V. Daszkilewicz, 529312, 1 The earth roils in a toxic, acidic stream, and a thick sludge accumulates within it like corrosion on a battery. It chokes and kills all life that once lived in the vibrant and pristine water, eventually giving it the appearance of perpetually flowing orange paint. This isn't a scene from some horrific, imaginary planet that belongs in a nightmare or a science fiction movie, but one that has slowly invaded our very own Earth. The best way to combat acid mine drainage is to remediate the contaminated water, especially by using natural means like neutralizing the drainage's acidity and constructing wetlands; therefore preventing further damage to the environment. To understand the horrific consequences of acid mine
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The persistant effectss of AMD devastate animals and plant life, and they can change aquatic environments in a drastically horrifying way, as "Many impacted streams have a pH of 4 or lower -- similar to battery acid"(Acid Mine Drainage, earthworksaction.org). Acid mine drainage ravages environments, and even though containing and treating the water helps; some aquatic environments have become so heavily polluted and unaccommodating that it is difficult for wildlife to make a comeback. Constructing wetlands creates a new environment for organisms to grow and thrive, and also counteracts America's national campaign of destroying wetlands that has plagued the past. Wetlands are renouned for their impressive pollutant-filtering capabilities, which they perform by "...trapping sediments and retaining excess nutrients and other pollutants such as heavy metals"(Functions and Values of Wetlands, ecy.wa.gov). Trapping sediments found in AMD in a wetland may seem like a temporary solution that ultimately results in the wetland's destruction, but wetland grasses actually bury and convert toxic sediment into less-harmful chemicals. When AMD accumulates in streams and rivers it clogs and smothers after sinking
The persistant effectss of AMD devastate animals and plant life, and they can change aquatic environments in a drastically horrifying way, as "Many impacted streams have a pH of 4 or lower -- similar to battery acid"(Acid Mine Drainage, earthworksaction.org). Acid mine drainage ravages environments, and even though containing and treating the water helps; some aquatic environments have become so heavily polluted and unaccommodating that it is difficult for wildlife to make a comeback. Constructing wetlands creates a new environment for organisms to grow and thrive, and also counteracts America's national campaign of destroying wetlands that has plagued the past. Wetlands are renouned for their impressive pollutant-filtering capabilities, which they perform by "...trapping sediments and retaining excess nutrients and other pollutants such as heavy metals"(Functions and Values of Wetlands, ecy.wa.gov). Trapping sediments found in AMD in a wetland may seem like a temporary solution that ultimately results in the wetland's destruction, but wetland grasses actually bury and convert toxic sediment into less-harmful chemicals. When AMD accumulates in streams and rivers it clogs and smothers after sinking