Abstract |
The objective of this study was to determine the extent of groundwater quality deterioration when coal mine solid waste (refuse) and power plant ashes were disposed of into open pits. In addition, disposal methods were developed and procedures for planning and designing disposal sites were formulated. Pilot studies were conducted at two experimental disposal sites, at which the groundwater was monitored. As backup to these tests, laboratory studies of the physical-chemical properties of the waste, and its leachate were conducted. Based upon the results of these studies, a full scale demonstration was conducted. From this work, the physical-chemical character of the waste material and its susceptibility to leaching of particular ions in a water environment were determined, as was the influence of precipitation on the migration of pollutants (TDS, Cl, SO4, Na, K, Ca, Mg, NH4, PO4, CN, phenols, Cd, Sr, Cu, Mo, and B) to the aquifer. The level of pollution of groundwater in the vicinity of disposal sites and its dependence on local hydrogeological conditions, and particularly on hydraulic gradients was ascertained. Recommendations for improved waste storage technology in order to limit the effect on groundwater to a minimum and guidelines for designing a monitoring system are presented. (Portions of this document are not fully legible) |