HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Karathanasis, A. D. Articles by Thompson, Y. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Karathanasis, A. D. Articles by Thompson, Y. L. Agricola Articles by Karathanasis, A. D. Articles by Thompson, Y. L.

Aluminum and Iron Equilibria in Soil Solutions and Surface Waters of Acid Mine Watersheds

Department of Agronomy, Univ. of Kentucky, N-122 Agric. Sci. Bldg.-North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

The composition of soil solutions and surface waters emanating from unreclaimed or partially reclaimed stripmined watersheds with low buffering capacity in Kentucky were compared with soil solution compositions of unaffected strata in the watershed. The data suggest that almost 20 yr after mining, most soil solutions and surface waters of the disturbed areas still contain high levels of dissolved Al, controlled primarily by the solubilities of a jurbanite-like mineral (upper limit) and alunite (lower limit). Soluble Al in solutions of undisturbed areas was consistent with the solubility of kaolinite or gibbsite. The absence of jurbanite x-ray diffraction peaks suggested the presence of an amorphous or a mineral stoichiometrically similar to jurbanite. Despite greater contact times of soil solutions with the soil compared to surface waters, their compositional differences were insignificant. The control of soluble Al by basic aluminum sulfate minerals was not affected by the variable mineralogical and textural composition of soil and geologic strata in the watershed. Apparently, this is the result of low buffering capacity. At pH < 4, pH and sulfate activities can be used to accurately predict the levels of soluble Al³⁺ in surface and groundwaters of the watersheds. Similar predictions from pH and SO^2–₄ activities can also be made for dissolved Fe³⁺ levels, supporting the stoichiometry but a much higher solubility than that of jarosite.

Contribution from the Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Kentucky, Agric. Exp. Stn., Lexington, KY 40546. The investigation reported in this paper (no. 87-3-187) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agric. Exp. Stn. and is published with approval of the Director.

Received for publication August 24, 1987.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Lee, G. Faure, J. M. Bigham, and D. J. Williams Metal Release from Bottom Sediments of Ocoee Lake No. 3, a Primary Catchment Area for the Ducktown Mining District J. Environ. Qual., March 1, 2008; 37(2): 344 - 352. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. J. von Willert and R. C. Stehouwer Compost and Calcium Surface Treatment Effects on Subsoil Chemistry in Acidic Minespoil Columns J. Environ. Qual., May 1, 2003; 32(3): 781 - 788. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. J. von Willert and R. C. Stehouwer Compost, Limestone, and Gypsum Effects on Calcium and Aluminum Transport in Acidic Minespoil Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., May 1, 2003; 67(3): 778 - 786. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]