Groundwater related research

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Groundwater related research

• Dr Shafick Adams

• 21 July 2010

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Context

• Although the chemistry of AMD generation is
  straightforward, the final product is a function
  of the geology of the mining region, presence of
  micro-organisms, temperature and also of the
  availability of water and oxygen.
• Acid mine drainage is a problem in
• South Africa but not uniquely so.
• If not managed properly it has
• severe impacts on our water
• resources, land, health, wealth, etc.

NASA
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Introduction

• AMD is a problem that will be with us for a very
  long time centuries.
• Research is often strategic with a long term
  view.
• Groundwater related research supports directly
  and indirectly the efforts to assess and
  characterise the AMD problems.
• Mainly develop tools, methodologies and
  capacities (individual and institutional).

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Groundwater Perspective

• Understand the following
• 1. Groundwater Occurrence
• 2. Groundwater Pollution
• Sources, behaviour of pollutants
• Vulnerability, hazard, risk concepts
• 3. Groundwater Protection
• How do we achieve it

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Acid Mine Drainage

1. Sediments ores rich in FeS2 pyrite
2. Groundwater low in O2, mining exposes pyrite to
   high-O2 waters
3. Oxidation produces H2SO4 sulfuric acid
4. Heavy metals soluble in oxic water at low pH
5. Transported
6. Pollutes environment (water, land)

Hydrogeochemistry
Aquifer characterization
Hydrogeochemistry
Sampling protocols
Hydrogeochemistry Hydraulics
Fate and Transport
Impacts
Prediction
Remedial action
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Components and Products
WRC research efforts
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Related Products
Past

• Groundwater recharge studies.
• Hydrogeochemical characterisation of aquifers.
• Mine water decant prediction.
• Rehabilitation.
• Predicted impacts of flooded mines.

Recent

• Fate and transport of pollutants from mining
  activities.
• Improved sampling methodologies and protocols for
  water chemistry.
• Evaluation of the adequacy of current water
  resource monitoring networks.
• Sources of salinity of water resources.
• Impact of mine water irrigation on groundwater
  resources
• Aquifer vulnerability assessments and
  methodologies.
• Water related impacts of small scale mining
• Intermine flows coal fields

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Future plans

• Linking water resource protection with emerging
  water quality issues.
• Water quality modelling and model development.
• Innovative approaches to identify pollution
  sources.
• Water resource protection zoning.
• Implication of raw water quality on drinking
  water supplies.
• Groundwater - surface water interaction
• Karst Hydrogeology

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Ultimate Goal
Improved decision making
REPEAT
Knowledge Base
Usage (decision making judgment)
Intelligence
Knowledge
Maintenance (memory)
Confidence increase
Uncertainty decrease
Science System
Information
develop scarce skills
Acquisition (perception attention)
Data
Prior Knowledge