What minerals cause acid mine drainage?
Acid mine drainage (AMD) consists of metal-laden solutions produced by the oxidative dissolution of iron sulfide minerals exposed to air, moisture, and acidophilic microbes during the mining of coal and metal deposits.
Why is sulfuric acid common in mine runoff?
By far the most common mine drainage problem is that of acid mine drainage (AMD). Sulfuric acid is produced when water interacts with sulfur-bearing materials in the presence of oxygen and common bacteria. Filling in abandoned mines with materials that will prevent the formation of AMD.
How do you detect acid mine drainage?
Acid drainage is often marked by “yellow boy,” an orange-yellow substance (visible in the photo on this page) that occurs when the pH of acidic mine-influenced water raises above pH 3 (approaching more neutral conditions), so that the previously dissolved iron precipitates out.
What are the 3 materials that combine to produce acid mine drainage?
When mineral deposits that contain sulfides are mined, they have the potential to produce acid mine drainage. This includes the mining of coal, copper, gold, silver, zinc, lead, and uranium. The mineral pyrite, more commonly known as “fool’s gold,” is iron disulfide (FeS2).
What is the pH of acid mine drainage?
The pH of AMD is usually in the range of 2–6, but mine-impacted waters at circumneutral pH (5–8) are also common….Abstract.
| Publication type | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Publisher | CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group |
| Contributing office(s) | Pennsylvania Water Science Center |
| Description | 5 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
What is the root cause of acid mine drainage quizlet?
Mine contains metal sulphide that react to form sulphuric acid solution with dissolved metals. It is very toxic to aquatic life. After mining started, the rain exposed the sulphide and caused the drainage to contaminate the water, sediments, and ground water.
How is acid mine drainage generated?
Acid mine drainage is the formation and movement of highly acidic water rich in heavy metals. This acidic water forms through the chemical reaction of surface water (rainwater, snowmelt, pond water) and shallow subsurface water with rocks that contain sulfur-bearing minerals, resulting in sulfuric acid.
Why is acid mine drainage a problem?
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major water quality problem as it reduces the pH of water resource, making dissolved metals readily available for uptake by benthic organisms and fish, which becomes a major pathway of their introduction into the human food chain.
How can we prevent acid mine drainage?
The most prevalent method for treating AMD contamination is the addition of alkaline reagents such as lime, limestone, sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide. This treatment aims at neutralizing acidic water and the precipitation of heavy metals.
What is the main reason for acid mine drainage?
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is the runoff produced when water comes in contact with exposed rocks containing sulfur-bearing minerals that react with water and air to form sulfuric acid and dissolved iron. This acidic run-off dissolves heavy metals including copper, lead, and mercury which pollute ground and surface water.
What are the two main types of mineral extraction?
There are several different ways minerals can be extracted from the earth, but the two main methods are called surface mining and subsurface mining.
What is acid mine drainage quizlet?
Acid mine drainage. Occurs when rainwater seeping through a mine or mine wastes carries sulfuric acid to nearby streams and groundwater. Contaminates water supply and destroys some forms of aquatic life. Area strip mining. Surface mining; used when terrain is flat.
What causes acidity in acid mine drainage?
The highly acidic water, commonly known as acid mine drainage, is produced by the exposure of sulfide minerals (most commonly pyrite) to air and water, resulting in the oxidation of sulfur and the production of acidity and elevated concentrations of iron, sulfate, and other metals [1 ].
How does mine drainage form in a mine?
Mine drainage forms from a chemical reaction between water and rocks containing sulfur-bearing minerals. The resulting waters become rich in sulfuric acid and dissolved iron.
How is sulfuric acid produced at a mine site?
Acid is generated at mine sites when metal sulfide minerals are oxidized. Metal sulfide minerals are present in the host rock associated with most types of metal mining activity. Prior to mining, oxidation of these minerals and the formation of sulfuric acid is a function of natural weathering processes. The oxidation of
Why is mine drainage harmful to living organisms?
In general, the more acidic the water, the more likely it is to be harmful to living organisms. Mine drainage forms from a chemical reaction between water and rocks containing sulfur-bearing minerals. The resulting waters become rich in sulfuric acid and dissolved iron.