Earth Science - Pollution

• Acid Mine Drainage

• orange ‘sludge’ in water

• acidic

• contains toxic metals

Characteristics of coal mining related pollution?

• luminous green water

• soil surrounding water turns white

• can cause lung and other cancers and other breathing issues

Characteristics of chrome works related pollution?

• dark in colour water in comparison to rest of area

• death of wildlife and organisms

Characteristics of marine oil spill related pollution?

• principle pollutant at brown sites(redeveloped previously industrial land)

• kills plant life when enters soil

• kills marine life when enters waterways

Characteristics of terrestrial oil spill related pollution?

• high pH

• solid precipitates of carbonate mineral(e.g calcite)

• grey/white sludge

• solid calcite

Characteristics of alkaline leachant related pollution?

• ‘red mud’ waste/slurry

• composed of iron oxides(red colouring)

• pH ~10-13

• red mud stored in tailings ponds(which may break creating pollution)

Characteristics of aluminium making/bauxite processing related pollution?

• anthropogenic exposure of limestone bedrock

• alkaline water - milky white colour

• precipitation of calcite(tufa)

• white/grey in colour

• solid calcite sediment

Characteristics of limestone quarrying/mining related pollution?

• to create pure iron, iron ore smelted with limestone and other additives - any byproduct besides pure iron considered slag

• slag consists of mainly calcium silicate minerals, some aluminium, magnesium and iron

• high pH due to hydroxide

• tufa/calcium carbonate precipitation - shields light from reaching watercourse

• water course become hyperalkaline - ecological dead zone

Characteristics of steel slag related pollution?

• waste lime reacts with rainwater creating calcite percipitation(tufa)

• cloudy/milky white water

Characteristics of lime production related pollution?

• eutrophication

• high concentration of nitrogen or phosphorus

• distinct green coloured water

• formation of algal blooms/mats

• storm drain runoff - may be oily or grey

Characteristics of nutrient related pollution?

• fertiliser - soluble form for plant absorption, ideal for entering waterways

• sewage - septic tanks, waste water treatment

• storm drain water and urban runoff

sources of anthropogenic N and P

• low pH/acidic water

• high in iron and sulphur

• orange sludge

• high concentration of ecotoxic metals

Characteristics of acid mine drainage(AMD) related pollution?