Question

What is the root cause of acid mine drainage?

A) the exposure of sulfide-bearing minerals to air and water
B) the burning of fossil fuels at mining operations
C) the drilling of test oil wells in sulfide-containing rocks
D) the planting of agricultural crops on exposed tailings
E) hydroelectric energy production near old mine sites

Answer 1

Acid mine drainage is primarily caused by the exposure of sulfide-bearing minerals to air and water, leading to environmental contamination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The root cause of acid mine drainage is A) the exposure of sulfide-bearing minerals to air and water. When these minerals are exposed, they undergo a chemical reaction with water and oxygen to form sulfuric acid.

This process can lead to the leaching out of harmful metals into the surrounding environment, thus contaminating nearby water sources. Acid mine drainage has a detrimental impact on aquatic ecosystems by lowering the pH of lakes and streams, making the water toxic for many forms of life.