Need a basic list of negative effects of coal mining and fast essay due tomorrow.
2007-09-10 12:23:29 · 5 answers · asked by cinderella 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
1. disposal of mine spoils (leftovers from mining);
2. potential for acidic runoff;
3. potential for possible toxic trace element movement in ground water and surface waters;
4. dangerous occupation (for underground mining)
5. disruption of ground cover (for strip mining; open pit mining)
6. displacement of wildlife due to blasting, disturbance of surface, vehicle traffic, etc.
7. potential for surface collapse (from underground mining);
8. potential interference with aquifer (underground water supply);
9. potential to ruin nearby water wells from blasting and from interfering with the aquifer;
10. unhealthy conditions in and near mining activities (both underground and strip mining) due to dust, coal fines, etc.
11. potential for flooding near strip mines due to changes in surface water flow from loss of ground cover, placement of spoil piles, etc.
12. increased heavy equipment and truck traffic in areas not really well built for such;
13. potential for catastrophic slump or landslide from water soaked tailings/spoil pile
14. potential underground fires in coal seams which may burn and smolder for decades (you can still see some of these in the western states)
that should do for a quick essay. Just flesh it out.
2007-09-10 13:27:11 · answer #1 · answered by idiot detector 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Human misery in the form of black lung disease, death from being buried or gassed.
Pollution in the form of 'tailings' which is the material sometimes removed with the coal and separated. usually has high acid content and ends up leaching out. Pollution in the form of release of mercury when burned.
Environmental disasters caused when mines catch fire and burn for years, adding to the greenhouse gasses.
2007-09-11 22:27:02 · answer #2 · answered by Brian T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unstable land masses due to coring out the earth, black lung in workers, strip mining causes almost complete destruction of land for years to come, fires may begin and burn for years due to gases emitted from the mine, coal itself is harmful to the environment.
2007-09-13 22:10:47 · answer #3 · answered by brenderderder 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the mined coal is used as fuel, coal fuel pollutes our atmosphere.
There is loss of live when mining coal.
you have cut down trees to start a coal mine.
2007-09-10 19:29:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Runoff from mines is acidic and kills plant and animal life in wetlands and streams.
Deforestation (as mentioned)
Safety concerns
Habitat destruction
Essay due tomorrow? Procrastinate much?
2007-09-10 19:31:06 · answer #5 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