Effects of storm runoff on acid-base accounting of mine drainage
Conference
·
OSTI ID:613859
- Indiana Geological Survey, Bloomington, IN (United States)
- Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN (United States)
Pre-reclamation conditions were documented at an abandoned mine site in an upland area at the headwaters of a small perennial stream in southwestern Indiana. Stream discharge and chemistry were monitored from April to October 1995, in an effort to assess the total acid-base budget of outflows from the site. The chemistry of three lakes, a shallow aquifer, and flooded mine voids was also monitored. During the period of monitoring, thirty-five rainfall-runoff events occurred, producing a total storm discharge of approximately 6.12 x 10{sup 7} L. Baseflow during the monitoring period was approximately 1.10 x 10{sup 8} L and was characterized by water chemistry that was similar to that of a spring that issued from the flooded mine voids. Analysis of the discharge and chemistry associated with an isolated thunderstorm revealed fluctuations in acidity that were not congruent with fluctuations in the total discharge hydrograph. For example, acidity increased rapidly during the initial phase of hydrograph rise, but dropped significantly as the storm hydrograph peaked. A second, more subdued, rise in acidity occurred during a second rain pulse, and the acidity gradually decreased to pre-storm levels during hydrograph recession. The trends are interpreted to reflect different sources of storm runoff associated with various components of the total discharge hydrograph. Preliminary calculations indicate that the total quantity of acidity that is discharged during stormflow is about eight times higher than that which is discharged during a comparable period under baseflow conditions. While the lower acid concentrations generated during storm events are ecologically favorable, the increase in total quantities of acidity can have implications for the buffering capacities of receiving water bodies.
- OSTI ID:
- 613859
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9705128--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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