Hydrogeology of the formation and neutralization of acid waters draining from underground coal mines of western Maryland

Abstract

The flows from 18 underground mines for which mine maps are available in the bituminous coal basins of western Maryland were measured, and water samples were collected for determination of 27 major dissolved constituents and chemical properties and 28 minor elements. Natural neutralization is taking place in the underground environment and the most nearly neutralized acid mine drainage is associated with flow from an upper mine to a lower mine through the intervening rock strata.