Case study:River Nent: Abandoned Metal Mines - Revision history

Alexrrc at 14:01, 1 June 2017

2017-06-01T14:01:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:01, 1 June 2017
Line 94:		Line 94:
	}}		}}
	{{Measures		{{Measures
	\|Floodplain / River corridor=~~Marginal planting,~~ Planting, Habitat enhancement, Treatment/clean up schemes		\|Floodplain / River corridor=Planting, Habitat enhancement, Treatment/clean up schemes, Riparian planting,
	\|Management interventions=Reduce diffuse water pollution and over-grazing, Reduced pollution, reduce diffuse water poluution,		\|Management interventions=Reduce diffuse water pollution and over-grazing, Reduced pollution, reduce diffuse water poluution,
	}}		}}

Alexrrc at 13:45, 1 June 2017

2017-06-01T13:45:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:45, 1 June 2017
Line 94:		Line 94:
	}}		}}
	{{Measures		{{Measures
	\|Floodplain / River corridor=Marginal planting, ~~Willow planting~~, Habitat enhancement, Treatment/clean up schemes		\|Floodplain / River corridor=Marginal planting, Planting, Habitat enhancement, Treatment/clean up schemes
	\|Management interventions=Reduce diffuse water pollution and over-grazing, Reduced pollution, reduce diffuse water poluution,		\|Management interventions=Reduce diffuse water pollution and over-grazing, Reduced pollution, reduce diffuse water poluution,
	}}		}}
	{{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}		{{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}

Alexrrc at 09:13, 19 January 2017

2017-01-19T09:13:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:13, 19 January 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Case study status		{{Case study status
	\|Approval status=~~Draft~~		\|Approval status=Approved
	}}		}}
	{{Location		{{Location

Alexrrc at 09:09, 19 January 2017

2017-01-19T09:09:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:09, 19 January 2017
Line 93:		Line 93:
	\|Physico-chemical quality elements=Nutrient concentrations, Zinc, Cadmium, Lead		\|Physico-chemical quality elements=Nutrient concentrations, Zinc, Cadmium, Lead
	}}		}}
	{{Measures}}		{{Measures
			\|Floodplain / River corridor=Marginal planting, Willow planting, Habitat enhancement, Treatment/clean up schemes
			\|Management interventions=Reduce diffuse water pollution and over-grazing, Reduced pollution, reduce diffuse water poluution,
			}}
	{{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}		{{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}
	{{End table}}		{{End table}}

Alexrrc at 09:03, 19 January 2017

2017-01-19T09:03:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:03, 19 January 2017
Line 89:		Line 89:
	\|Project started=2015/01/01		\|Project started=2015/01/01
	}}		}}
	{{Motivations}}		{{Motivations
			\|Specific mitigation=Mine water related pollution, Aggregate/mineral extraction, Mining runoff
			\|Physico-chemical quality elements=Nutrient concentrations, Zinc, Cadmium, Lead
			}}
	{{Measures}}		{{Measures}}
	{{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}		{{Hydromorphological quality elements header}}

Alexrrc at 08:52, 19 January 2017

2017-01-19T08:52:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:52, 19 January 2017
Line 86:		Line 86:
	\|Invasive species present=No		\|Invasive species present=No
	}}		}}
	{{Project background}}		{{Project background
			\|Project started=2015/01/01
			}}
	{{Motivations}}		{{Motivations}}
	{{Measures}}		{{Measures}}

Aedwards04 at 13:01, 6 January 2017

2017-01-06T13:01:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:01, 6 January 2017
Line 68:		Line 68:
	}}		}}
	{{Image gallery}}		{{Image gallery}}
	~~{{Case study image~~
	~~\|File name=Area map.png~~
	~~\|Caption=Haggs adit and treatment scheme location~~
	}}
	{{Case study image		{{Case study image
	\|File name=VFP.png		\|File name=VFP.png
	\|Caption=Vertical Flow Pond diagram		\|Caption=Vertical Flow Pond diagram
	}}		}}

	{{Image gallery end}}		{{Image gallery end}}
	{{Toggle button}}		{{Toggle button}}

