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The Environmental Impact of Acid Mine Drainage
Background Essay
The presence of coal beds in the rock and soil of Kentucky has had both an economical and
environmental impact in our state. One of the biggest impacts has been on the quality of our water. Not
only has the extraction of coal introduced large amounts of silt into streambeds, but coal mining has
also introduced ions (ionized metals and salts) into our watersheds, a process which has lowered the
water’s pH and led to the deposit of sediments with toxic levels of heavy metals.
Coal is a sedimentary rock formed from dead plants and trees that fell into shallow bodies of water that
existed in Kentucky in earlier geological periods. Many of these shallow seas were brackish (slightly
salty), resulting in the introduction of sulfur into the layers of organic matter. Since the organic matter
was under water with no supply of oxygen, its decomposition was slowed tremendously. Over time, as
more sediment was laid down with increased pressure, the water was removed from the organic
material, and eventually coal beds containing iron II persulfide or pyrite (FeS2) were formed.
When pyrite is exposed to oxygen (in air or water), the ferrous ions are oxidized to ferric ions (Fe+2 to
Fe+3), and the sulfur becomes sulfate ions (SO4-2). When dissolved into water, sulfate ions increase the
amount of hydrogen ions created from the dissociation of water molecules. It is the increase of hydrogen
ion concentration that lowers the pH of a solution and creates the acid mine drainage that flows into our
watersheds and adversely affects the organisms that live there.
Water is known as the universal solvent because it will dissolve almost anything. Its structure as a polar
compound (a molecule having slightly opposite charges) enhances its ability to dissolve particles that
are charged (ions). As water runs across, through, and over rocks, soil, and organic matter, material is
dissolved into that water. Other factors such as temperature, surface area, and pH can affect the
solubility of solids into water.
The presence of acid mine drainage is signaled by the slightly reddish color of affected rocks and
streambeds. The water itself will be crystal clear because its acidity (pH 2-6) increases the solubility of
small particulates such as metals and ions, which otherwise would cause the water to appear cloudy.
However, when the acid mine drainage comes in contact with higher pH rocks (such as limestone) or
normal water (pH 7-8), the iron ions in the AMD start to precipitate and fall to the bottom of the
stream.
The optimum range of pH for the sustainability of life is between 6.5 and 8.5. One of the leading
indicators of water quality is the amount of insect larvae (macroinvertebrates) living in the water. These
insect larvae are the base of the food chain in an aquatic ecosystem; if they are not present, then the
likelihood of other aquatic life being present is slim. One reason macroinvertebrates are so susceptible to
environmental conditions like acid mine drainage is that their gills are outside of their body. Since the
gills are exposed, adverse abiotic (non-living) conditions can be devastating to their survival.
Acid mine drainage is not only detrimental to the overall health of the stream because it reduces pH
below the acceptable level for life, it also increases the solubility of the water to highly toxic metals such
as chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). These metals can build up in the food
chain, causing damage to vital organs in larger animals, including mammals, and even in humans.
Questions: answer in the space below. Attach another piece of paper if necessary.
1. How does coal mining cause acid mine drainage (AMD)?
2. Discuss the common characteristics of solutions with a pH of less than 7.
3. Discuss the common characteristics of solutions with a pH greater than 7.
4. Explain why solutions with low pHs have few visible solids in solution.
5. If you encountered a stream in the forest, what, if any, visual evidence would indicate a
stream with a low pH?
6.What visual evidence would indicate that a stream has an acceptable pH, but still suffers from AMD
contamination?
7. Are these visual indications sufficient to determine if the water is "safe"? If not, how would you make
this determination?
8. What pH does the water that comes out of your tap most likely have? Why?
9. What factors in a municipal water system and the plumbing system of buildings might affect the
water's pH?
10. Compare and contrast the strength and concentration of acids. Give examples of a strong acid and a
weak acid.