Pollution

Question 1

what is the orange sludge composed of in acid mine drainage

Answer 1

acidic water high in iron and sulphur

Question 2

acid mine breakdown steps

Answer 2

-pyrite breakdown reacts with oxygen dissolved in the water
-oxidation of iron released from pyrite = ferric iron
-orange sludge forms due to ferric iron reacting with water to form iron hydroxide -> acidic water from hydrogen ions

Question 3

steel slag breakdown process

Answer 3

-high ph in water due to hydroxide ions
-precipitation of calcium carbonate
=alkaline leachate

Question 4

on making, rolling and finishing sites what potential pollution is there..

Answer 4

-metal iron compound pollution from iron and steel making
inorganic compounds

Question 5

the greyish material is the

Answer 5

grey clumps from steel slag are the alkaline leachants eg. the precipitate of calcium carbonate from the weathering of the slag

Question 6

what is the equation to represent the breakdown of slags

Answer 6

slag + water = weathered slag + calcite