Photo: phys.org
"Legacy of Coal Mining: Pennsylvania's Abandoned Mines Emit Hidden Carbon"
Pennsylvanias abandoned coal mines are leaking harmful carbon dioxide and contributing to climate change, revealing a hidden legacy of coal mining that has lasting environmental impacts.
- For 250 years, coal mining in Pennsylvania has fueled industries, with Pittsburgh alone consuming over 400 tons of coal daily by 1830, significantly impacting climate change.
- Many abandoned mines, particularly those before 1977, have not been remediated and continue to leak harmful mine drainage, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.
- Research presented at GSA Connects 2025 highlights the ongoing carbon dioxide emissions from Pennsylvanias abandoned coal mines, underscoring the legacy of coal in the United States.
Why It Matters
The ongoing emissions from abandoned coal mines in Pennsylvania illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of coal mining, emphasizing the need for effective remediation strategies to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.