Study of erosion-sedimentation processes on abandoned coal refuse piles in southeastern Kansas

Conference · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5336099

Mandel, R D; Sorenson, C J; Jackson, D

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-
• 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
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520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABANDONED SITES
COAL MINING
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EROSION
FEDERAL REGION VII
KANSAS
LAND RECLAMATION
MINERAL WASTES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLLUTION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SEDIMENTS
SOIL CONSERVATION
SOLID WASTES
SURFACE MINING
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WASTES
WATER POLLUTION