Effects of abandoned coal mine on the water quality

ABSTRACT

Improving effective strategies to control acid mine drainage (AMD) in abandoned mine areas is a significant challenge because of water quality issues. AMD is a serious water pollution problem. The water in the area where the mine is located acquires an acidic character, the pH level of the environment decreases, the concentration of heavy metals increases with their dissolution in the acidic environment, and can cause serious environmental pollution by creating a toxic effect for all living things. However, acidic characteristics are not observed in the waters at high pH levels; a basic environment is formed; the heavy metal dissolution slows down; and the precipitation of minerals begins. In such an environment, it is not possible to observe AMD formation and heavy metal pollution. If AMD source is characterized, the most effective strategies can be developed to control the acidic effluents. The main aim of this work was to investigate the potential impact of Ovacik abandoned, coal mine (Cankiri, Turkey) on the water quality in the areas around the mine. Water samples were collected along the open pit area (abandoned), dump sites and coal storage area. Effluent characterizations were investigated for the better evaluation of the water contamination level to develop the successful treatment strategies. In the studies conducted in the same field in 2010–2011, it was determined that the water pH changes between 6.64 and 8.13. Similarly, in this study, the results showed that the pH values of water streams in the abandoned mine were measured between 7.28 and 8.94 with no heavy metal contamination. Although the coal deposit exhibits AMD source minerals, the rock formations which have alkaline content prevented AMD in the considered site.

KEYWORDS:

• Abandoned coal mine
• water quality
• acid mine drainage
• heavy metal contamination

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (Project No: 115M712).