TRANSACTION PAPER

Prevention of chemical contamination of groundwater by mine water

C. Pamukcu; F. Simsir

Dokuz Eylul University, Mining Engineeing Department, Izmir-Turkey

SYNOPSIS

In this paper, which is aimed to serve as a review article, first of all a breakdown of the earth's total water reserves is given. The usage areas of water in the mining industry are mentioned and these uses are briefly outlined, together with the main pollution potential of each. According to this, most of the water (almost 80% of it) is utilized in processing. Later on, probable damages that the mining would give to groundwater as a result of acid mine drainage, heavy metal pollution, euthrophication and deoxygenation is described. Finally, the measures and controls that should be taken against water contamination in mines are presented.

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Paper received Mar. 2007
Revised paper received Apr. 2007