Environmental impact of mining 2 Flashcards
What deposits are arsenic associated with?
Gold
Sulphide
What is the potential risk of arsenic?
Acute poisoning above 100micrograms in blood
Mining many minerals releases what into the environment?
Arsenic
What can be really high in arsenic when mined?
Coal
Why is arsenic dangerous to individuals on a biochemistry basis?
It can bond to sulphydryl (thiol) groups in cellular proteins
Thiol groups critical function groups in wide range og biologically important proteins
Has potential to disrupt biological functions
What are some health effects of chronic arsenic exposure from groundwater?
Cardiovascular diseas
Skin lesions
Cancers
What does acid mine drainage result from?
Oxidation of sulphide minerals
What are the three phases of the acid generation process?
Initiation
Propogation
Termination
How does acid mine drainage work?
For every mole of pyrite dissolved, four hydrogen ions are released
Resulting low pH waters are acidic enough to lead to dissolution of more toxi metals from other minerals
What is blasting?
Small explosive charge generates low vibration, high frequency and low amplitude
What size particles can be inhaled directly into lungs?
<10 micrometers
What does excess dust inhalation cause?
Pneumoconiosis
