Runoff and water-quality characteristics of surface-mined lands in Illinois

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5543199

Brabets, T P

Seven watersheds - three in western Illinois (Fulton County), two in southwestern Illinois (St. Clair County), and two in southern Illinois (Williamson County) - were selected to assess the effect of surface mining on the quality and quantity of surface runoff. Each area had one site draining an unmined basin and a nearby site(s) draining a partly surface-mined basin. Data from the literature, file data collected prior to 1979, and streamflow and water-quality data collected from 1977 to 1979 as part of this study, were used to assess runoff characteristics. Flow-duration curves for streams draining surface-mined land had lower variability than those for streams draining unmined land. By adjusting an index of variability, according to the percentage of surface-mined land in a basin, conventional techniques can be used to develop synthetic flow-duration curves. Surface mining changes basin characteristics such that peak flows are decreased and low flows are increased. Regression equations were developed that relate storm runoff volume and peak discharge to basin characteristics and climatologic data. Concentrations of dissolved solids, sulfate, and calcium were higher in streams draining areas that were extensively mined than in streams draining areas where mining has been minimal. Different mined areas in Illinois yield different concentrations of these substances. Harmonic analyses of stream temperatures showed higher harmonic means and lower amplitudes in surface-mined basins. Surface-mined basins had lower suspended-sediment yields than unmined basins. Trace-element concentrations were similar in streams in mined and unmined basins provided in-place neutralization by alkaline material had taken place in mined basins. 20 refs., 30 figs., 14 tabs.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Urbana, IL (USA). Water Resources Div.
• OSTI ID: 5543199
• Report Number(s): USGS/WRI-83-4265; ON: TI85901587
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
COAL MINING
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION V
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SURFACE WATERS
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WATER QUALITY
WATERSHEDS