acid mine drainage. Drainage of water from areas that have been mined for coal of other mineral ores; the water has low pH, sometimes less than 2.
Acid mine drainage: Low pH drainage water from certain mines usually caused by the oxidation of sulfides to sulfuric acid. Mine drainage can also contain high concentration of metal ions.
The nature of mining processes creates a potential negative impact on the environment during mining operations and even years after the mine is closed. As an industry, mining has contributed to global warming, acid mine drainage, ...
Changes in groundwater flow produced by mining operations often bring otherwise unpolluted waters into contact with certain mineral materials which are leached from the soil and produce an acid mine drainage.
 See also: Alkaline, Volatile, Alkalinity, Sludge, Ground water
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