Brackish water in unsaturated confining beds at a Texas lignite mine

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Ground Water; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1985.tb02778.x· OSTI ID:5210226

Dutton, A R

A surface lignite mine in Texas was studied to identify the origin of the brackish water, containing up to 8000 mg TDS/l, which occurred near the outcrop of argillaceous sediments. Data on the hydrogeology of the area and the chemical composition of rainwater and groundwater are presented and discussed, and it is concluded that the brackish water probably originated as Eocene sea water. The effects of dilution and ion exchange on this water are estimated, and changes to the system caused by mining operations are discussed. Such argillaceous deposits underlying surface mines might act as natural barriers of low permeability which should restrict movement of water from reclaimed land into nearby aquifers, and thus minimise the effect of mining on groundwater quality.

• OSTI ID: 5210226
• Journal Information: Ground Water; (United States), Journal Name: Ground Water; (United States) Vol. 23:1; ISSN GRWAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CLAYS
COAL
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINES
COAL MINING
DILUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION VI
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
ION EXCHANGE
LIGNITE
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
ORIGIN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RAIN WATER
RESOURCES
SALINITY
SEAWATER
SURFACE MINING
TEXAS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
WATER
WATER QUALITY