ABSTRACT
This Chapter focuses on three most important aspects in treating acid waters, mine effluents. One aspect involved the factors that affect mineral solubility, the second aspect involved factors controlling pH and alkalinity and the third aspect involved utility of specific conductance measurements. It is generally agreed that chemical reactions in nature take place because of electrical and chemical gradients. Aided by computer technology, approaches have been introduced that allow estimation of single-ion activity in mixed electrolyte systems. Experimental data support the argument that single-ion activity best describes/predicts chemical reactions. Acidity and alkalinity are two important components that are very important to acid drainage production and control and are often misunderstood by field practitioners. A more appropriate way of expressing alkalinity and/or acidity of acid waters emanating from disturbed natural environments, mining, is by defining the term commonly known as "neutralization potential".
