Sulphide-bearing rock if left exposed to oxygen, or oxygenated water can result in metal leaching/acid rock drainage (ML/ARD). Not all exposed rock contains sulphides, but a lot where mines are do.
Onset times can be relatively fast (years) to long term (decades).
Tailings can be a huge source of this, so can waste rock piles. To stop this, we often create engineered covers to limit infiltration and reduce exposure to oxygen. In cases where we can’t manage this, the water is directed to a mined out pit or something similar and treated either actively or passively
It makes sense, this was close to a creek and the area is significantly fire-prone. I am sure that the recovery after a wildfire would be way harder if people were to have free access to such a sensitive habitat.
Hey, I put up those signs.
This looks like one where they are trying to restore a naturally or semi-naturally disturbed area/habitat loss.
I start from zero: mined out areas, contaminants, geochemistry issues, and formulate a plan to put it all back.
What are you like a geohydrauligist or something?
What sort of geochemistry issues? I assume they would all be related to contamination, what other kind could there be that would be an issue?
Sulphide-bearing rock if left exposed to oxygen, or oxygenated water can result in metal leaching/acid rock drainage (ML/ARD). Not all exposed rock contains sulphides, but a lot where mines are do.
Onset times can be relatively fast (years) to long term (decades).
Tailings can be a huge source of this, so can waste rock piles. To stop this, we often create engineered covers to limit infiltration and reduce exposure to oxygen. In cases where we can’t manage this, the water is directed to a mined out pit or something similar and treated either actively or passively
Oh word, sulphides and mining waste, I knew about that.
Ha, that’s so cool!
It makes sense, this was close to a creek and the area is significantly fire-prone. I am sure that the recovery after a wildfire would be way harder if people were to have free access to such a sensitive habitat.