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A decade-long journey shed light on chemical composition and field determination of acid mine drainage in Brazil

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Abstract

Regular monitoring of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is essential for understanding its extent and impact on water resources. Traditional manual sampling methods have limitations, such as limited representativeness and delayed lab analysis. High-frequency monitoring offers an alternative, enabling real-time analysis of AMD fluctuations and determination of constituents in the field. This study assessed a decade-long environmental monitoring database from watersheds impacted by coal mining in Brazil to analyze the relationships between physical properties and constituents from different water sources affected by AMD. Samples were grouped into four categories based on location and contamination levels. Results revealed that water samples from the two groups not affected by AMD exhibited near-neutral pH, low metal and sulfate concentrations, and a large portion of samples below the quantification limit for Mn and Al. In contrast, samples from groups affected by AMD displayed high metal and sulfate concentrations and acidic pH, with the highest contamination observed in the underground mine discharges group (AMD UMD). Spearman correlation analyzes between field (pH and electrical conductivity (EC)) and lab (SO42−, Fe, Mn, and Al) parameters showed no significant correlations in non-AMD-affected groups, but significant correlations in AMD-affected groups, particularly the Streams group. A regression model between sulfate and EC was identified as the best predictor for AMD, enabling continuous, low-cost monitoring of contaminated streams and providing insight into previously unobserved AMD processes, such as variations in contamination during storm events and river flushing.

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Data availability

The datasets analyzed during the current study can be found on the Geological Survey of Brazil's web mapping site: https://geoportal.cprm.gov.br/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=505d786a1b7b4121a1af70aa7a263146

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydrology and Land Management, Geological Survey of Brazil, Criciúma, Brazil

    Albert Teixeira Cardoso

  2. Institute of Hydraulic Research, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Fernando Mainardi Fan

  3. Geosciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Antonio Pedro Viero

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  1. Albert Teixeira Cardoso
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  2. Fernando Mainardi Fan
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  3. Antonio Pedro Viero
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The authors, Albert Teixeira Cardoso, Fernando Mainardi Fan, and Antonio Pedro Viero, made the following contributions to the manuscript: conceptualization, formal analysis, writing, and manuscript review. In addition, Albert Teixeira Cardoso also contributed to the investigation, methodology, and preparation of figures.

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Correspondence to Albert Teixeira Cardoso.

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Cardoso, A.T., Fan, F.M. & Viero, A.P. A decade-long journey shed light on chemical composition and field determination of acid mine drainage in Brazil. Environ Monit Assess 196, 123 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12304-y

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