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Acid mine drainage refers to the surface runoff formed when rainwater comes in contact with either mine spoils (the reject from ore processing activities) or overburden (the material removed to get at the ore-bearing layer). It can also form when groundwater floods abandoned mine shafts, adits, and galleries underground. Spoil or overburden piles that have high levels of sulfide minerals and/or metals are especially problematic. In the presence of oxygen and with the help of microorganisms, high levels of metals and very acidic runoff (pH < 2 in some cases) is created, which results in acid mine drainage. This is a problem in parts of the country where high sulfur coal is mined (such as the East, e.g. WV and KY) as well as in areas of metals mining. Perhaps the most famous example of AMD is the Tar Creek Superfund Site, one of the oldest and largest in the country. It is located in Oklahoma and part of Missouri within the Tri-State Mining District - mostly lead and zinc minerals were mined there (former Picher field). It was formed in part due to the impacts of AMD following closure of the mine and cessation of water treatment. Sub-surface workings flooded with water, came into contact with sulfide minerals and waste piles, and greatly contaminated the local watershed, even threatening local groundwater supplies at one point. The area has yet to - and may never - fully recover.
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What has the author Barnaby Watten written?
Barnaby Watten has written: 'New technique treats acid mine drainage' -- subject(s): Acid mine drainage, Environmental aspects, Environmental aspects of Acid mine drainage, Technology transfer
What has the author James I Sams written?
James I. Sams has written: 'Effects of coal-mine drainage on stream water quality in the Allegheny and Monongahela River basin -- sulfate transport and trends' -- subject(s): Acid mine drainage, Coal mines and mining, Environmental aspects, Environmental aspects of Coal mines and mining, Sulfates 'Effects of coal-mine drainage on stream water quality in the Allegheny and Monongahela River basins' -- subject(s): Acid mine drainage, Coal mines and mining, Environmental aspects, Environmental aspects of Coal mines and mining, Sulfates, Sulphates
What has the author A Perry written?
A Perry has written: 'Acid mine drainage - coal'
What has the author Eugene E Farmer written?
Eugene E Farmer has written: 'Acid mine waste revegetation' -- subject(s): Acid mine drainage, Acid soils
What has the author H R Preston written?
H. R Preston has written: 'Bioassay techniques' 'Effects of acid mine drainage on aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Monongahela River basin'
What kind of mining practices can result in acid mine drainage?
Mining practices such as open-pit mining, mountaintop removal mining, and underground mining can result in acid mine drainage when sulfide-containing minerals are exposed to air and water, leading to the formation of sulfuric acid. When the acidic water flows out of the mine, it can contaminate nearby water sources and harm aquatic life. Mitigation measures such as neutralization and containment are often implemented to prevent acid mine drainage.
What has the author Robert L P Kleinmann written?
Robert L. P. Kleinmann has written: 'Prevention of acid mine drainage' 'Treatment of mine water to remove manganese' 'Bactericidal control of acid problems in surface mines and coal refuse. IN Graves, D. H., editor, Proceedings--1980 symposium on surface mining hydrology, sedimentology, and reclamation' 'Control of acid drainage from coal refuse using anionic surfactants' -- subject(s): Acid mine drainage, Coal mine waste, Industrial microbiology, Surface active agents 'Bacterial oxidation of acid-forming materials'
What has the author Qingyun Sun written?
Qingyun Sun has written: 'Iron and acid removal from acid mine drainage in open limestone systems'
Science in acid mine runoff?
Acid mine runoff is a major environmental issue caused by the oxidation of sulfide minerals in abandoned mines, leading to the release of acidic and metal-rich water. Scientists study the geochemical processes involved in acid mine runoff to understand its impact on water quality, ecosystems, and human health. Research focuses on developing remediation strategies such as neutralization, passive treatment systems, and reclamation to mitigate the effects of acid mine drainage.
What has the author A H Morth written?
A. H Morth has written: 'Acid mine drainage' 'Pyritic systems'
What has the author William J Pegg written?
William J. Pegg has written: 'Physiological effects of sublethal levels of acid water on fish' -- subject(s): Acid mine drainage, Acids, Ecophysiology, Effect of water pollution on, Fishes, Physiological effect
What minerals causes acid mine drainage?
Pyrite (iron sulfide) is a common mineral that causes acid mine drainage when exposed to air and water. As pyrite oxidizes, sulfuric acid is produced, leading to the acidification of water and the release of heavy metals from the surrounding rock.
