The effects of abandoned coal mines on stream water chemistry in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee and Kentucky

Author

Maria Christine Leary

Date of Award

12-1991

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Geography

Major Professor

Carol Harden

Committee Members

Stephen Nodvin, Sally Horn

Abstract

Both surface and deep coal mining have occurred in the vicinity of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BISO) in eastern Tennessee and Kentucky. Mine drainage constituents have entered many tributary streams of the Big South Fork River through surface and subsurface flow. Because some streams have contamination levels potentially harmful to humans, a current priority of the National Park Service is reclamation of contaminated surface water in BISO.

A database of available water quality data from BISO and adjacent watersheds was compiled. Data from BISO (1981-1990), O'Bara et al. (1981), and the current study (1990) comprise a nine-year overview of sulfate, hardness and iron concentration levels. These three parameters were used to evaluate general stream characteristics and seasonal water chemistry changes, and their usefulness as indicators of acid mine drainage impacts was assessed. Sulfate was determined to correspond best, followed by hardness and then iron, to the potential amount of acid mine drainage entering a stream. Sulfate, however, is not recommended as a single indicator because it does not represent the stream's ability to buffer or neutralize the acid drainage.

Water samples were collected from thirteen different sites in five streams, in October of 1990. Each site was analyzed for the following: Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, PO₄^3-, Al, CI^-, Fe, SO₄^2-, NO₃^-, As, Ba, B, Br, Cd, Cr, Cu, F, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sr, Ti and Zn, as well as, alkalinity, pH, specific conductance and discharge. Baseline levels for natural stream chemical concentrations were determined from the concentrations of the two unmined surveyed streams. The baseline values were compared to EPA drinking water standards to develop reclamation target levels. All but Fe, Al, Se, and Pb were within the regulation concentration levels.

Through downstream comparison of the chemical concentrations, one tributary, Roaring Paunch Creek, was determined to be presently affected by deep mining acid mine drainage contaminants, as well as surface mining.

Stream chemistry concentrations at base flow condition were modeled by combining the recency of mining abandonment with the extent of surface disturbance. The model describes three stages of stream impacts from mining: 1) extensive - recently mined, large disturbance; 2) moderate - abandoned 15 to 25 years ago, medium disturbance; and 3) low - abandoned greater than 25 years, little disturbance. It also indicates how factors such as geology, seasonal changes and other land usage may affect the concentration levels in a stream.

Recommended Citation

Leary, Maria Christine, "The effects of abandoned coal mines on stream water chemistry in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee and Kentucky. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1991.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/12454