Topic 10: Acid Mine Drainage Flashcards
1
Q
What is acid mine drainage?
A
When metal oxides or oxides of sulphur dissolve in drainage water from spoil heaps/mines
2
Q
What are the effects of acid mine drainage?
A
The acid solutions that leach out of spoil heaps have similar effects to acid rain leaching through the soil
The PH is often low and may contain dissolved toxic metals
3
Q
How can acid mine drainage be controlled?
A
The PH can be increased by passing it through crushed limestone to neutralise acids
This will also reduce the solubility of many toxic metals
