Understanding and quantifying factors controlling settleable solids in coal mine sedimentation ponds: management practices

Conference · Mon Dec 09 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5464124

Evanelou, V P; Wells, R J; Barnhisel, R I

High concentrations of suspended solids in coal mine sedimentation ponds are a factor in lowering water quality. This study focuses on the influence dissolved solids have on concentration and settling of suspended solids. Water samples from sedimentation ponds in Eastern and Western Kentucky were used to evaluate water composition in such ponds. The results demonstrate that water quality emanating from coal spoils of Eastern and Western Kentucky coal mines is dependent on the type of soil and/or geologic strata represented. Water composition of randomly selected sedimentation ponds revealed that the relationship between electrical conductance (mmhos cm/sup -1/) and ionic strength (I) of water is I = 0.012 (EC). Furthermore, it was determined that there is a linear relationship between the repulsive index, RI = ((0.012) (EC))/sup -1/2/ and suspended solids. The overall study shows that decreases in suspended solids in coal mine sedimentation ponds can be brought about by relatively small increases in ionic strength. Several approaches as to how one might increase ionic strength in sedimentation ponds are discussed.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington
• OSTI ID: 5464124
• Report Number(s): CONF-851213-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL MINING
CONTROL
DISPERSIONS
DRAINAGE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
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HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IONS
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LIQUID WASTES
MASS TRANSFER
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
PONDS
PRECIPITATION
RUNOFF
SEDIMENTATION
SEDIMENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SETTLING PONDS
SOLUTES
SURFACE MINING
SURFACE WATERS
SUSPENSIONS
USA
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER QUALITY
WATER TREATMENT