Coal Mines & The Effects They Produce Tyler Morin & Holly Schwichtenburg

What is Coal Anyways? A combustible and sedimentary organic rock Main components are: carbon, hydrogen & oxygen also contain varying amounts of sulfur and nitrogen Formed from vegetation that has been consolidated between layers of rock and has been subjected to changes in pressure and heat over time Higher carbon content means higher amount of energy

Iron Pyrite (FeS 2) A common material in coal mines Mine tailings: a source of metal and nonmetal contamination in coal From mine tailings contributes iron and sulfur to water pollution contributes production of sulfur oxides in flue gases when coal is burned which leads to acid rain

Water Pollution Contributes to water production when sulfide is oxidized to sulfate and the Fe(II) is oxidized to Fe(III) 4FeS O 2 + 6H 2 O→ 4[Fe(OH)] 2+ + HSO 4 - The result is a dilute solution of sulfuric acid containing Fe(II), Fe(III), and other heavy metal ions

Effects of Water Pollution In areas with old mines such acidic solutions are common in streams and rivers pH values as low as have been measured This effectively kills most plant and animal life in the water

Effects of Burning Coal When coal containing sulfur compounds are burned it results in sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide which contaminate the atmosphere Sulfur oxides are readily dissolved in water droplets in the atmosphere and return to the earth as acid rain Acid rain has damaged forests, lakes, building materials, and artistic works globally

Smelting Process of purifying metals by roasting the ore in air to convert it into the oxide MS + 3/2 O 2 → MO + SO 2 (M= Cu, Ni) Smelting is not a major source of sulfur oxides but it does show the dramatic effects of pollution For example sites studied in Canada show vegetation damage and evidence of acidified lakes up to 40 miles away from the plant

Control of SO 2 Emissions EPA is controlling agency Clean Air Act No more than 8.90 million tons of sulfur dioxides per year total Penalties vary by amount in excess Regulate by issuing permits to individual plants that state the total amount they are allowed to produce based on size of plant Continuous Emissions Monitoring System Scrubbers on Smokestacks

Ultimate Fate of Emissions Acid Rain is main effect of sulfur dioxides Ecosystems (i.e. aquatic life, soils and rainforests) will be ruined Buildings and other landmarks will become ruined

References Advanced Inorganic Text