Coal Geological Materials
Most coal formed during the Carboniferous
- The Carboniferous is actually pretty recent
- Coal required specific biologic conditions
- Coal required specific geochemical conditions
- Coal required specific tectonic condition
When coal is mined, its sulfide minerals degrade
- Pyrite is the major sulfide in coal
- Mining allows water to infiltrate
- Bacteria speed up the process
When sulfides degrade, they cause "Acid Mine Drainage" (AMD)
- AMD is especially common PA
- AMD can be remediated with limestone to reduce acidity
- Reducing acidity forces metals out of the water
- But limestone degrades over time
- We can harvest these metals for art
Burning fossil fuels has serious consequences for Earth and its climate
- Here are collaborative data art projects that illustrate some of these consequences
- Here are a collection of student data art projects that illustrate some of these consequences