Multidisciplinary approach to reclamation of abandoned refuse sites

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5579422

Zellmer, S; Wilkey, M

The Staunton 1 Reclamation Demonstration Project involves an evaluation of the reclamation process at an abandoned coal mine refuse site in southwestern Illinois. A multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers selected the site, collected baseline environmental data, determined the final land use, and developed and implemented detailed engineering plans. Refuse material at the 34-acre site was recontoured and covered to a minimum depth of one foot with soil obtained on-site. This same multidisciplinary approach is being used to evaluate post-construction environmental conditions at the site. Current investigations are monitoring conditions related to groundwater, surface water, aquatic ecosystems, revegetation, soils, erosion and runoff, soil microbial populations, and wildlife invasion. Information collected to date indicates that a significant improvement has occurred in the environmental quality of the site. The economic potential of the site is also being investigated and documented; a substantial increase in the economic potential of the site and adjacent properties has been recorded. The project is demonstrating methods that can be used to reclaim abandoned coal refuse sites and is providing design for future reclamation efforts of this type.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5579422
• Report Number(s): CONF-7910117-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
COAL MINES
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EROSION
GREAT LAKES REGION
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ILLINOIS
LAND RECLAMATION
LAND USE
MINES
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REVEGETATION
SOILS
SURFACE WATERS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
USA
WASTES
WATER