Acid Mine Drainage

Question 1

Define acid rock drainage

Answer 1

Acid rock drainage is a natural process whereby sulphuric acid is produced when sulphides in rocks are exposed to oxygen and water

Question 2

Define acid mine drainage

Answer 2

Acid mine drainage very similar to acid rock drainage except it is grealty magnified when large quantities of rock containing sulphide minerals are excavated from an open pit or opened up in an underground mine.

Question 3

What is the biological “accessory” to the increase in acidification of aquatic environments in ARD/AMD scenarios?

Answer 3

When the reaches a certian level of aciditiy do to ARD and AMD, a natturally ocuring bacteria is stimulated to grow and can in crease the oxdiation and accidifcation processes making the whole situation worse!

Question 4

How can ARD/AMD be deleterious to biological ecosystems?

List 3 things

Answer 4

• It can make the water in streams and lakes more acidic which can limt the amount of life that can survive
• Metals in a dissolved form can be more easily absorbed by animal and plant life and their effects can magnify up the food chain
• “sub-lethal nagtive effects can also occur as metal concentrations settle into stream beds and banks