Study of erosion-sedimentation processes on abandoned coal refuse piles in southeastern Kansas
Previous research by the authors identified abandoned coal refuse piles as the principle source of mine-related sediment in streams of southeastern Kansas. The present study estimates erosion rates and sedimentation yields on these piles, and examines relationships between physical properties of the refuse piles and erosion-sedimentation potentials. Two large abandoned coal refuse piles in southeastern Kansas were selected for study. Both study sites lack vegetative cover and, like most coal refuse piles in the region, have severely gullied slopes. The universal soil loss equation, which is designed to estimate sediment yield from sheet and rill erosion on undisturbed land, was inappropriate for this study. Instead, erosion pin techniques were used to record increments of surface erosion in gully networks. Erosion pins were placed at 15 ft. intervals in gully floors. Pins were also set in the walls of gullies to measure changes in channel geometry. Approximately seven hundred and fifty pins were installed in 1980 and erosion measurements were periodically made over a period of one year. Annual rates of erosion and sediment yield were approximated from these measurements. The physical characteristics of the refuse piles, including slope angle, slope length, and texture and bulk density of the refuse materials, were also measured. These data were compared among and between gullies at the two study sites to determine erosion-sedimentation potentials. The results of this study are providing useful information about the long-term impacts of abandoned coal refuse piles on sediment loads in mine-affected streams. This information will be used to prioritize the reclamation of nearly 11,500 acres of abandoned mined land in Kansas.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Kansas, Kansas City
- OSTI ID:
- 5336099
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-821175-
- Journal Information:
- Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Conference: Symposium on surface mining hydrology, sedimentology, and reclamation, Lexington, KY, USA, 1 Nov 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
KANSAS
COAL MINING
SURFACE MINING
MINERAL WASTES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EROSION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
WATER POLLUTION
ABANDONED SITES
LAND RECLAMATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEDIMENTS
SOIL CONSERVATION
SURFACE WATERS
FEDERAL REGION VII
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SOLID WASTES
USA
WASTES
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)