.6m - £4.9m over 25 years, at a cost of ~£1.5m.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery}}<br /> {{Case study image<br /> |File name=2014 April completed Force Crag scheme - John Malley.jpg<br /> |Caption=April 2014. Completed Force Crag mine water treatment scheme. Photo by John Malley.<br /> }}<br /> {{Image gallery end}}<br /> {{Toggle button}}<br /> {{Toggle content start}}<br /> {{Case study subcatchment}}<br /> {{Site}}<br /> {{Project background}}<br /> {{Motivations}}<br /> {{Measures}}<br /> {{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Biological quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Physico-chemical quality elements header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Other responses header}}<br /> {{End table}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents}}<br /> {{Monitoring documents end}}<br /> {{Additional Documents}}<br /> {{Additional Documents end}}<br /> {{Additional links and references header}}<br /> {{Additional links and references footer}}<br /> {{Supplementary Information}}<br /> {{Toggle content end}}</div>

HPotter https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=File:2014_April_completed_Force_Crag_scheme_-_John_Malley.jpg&diff=23047 2014-04-23T08:28:28Z

<p>HPotter: April 2014 - completed Force Crag mine water treatment scheme. Photo by John Malley.</p> <hr /> <div>April 2014 - completed Force Crag mine water treatment scheme. Photo by John Malley.</div>

HPotter