Acid mine drainage, associated coal deposits

Another environmental problem associated with sulfur is called acid mine drainage. Groundwater in both coal and metal sulfide mines can become contaminated with sulfuric acid. This is particularly a problem in the coal mines of the Appalachian Mountains. Coal deposits often contain pyrites. Metal ores can include toxic salts of zinc, lead, arsenic, copper, and aluminum. In both cases, acid mine drainage can kill fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as corrode boats and piers. Streams sometimes turn red in color because of the iron content from the mine... 

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the largest environmental problems faced by mining and mineral industries globally (Akcil and Koldas 2006 Akabzaa et al. 2007). AMD is mainly associated with sulphide-rich metalliferous ore deposits, viz., copper, lead, zinc, gold, nickel, tin, and uranium mines (Naicker et al. 2003 Nieto et al. 2007) and coal mines (Bell et al. 2001 Sahoo et al. 2012), which were formed under marine conditions and contain abundant reactive framboidal pyrite (Carrucio and Fern 1974 Campbell etal. 2001). In Table 1, we present a list of well-known AMD sites worldwide. 

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