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Assessment of Biogeochemical Maturation of Overburden Disturbed by Surface Mining

Poncelet, Dominique M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1311012919

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, University of Akron, Geology-Earth Science.
The homogenization and replacement of the overburden after mining disrupts rock weathering, soil formation processes, and biogeochemical cycling of elements. The ultimate goal of reclamation is to re-establish a diverse, functional ecosystem post-disturbance. The complete or partial restoration of surface mined land is dependent on the geochemical composition of the overburden, as well as biogeochemical changes that occur post-disturbance. In southeastern Ohio, the Meigs Creek No. 9 coal seam was progressively surface mined beginning in 1968 and ending in 2001. The overburden of the coal seam consisted of limestone and shale containing 1.5% - 5% pyrite. Using these progressively mined regions as snapshots of overburden weathering, I examined time dependent biogeochemical changes in the overburden 9, 14, and 37 years post-disturbance. Soil cores, reaching a maximum depth of 50 to 70 cm from the surface, were extracted from each region and analyzed to establish pH, water content, organic and inorganic carbon content, acid-extractable Fe(II), Fe(III), Mn(II/III), and Mn(III/IV) concentrations, and porewater sulfate concentration profiles. All disturbed overburden sediments contained elevated Fe(II) and pHin comparison to undisturbed soil at comparable depths. With increasing time post-disturbance, Fe(II) content and sediment pHdecreased concurrently with an increase in porewater sulfate concentration, suggestive of oxidative dissolution of overburden associated iron sulfide phases. Overburden calcite and total calcium content decreased with time post-disturbance suggestive of dissolution of limestone in the overburden. Additionally, rates of oxygen consumption, as a proxy for aerobic microbial activity, and microbial DNAyield, as a proxy for total microbial biomass, were measured. These results suggest that in the early stages of overburden weathering abiotic factors dominated, but as weathering continued microbial metabolic activity increased and became an important component of overburden weathering.
John Senko, Dr. (Advisor)
John Szabo, Dr. (Committee Member)
Teresa Cutright, Dr. (Committee Member)
72 p.
Geology; Soil Sciences
surface mining; reclamation; soil formation; overburden weathering

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Poncelet, D. M. (2011). Assessment of Biogeochemical Maturation of Overburden Disturbed by Surface Mining [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1311012919

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Poncelet, Dominique. Assessment of Biogeochemical Maturation of Overburden Disturbed by Surface Mining. 2011. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1311012919.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Poncelet, Dominique. "Assessment of Biogeochemical Maturation of Overburden Disturbed by Surface Mining." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1311012919

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1311012919
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.