The study determines the role of metals in the natural and accelerated recovery of strip-mine waters from the time of acid formation on the pyrite crystal to the time of lake recovery. A host of acid dissociated ionic species, including iron, sulfate, hydrogen, aluminum, manganese, calcium, and magnesium, and allochthonous organic materials characterize the chemistry of these lakes. The metal buffers are responsible for the long natural recovery times associated with all acid strip-mine lakes. The amount of such buffers depends upon the amount and type of clays and minerals dissolved on the spoil banks. The recovery rate of such lakes is dependent on the availability of carbon sources for sulfate reducing bacteria to use as food while they 'titrate' the acidity by releasing H2S to the atmosphere until all buffers are exhausted.

Project no. A-038-Mo., July 1, 1970 - June 30, 1972, completion report. Supported by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Office of Water Resources Research, as authorized under the Water Resources Research Act of 1964. "February 20, 1973." Includes bibliographical references.