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Title: Investigations into the status of fisheries, biological and water quality in the River Pelenna catchment, prior to the treatment of discharges from abandoned coal mines : PL/EAW/95/3
Author: P.J. Edwards
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
The River Pelenna catchment has been affected by ferruginous discharges from abandoned coal mines for more than 25 years. As well as affecting water guality in their receiving rivers, these discharges have caused a major aesthetic impact in the catchment, due to the settlement of an orange-coloured precipitate known as ochre (iron hydroxide). It was suspected that the minewater discharges were responsible for the impoverished status of fish populations and macroinvertebrate communities in the catchment. The NRA and West Glamorgan County Council undertook a large scale demonstration project to ameliorate the impact of minewater pollution in the catchment using wetland treatment systems. The project was partly funded by the LIFE fund and the Welsh Development Agency's Land Reclamation Programme. Extensive investigations were carried out by the NRA for three years, to provide baseline information on the status of fish and macroinvertebrate populations and water quality in the Pelenna catchment. This information provides a basis for monitoring improvements resulting from the installation of treatment systems.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1995
Publication Place: Cardiff
Subject Keywords: RiversCatchment basinsWater pollutionMine spoilRiver fisheriesWater qualityBiological analysisImprovement
Geographic Keywords: WalesOgmore to Tawe catchment
Extent: n.p. [112]
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:3098
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