Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-71954-7_22
Title (Primary) Ways of controlling acid by ecotechnology
Title (Secondary) Acidic mining lakes : acid mine drainage, limnology and reclamation
Author Klapper, H.; Friese, K.; Scharf, B.W.; Schimmele, M.; Schultze, M.
Publisher Geller, W.; Klapper, H.; Salomons, W.
Source Titel Environmental Science and Engineering / Environmental Science
Year 1998
Department GM
Page From 401
Page To 416
Language englisch
UFZ inventory Leipzig, Bibliothek, Hauptlesesaal,00050487, 98-1331 DK: 622.015 Aci
Magdeburg, Bibliothek, 00370622, 98-0808 MA : Bi 38
Abstract Geogenic acidification results from the oxidation of sulfidic minerals that had been stable for millennia because of anaerobic conditions in the underground. The geochemical process is microbially intensified and therefore a natural process. However, it is also man-made, because the sulfidic minerals are oxidized as a consequence of aeration due to mining activities. Open-cast lignite mining starts with the dewatering of the overburden, of the lignite and of the uppermost layers below the coal. Pyrite and marcasite are then in contact with atmospheric oxygen instead of anaerobic groundwater. The acidity results from the oxidation of sulfur and iron and from the hydrolysis of iron (see also Evangelou, this Vol.). Bodies of water become acidified when the sulfuric acid and iron (II)-sulfate are leached and transported into the lake by the groundwater. In the case of refilling with groundwater, the resulting mining lakes are acidic, with pH between 2 and 3. Their water is brown because of the high content of dissolved iron hydroxide. The low pH is strongly buffered by iron. Other heavy metals formerly present in the overburden are dissolved and contaminate the lake water. Living conditions differ widely from those in natural lakes in Germany.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=8751
Klapper, H., Friese, K., Scharf, B.W., Schimmele, M., Schultze, M. (1998):
Ways of controlling acid by ecotechnology
In: Geller, W., Klapper, H., Salomons, W. (eds.)
Acidic mining lakes : acid mine drainage, limnology and reclamation
Environmental Science and Engineering / Environmental Science
Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, p. 401 - 416 10.1007/978-3-642-71954-7_22