WATER CHEMISTRY OF NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS STRIP MINE AND LIVESTOCK WATER IMPOUNDMENTS1

The water from 34 strip mine and 9 livestock water impoundments on the Northern Great Plains was analyzed. In all areas the water was classified as slightly brackish or saline. The dominant ion sequence for the study ponds was Na>Ca>Mg>K and SO₄HCO₃CO₃Cl, which differs from most freshwater by the transposition of Na and SO₄. Even though mean concentrations of total filterable residue were consistently greater in strip mine ponds, statistically significant differences were not found at the p ≤ 0.05 level between strip ponds and livestock ponds. The macronutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus found in the ponds were neither limiting to primary productivity nor excessive for fresh water. Many ponds contain turbid water. Turbidity restricts light penetration and limits photosynthesis besides making the ponds visually unattractive. The source of water for the pond, whether surface runoff or groundwater, seems to have important bearing on turbidity. The most appropriate use of these strip mine ponds is for waterfowl, warm-water fisheries, and other wildlife associated with prairie wetlands. However, even these uses are jeopardized by detrimental concentrations of trace elements in the water (Anderson and Hawkes, 1984).     

DESIGN AND IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR DIVERSION AT COAL CREEK MINE1

A diversion system has been designed to carry the flow from East Fork of Coal Creek around the area proposed for mining at Thunder Basin Coal Company's (TBCC) Coal Creek mine in Campbell County, Wyoming. This paper describes the field and analysis procedures necessary to prepare the diversion design and impact evaluation, and the innovative concepts developed for the diversion system design to minimize impacts on downstream channel stability. Under the proposed diversion system design, water from the East Basin of Coal Creek will be diverted at two locations. At one location, flow will be impounded by a small dam and decanted by a pump through a pipeline into East Fork at the location of the second diversion. At this location, a training dike will be placed across the stream channel to divert flows into a diversion channel. Gravity flow along the diversion channel will deliver water to a playa area which will be converted into a detention basin by placing a small dam across its southern end. Flows up to the magnitude of the 24-hour 2-year peak flow will be passed directly through the detention basin into Middle Fork with negligible attenuation of flow rates. For less frequent events, water will be stored in the detention basin in order to prevent velocities in Lower Middle Fork from exceeding the maximum permissible velocity above which scouring may occur. Evaporation and seepage losses from the diversion system were estimated to be small and should be more than offset by the addition of water from the playa drainage basin into the Coal Creek drainage. Velocities predicted for the Lower Middle Fork after-the diversion is constructed are expected to be low enough that significant erosion of the channel is not expected to occur.     

INFILTRATION CAPACITY OF DISTURBED SOILS: TEMPORAL CHANGE AND LITHOLOGIC CONTROL1

ABSTRACT: The hydrologic character and response of disturbed land is controlled, to a large degree, by soil infiltration characteristics. Reconstructed soils on surface mines (minesoils) of different age (1 to 4 years old) are used to investigate infiltration rates on disturbed landscapes. The data consist of soil/surface properties and runoff volumes fit to the Horton infiltration equation. Infiltration rates on newly reclaimed minesoils are an order of magnitude lower than adjacent, undisturbed soil. Few significant correlations exist between soil/surface properties and infiltration parameters for newly reclaimed soils. However, the correlation between infiltration and minesoil characteristics increases with soil age. Multiple regressions are used to explore relationships between infiltration parameters and soil/surface properties for each soil age. Regression models of 30-min infiltration volume and the steady-state rate consistently include the percent silt and clay, slope, bulk density, and vegetation. Mean infiltration volumes at different mines are equal in the first year following reclamation, but become significantly different with surface age. The magnitude of the increase is controlled by the soil texture, vegetation, slope, and bulk density. Soil characteristics are determined ultimately by the overburden lithology and its effect on mineralogy and grain size during physical redistribution of soil particles and initial weathering.     

