THE OXYGENATION OF IRON (JI) - RELATIONSHIP TO COAL MINE DRAINAGE TREATMENT

Special Research Report SR-69 Preventive and corrective approaches to water pollution emanating from coal mines must deal with the chemistry of the contaminants. These contaminants are primarily soluble ferrous salts and sulfuric acid which arise from in situ solubilizing reactions with the iron sulfides univer- sally associated with coal strata. The oxidation of ferrous iron by atmospheric oxygen is of paramount significance in most aspects of the problem. Although extensively studied, this reaction is further eval- uated here to provide basic data under conditions applicable to field conditions and yet enhance the understanding of the mechanisms involved. Rate studies of this reaction, which can be rate-controlling, have im- plications regarding pollutant formation, treatment of contaminated water and control of the characteristics of the resulting waste sludge.