Aedwards04 at 13:01, 6 January 2017

2017-01-06T13:01:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:01, 6 January 2017
Line 34:		Line 34:
	Treatment schemes will be required to clean up all these discharges and the spoil heaps, and we’re investigating the best ways of doing this. We expect the first scheme will be to treat the Haggs discharge. The treatment scheme is being designed to remove at least 90% of zinc and cadmium from the mine water – making a significant improvement to water quality in the Nent at Alston and also the South Tyne.		Treatment schemes will be required to clean up all these discharges and the spoil heaps, and we’re investigating the best ways of doing this. We expect the first scheme will be to treat the Haggs discharge. The treatment scheme is being designed to remove at least 90% of zinc and cadmium from the mine water – making a significant improvement to water quality in the Nent at Alston and also the South Tyne.

	~~What is the rough timeframe?~~
	~~- Right now – develop the outline scheme layout.~~
	~~- February 2016 – Stakeholder and community engagement event to share ideas. Following any alterations as a result of this event we will submit a full planning application to Cumbria County Council~~
	~~- Late 2016 – If planning permission is granted, start building the treatment scheme.~~
	~~- Early 2017 – treatment scheme starts operating~~

	What ~~will the treatment scheme look like and how does it work~~?		What technology is available?

	~~The~~ technology ~~we’re proposing~~ is a Vertical Flow Pond (VFP) and a wetland, similar to the scheme at Force Crag mine in Cumbria, the first treatment scheme of its type in the UK. The shape and size of the Nent ~~Haggs scheme~~ will be different, and ~~it will~~ look like a series of large ponds, along with a wetland containing reeds and other plants.		One treatment technology that is available is a Vertical Flow Pond (VFP) and a wetland, similar to the scheme at Force Crag mine in Cumbria, the first treatment scheme of its type in the UK. The shape and size of the Nent schemes will be different, and is likely to look like a series of large ponds, along with a wetland containing reeds and other plants.

	The VFPs work by using a combination of compost, limestone and woodchip to encourage microbial activity to bind the dissolved metals as sulphides, trapping them in the compost mixture. The water is then passed through a wetland to re-oxygenate the water before finally being discharged to the River Nent.		The VFPs work by using a combination of compost, limestone and woodchip to encourage microbial activity to bind the dissolved metals as sulphides, trapping them in the compost mixture. The water is then passed through a wetland to re-oxygenate the water before finally being discharged to the River Nent.

	The Environment Agency, Coal Authority and NP AONB are also working with the Tyne Rivers Trust to design and put in place measures that will reduce the diffuse impacts from mining activities around Blagill. Work will hopefully start on some of these during 2016.

	We are also hoping to create a treatment scheme for the discharges from Caplecleugh and potentially Rampgill as well. We are currently trying to identify a suitable location for this treatment scheme, however, this will be built separately to the treatment scheme for the Haggs mine water. We will provide more information once this project is underway.

	\|Monitoring surveys and results=Significant water quality monitoring of the River Nent and the point source discharges from the abandoned metal mines has been carried out by the Environment Agency in recent years.		\|Monitoring surveys and results=Significant water quality monitoring of the River Nent and the point source discharges from the abandoned metal mines has been carried out by the Environment Agency in recent years.
	The water quality results from 3 of the main discharges are summarised below. As the concentrations of metals and rate of flow is variable in discharges like these, the figures below are presented as minimum to maximum ranges taken from the EA catchment characterisation report.		The water quality results from 3 of the main discharges are summarised below. As the concentrations of metals and rate of flow is variable in discharges like these, the figures below are presented as minimum to maximum ranges taken from the EA catchment characterisation report.