Ecotoxicological implications of aquatic disposal of coal combustion residues in the United States: a review

We provide an overview of research related to environmental effects of disposal of coal combustion residues (CCR) in sites in the United States. Our focus is on aspects of CCR that have the potential to negatively influence aquatic organisms and thehealth of aquatic ecosystems. We identify major issues of concern, as well as areas in need of further investigation.Intentional or accidental release of CCR into aquatic systemshas generally been associated with deleterious environmental effects. A large number of metals and trace elements are presentin CCR, some of which are rapidly accumulated to high concentrations by aquatic organisms. Moreover, a variety of biological responses have been observed in organisms following exposure to and accumulation of CCR-related contaminants. In some vertebrates and invertebrates, CCR exposure has led to numerous histopathological, behavioral, and physiological (reproductive, energetic, and endocrinological) effects. Fish kills and extirpation of some fish species have been associatedwith CCR release, as have indirect effects on survival and growth of aquatic animals mediated by changes in resource abundance or quality. Recovery of CCR-impacted sites can be extremely slow due to continued cycling of contaminants withinthe system, even in sites that only received CCR effluents forshort periods of time. The literature synthesis reveals important considerations for future investigations of CCR-impacted sites. Many studies have examined biological responses to CCR with respect to Se concentrations and accumulation because of teratogenic andreproductively toxic effects known to be associated with thiselement. However, the complex mixture of metals and traceelements characteristic of CCR suggests that biologicalassessments of many CCR-contaminated habitats should examine avariety of inorganic compounds in sediments, water, and tissuesbefore causation can be linked to individual CCR components. Most evaluations of effects of CCR in aquatic environments havefocused on lentic systems and the populations of animalsoccupying them. Much less is known about CCR effects in loticsystems, in which the contaminants may be transported downstream,diluted or concentrated in downstream areas, and accumulated bymore transient species. Although some research has examinedaccumulation and effects of contaminants on terrestrial and avianspecies that visit CCR-impacted aquatic sites, more extensiveresearch is also needed in this area. Effects in terrestrial orsemiaquatic species range from accumulation and maternal transferof elements to complete recruitment failure, suggesting that CCReffects need to be examined both within and outside of theaquatic habitats into which CCR is released. Requiring specialattention are waterfowl and amphibians that use CCR-contaminatedsites during specific seasons or life stages and are highlydependent on aquatic habitat quality during those periods.Whether accidentally discharged into natural aquatic systems or present in impoundments that attract wildlife, CCR appears topresent significant risks to aquatic and semiaquatic organisms. Effects may be as subtle as changes in physiology or as drasticas extirpation of entire populations. When examined as a whole,research on responses of aquatic organisms to CCR suggests thatreducing the use of disposal methods that include an aquaticslurry phase may alleviate some environmental risks associatedwith the waste products.     

延安市近年来大气环境质量的变化分析

介绍了延安市市区大气环境中主要污染物二氧化硫、氮氧化物、总悬浮颗粒物近年来的变化特征,并对其进行了原因分析,从而找出了影响市区大气环境质量的一些主要因素。在此基础上进行了探讨,提出了进一步改善延安市大气环境质量的建议与对策。     

新汶矿区大气环境污染现状及防治对策

通过对新汶矿区大气污染源、大气环境质量现状的调查分析，探求矿区大气污染的主要原因，并提出解决的方法途径。     

城市街道峡谷空气质量的初步研究

介绍了街道峡谷的定义及特征,通过对其空气质量进行初步研究,分析影响街道峡谷空气质量的因素,选择采样点位及监测技术,探讨了污染物迁移扩散的规律,提出今后街道峡谷研究的方向.     

兖州矿区采煤塌陷地状况与综合治理途径研究

通过对兖州矿区采煤塌陷地状况进行现状分析和趋势预测,结果表明,至2000年底,已累计塌陷土地5389.40hm2;预计到21世纪中叶,兖州、济东2个煤田最终将形成两个塌陷中心,面积达4.4×104hm2。这不仅使大面积农田被毁,造成生态失衡,而且给当地工农业生产以及社会和生态环境等方面带来一系列严重问题,应该彻底进行采煤塌陷地的综合治理。据此,根据矿区工农业持续协调发展的需要,从宏观和微观的角度,全方位提出了采煤塌陷地的综合治理途径。     

我国东部矿区土地复垦规划设计要点

结合我国多个东部矿区土地复垦工程实践,分析了东部矿区土地破坏的特点及优势,指出在复垦规划中的几个关键技术问题。     

论我国矿业环境保护法律制度

环境保护是矿区生态协调稳定和资源可持续利用的重要保证。由于矿山环境问题十分严重,且现行的矿业环境法律体制不健全,产权不明晰,法律制度不完善,使法难以有效实施。对此,本文提出应确立良好的产权制度,严格矿业权许可,强化市场在环境保护中的作用,加强行政引导和调控机制,完善相关的法律制度。