The use of sediment sampling to evaluate the success of hydrologic reclamation

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:588799

Liddle, R G ^[1]

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1. Office of Surface Mining, Knoxville, TN (United States)

Surface water monitoring efforts usually involve random, infrequent, grab sampling of the water column. This method may not detect irregular or infrequent pulses of pollutants and may be ineffective in assessing the physical and chemical quality of the benthic zone. The benthic zone can accumulate metals and often supports the aquatic insects essential to a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Sediment analysis was conducted on two mine-project sites in Kentucky and Tennessee to supplement existing chemical and biological sampling of streams and lakes. Sediments were analyzed for 15 metals and trace elements (Al, Sb, Ar, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, Ag, Tl, and Zn) and fine-particle size analysis was done using air elutriation methods. Each sediment sample was analyzed using total metal extraction, EPA`s Toxicity Characteristic Leachate Procedure (TCLP), and a four-step sequential extraction procedure. The four-step sequential extraction procedure provided the most meaningful indication of metals and trace elements that could be of concern. The results showed distinct sediment chemistry and particle-size distribution between mined and unmined streams. Sediment chemistry mirrored pore-water chemistry and aided interpretation of the stream water and biological data in mined and unmined streams that was not otherwise apparent by sampling the water column alone. Sequential sediment analysis and fine-particle size analysis shows promise in assessing the success of hydrologic reclamation at mined sites.

• OSTI ID: 588799
• Report Number(s): CONF-9605286--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL MINES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GROUND WATER
METALS
MONITORING
PARTICLE SIZE
POLLUTANTS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SEDIMENTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION