Craig McCauley
Ph.D Candidate (Natural Resources Engineering)
BS (Chemical Eng) University of Missouri - Rolla
MS (Environmental Quality Eng) University of Alaska - Fairbanks
Nationality : From
USA : St. Joseph , Missouri and Anchorage, Alaska
Contact Details
Room: 3rd Floor Civil/Mechanical Building, Room E311
Phone: +64 3 364 2987 (internal: 7332)
Fax: +64 3 364 2758
Email: cam208@student.canterbury.ac.nz or
mccauley_craig@hotmail.com
Interests:
Mountain Biking, Telemark Skiing, Tramping, Being outside observing nature and my surroundings
Supervisor(s)
Aisling O'Sullivan, Mark Milke
Research
Engineered Wetlands for Passive Treatment of Complex Mine Waste Waters
Coal Mining in New Zealand is an important socio-economic resource but has resulted in perturbation of water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Most coal seams on the West Coast of the South Island are derived from pyrite (FeS 2) rock formations. Oxidation of pyrite occurs during coal extraction operations which exposes the rock to the atmosphere resulting in oxidation. This process initiates and mediates a series of chemical reactions, which result in acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD typically contains concentrations of acidity, sulphates and various metals which exceed background levels of receiving water bodies. The metals of most concern in the South Island New Zealand context include aluminium and iron, which dissolve into the aqueous phase during low pH conditions. Dissolved aluminium concentrations are typically twice that of dissolved iron on the South Island, which is unique compared to AMD from coal mining activities in other parts of the world (i.e. China, the United States and the United Kingdom).
Currently, AMD in New Zealand is left untreated or is treated with chemical additives, which are costly and non sustainable. Passive treatment systems offer a long term sustainable solution if properly designed and constructed and have been implemented successfully to treat AMD in other parts of the world. However, characteristics of AMD differ on a site specific basis which must be considered in treatment design and construction. The West Coast of the South Island offers unique challenges compared to other parts of the world including heavy rainfall, steep topography and high concentrations of aluminium.
The scope of my research involves designing and constructing innovative passive treatment systems to ameliorate water quality. These systems have become more innovative over the last two decades to incorporate multiple treatment stages, each designed for a specific treatment function. Multiple passive treatment systems will be constructed on the West Coast of the South Island to determine the best treatment strategy for reducing acidity, sulphates and dissolved metals concentrations prior to discharge. Water samples will be collected periodically to monitor treatment effectiveness for each stage of each passive treatment system.
Corporate Support
Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd., CRL Energy Ltd., Pattle Delamore Partners
Publications
Schnabel, William E., David M., Maddux, McCauley, Craig A., Nyman, David C., Adler,
Clint J. and Woolard, Craig. “ Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Two High-Latitude Constructed Wetland Systems,” Proceedings: Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Sites in Arctic and Cold Climates. Edmonton, Alberta Canada. May 4-6, 2003: 114-120.
McCauley, Craig A., White, Daniel M., Lilly, Michael R., and Nyman, David M. “A Comparison of Hydraulic Conductivities, Permeabilities and Infiltration Rates in Frozen and Unfrozen Soils.” Cold Regions Science and Technology, Vol. 34 (2) (2002) pp. 117-125.
McCauley, Craig A. “Fuel Penetration Rates In Frozen And Unfrozen Soils: Bethel, Alaska,” Master’s Thesis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, submitted April 7, 2000.
McCauley, Craig A., White, Daniel M., Lilly, Michael R., and Nyman, David M. “Fuel Penetration Rates in Frozen Soils: Bethel, Alaska.” Proceedings: Water Resources in Extreme Environments. American Water Resources Association (AWRA). Anchorage, Alaska. May 1-3, 2000: 129-134.