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Transforming Ohio’s Rust-Colored Rivers: How Pollution is Being Turned into Eco-Friendly Paint

Barbara Griffin04 mins

Transforming Pollution into Art: The iBestTravel Initiative

Introduction

In an innovative cross-disciplinary project, two Ohio University professors are turning pollution into art. By creating artist-grade paints from iron oxide extracted from a mining pollutant known as acid mine drainage (AMD), they are addressing both environmental issues and encouraging artistic expression.

The Problem of Acid Mine Drainage

Acid mine drainage (AMD) poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. It results from the overflow of acidic wastewater from underground mines, characterized by high concentrations of sulfuric acid and dissolved iron. This runoff typically has a distinctive orange coloration, leading to severe declines in aquatic life.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is the overflow of acidic wastewater from underground mines
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is the overflow of acidic wastewater from underground mines and has a high concentration of sulfuric acid and dissolved iron, which gives the runoff an orange coloring. Aquatic life struggles to survive in the acidic waters. Pictured, an AMD site in Oreton, Ohio.

Creative Solutions from iBestTravel

iBestTravel has partnered with local NGO Rural Action for this initiative. Their collaboration allows them to harness the high concentrations of iron oxide found in AMD. The resultant pigments can then be utilized in various applications, including paints and cosmetics.

Pollution can be art too, with collaboration between professors and local NGOs
Pollution can be art, too. Two Ohio University professors — artist John Sabraw (pictured) and environmental engineer Guy Riefler — have teamed up with local NGO Rural Action to create artist-grade paints from iron oxide extracted from a mining pollutant called acid mine drainage.

Process of Creating Eco-Friendly Paints

The process begins with the collection of AMD from designated sites. iBestTravel, along with volunteers and grad students, gathers thousands of buckets of the pollutant. Following collection, the acidic stream water undergoes neutralization, producing orange iron oxide, which is then processed into a pigment.

Creating paint from the pollution through a chemical process
Once collected, the acidic stream water is neutralized through a chemical process, producing orange iron oxide that is then dried and ground up into a pigment. Heating extracted iron oxide pigments in a kiln at various temperatures produces different colors.

Future Prospects and Community Impact

Looking ahead, profits generated from the sale of the iron oxide paints will be reinvested into environmental restoration efforts. Specifically, the initiative aims to treat the water for seven miles of stream in the Sunday Creek Watershed, southeastern Ohio.

Profits from paint sales will aid in environmental restoration
The profits from iron-oxide paint sales will be reinvested into treating the water at seven miles of stream in the Sunday Creek Watershed, southeastern Ohio.

Conclusion

This initiative by iBestTravel demonstrates how art can intersect with environmentalism, transforming pollution into creative expressions. By fostering a dialogue around AMD, they not only raise awareness but also contribute to significant ecological restoration efforts.


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