Water quality guidelines for acid mine drainage and strip mine areas in Iowa

Technical Report · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5180977· OSTI ID:5180977

Nesler, T P; Bachmann, R W

Extensive literature compilation and investigation of state-of-the-art reclamation in four states contiguous to Iowa were conducted to review: the impact of coal mining upon water quality; the reclamation techniques utilized in countering the adverse effects of acid mine drainage; and the problems encountered in water quality management of strip-mined lands. Field analyses in strip-mine areas of Iowa have demonstrated similar degradation of water quality due to acid mine drainage. Distributions of alkalinity, specific conductance, sulfate and total iron in the streams with watersheds affected by mining were significantly different than those determined for the control streams, according to Chi-square analysis. The water quality is expected to worsen with expanding coal-mining activity unless effective reclamation accompanies this expansion. From the literature and based on the experience of other coal-mining states, certain techniques are considered essential in maintaining a suitable water quality in strip-mine areas. Segregation of acidic and nonacidic cast overburden, isolation and deep burial of spoil and mine wastes, hydrologic isolation of mine and coal processing areas, landscape stabilization through grading and revegetation, and cover or neutralization of abandoned strip-mine areas are the primary elements of successful regional reclamation and rehabilitation efforts. These efforts may be aided by premining analysis of mining impacts and planning of reclamation activity suitable to land use potential. Recommendations involving water quality regulations and further research necessary are provided.

• Research Organization: Iowa State Univ. of Science and Technology, Ames (USA). Energy and Mineral Resources Research Inst.
• OSTI ID: 5180977
• Report Number(s): IS-ICP-56
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
COAL MINING
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EROSION
HYDROLOGY
IOWA
IRON
LAND RECLAMATION
MANAGEMENT
METALS
MINERAL WASTES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REVEGETATION
SOLID WASTES
SPOIL BANKS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE MINING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
WASTES
WATER QUALITY