WELLINGTON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A humble shellfish could hold the solution to cleaning waterways of the acid and metals pollution caused by drainage from mining sites around the world, New Zealand scientists said Friday.
University of Canterbury researchers said they are investigating an environment-friendly treatment system using mussel shells to neutralize the contaminants, which can kill most natural life in some waterways.
Thousands of kilometers of streams and rivers around the world were severely affected each year by acid mine drainage.
"Polluted mining water impacts aquatic systems downstream from a mining site. Streams affected by acid mine drainage typically support little if any living organisms are unsuitable for recreational water activities," researcher Benjamin Uster said in a statement from the university.
No synthetic products or any chemical re-agents were used in this treatment system so the mussel shell treatment was a relatively sustainable strategy and could provide an alternative to quarried limestone, which was commonly used to treat acid mine drainage, he said.
"I hope to confirm by the end of the year that the use of mussel shells in treatment systems similar to engineered wetlands are an efficient and sustainable way for treating acidic waters in New Zealand," Uster said.
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