As a result of restructuring in 1990-2000 and occupation in 2014 the coal-rich Donetsk Basin saw massive mine closures. Leaving behind acid mine drainage, dam failures, non-remediated areas and cases of direct discharges into waterways that could lead to serious and long-term environmental impacts. The elimination of mines leads to changes in natural conditions for the living organisms and the formation of unfavorable environmental situations, such as.
Acidic mine drainage occurs naturally in some environments as part of rock weathering, but is enhanced by large-scale soil disturbances common in mining. Acid mine drainage neutralization depends on its chemistry, electron donors / receptors, temperature, and pH. Iron-reducing bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria form the root component of these bioreactors. Acidophilic heterotrophic bacteria promote the oxidation of ferrous to ferric iron in acidic waters.
