Effect of soil on the renovation of acid coal mine drainage water

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1980.00472425000900040017x· OSTI ID:6820407

Cronce, R C; Kardos, L T; Ciolkosz, E J

This study was initiated to determine under field conditions the feasibility of using soil as a medium for the renovation of acid mine drainage water. Acid water from a stream was applied weekly at three levels (0, 12.5, and 25 cm/week) to an unlimed and a limed (20 metric tons/ha) floodplain soil. Soil water samples were collected weekly at soil depths of 25, 75, and 130 cm. The soil water samples and the acid water were analyzed for pH, total acidity, Al, Fe, Mn, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and SO/sub 4/. The effect of liming, levels of acid water irrigation, and depth in the soil profile on the soil water quality were determined. Initially both the unlimed and limed areas had considerable capacity for renovating the applied acid water. However, with time, lower pH values and higher levels of acidity, Al, Fe, and Mn were found at the 25- and 75-cm soil depths in the unlimed areas. When the soil was limed, the soil water at the 25-cm depth was nearly neutral or alkaline throughout the study and practically devoid of Al, Fe, and Mn. At the 130-cm depth on both unlimed and limed areas the pH, total acidity, Al, Fe, and Mn of the soil water remained relatively unchanged even after 525 cm of acid water had been applied. Growth of ryegrass and tall fescue was not adversely affected by irrigation with the acid water, but was significantly increased by liming. Only the tall fescue yielded significantly more with increased levels of acid water irrigation.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA
• OSTI ID: 6820407
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 9:4; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010800 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ADDITIVES
ADSORPTION
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
CALCIUM
CARBONATE ROCKS
CLEANING
CONTAMINATION
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DECONTAMINATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GRASS
GROWTH
INFORMATION
IRON
LIMESTONE
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POTASSIUM
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SODIUM
SOILS
SORPTION
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER QUALITY