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The biogeochemistry of wetlands is conducive to the retention of sulphate and other contaminants, as the (the reduction is chemical BUT biologically mediated) reducing substrate environment provides for the reduction of sulphate to sulphides, which in turn either precipitate with metals or volatilise as hydrogen sulphide. In addition, the formation of insoluble metal sulphides can remove excess metals from the water. We have been investigating the use of constructed wetlands for the removal of sulphate and metals from mine tailings water atTara Mines, Co. Meath, Ireland since 1997