Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Danielle Eganhouse. Today's question is an interesting one.
What is mine drainage and how does it occur?
Mine drainage is metal-rich water formed from a chemical reaction between water and rocks containing sulfur-bearing minerals. Or more specifically, mine drainage occurs when pyrite is exposed and reacts with air and water to form sulfuric acid and dissolved iron. Some or all of this iron can precipitate to form the red, orange, or yellow sediments in the bottom of streams containing mine drainage. The runoff formed frequently comes from areas where ore- or coal mining activities have exposed rocks containing pyrite and can further dissolve heavy metals such as copper, lead, and mercury into ground or surface water. However, metal-rich drainage can also occur in mineralized areas that have not been mined.
And now you know. Join us again every weekday for a new CoreFact. For other CoreFacts, or for CoreCast, our in-depth science podcast, go to usgs.gov/podcasts. If you'd like to have a question featured on our show, give us an email at corefacts@usgs.gov or a phone call at 703-648-5600. Remember, long distance fees do apply.
CoreFacts is a product of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.
A CoreFact is a weekly audio podcast from the USGS that asks and answers a natural science question. When you subscribe to CoreFacts, episodes will be automatically downloaded to your computer as soon as they're available.
Huh? What's a Podcast?
A podcast is an audio (e.g. mp3) or video file (e.g. mpeg) that can be played
on a mobile media player (i.e. Apple iPod)1 or
personal computer.2
So, How Do I Listen/Watch?
You can subscribe to CoreFacts via RSS
feed1 (click for details), or you can listen to individual
CoreFacts by selecting the play button next to the episode you’re interested
in. When you subscribe to CoreFacts, each episode will automatically download
to your computer as soon as they become available. Some specific instructions can be found on our Adding a Podcast page.
1 Make sure you have the right software
to download CoreFacts from a computer to your mobile media player—this software
usually comes with the player. 2 To play CoreFacts on your computer, you will need media
player software such as: iTunes, Windows
Media Player, or Real
Media Player.
Most computers already have media player software installed—check
with your computer administrator to see if you’re already set up for CoreFacts!
508 Compliance
Every episode is transcribed and can be viewed in the Show Details section.
All links to Web sites or data referenced in the show are included.