Acid mine drainage (AMD) or acid rock drainage (ARD) water is a result of coal and other sulfide-containing ore-mining operations. Treatment of AMD/ARD costs millions of dollars a day in the United States alone. 

AET has developed AMD/ARD Source Treatment technology that distinctly differs from other technologies. The AMD/ARD technology consists of a microbial augmenting/enhancement treatment formula that alleviates and prevents AMD/ARD at the source. The result includes the neutralization of impacted water, lower dissolved-metals concentrations, and zero rebound.

The AMD/ARD technology is composed of microbial and enhancement materials that supports microbial biofilm growth and acid neutralization. Bacteria feed on substrates and neutralize acidity by consuming acid protons and producing alkaline bicarbonate as byproducts of their natural metabolism. Biofilm growth over the AMD/ARD source material (e.g., pyrite) prevents oxidation of the source material by shielding it from any dissolved oxygen or other oxidants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advantages of AMD/ARD technology include:

• AMD/ARD technology is a non-invasive in situ technology

• AMD/ARD technology treats and prevents at the source

• AMD/ARD technology relies on natural biological processes, which require little energy input

• Long-term to permanent solutions for AMD/ARD impacted sites

• Minimum to negligible maintenance