Alexrrc at 17:21, 5 January 2017

2017-01-05T17:21:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:21, 5 January 2017
Line 30:		Line 30:
	The Environment Agency has teamed up with other partners to look at ways to reduce the polluting effects of the mines on the River Nent, with funding from Defra. We're working with the Coal Authority and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership (AONB) to find ways of removing metals from mine water discharges at three of the four main discharges. We're also working with the Tyne Rivers Trust on ways to reduce the amount of metal-rich sediments that get washed into the river – for example willow planting. Without any action, these mines will continue to pollute the Rivers Nent and South Tyne for centuries to come.		The Environment Agency has teamed up with other partners to look at ways to reduce the polluting effects of the mines on the River Nent, with funding from Defra. We're working with the Coal Authority and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership (AONB) to find ways of removing metals from mine water discharges at three of the four main discharges. We're also working with the Tyne Rivers Trust on ways to reduce the amount of metal-rich sediments that get washed into the river – for example willow planting. Without any action, these mines will continue to pollute the Rivers Nent and South Tyne for centuries to come.

	There are so many point and diffuse sources of zinc, cadmium and lead in the area that we're unlikely to be able to achieve EQS in the River Nent itself. However, we hope to be able significantly improve water quality and therefore achieve good status in around 60 km of the River South Tyne. Other benefits of tackling these sources of pollution include improving habitats for aquatic life, increasing biodiversity and protecting Scheduled Ancient Monuments.		There are so many point and diffuse sources of zinc, cadmium and lead in the area that we're unlikely to be able to achieve EQS in the River Nent itself. However, we hope to be able to significantly improve water quality and therefore achieve good status in around 60 km of the River South Tyne. Other benefits of tackling these sources of pollution include improving habitats for aquatic life, increasing biodiversity and protecting Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

	Treatment schemes will be required to clean up all these discharges and the spoil heaps, and we’re investigating the best ways of doing this. We expect the first scheme will be to treat the Haggs discharge. The treatment scheme is being designed to remove at least 90% of zinc and cadmium from the mine water – making a significant improvement to water quality in the Nent at Alston and also the South Tyne.		Treatment schemes will be required to clean up all these discharges and the spoil heaps, and we’re investigating the best ways of doing this. We expect the first scheme will be to treat the Haggs discharge. The treatment scheme is being designed to remove at least 90% of zinc and cadmium from the mine water – making a significant improvement to water quality in the Nent at Alston and also the South Tyne.

Aedwards04 at 08:19, 6 April 2016

2016-04-06T08:19:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:19, 6 April 2016
Line 20:		Line 20:
	There have been lead mines in the Nent valley since Roman times, and over 90 mine entries have been recorded throughout the area. As technology advanced in the 1700s and 1800s and longer tunnels and drainage levels could be constructed, the centres of activity became concentrated around Nenthead and Nentsberry. The Nent Force drainage Level was constructed in the 1800s and runs over 7 miles from the Nenthead mines and discharges to the River Nent at Alston. By the 1920s mining had ceased, but during the second world war spoil heaps were reworked for lead and zinc, leaving behind large tailings dams downstream of Nenthead village. In 1998 these dams were capped and stabilised by Cumbria County Council.		There have been lead mines in the Nent valley since Roman times, and over 90 mine entries have been recorded throughout the area. As technology advanced in the 1700s and 1800s and longer tunnels and drainage levels could be constructed, the centres of activity became concentrated around Nenthead and Nentsberry. The Nent Force drainage Level was constructed in the 1800s and runs over 7 miles from the Nenthead mines and discharges to the River Nent at Alston. By the 1920s mining had ceased, but during the second world war spoil heaps were reworked for lead and zinc, leaving behind large tailings dams downstream of Nenthead village. In 1998 these dams were capped and stabilised by Cumbria County Council.

	The history and extent of mining here has left large areas of contaminated spoil with little vegetation cover; as a result, spoil is being eroded by high rainfall and washed into the River Nent. Two sites in the catchment are listed on the MINING WASTE DIRECTIVE INVENTORY since they cause serious pollution. Many of the spoil heaps are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments for industrial heritage and/or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as the high metal levels allow ~~unusual~~ calaminarian grasslands to flourish.		The history and extent of mining here has left large areas of contaminated spoil with little vegetation cover; as a result, spoil is being eroded by high rainfall and washed into the River Nent. Two sites in the catchment are listed on the MINING WASTE DIRECTIVE INVENTORY since they cause serious pollution. Many of the spoil heaps are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments for industrial heritage and/or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as the high metal levels allow rare calaminarian grasslands to flourish.

