Use the Internet to gather data, graphs, pictures and information
about the watershed and interpret and compare that information.
In your exploration, aim to answer the following
questions:
1.What is Abandoned Mine Drainage? How is it caused?
2.What affect does AMD have on water quality? What are other associated
hazards?
3.What historical and industrial events influence the current issue
of AMD in Pennsylvania?
4.How is the AMD problem in eastern PA different from western PA? How
does Pa compare to other states with AMD issues?
5.How has industry responded to the environmental issue of AMD?
6.What projects are going on to reclaim Acid Mine Lands and prevent
Acid Mine Drainage in Pennsylvania and other states?
7.What techniques are being employed to deal with AMD? Compare and contrast
those techniques?
Link to Worksheet that
accompanies activity. Print this sheet out and answer the questions
as you explore Abandoned Mine Drainage.
Note: Abandoned Mine Drainage and Acid Mine Drainage are often used
interchangeably in the following Webpages. Acid Mine Drainage is a more
specific term that refers to waters where the pH of the
water is acidic.
Exploration:
What is Abandoned Mine Drainage? Why is it such a big problem?
http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eastern/environment/drainage.html
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/go_with_inspector/coalmine/What_is_Acid_Mine_Drainage.htm
Get all the details about AMD, including the chemistry involved, how
it is formed and the pros and cons of different techniques used to treat
mine water.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/bamr/amd/science_of_AMD.htm
What are passive systems and how does this technology help remediate
AMD?
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/landrec/passtrt/passtrt.htm
Study the map and compare the number of AMD sites around the country.
How are the sites distributed throughout the U.S.? http://www.osmre.gov/aml/intro/zintro2.htm#Map
What are the facts about AMD in Pennsylvania?
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/DEPUTATE/MINRES/BAMR/MINING_012397.htm
What are the facts about AMD impacts in PA?
http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/abondoned_mine_drainage.htm
What are some of the projects that are happening in PA?
http://water.wr.usgs.gov/mine/archive/penn.html
Explore the differences between eastern and western coal mines and their
associated environmental problems. Click on the maps to enlarge.
http://wwwpah2o.er.usgs.gov/projects/amd/index.html
Read through the following report and become acquainted with AMD, the
projects that are being implemented, the funding available and the agencies
that provide funding.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/DEPUTATE/MINRES/BAMR/Documents/DEP1494.htm
Explore the history of mining in Pennsylvania, present day industry,
maps, and a time line.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/go_with_inspector/coalmine/Coal_Mining_in_Pennsylvania.htm
How does AMD affect aquatic life (macroinvertebrates, fish), water use
and man-made structures? Scroll down and click on chapter four if you
are brought to the table of contents.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/districts/cmdp/chap04.html
http://wwwpah2o.er.usgs.gov/projects/amd/amdmap.gif
What are the environmental laws that pertain to coal mining?
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/go_with_inspector/coalmine/Environmental_Laws.htm
Read about AMD from an industry point of view. Scroll down to "Environmentally
Responsible Mining Operations"
http://www.enviromine.com/publicat/enviroresponse.html
Other Resources:
Review this report on the scar left by coal mining, written about 1967
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/pa_env-her/Scarlift/scarliftcover.htm
Extension Activity:
Walk through the tour of the surface mine with DEP officials. Make sure
to go the the briefings. Use the arrows at the bottom of each page to
continue with the tour. Have fun!!
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/go_with_inspector/coalmine/Table_of_Contents.htm
Hands-on Activity for testing AMD in water for kids. Requires Acrobat
reader.
http://pubs.usgs.gov/openfile/of00-369/of00-369.pdf
Other issues related to Abandoned Mine Drainage:
Explore some problems that result from Acid Mine Lands?
http://www.onenet.net/~naamlp/hazards.htm
http://www.blm.gov/aml/environ.htm#top
Explore the Centralia mine fires.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/DEPUTATE/MINRES/BAMR/CENTBRF.htm
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/COUNTIES/columbia/Mine_Reclamation_news.htm