Trace metals of an acid mine drainage stream using a chemical model (WATEQ) and sediment analysis
- Roy F. Weston, Inc., West Chester, PA (United States)
- Kent State Univ., OH (United States). Dept. of Geology
The high metal contents common to the discharge of acid-mine drainage (AMD) from mines and mine spoils is an environmental concern to both government and industry. This paper reports the results of investigation of the behavior of metals in an AMD system at a former surface coal mine in Tuscarawas County, Oh. AMD discharges from seeps travels, in respective order through a laminar flow stream; a Typha-dominated wetland; a turbulent flow stream; and a sediment retention pond. Dissolved metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Al) major and minor components, and other parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen and Eh) were measured in the AMD water at each sample location. A chemical mineral equilibrium model (WATEQ) was used to predict the minerals which should precipitate at each site. Results suggest that the seeps are supersaturated and should be precipitating hematite, goethite and magnetite (iron oxides), and siderite (iron carbonate), whereas water of the other downstream sites were at or below equilibrium conditions for these minerals. The hydrogeochemistry of the AMD was further studied using sequential chemical attacks on the precipitate sediment surface coatings, in order to determine metal concentrations in the exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide, and oxidizable fractions. The carbonate and exchangeable fractions of the precipitate are dominated by Ca and Fe, as well as Mg in the carbonate fraction. The Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide fraction contained Fe, Al, Mn, Mg, and trace metals, and also contained the greatest concentration of total elements in the system. The Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide is therefore, the major sink for metals of this AMD system. The decrease in the concentration of metals in the sediment precipitates in the downstream locations, is consistent with WATEQ and water analysis results.
- OSTI ID:
- 5915040
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-921058--
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Vol. 24:7; ISSN GAAPBC; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ALUMINIUM
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CADMIUM
CHEMISTRY
CHROMIUM
COAL MINING
COMPUTER CODES
COPPER
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
IRON
MANGANESE
METALS
MINERALS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OHIO
PH VALUE
PONDS
PRECIPITATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SETTLING PONDS
STREAMS
SURFACE MINING
SURFACE WATERS
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
W CODES
WETLANDS
ZINC