Acid mine drainage occurs when mining exposes rocks containing acid bearing minerals such as pyrite, and iron to open air and water. Compositional effects of acid mine drainage into water include a decrease to the PH of the water infected, large bodies of water are able to bond hydrogen molecules to balance carbonic acid, but once the PH drops below 4.2 the water’s ability to recover is destroyed. Some of the major effects on the environment due to acid mine                                                                                                          drainage in the water include deterioration                                                                                                          of the ecosystem, soil contaminated from                                                                                                            Acid mine drainage can decimate                                                                                                                       vegetation and heavy metals in the water                                                                                                           can accumulate in fish tissue and have far                                                                                                           further reaching effects into the ecosystem.