	The mining industry has left a huge underground network of mine workings. The workings drain different parts of the Nent catchment and also act as a preferential pathway for groundwater to reach the surface. These drainage pathways allow the water to come into contact with the mineral veins that were mined and with mine waste stored within the mine workings. This causes the water to become rich in metals like zinc, cadmium and lead. The water from the mine workings discharges at several locations throughout the Nent valley. There are four known main discharges that contribute significant amounts of metals to the River Nent: two at Nenthead, (Caplecleugh and Rampgill adits), one at Nentsberry (Haggs adit) and the Nent Force Level at Alston.		The mining industry has left a huge underground network of mine workings. The workings drain different parts of the Nent catchment and also act as a preferential pathway for groundwater to reach the surface. These drainage pathways allow the water to come into contact with the mineral veins that were mined and with mine waste stored within the mine workings. This causes the water to become rich in metals like zinc, cadmium and lead. The water from the mine workings discharges at several locations throughout the Nent valley. There are four known main discharges that contribute significant amounts of metals to the River Nent: two at Nenthead, (Caplecleugh and Rampgill adits), one at Nentsberry (Haggs adit) and the Nent Force Level at Alston.

	The many inputs of metals into the River Nent cause average concentrations at Alston to exceed Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) by ~~an average of~~ up to 57 times (57 times for zinc, 28 times for cadmium and 3 times for lead). Due to this high level of pollution, very little invertebrate life can live in a 10km+ stretch of the river. The River Nent joins the River South Tyne at Alston, bringing the pollution with it and causing the River South Tyne to also fail EQS for zinc and cadmium for 60km downstream.		The many inputs of metals into the River Nent cause average concentrations at Alston to exceed Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) by up to 57 times (57 times for zinc, 28 times for cadmium and 3 times for lead according to the EA catchment characterisation report). Due to this high level of pollution, very little invertebrate life can live in a 10km+ stretch of the river. The River Nent joins the River South Tyne at Alston, bringing the pollution with it and causing the River South Tyne to also fail EQS for zinc and cadmium for 60km downstream.

	Investigations by Newcastle University indicate that the River Nent contributes over 50% of the total metal load (lead and zinc) reaching the South Tyne every year. Reducing the impacts from mines in the Nent valley would improve the water quality of the River Nent and all of the downstream waterbodies, and would be a significant step in achieving EQS in the South Tyne.		Investigations by Newcastle University indicate that the River Nent contributes over 50% of the total metal load (lead and zinc) reaching the South Tyne every year. Reducing the impacts from mines in the Nent valley would improve the water quality of the River Nent and all of the downstream waterbodies, and would be a significant step in achieving EQS in the South Tyne.
Line 50:		Line 50:
	We are also hoping to create a treatment scheme for the discharges from Caplecleugh and potentially Rampgill as well. We are currently trying to identify a suitable location for this treatment scheme, however, this will be built separately to the treatment scheme for the Haggs mine water. We will provide more information once this project is underway.		We are also hoping to create a treatment scheme for the discharges from Caplecleugh and potentially Rampgill as well. We are currently trying to identify a suitable location for this treatment scheme, however, this will be built separately to the treatment scheme for the Haggs mine water. We will provide more information once this project is underway.
	\|Monitoring surveys and results=Significant water quality monitoring of the River Nent and the point source discharges from the abandoned metal mines has been carried out by the Environment Agency in recent years.		\|Monitoring surveys and results=Significant water quality monitoring of the River Nent and the point source discharges from the abandoned metal mines has been carried out by the Environment Agency in recent years.
	The water quality results from 3 of the main discharges are summarised below. As the concentrations of metals and rate of flow is variable in discharges like these, the figures below are presented as minimum to maximum ranges.		The water quality results from 3 of the main discharges are summarised below. As the concentrations of metals and rate of flow is variable in discharges like these, the figures below are presented as minimum to maximum ranges taken from the EA catchment characterisation report.

	Caplecleugh		Caplecleugh