English

Abstract

In early 2010, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were available to implement the shovel-ready design package for a biochemical reactor (BCR) module that was planned at the abandoned Golinsky Mine site in northern California. The design was based on bench and pilot studies that were documented in previous ASMR papers. The construction site, located near Lake Shasta, is only accessible by boat followed by a 1.6 km (1-mile) trip on a narrow dirt road. During construction, the typically restricted site access was further complicated by the highest lake levels in years which required the relocation of the construction contractor's mobilization site. The construction of the BCR within the footprint of an abandoned limestone quarry required a few minor design modifications. However, the logistics of moving about 1,000-plus tons of organic substrate, drainage gravel, HDPE liner, rip rap, pipes, plus construction equipment safely across Lake Shasta in a coordinated barge and ground transportation program was probably the greatest project accomplishment. The commissioning of the pilot treatment bioreactor in mid-2004 resulted in the drain-down of an acidic mine pool. This action appears to have caused significant improvements in the drainage chemistry of a mine adit adjacent to, but not directly connected to the acidic mine pool. This unintentional outcome allowed the use of the improved mine water source for fire suppression, dust control, and moisture control in earthwork compaction efforts.