Substrate characterisation for a subsurface reactive barrier to treat colliery spoil leachate.

Subsurface permeable reactive barriers (PRB) have been used to successfully treat acidic mine drainage in Canada and offer great potential for doing the same in the United Kingdom. A PRB for the treatment of colliery spoil leachate from a site near Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, has been designed. The selection of the reactive media to be used is of paramount importance, with particular reference to permeability and reactivity.