Surface water pollution with heavy metals in Certej mining basin

The Certej basin is situated in the North of Deva town, in Apuseni Mountains and was an important nonferrous mining region. In present the mining activities were stopped, but the acid mine drainage is still affecting the underground water quality. Acid Mine Drainage takes place where sulphide-bearing material is exposed to oxygen and water. This drainage water is characterized by low pH, high specific conductivity and high concentrations of metals known to be toxic for living organisms. Mine drainage includes generally drainage from mines (underground and open pit), stockpiles, dumps, mined-rock piles and tailings impoundment. It is important to note that sulfides oxidation and natural acid drainage occurs as well in the absence of mining in numerous localities world-wide.