Chemical Quality of Suspended Sediment from Watersheds Subjected to Surface Coal Mining
1986
Dick, W. A. | Bonta, J. V. | Haghiri, F.
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 SO²⁻₄, 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.
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