Water is a natural resource of high significance for human beings, fauna and flora. Therefore, the protection of water resources is one of the highest aims of each industrial site. The mining sector and its subsectors have a lot of applications for water, also causing a high potential to interfere with water systems. Mineral extraction, mineral resource storages, mineral processing and mine waste storage form important potential pollutant emitters. The weathering of sulphidic minerals cause the most severe mine-water-related problems, because it involves a decrease in the pH level as well as an increase in dissolved total solids, especially metal concentrations. This acid mine waters are categorized as acid mine drainage. The drainage of acidic water represents the biggest conflict between mining and environment in the world.
This thesis deals with the characterization of waterbodies impacted by acid mine drainage. A discussion of the fundamental processes forms the basis of this paper. The classification of mine drainage, the weathering of pyrite and potential pollution sources are discussed in detail. However, impacts of acid mine drainage, drinking-water-specific values and legal and political aspects are mentioned as well. Based on this theoretical part, various international, especially European case studies will be reviewed. Each of these examples includes a brief introduction to the general mine-water related situation and with a focus on a specific development of the site, thus ensuring to illustrate the complexity of this environmental concern. Finally, a conclusion is drawn from the discussion of the case studies, complementing the theory part.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Zusammenfassung
- Contents
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Acid mine drainage theory
- Classification of acid mine drainage
- Acid mine drainage process
- Sulphide weathering
- Metal dissolution
- Process acceleration
- Acidity buffering
- Metal precipitation
- Sources of acid mine drainage
- Active surface mining
- Abandoned surface mining
- Active underground mining
- Abandoned underground mining
- Waste rock and ore stockpiles
- Tailings
- Others
- Effects and impacts of acid mine drainage
- Legal and political aspects of Acid Mine Drainage
- Water in political and socio-economic tension - an introduction
- Drinking-water limit values
- The European Union’s political and legal instruments
- Voluntary international mining-related environmental guidelines
- Case Studies
- Introduction
- Rio Tinto and Rio Odiel, Spain
- Avoca River, Ireland
- Mine water contamination in Scotland
- R¨otlbach, Austria
- Gromolo Creek, Italy
- Acid Mine Drainage in Macedonia
- Ala¸sehir Mine, Turkey
- Ankobra River, Ghana
- Banjar River, India
- Acid Mine Drainage in Tasmania, Australia
- Iron Mountain Mine, U.S.A.
- Concluding summary of case studies
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis examines the characterization of waterbodies impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD). The paper aims to discuss the fundamental processes involved in AMD generation, including the classification of mine drainage, the weathering of pyrite, and potential pollution sources. The thesis also explores the impacts of AMD on water quality, drinking-water-specific values, and legal and political aspects. It analyzes various international, particularly European, case studies to illustrate the complexity of this environmental issue. Here are some key themes of the text:- The classification of mine drainage and its impact on water quality
- The chemical processes of AMD generation, including sulphide weathering, metal dissolution, and acidity buffering
- The sources of AMD, including active and abandoned mining operations, waste storage, and mineral processing
- The effects of AMD on surface water, sediment, and groundwater
- The legal and political frameworks for managing AMD
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Acid mine drainage theory
- Classification of acid mine drainage: This chapter provides a detailed explanation of the different types of mine drainage, including extremely acid mine drainage (EAMD), acid mine drainage (AMD), neutral mine drainage (NMD), and saline mine drainage (SD). It outlines the key characteristics and parameters used to differentiate between these categories, including pH and dissolved metals.
- Acid mine drainage process: This chapter explores the chemical reactions involved in AMD generation. The discussion centers around the oxidation of pyrite (FeS2), the most common sulfide mineral in the Earth’s crust, which is a key driver of AMD. It describes the steps involved in the AMD process, including mineral weathering, metal dissolution, process acceleration due to microorganisms, acidity buffering, and mineral precipitation.
- Sources of acid mine drainage: This chapter explores the various sources of AMD in mining operations, including active and abandoned surface and underground mines, waste rock and ore stockpiles, and tailings. It examines the different mechanisms by which AMD is generated at each source, highlighting the role of oxygen, water, and sulphide minerals.
- Effects and impacts of acid mine drainage: This chapter discusses the detrimental effects of AMD on the environment, focusing on the contamination of surface water, sediments, and groundwater. It examines the impacts of AMD on flora and fauna, including the consequences for aquatic life and human health.
- Legal and political aspects of Acid Mine Drainage: This chapter explores the legal and political framework for managing AMD, emphasizing the importance of water quality regulations and sustainable development policies. It discusses the role of international organizations, such as the WHO and the EU, in setting drinking-water limit values for metals and other pollutants. It also highlights the importance of voluntary international mining-related environmental guidelines.
