Immediate benefits of remediation wetlands designed for treating acid mine drainage on Signal Mountain, Tennessee

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major pollutant from abandoned coal mines, like those located on Signal Mountain, in Chattanooga, TN. The construction of wetlands is a commonly used remediation technique for streams affected by AMD. This study documents the changes in water quality before, during, and after wetland construction at two sites that flow into Freudenberg Creek. Samples were collected over the course of a year, which also allowed for seasonal factors to be observed. The construction of wetlands at these contaminated sites demonstrated an immediate decrease in acidity, alkalinity, and conductivity values. Concentrations of expected ions like iron and sulfate decreased at one site; however, ion concentrations were unchanged at the second location. This study focused on the immediate response to wetland construction; however, it is likely that with time efficiency will increase for both areas. Ultimately, long-term benefits will be dependent on wetland upkeep through human intervention.