Preliminary observation of surface-mine impacts on ground water in two small watersheds in eastern Ohio

Conference · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5409281

Helgesen, J O; Razem, A C

Ground-water flow and water quality in two small watersheds in eastern Ohio are being studied to document the impacts of surface mining. The watersheds are underlain by coal-bearing stratified rocks of the Pennsylvanian system. Before mining, two major perched aquifers occurred within the top 250 feet in each watershed. Water in these aquifers constituted local flow systems, whereas deeper water was part of regional systems. Quasi-three-dimensional digital models have facilitated an understanding of the premining ground-water low systems. Model results are most sensitive to ground-water recharge rate and underclay leakance. Ground-water quality varies considerably between and within watersheds. Much of the shallowest water is of the calcium bicarbonate type; deeper water is of variable types and more mineralized. Mining of the top coal in each watershed has resulted in destruction of the top aquifer. Two years of postmining data reflect a slow rate of resaturation of overburden spoils. No significant effects of mining on deeper ground water are evident.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Columbus, OH
• OSTI ID: 5409281
• Report Number(s): CONF-801263-
• 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
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
AQUIFERS
COAL MINING
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION V
FLUID FLOW
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MINING
MONITORING
MONITORS
NORTH AMERICA
OHIO
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SURFACE MINING
USA
WATER
WATER POLLUTION
WATER POLLUTION MONITORS
WATER QUALITY
WATERSHEDS