EnviroScape -- Environmental models for school and community education

Acid Mine Drainage Activity

On the forest area apply a pollutant to one of the indents (where a tree might go); use cocoa or black tempera paint, then cover with gravel or small stones. For a realistic look, build an abandoned mine building out of toothpicks or Popsicle sticks, glue the sticks together to create a wooden mine opening. Concentrate rain spray on the gravel area and watch pollutants seep out into the creek below.

Explain and expand. Some simple yet important points to cover:

Algae loves AMD.
Wetlands, constructed wetlands may be a solution to AMD.

"In many areas, acid drainage forms naturally when certain minerals come into contact with water, air and bacteria. This contact and the chemical reactions that take place are part of the weathering process. The weathering of the rocks and minerals in the creek slowly releases the acids, salts, metals and sulfates into creeks, rivers, lakes and wetlands. Weathering is a natural process, but many times human activities interfere and can increase the amounts. When too much of these acids and minerals enter creeks, they become polluted and can no longer support animals."

excerpt from: Modules and Activities -- Exploring Acid Mine Drainage: http://cotf.edu/ete/modules/waterq/wqacidmine.html

Construct a small wetland (using sponges, felt, or even some moss) place at the base of the forest area, in the creek, where most of your acid mine drainage is concentrated explain that if constructed properly a wetland can be a natural solution to control and reduce effects of acid-mine drainage

Other Great activities that can be adapted to EnviroScape can be accessed at http://craddock_t.tripod.com/amd_experiments-html.htm#Why