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Chemical Quality of Suspended Sediment from Watersheds Subjected to Surface Coal Mining¹

ABSTRACT

The chemical quality of suspended sediment in surface water runoff, which is changed as a result of surface coal mining activities, may influence water quality and have effects where the sediment is deposited downstream from the mine site. Suspended sediment samples were collected from three small watersheds in east-central Ohio prior to, during, and after surface mining and reclamation. The chemical quality of the suspended sediment was determined by measuring Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Sr, P (following pretreatment of the sample with 30% H₂O₂ and extraction with 0.3 MHCl), acetate-soluble SO^2–₄, pH, organic C, and Hg. Differences in concentrations of parameters were observed among the three watersheds and were related to the composition of the overburden material. At Watersheds C06 and M09, the concentrations of the chemical parameters in suspended sediment samples, collected after reclamation had been completed, were not significantly (P = 0.05) different than concentrations measured prior to surface mining. An exception was the concentration of organic C, which was lower during the postreclamation period. The concentrations of Mg, Fe, and Al were significantly greater at Watershed J11 during the postreclamation period compared to the premine period while P, organic C, Mn, and Pb concentrations were significantly lower. Concentrations of parameters in suspended sediment samples collected concurrently at the inlet and outlet of the sediment ponds at Watersheds C06 and M09 were not significantly (P = 0.05) different. However, due to settling of the larger and heavier sediment particles, a trend toward increased concentration of parameters in sediment samples collected at the pond outlet compared to the pond inlet occurred at both Watersheds C06 and M09.

Key Words: spoil • overburden • premine • mine reclamation • postreclamation • sediment pond • sediment chemistry

¹ Contribution from The Ohio State Univ. and Ohio Agric. Res. and Development Center (OSU-OARDC), Wooster, OH 44691 in cooperation with USDA-ARS, North Appalachian Exp. Watershed, Coshocton, OH 43812 and the USGS, Columbus, OH 43212. Published with approval of the Director as Journal Article no. 191-85. Based on the work performed under Contract no. J0166054 and J0166055, with the USDI, Bureau of Mines.

² Associate Professor and Professor (first and third authors, respectively), Dep. of Agronomy, OSU-OARDC, Wooster, OH 44691. The second author is a Research Hydraulic Engineer, USDA-ARS, North Appalachian Exp. Watershed, Coshocton, OH 43812.

Received for publication December 10, 1985.