THE EFFECTS OF THE MINING ACTIVITY OVER THE WATERS FROM JIU VALLEY

The upper Jiu Valley, around Petrosani and Lupeni, is Romania�s principal coal mining region. Many miners feel that coal mining in Romania is a moribund industry that will never regain its position of significance. Environmental contaminants associated with mining activities may affect wildlife species in many ways and at many levels within the ecosystem. Some contaminants associated with mines (e.g., lead, arsenic, cyanide, etc.) may cause acute or chronic effects on resident wildlife. In 1950�1989, the quality of the waters of the Jiu River has constantly worsened. Because of the restriction of the social�economic activities, after 1990, the situation of the waters of the Jiu River and of the waters in Romania has continually improved. In the same time, in 1990 there is a transfer to a more rigorous management of the environment which also includes legislation according to the international norms.