Which outcome results near mine tailings piles during periods of heavy precipitation?

💡 Explanation

Acid mine drainage increases heavy metal bioavailability because the enhanced water percolation through mine tailings promotes acid generation and subsequent leaching of metal ions. Therefore, the metals become more accessible to plants, rather than being safely contained, sequestered, or slope stabilized.

• Which effect increases in global coastal areas as the frequency of El Niño events rises?
• Which outcome results when subsurface streams encounter permafrost?
• Which mechanism causes liquefaction of soil during an earthquake in a saturated sandy deposit?
• Which risk increases along a floodplain when alluvial mining removes substantial sediment?
• Which outcome results when deep-sea organisms enhance bioturbation?
• Which process intensifies ocean boundary currents on the western sides of continents?