Water pollution coal mining

A reaction of considerable importance in water pollution is the production of high acidity waters in coal mines. The acidity of these waters seems to be the result of oxidation of pyritic compounds. Although the oxidation mechanism is not understood, several investigators feel that microorganisms accelerate this reaction rate (25). 

F. ferro-oxidants is capable of accelerating the oxidation of pyritic (FeSj) deposits at acid pH values. It is usually found in association with Thio-bacillus and was known as Thiobacillus ferroxidans before the distinction between the two organisms was appreciated. It is responsible for pollution problems arising from acid waters in gold and bituminous coal mines such waters are corrosive to pumping machinery and mining installations (see Fig. 2.20). 

Chaulya, S. K., Chkraborty, M. K., Ahmad, M., Singh, R. S., Bondyopadhay, C., Mondal, G. C. Pal, D. 2002. Development of empirical formulae to determine emission rate from various opencast coal mining operations. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 140, 21-55. 

Tiwary, R. K. 2001. Environmental impact of coal mining on water regime and its management. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 132, 185-199. 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act Dangerous Cargo Act Federal Coal Mining Safety Health Act Federal Food Drug Cosmetic Act Federal Insecticide, Fungicide Rodent Act Federal Water Pollution Control Act Hazardous Materials Transport Act Occupational Safety and Health Act Safe Drinking Water Act Toxic Substance Control Act... 

Brady K. B. C., Hornberger R. J., and Fleeger G. (1998) Influence of geology on postmining water quality northern Appalachian basin. In Coal Mine Drainage Prediction and Pollution Prevention in Pennsylvania (eds. K. B. C. Brady, M. W. Smith, and J. Schueck). The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, Harrisburg, PA, pp. 8-1-8-92. 

Mine tailings are a source of both metal and nonmetal contamination. A common material in coal mines is iron pyrite, FeS2. As a contaminant of coal, this compound and similar compounds contribute to the production of sulfur oxides in flue gases when coal is burned. As a material in mine tailings, it contributes both iron and sulfur to water pollution when the sulfide is oxidized in a series of reactions to sulfate and the Fe(II) oxidized to Fe(III) ... 

Because of the importance of coal as a major source of energy and the environmental hazards involved in its use, considerable research has become necessary in order to understand fully the different compounds appearing in the coal and their transformation during processing and to know how those compounds contribute to the pollution of the environment, i.e., acidity of water streams near the coal mines and pollution by power plants. Some positive properties can be associated with the mineral matter in coal. For example, recently several researchers have shown that the mineral matter in the coal may play an important role in the liquefaction process (i). Of all the minerals in the coal, the iron-bearing minerals seem... 

Power production is responsible for the introduction of toxic chemicals into drinking water via several routes. These include petroleum production (drilling, pumping, transport, and refining), coal mining, petroleum combustion, and coal combustion. Nuclear reactors that produce electricity also pollute the water environment through the introduction of massive quantities of heat to surface waters. 

Water pollution from boiler operations (thermal pollution), surface or ground-water contamination from mining of coal and limestone... 

McWhorter, D. B., R. K. Skooerboe, and G. V. Skoger-boe. 1974. Water pollution potential of mine spoils in the Rocky Mountain region. Proc. 5th symp. coal mine drainage research, pp. 25-38. Monroeville, PA Bituminous Coal Research, Inc. 

Thirty-four minor and trace elements are of potential environmental concern (n ). Sulfur is the element of major concern due to its abundance in flue gases from some coal-burning plants and its subsequent contribution to "acid rain." Sulfur as acidic ions of sulfate can also contribute to pollution of surface water and groundwater. Other elements of greatest concern are As, B, Cd, Pb, Hg, Mo, and Se. With the exception of B and Se, these elements are strongly associated with mineral matter in the coal and are concentrated in waste piles from coal preparation plants. If the waste disposal site is not constructed as a closed system, pollution of nearby groundwater is possible. Boron and Se may contribute to the pollution risk as they are associated with both mineral and organic components. On the other hand, certain coal-mine wastes have potential for recovery of valuable metals such as zinc and cadmium (18). 

PROBABLE FATE photolysis slow photoreduction to aniline probably leads to the total loss of the compound oxidation reversible oxidation to azobenzene occurs, photooxidation half-life in water 1.3 days-72 days, photooxidation half-life in air 18 minutes hydrolysis only possible in biosulfite wastes of a paper mill or coal mine volatilization not important biological processes bioaccumulation is possible other reactions intermolecular rearrangement occurs in acidic solution to form benzidine approximately 84.25% of the pollutant ends up in water 6.25% ends up in terrestrial soils 5.8% ends up in aquatic sediments 3.7% ends up in air... 

A series of environmental problems, such as mining collapse, karst collapse, ground fissure, land subsidence and water pollution, are produced by coal exploitation in the subsidence area of the south lake, Tangshan city, which seriously affect the people s daily life and production. 

Similar reactions are also possible with a variety of other sulfide minerals such as galena (PbS) and sphalerite (ZnS). These reactions produce acid mine water, a major pollution problem from coal mining. 

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