ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Physical-Chemical Properties of Coal Mine Waters
of Old Adits and Spring Waters
Tadeusz Molenda
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Department of Physical Geography, University of Silesia,
Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(2):393-399
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ABSTRACT
Two water adits that drain the old, closed excavation tanks of a coal mine were characterized in terms
of the physical-chemical properties of their waters and compared them with the waters of two springs. These
adits are “Krystyna” and “318,” and the springs are Maria and Mniszek, which are situated in the Upper
Silesian Region (sothern Poland). The results that were obtained permitted us to infer that acid drainage can
occur within the pits. Thus, the waters of the adits are acid and typified by a high concentration of sulphates
and iron ions. A distinguishing feature of the “318” adit is its high thermal stability. The variation in temperature
during the year does not exceed 1°C. The springs flow from Carbon sandstone and therefore, they functioned
as reference samples for the adits that were investigated. A high synchronicity of changes in the selected
physical-chemical parameters of adit waters and natural springs was observed.