Stratification in water quality in inundated anthracite mines, eastern Pennsylvania
The Bureau of Mines conducted a field investigation of the water quality in inundated underground coal mines in the Northern Anthracite Field, eastern Pennsylvania. Water samples were collected at multiple depths from nine abandoned mine shafts in the Wyoming Basin, ranging from 68 to 650 m (223 to 2132 ft) in depth and intersecting as many as seven mined seams in a single shaft. The shafts were also monitored for fluid resistivity, fluid temperature, Eh, and pH using downhole instrumentation. The monitoring program showed that the formerly highly acidic mine water is now slightly alkaline. Sulfate concentrations decreased as much as 74 pct in the flooded workings and 54 pct at a mine water discharge from values reported in 1964 and 1968, respectively. These data are consistent with the inhibition of pyrite oxidation and gradual flushing of oxidation products in flooded mine environments. The monitoring program also revealed significant vertical stratification in water quality in five of the nine shafts, each characterized by two easily recognizable zones. The transitions between zones were sharp, marked by rapid changes in Eh, pH, and ionic composition, the upper zones being less contaminated than the lower zones. The development of stratification appears to be a function of shallow localized flow conditions, arising primarily from the relative positions of mine openings and structural features of the coalbeds. 33 refs., 19 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 6507591
- Report Number(s):
- BM-RI-8837; ON: DE86900238
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
010900* -- Coal
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& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABANDONED SHAFTS
COAL MINES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION III
MINE SHAFTS
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PENNSYLVANIA
PH VALUE
SHAFT EXCAVATIONS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA
WATER QUALITY