Groundwater contamination problems resulting from coal refuse disposal

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

OSTI ID:5969658

Schubert, J P

An inherent problem in the disposal of solid waste on land is the possibility of groundwater contamination by leachates from the waste. In the few studies conducted on the effects of coal refuse disposal on groundwater quality, significant impacts have been observed. Based on past and present rates of coal refuse disposal and current knowledge of water chemistry of runoff and seeps from refuse piles, significant groundwater contamination may be occurring in the eastern and midwestern United States. Following a review of previous studies and a discussion of water quality problems related to coal refuse disposal, results from a three-year investigation of an orphan disposal site in southwestern Illinois are discussed. Although the coal refuse lay unreclaimed at the site for over 50 years, contamination of groundwater from acid leachate extended less than 200 m from the gob pile in the underlying calcareous, silty-clay till. Reclamation of the site in 1977 did not have immediate effects upon groundwater quality, but long-term changes are likely to occur. Slightly increased infiltration into the gob pile is causing greater flows of acid seeps from the base of the pile, which may be hindering plant growth and increasing erosion of soil cover around the base. Further hydrologic and geochemical research is needed to assess the full magnitude of groundwater contamination problems related to coal refuse disposal at other sites and to develop disposal and reclamation criteria that are practical and effective in preserving long-term water quality at disposal sites.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5969658
• Report Number(s): CONF-7905106-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010800 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL MINING
DISSOLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LAND RECLAMATION
LEACHING
MASS TRANSFER
MINERAL WASTES
MINING
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RUNOFF
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLID WASTES
SPOIL BANKS
WASTES
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION