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OVERBURDEN MINERALOGY AS RELATED TO GROUND-WATER CHEMICAL CHANGES IN COAL STRIP MINING
Citation:
Hounslow, A., J. Fitzpatrick, L. Cerrillo, AND M. Freeland. OVERBURDEN MINERALOGY AS RELATED TO GROUND-WATER CHEMICAL CHANGES IN COAL STRIP MINING. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-78/156 (NTIS PB286996), 1978.
Description:
A research program was initiated to define and develop an inclusive, effective, and economical method for predicting potential ground-water quality changes resulting from the strip mining of coal in the Western United States. To utilize the predictive method, it is necessary to sample the overburden, determine its mineralogical content, and, where applicable, to determine the quality of the ground water that may saturate the spoils. Techniques were developed for interpreting the data required to predict future ground-water quality changes. With additional research, the predictive method may also be found applicable to other types of mining operations. Relationships among and between rock and water variables were established using factor analysis. This analysis, coupled with thermodynamic calculations, provided rational explanations of the facts observed in the study of existing mines.