The Cause And Effects Of Acid Mine Drainage Essay -- essays research p

The Cause and Effects of Acid Mine DrainageINTRODUCTION     Imagine going fishing on a cool Autumn day, the trees atomic number 18 totally differentshades of orange, brown and red and the birds are singing their beautiful songs,but their is a serious task because when you arrive at the river all plantand animal life are gone. This is by no means a recent phenomenon. This is payableto the effects of acid rock drainage (ARD). This is a problem that has beenoccurring since ancient times, but it was not until the 1800s when fast growingindustrialization and heavy excavation that it caught alot of attention.     Acid rock drainage is the term used to reap leachate, seepage, ordrainage that has been affected by the natural oxidation of sulfur mineralscontained in rock which is exposed to air and water. The major components ofARD formation are antiphonal sulfide minerals, oxygen, and water. Biologicalactivity and reactions is what is responsi ble for the production of ARD. Thesereactions make low pH water that has the ability to mobilize heavy metalscontained in geological materials with which it comes in contact. "ARD causes adevastating impact on the quality of the ground or surface water it dischargesto. (Ellison & Hutchison)"ACID MINE DRAINAGE     Within the mining process there are s perpetuallyal computer addresss that cause ARD. Nomatter what activities occur, ARD usually occurs when certain conditions are met.These conditions are the factors that limit or accelerate the vacate of ARD.The initial release of ARD can occur anywhere from a few months to many decadesafter the sulfide containing material is disturbed or deposited. ARD has beenassociated with mines since mining began. When ARD occurs due to the effects ofmining it is called acid mine drainage, or AMD. The coal mining industry herein the eastern United States has been associated with a major source of AMD fordecades. When water comes in contact with pyrite in coal and the rocksurrounding it, chemical reactions take place which cause the water to gainsourness and to pick up iron, manganese and aluminum. Water that comes intocontact with coal has a orange-red yellow and sometimes white color. The metalsstay in the solution beneath the flat coat due to the lack of oxygen. When thewater comes out of the mine or the bor... ...ansform organicmaterial and nutrients.(Bastian 1993) Natural and constructed wetland have beenused to treat wastewater. The first one that was ever constructed was in 1982.There are over 200 systems in Appalachia alone.(Bastian 1993)     Even though this is safer for the ecosystem it is found that at mostsites, chemical treatment is still demand to meet efficient standards, butthe costs of chemical treatment is greatly reduced with the initial biologicaltreatment. Most operators find that the costs of the construction of thewetlands are made up within one year due to the money saved on chemicals.CONCLUSION     In conclusion, acid rock drainage is a big problem all throughout theworld due to alot of industrialization and mining. This is not only a seriousproblem around the world, it touches home here, particularly here in Appalachia,but it seems to be under or getting under control with all the new regulationsand standards the EPA is setting. Low pH and a high up acidity level is harmfulto us our wildlife and our plants. With the help of more education and moreresearch it will not have to be a problem for our future.