Spoil hydrology and hydrochemistry at the Battle River site in the plains of Alberta
The planned expansion of coal strip mining activities in Alberta has prompted research into the hydrogeology and groundwater chemical evolution of reclaimed lands. In the Battle River area of central Alberta, where coal beds occur in the Upper Cretaceous Horseshoe Canyon Formation, the spoil areas of two mines have been intensely instrumented as part of this research. The cast overburden at the Diplomat Mine is derived from calcareous till; at the Vesta Mine the overburden which forms the spoil is a mixture of sodic shale, siltstone and sandstone. Recharge to the spoil at both mines is occurring by leakage from surface ponds and vertical infiltration through the spoil. At Diplomat Mine lateral inflow from the adjacent unmined coal is also contributing to the resaturation of the spoil. Groundwater flow at Diplomat Mine is controlled by a valley that developed during the mining process, and which is acting as a subsurface drain. At Vesta Mine a groundwater mound has developed in the spoil causing migration of spoil water into adjacent unmined areas. In both settings high water table conditions appear to be directly related to the presence of surface ponds in the reclaimed landscape. The chemical makeup of groundwater in the spoil at both mines is characterized by levels of Na/sup +/, SO/sub 4//sup =/ and total dissolved solids that are several times higher than in the unmined coal. In spoil groundwater total dissolved solids concentration up to 12,300 mg/l and SO/sub 4//sup =/ concentration up to 8400 mg/l have been detected.
- Research Organization:
- Alberta Geological Survey, Edmonton
- OSTI ID:
- 5439667
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-821175-
- 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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Related Subjects
010900 -- Coal
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Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALBERTA
CANADA
CHEMISTRY
COAL MINES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
HYDROLOGY
LAND RECLAMATION
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
SPOIL BANKS
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION