To claim this Earthcache as found, observe at the site and email the answers to the following questions:
1. Estimate how much water is flowing from the borehole. (Is it a trickle? A three foot fountain?)
2. Which of the pollutants do you think are present and what evidence supports your guess?
3. Do you see any signs of life (plants, fish, insects, birds) in the affected area?
Iron Pyrite (FeS2) is a combination of Iron (Fe) and Sulfur (S). It can look golden and shiny and is also known as fool's gold.
Pyrite in the ground is harmless. But when the drilling allows water (H2O) and Oxygen (O2) to mix with pyrite, it results in sulfuric acid (H2SO4)and ferric hydroxide (FeOH). Hydrogen is released which lowers the pH, making it more acidic.
Pyrite is often found in the same area as coal. The mining process exposes the pyrite to water and air which then sets off the reactions causing the metals and acids to be released. The water brings this to the surface where the metals sink back down and build up in thicker and thicker layers.
The deep mine water here flows to the surface, sometimes at a rate of 800 gallons per minute, bringing the pollutants to the area and to the Little Conemaugh River. The area surrounding the borehole is coated with iron, manganese, sulfates (salts of sulfuric acid), and aluminum compounds.
Iron (Fe) - black turns to red when it is oxidized (exposed to oxygen) and yellow orange when super oxidized
Manganese (Mn) - silver grey turns to brown when oxidized
Sulfur (S) - yellow
Aluminum (Al) - grey or silvery does not react with oxygen
Iron eating algae - green
To claim this Earthcache as found, observe at the site and email the answers to the following questions:
1. Estimate how much water is flowing from the borehole. (Is it a trickle? A three foot fountain?)
2. Which of the pollutants do you think are present and what evidence supports your guess?
3. Do you see any signs of life (plants, fish, insects, birds) in the affected area?