Quantifying health risk reductions from implementation of a passive net alkaline wetland

• Published in: Environmental modeling & assessment Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 67 - 75
• Main Authors: Gunter, James T, Regens, James L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.02.2008; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acid mine drainage; Alkalies; Applications of Mathematics; Aquifers; Artificial wetlands; Drainage; Dry season; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Groundwater; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Health sciences; Heavy metals; Math. Appl. in Environmental Science; Mathematical Modeling and Industrial Mathematics; Metal concentrations; mine drainage; Mines; Mining; Multimedia; multimedia model; Operations Research/Decision Theory; Public health; Recreation; Stream flow; Studies; Surface water; wetland; Wetlands; mine drainage; heavy metals; wetland; multimedia model
• ISSN: 1420-2026; 1573-2967
• DOI: 10.1007/s10666-006-9073-3

The potential effectiveness of a constructed passive net alkaline wetland in reducing human health risks from heavy metals in surface waters was evaluated by using a multimedia model. Scenarios were developed using information available from site reports, state, federal, and standard engineering sources. The scenarios replicated observed heavy metal concentrations in the waters of a volunteer wetland and estimated the concentrations after implementation of a constructed passive net alkaline wetland. The greatest reductions in risks are expected to occur soon after construction, with children benefiting more than adults.