Case Studies
- Introduction: This chapter sets the context for the case study section, highlighting the global nature of the AMD problem. It uses the ERMITE project to illustrate the extent of mine water pollution in Europe, emphasizing the particular concerns in Southern and Eastern Europe.
- Rio Tinto and Rio Odiel, Spain: This chapter examines the impact of AMD on the Rio Tinto and Rio Odiel river systems in Spain. It explores the historical context of mining in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, highlighting the long-term environmental damage caused by AMD. The chapter discusses the high acidity and metal concentrations in the rivers, the formation of reddish sediments, and the significant contaminant load transported by the rivers to the estuary.
- Avoca River, Ireland: This chapter examines the AMD contamination of the Avoca River in Ireland, caused by the abandoned Avoca copper mine. It highlights the significant discharge of AMD-contaminated water from the mine adits and the resulting contamination of the river sediments. The chapter discusses the pH development and the concentrations of copper, zinc, lead, and iron in the river water and sediments.
- Mine water contamination in Scotland: This chapter examines the AMD problem in Scotland, focusing on the contamination of mine water by abandoned coal mines. It demonstrates that even though the pH of the mine water is often near-neutral due to the presence of acid-buffering minerals, it still contains high concentrations of metals.
- R¨otlbach, Austria: This chapter presents an example of naturally occurring acid drainage in the R¨otlbach Creek in Austria. It discusses the acidic spring water, the precipitation of jarosite, schwertmannite, and goethite, and the high concentrations of arsenic, cobalt, nickel, and lead.
- Gromolo Creek, Italy: This chapter examines the AMD contamination of the Gromolo Creek in Italy, caused by the abandoned Libiola iron-copper mine. It discusses the different sources of AMD in the mine area, including tailings and mine adits. The chapter highlights the differences in water quality between colored and colorless mine waters and analyzes the development of metal concentrations in the river water and sediments.
- Acid Mine Drainage in Macedonia: This chapter explores the widespread AMD problem in Macedonia, focusing on several major mines, including the Zletovo, Sasa, and Toranica lead-zinc mines, the Bucim copper mine, and the Krstov Dol and Alshar arsenic-antimony mines. It highlights the high concentrations of metals in the river water and sediments, particularly the presence of thallium.
- Ala¸sehir Mine, Turkey: This chapter examines the AMD contamination associated with the abandoned Ala¸sehir mercury mine in Turkey. It highlights the high concentrations of mercury in the mine water and sediments and the potential for contamination of the Gediz River, which is a major source of agricultural products.
- Ankobra River, Ghana: This chapter explores the combined impact of AMD from multiple mines on the Ankobra River in Ghana. It highlights the differences in water quality between the dry and wet seasons, particularly in terms of manganese, copper, nickel, and arsenic concentrations.
- Banjar River, India: This chapter examines the AMD contamination of the Banjar River in India, caused by the Malanjkhand copper mine. It highlights the high acidity and metal concentrations in the mine water and the contamination of the river sediments and groundwater. The chapter discusses the impacts of AMD on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Acid Mine Drainage in Tasmania, Australia: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the AMD problem in Tasmania, Australia. It discusses the Tasmanian State Policy on Water Quality Management and the resulting AMD survey. The chapter highlights the wide range of pH values observed, the development of metal concentrations in relation to sulphate levels, and the importance of acid base accounting (ABA) for evaluating the potential for AMD.
- Iron Mountain Mine, U.S.A.: This chapter examines the AMD contamination at the Iron Mountain Mine (IMM) in California, USA, which is one of the most polluted mining sites in the world. It discusses the highly acidic mine water, the significant contaminant load transported by the river, and the impacts of AMD on the surrounding river systems, including the Spring Creek Reservoir and the Sacramento River.
- Concluding summary of case studies: This chapter provides a summary of the key findings from the case study analysis. It highlights the importance of understanding the variability in pH and metal concentrations at AMD sites, the significant contamination of sediments, and the role of political and legal frameworks in managing AMD.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This thesis focuses on acid mine drainage, its chemical processes, sources, impacts, and management. Key topics include: * **Acid mine drainage (AMD)** * **Sulphide weathering** * **Metal dissolution** * **Pyrite oxidation** * **Acidity buffering** * **Mine water classification** * **Environmental impacts** * **Surface water contamination** * **Sediment contamination** * **Groundwater contamination** * **Drinking-water limit values** * **Legal and political frameworks** * **International case studies** This preview provides a comprehensive overview of the text without revealing any major conclusions or spoilers. It utilizes appropriate HTML tags for structure and readability, ensuring clear organization of the content.
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- Thomas Heise (Author), 2010, Characterization of Waterbodies Affected by Acid Mine Drainage, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/148142
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