<img alt=Abandoned mining operations can leach iron and other chemicals such as copper, lead and mercury into nearby waterbodies. (Source: <a data-cke-saved-href='http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/pollution/media/supp_pol08b.html' href='http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/pollution/media/supp_pol08b.html' class='external text' title='http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kit