Acid Rock Drainage

Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) occurs when sulfide minerals in rocks, often exposed by mining, react with air and water, producing sulfuric acid. This acid can leach heavy metals from the surrounding environment, leading to contaminated water that can harm aquatic life and ecosystems. ARD is a significant environmental concern, particularly in mining regions, as it can lead to long-term pollution of rivers and streams. Mitigating ARD requires careful management of mining activities and remediation strategies to protect water quality and ecosystems affected by this acid runoff.