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Monitoring the effects of coal refuse disposal and reclamation on water quality in southwestern Illinois

Journal Article · · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Environ. Chem., Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6594628
; ;
The low pH and high concentrations of acidity, dissolved metals, and sulfate in water draining from an abandoned coal refuse disposal site near Staunton, Illinois, had a profound impact on water quality in the unnamed receiving stream and Cahokia Creek during periods of high surface water runoff rates during and after rainstorms. At other times, there was no surface water discharge or the discharge rate from the site was small and was neutralized by alkaline groundwater inflow to the tributary stream; during low flow periods, most of the transition and heavy metals formed precipitates on the tributary streambed and minimal transport of these metals to Cahokia Creek occurred. Shallow groundwater in the immediate vicinity (<400 ft distance) of the gob pile was poor quality, with generally low pH and high concentrations of acidity, dissolved metals, and sulfate. Water quality was much better at distances greater than 400 ft from the pile. Attenuation of metal ions in subsurface flow was attributed to a combination of processes: dispersion, adsorption, cation exchange, and precipitation. Water in saturated slurry material generally had a low pH and relatively high concentrations of acidity, dissolved metals, and sulfate.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL
OSTI ID:
6594628
Journal Information:
Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Environ. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Environ. Chem., Prepr.; (United States); ISSN ACEPC
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
&amp; Peat-- Environmental Aspects
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GREAT LAKES REGION
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ILLINOIS
MANAGEMENT
METALS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POLLUTION
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY