The development of acidic groundwaters in coal-bearing strata: Part I. Rare earth element fingerprinting

This study examines the rare earth element (REE) pattern of acidic mine dis charges in the Durham basin (NE England) as a means of fingerprinting their sources and understanding the water-rock interactions Although whole rock compositions proved to be unhelpful, mimicking acid mine water generation i n a series of selective leachates of the coal and coal-bearing strata gave REE patterns similar to those measured in the emergent waters. REE ratios a nd anomalies were used as indicators of specific interactions in the develo pment of acidic groundwater. The implications of the findings for the class ification and evolution of acid mine discharges are discussed. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.