Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) By Alyssa Ruggiero

What is AMD? AMD is…  The orange/yellow discoloration- also known as Yellow Boy- in streams caused by the contamination of sulfuric acid due to running water that has come in contact with remaining coal from old vacant coal mines.

Causes…  AMD occurs when the pyrite iron sulfide from the coal becomes exposed and reacts with both the water from the stream and oxygen, causing dissolved iron and sulfuric acid to form.  The rate and extent to which it forms varies depending on certain bacteria.

Effects? The yellow/orange discoloration in the streams harms ecosystems because it smothers the animal and plant life and increases the pH levels. The yellow/orange discoloration in the streams harms ecosystems because it smothers the animal and plant life and increases the pH levels. Because of the highly toxic levels of acidity, left over metals, and sediments all animal life in the streams die. Because of the highly toxic levels of acidity, left over metals, and sediments all animal life in the streams die.

AMD In Pennsylvania… Because of all the abandoned coal mines, more than 3,000 miles of streams are contaminated in PA. Because of all the abandoned coal mines, more than 3,000 miles of streams are contaminated in PA. It is the most extensive water pollution problem in the four major rivers in PA. It is the most extensive water pollution problem in the four major rivers in PA. PA loses 67 million a year in treatment of the contaminations. PA loses 67 million a year in treatment of the contaminations.

Possible Preventions… A method used for prevention is to keep the acidic material from oxidizing by burying the mine waste under a thick liner or an asphalt of polyurethane sealant. A method used for prevention is to keep the acidic material from oxidizing by burying the mine waste under a thick liner or an asphalt of polyurethane sealant.

Remedies? Two types of treatment: Two types of treatment: Active and Passive Both have positives and negatives.

Active Treatment Active is the traditional way which is to add alkaline chemicals, such as lime, soda ash, and ammonia to the AMD to counteract the acid. Active is the traditional way which is to add alkaline chemicals, such as lime, soda ash, and ammonia to the AMD to counteract the acid.

Active Treatment Pros & Cons: Pros: Pros: Is a great to raise pH levels and reduce the presence of metals. Is a great to raise pH levels and reduce the presence of metals. Cons: Cons: Lime, soda ash, and ammonia are very expensive to maintain Lime, soda ash, and ammonia are very expensive to maintain Disposal of metal loaded waste can be a problem. Disposal of metal loaded waste can be a problem.

Passive Treatment Passive treatment has been used since early 1990’s. It uses a variety of treatment to raise pH levels. Passive treatment has been used since early 1990’s. It uses a variety of treatment to raise pH levels.

Passive Treatment Pros & Cons: Pros: Pros: It needs only periodic maintenance It needs only periodic maintenance Lower costs than Active Treatment Lower costs than Active Treatment Cons: Cons: not enough land not enough land

Work Cited "Acid Mine Drainage." Stonycreek- Conemaugh River Improvement Project Mar "Acid Mine Drainage." Stonycreek- Conemaugh River Improvement Project Mar "Coal-Mine-Drainage Projects in Pennsylvania." USGS. 30 Sept Mar "Coal-Mine-Drainage Projects in Pennsylvania." USGS. 30 Sept Mar Todd, Judi, and Kelli Reddick. "Acid Mine Drainage." Civil Engineering Dept. 7 June Mar Todd, Judi, and Kelli Reddick. "Acid Mine Drainage." Civil Engineering Dept. 7 June Mar