
Formation and characterization of acid mine drainage in the Madzharovo ore field, Southeastern Bulgaria
Author(s) -
Svetlana Bratkova
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
inženerna geologiâ i hidrogeologiâ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2738-6996
pISSN - 0204-7934
DOI - 10.52321/igh.35.1.41
Subject(s) - acid mine drainage , tailings , sulfide minerals , pyrite , drainage , coal mining , sulfur , sulfide , groundwater , mining engineering , environmental science , surface mining , cadmium , manganese , geology , environmental chemistry , geochemistry , coal , metallurgy , chemistry , materials science , ecology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , biology
The formation of acid mine drainage (AMD) is a serious environmental problem in areas with mining and processing industries worldwide. Their generation is associated with chemical and biological processes of oxidation of sulfide minerals, mainly pyrite. Sources of AMD can be deposits of sulfide minerals and coal with a high content of pyrite sulfur, mining waste and some tailings. The impact of AMD on surface and groundwater in mining areas continues for decades after the cessation of extraction. An example of the negative impact of generated acid mine drainage on the state of surface waters is in the region of Madzharovo. Years after the cessation of mining, the waters at the discharge points "Momina Skala", "Harman Kaya" and "Pandak Dere" are characterized by low pH values and high concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and manganese.