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Tools & Links
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Earth Systems provides access to In-house developed tools, Newsletters, selected open file reports and publications that may assist our clients. We also provide links to key organisations that play an important role in protecting the environment and assisting us to serve our clients.
Unless otherwise stated the newsletters and publications available for download from this site require Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed, you can download a copy from Adobe's Web Site.
[http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html]
TOOLS
The Tools available for download from this page are provided for estimation purposes only. By downloading and using these tools the USER acknowledges and understands the limitations and assumptions made and will not use the data as an alternative to conventional analytical procedures.
Earth Systems recommends that you contact a specialist in the relevant fields to confirm the estimations based on the output of these tools for process critical decisions.
ABATES: Acid-Base Accounting Tool
ABATES is a spreadsheet-based
(Excel™) tool to assist with minesite water quality management.
ABATES can estimate charge balance, total acidity, total acid load and NAPP equivalent.
Please be aware that this spreadsheet contains macros and these need to be enabled for ABATES to run.
Download current version: ABATES v1.2 (378Kb, .xls)
To receive email notifications of future upgrades to ABATES click here.
AMDact: Acid and Metalliferous Drainage Assessment and Classification Tool
AMDact is a spreadsheet-based (Excel™) tool that uses the results from commonly performed static test work and geochemical analyses (e.g. NAPP, NAG, ANC, APP, MPA, Total Sulfur), to provide an assessment of the potential AMD risk. Samples are classified into one of 8 categories of potential to generate acid:
- High Potential for Acid Generation
- Moderate / High Potential for Acid Generation
- Moderate Potential for Acid Generation
- Low Potential for Acid Generation
- Unlikely to be Acid Generating
- Likely to be Acid Consuming
- Inconsistent data (conflicting data)
- Unclassifiable (insufficient data)
Assessments and classifications are based on threshold values developed over years of experience assessing ABA data.
Please be aware that this spreadsheet contains macros and these need to be enabled for AMDact to run.
There are currently two versions of AMDact. Version 1.0 performs assessment and classifications on single data samples, while Version 2.0 performs batch assessments on data tabulated within Excel™ spreadsheets. Version 1.0 is available free to download.
AMDact is being finalised at present, and will be available in the near future. To receive further information on AMDact, please contact Jeff Taylor.
Clear Solutions Newsletter
Clear Solutions is a technical resource exploring up-to-date water quality issues, solutions and treatment technologies.
Current newsletter
Previous newsletters
To receive email notifications of future newsletters click here.
Carbon & Energy Solutions Newsletter
Carbon & Energy Solutions is a newsletter produced by Earth Systems that explores the latest trends and opportunities
in energy and carbon management. It is written as a resource for all people dealing with carbon and energy issues and opportunities from management through to technical staff.
To receive email notifications of future newsletters click here.
PUBLICATIONS
Acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD)
From Concept to Best Practice - Innovations in AMD Prevention and Management (2008) (3.18Mb)
This paper reviews a wide range of technologies for combating acidic and metalliferous drainage (AMD), spanning characterization, prevention, mitigation and treatment.
Rehabilitation of a Highly Sulfidic Tailings Dam in South-eastern Australia (2008) (5.49Mb)
The paper discusses the rehabilitation strategies used to address short and long-term environmental issues at an abandoned mine site. The key objective was to minimise oxidation of the tailings, and therefore AMD generation, by establishing a water cover and self-sustaining passive treatment system.
Alkalinity producing cover materials for providing sustained improvement in water quality from waste rock piles (2006) (256kb)
This paper discusses the solubility and dissolution characteristics of specialized calcium-enriched caustic magnesia (MgO) materials which makes them ideal for use as an alkaline amendment in new and existing waste rock covers.
Successfully lowering the risks and costs associated with the legacy of the abandoned Brukunga Pyrite mine, South Australia (2006) (790kb)
This paper discusses the steps taken to reduce the AMD risks at the Brukunga mine site in southern Australia. Improvements in site water containment and collection, upgrades to treatment facilities and improvements to downstream water quality are discussed.
Chemical stability of acid drainage treatment sludge and implications for sludge management (2006) (332kb)
This paper investigates the stability of a range of AMD treatment sludges. The stability of the sludges and their susceptibility to leaching under certain conditions is related to their inherent neutralizing potential.
A summary of passive and active treatment technologies for Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) (2006) (2.01Mb)
This paper explains the concept of acidity and acidity load before summarizing the range of available treatment technologies. Also discussed at some depth is the difference between passive and active systems along with examples of each outlining their benefits and limitations.
Treating ARD - how, when, where and why (2003) (456kb)
This paper focuses on the various passive and active treatment alternatives, examining their strengths, weaknesses and suitability for particular applications. The paper provides a starting point for selecting an appropriate technology to meet specific treatment requirements and goals.
The Passive Prevention of ARD in Underground Mines by Displacement of Air with a Reducing Gas Mixture: GaRDS (2000) (88kb)
This paper discusses a new approach to stabilize sulphide minerals, thereby reducing pollutant loads, from underground mines. The approach uses a low cost technology to manipulate the atmosphere in mine voids displacing oxygen with a reducing gas mixture, thereby reducing sulphide oxidation and acid generation rates.
Nutrient control and algal blooms
Use of active barriers to reduce eutrophication problems in urban lakes (2003) (204kb)
Phosphorous release from bottom sediments in lakes has been identified as a primary source of nutrients for the growth of algal blooms. This paper examines the effectiveness of three forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as barriers against phosphorus release from bottom sediments.
Water Quality
A mobile and portable water treatment plant for small town water supplies (2000) (560kb)
This paper examines the performance of a low-cost, portable Neutra-Mill Water Treatment System (the Turbidity Mill) during treatment of small town drinking water supplies. A single portable Turbidity Mill was effective at reducing the suspended solids in small drinking water reservoirs at several towns.
LINKS
ACMER
(Australian Centre for Mining Environmental Research)
www.acmer.com.au
AMEEF
(Australian Minerals and Energy Environment Foundation)
www.ameef.com.au
ANSTO
(Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
www.ansto.gov.au
APEC-VC
(Asia-Pacific Economic Communities - Virtual Centre)
www.apec-vc.org.au
AWA
(Australian Water Association)
www.awa.asn.au
AYAD
(Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development)
www.ayad.com.au
CEnvP
(Certified Environmental Practitioner Program)
www.cenvp.org
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
(Australian Federal Environment Protection Agency)
www.environment.gov.au
Department of Climate Change
(Australian Federal Climate Change Agency)
www.climatechange.gov.au
Earth Systems Technologies
(Earth Systems Technologies' website)
www.estechnologies.com.au
Ecoengineers Pty Ltd
www.ecoengineers.com.au
EIANZ
(Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand)
www.eianz.org
eba
(Environment Business Australia)
www.environmentbusiness.com.au
INAP
(International Network for Acid Prevention)
www.inap.com.au/inap/homepage.nsf
Monash University
(Earth Sciences Department)
www.earth.monash.edu.au
NGER Management
(Earth Systems' NGER Management Information & Services)
www.ngermanagement.com.au
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