Abstract: CL:AIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments) is a public-private partnership which was established in 1999 to encourage the demonstration of remediation research and technologies on contaminated sites throughout the UK. Project proposals are submitted to CL:AIRE and reviewed and approved by the CL:AIRE Technology & Research Group. CL:AIRE provides independent verification of its projects and plays a crucial role in the dissemination of project information. During the course of the project, progress is reported through the newsletter, CL:AIRE view, which is mailed free of charge to a database of more than 4500 stakeholders with an interest in contaminated land. Progress is also tracked on the CL:AIRE website at www.claire.co.uk. On completion of the project, a project report is published and a one page summary fact sheet is prepared. The fact sheet is distributed to our database subscribers and posted on the website. The project is also presented at the CL:AIRE Annual Project Conference. In addition, aspects of the research which have practical application will be published as CL:AIRE Research Bulletins. Acid mine waters discharging from abandoned mines represent a significant environmental problem in many parts of the UK. Considerable research has been carried out to understand the geochemical process involved, and the knowledge has been used to manage groundwater discharge through physical/chemical treatment and constructed wetlands. CL:AIRE supports the development of a national site for wetland research managed by the University of Newcastle and will encourage collaborative research projects to be submitted through CL:AIRE. CL:AIRE is currently supporting two projects which demonstrate remediation of acid mine drainage and is disseminating the results of this and other research to improve confidence in the use of these techniques.

Abstract: The Bast Mine (reopened in 2001) and Big Mine are two anthracite coal mines near Ashland, PA, that were abandoned in the 1930's and that are now causing drastic and opposite effects on the water quality of the streams originating from them. To quantify these effects, multiple samples were taken at 5 different sites: 3 along Big Mine Run and 2 from Mahanoy Creek (1 upstream and 1 downstream of the confluence with Big Mine Run). At each site, one set of the samples was treated with nitric acid for metals survey, one set was acidified with sulfuric acid for nitrate preservation, one set was filtered for sulfate and phosphate tests, and one set was unaltered. Measurements of pH, TDS, dissolved oxygen, and temperature were made in the field. Alkalinity, acidity, hardness, nitrates, orthophosphates and sulfates were analyzed using Hach procedures. Selected metals (Fe, Ni, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb) were analyzed utilizing flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Drainage from the Bast Mine is actively treated with hydrated lime before the water is piped down to Big Mine Run. pH and alkalinity values were much higher at the outflow compared to those in the water with which it merged. The two waters could be visibly distinguished some distance downstream. pH values decreased, sulfate and dissolved iron increased and alkalinity was reduced to zero until the confluence with Mahanoy Creek. The high alkalinity, turbidity, TDS and calcium values in Mahanoy Creek were somewhat reduced downstream of the confluence with the much lower discharge Big Mine Run.