Acid mine drainage

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Water mixed with sulfuric acid and having a pH of less than 6.0. This mixture can be discharging from an active mine or abandoned mine. Ore or other minerals containing sulfides (iron pyrite) oxidate (when exposed to water, air, or other weathering processes) and form sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid mixes with water and flows out of the mine into surrounding areas as acid mine drainage. [Source: USDA National Plant Materials Manual]

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