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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF WESTERN COAL SURFACE MINING. PART I. THE LIMNOLOGY AND BIOTA OF MINE SPOILS PONDS IN NORTHWEST COLORADO
Citation:
Canton, S. AND J. Ward. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF WESTERN COAL SURFACE MINING. PART I. THE LIMNOLOGY AND BIOTA OF MINE SPOILS PONDS IN NORTHWEST COLORADO. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-79/124 (NTIS PB80143647), 1979.
Description:
Physico-chemical conditions, zooplankton, and benthos were investigated in coal strip-mine ponds in northwesten Colorado. There were no discernible effects of mine drainage on a variety of physico-chemical parameters. In stark contrast to spoils ponds in the eastern and midwestern states, acid mine drainage was not observed. Total dissolved solids, nitrate and sulfate values were higher in the spoils ponds than in the control pond. Net zooplankton abundance was lowest in the youngest spoils pond, but the standing crop of benthos exhibited a progressive decrease from the youngest spoils pond to the control pond. Zooplankton and benthos species diversity were lower in the spoils ponds. Certain groups of zooplankters and benthos were rare or absent in the youngest spoils pond.