Acid mine drainage soil in Colline Metallifere
Water quality problems occur when coal and pyrite (iron sulfide) are exposed to oxygen and water. Through oxidation of the pyrite, sulfuric acid is formed. As this acid passes over different rock strata surrounding the pyrite, it dissolves metals including iron, aluminum and manganese. This influx of acid and metal not only reduces the number and diversity of aquatic organisms; it also increases the corrosiveness of the water, limits its domestic use and impairs the aesthetic qualities.
Size: 6002px × 4018px
Location: Fiume Merse, Montieri, Collonie Metallifere, Tuscany, Italy.
Photo credit: © Elbardamu / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., acid, affect, biological, coal, consumption, crisis, cultures, diversity, drainage, effects., environment, environment., form, heavy, importance, iron, issue, maintain, metal, mineral, mineralis, nature, patterns, pollution, populations, put, pyrite, real, recognized, red, rocks, soil, stress, sulfuric, water
