Simulating a long-term response of reclaimed area to percolation

Conference · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5287686

Rogowski, A S; Weinrich, B E

Possible water quality effects of new federal regulations (PL 95-85) requiring deep placement of highly acid material and topsoiling of regraded spoils were studied using simulation models. A two layer topsoil and coarse spoil system was investigated. A typical spoil bank geometry representative of central Pennsylvania was assumed. A finite difference infiltration model was used to illustrate partitioning of precipitation into runoff and deep seepage. Simulated moisture profiles and experimental data showed that following near saturation topsoil, significant unsaturated flows could occur in the spoil. Simulated aquifer response to these flows was affected by the permeability ratio between mined and unmined areas, storage coefficient and recharge rate. Results showed that for the geometry studied and for certain combinations of storage coefficient, input, and permeability, considerable fluctuations of water table were likely to occur. The proper combination of these factors could lead to alternating periods of extensive acid mine drainage and atmospheric oxidation. Simulation results were expressed on a time compressed scale and provided an estimate of time when the equilibrium conditions would likely be reached. The model suggests ways to avoid water table fluctuations by maintaining a low permeability ratio (mined: unmined) and a fairly high storage coefficient in reclaimed spoils.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Agriculture, University Park, PA
• OSTI ID: 5287686
• Report Number(s): CONF-791262-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
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& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FORECASTING
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
LAND RECLAMATION
LAWS
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS HANDLING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINING
MINING LAWS
PERMEABILITY
POLLUTION
REGULATIONS
RUNOFF
SIMULATION
SPOIL BANKS
SURFACE MINING
SURFACE MINING ACTS
WATER POLLUTION
WATER TABLES