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Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Acid-Mine Drainage, Ohio Valley Mushroom Farm Site in North Lima, Ohio

McQuade, Theresa Lynn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353785356

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, University of Akron, Geology-Environmental Geology.
Eastern Ohio is home to over 1,000 abandoned underground mines (AUM), mostly from coal production, which began more than 200 years ago. The Mushroom Farm site, located in North Lima, Ohio is plagued with acid mine drainage (AMD) resulting from surface mining conducted in the 1980's and an AUM from the late 1800's. My principal objective was to identify the source of AMD at the Musrhoom Farm site and determine if mine type dictates the geochemistry of AMD produced. Surface and groundwater samples, along with hydrologic data, were collected seasonally from 2010-2011 to determine the current direction of groundwater flow. The results revealed groundwater recharge occurring in the local topographic high spot, with flow generally following a radial pattern away from it. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and conductivity were collected in the field. The pH ranged from 2.65 to 8.36, with most readings between 3 and 6. Common ion concentrations were determined using ion chromatography, colorimetric assays, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry, and atomic absorption spectrometry (AA). Geochemical analysis revealed that AMD is being generated in the northern portion where spoil was homogenized with overburden after surface mining, and also in the southern portion where the AUM exists. Hydrologic data and specific yield (Sy) calculations show that where as there is a smaller volume of AMD being generated in the southern portion (10 million liters versus 50 million liters at a given time), much higher concentrations of iron and sulfate result here (~5,000mg/L versus ~2000 mg/L). Elevated iron and sulfate, along with low pH values are indicative of AMD. Using the aqueous geochemical modeling program, Web-Phreeq, I identified a geochemical signature based on iron, sulfate, aluminum, and calcium speciation for the AMD resulting from the AUM. The AMD created from surface spoil proved to be too heterogeneous to establish speciation trends. Historical hydrologic data from well logs and aerial photo analysis (dating back to 1959) revealed that anthropogenic changes to the landscape result in an altered hydrogeology. The AUM at the Mushroom Farm site did not produce any observable AMD until surface mining had been conducted; that process can greatly alter permeability, groundwater recharge, and overburden thickness and composition.
John Senko, Dr. (Advisor)
John Szabo, Dr. (Committee Member)
Ira Sasowsky, Dr. (Committee Member)
152 p.
Geochemistry; Geological; Geology; Hydrologic Sciences; Hydrology
acid mine drainage; AMD; iron; redox; pyrite; pyrite oxidation; hydrogeochemical; groundwater

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McQuade, T. L. (2012). Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Acid-Mine Drainage, Ohio Valley Mushroom Farm Site in North Lima, Ohio [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353785356

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McQuade, Theresa. Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Acid-Mine Drainage, Ohio Valley Mushroom Farm Site in North Lima, Ohio. 2012. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353785356.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McQuade, Theresa. "Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Acid-Mine Drainage, Ohio Valley Mushroom Farm Site in North Lima, Ohio." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353785356

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.