Seasonal variation in the geochemistry of ground water near Consolidated Coal's Burnam Mine, New Mexico
Consolidated Coal's (CONSOL) Burnam Mine is located within the San Juan River Basin of New Mexico. The Burnam Mine, which discharges to the San Juan River via Brimhall Wash and the Chaco River, is one of six major mines which may impact the San Juan River. Shallow ground water throughout the permit area is available in meager amounts and most of it is confined to the shallow alluvium in the stream valleys. Average well yields are low in both the alluvium and intermediate sandstones; shallow wells reportedly produce from 0.5 gallons per minute to 50 gallons per minute. Deeper aquifers include the Picture Cliffs Formation, the Cliff House sandstone and the Morrison Formation which is being utilized for mine use. To comply with the regulations of the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division and the Office of Surface Mining, a ground-water monitoring plan was established in alluvial and bedrock wells. The purpose of the monitoring program was to determine baseline geochemistry and to define any chemical changes in the ground-water system. Chemical analyses from these wells showed predicted normal seasonal trends up to the winter and spring of 1983. At this time an exchange phenomena was observed in the ground-water system. This paper describes several scenarios for this phenomena and attempts to analyze if the change in water chemistry is a result of mine effluent. The results of this study could be applicable to other mines in the San Juan Basin.
- Research Organization:
- Office of Surface Mining, Denver, CO
- OSTI ID:
- 5287936
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-841204-
- Journal Information:
- Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States); ISSN UKOBD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COAL MINES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION VI
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MINES
MINING
MONITORS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
VARIATIONS
WATER
WATER POLLUTION MONITORS
WATER QUALITY
WATER RESOURCES
WATER WELLS
WELLS