Browsing by Author "Johnson, Daniel K."

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Characterizing TDS Risk in Appalachian Landscapes: Techniques to Identify Mine Spoil TDS Generation Potentials
    Johnson, Daniel K.; Daniels, W. Lee (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2016)
    Surface mining for coal in the Central Appalachians contributes total dissolved solids (TDS) to headwater streams, especially below larger mines and associated valley fills. The objective of this study was to characterize the geochemical properties of a range of surface soils and associated geologic strata from the Central Appalachian coalfields and to relate those properties to simple field indicators, such as color or rock type. We hypothesized that these indicators can accurately predict certain geochemical properties. Thirty‐three vertical weathering sequences were sampled from eight surface mines throughout the Central Appalachian coalfields, for a total of 204 individual samples. No differences were found among sites in overall saturated paste specific conductance (SC; used as a proxy for TDS) levels, but significant geochemical differences existed among samples. Sulfate release dominated SC levels, followed closely by Ca and Mg. Surficial soils and sandstones were yellowish‐brown in color and low in SC, compared to the underlying grayish to black sandstones, shales, and mudstones. Saturated paste extractable As and P levels were higher in A horizons, whereas Se was significantly higher in unweathered bedrock than in soil or weathered bedrock. Samples generating exothermic reactions with 30% H2O2 produced higher SC levels, sulfate, Mg, and Se. In the field, weathered surface materials were frequently abruptly separated from underlying non‐weathered strata by thin shale layers or coal seams. In conclusion, the mine spoils studied varied widely in geochemical properties. The simple field indicators presented here, such as color, weathering status, rock type, and H2O2 reaction can provide valuable guidance for identifying TDS risk which would greatly improve operator’s ability to actively minimize TDS release. We recommend using soil and weathered, yellowish‐brown sandstone layers as a source of low TDS spoil material whenever possible. Underlying unweathered bedrock layers should be treated as "potentially high TDS spoils". The H2O2 field test is useful for identification of both TDS and Se risk in these layers. Particularly high risk spoils include gray to black mudstones and shales, coals, and coal associated shales, mudstones, and clays directly associated with coal seams. We recommend hydrologically isolating these spoils using techniques similar to those used historically for acid‐forming materials.
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    Developing Field and Lab Predictors of Appalachian Surface Coal Mine Spoil Leachate Geochemistry
    Johnson, Daniel K.; Daniels, W. Lee; Orndorff, Zenah W.; Ross, L. Clay; Klopf, Sara K. (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2015)
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    Field Indicators for the Prediction of Appalachian Soil and Bedrock Geochemistry
    Johnson, Daniel K. (Virginia Tech, 2016-08-03)
    Surface mining for coal in the Central Appalachians contributes total dissolved solids (TDS) to headwater streams, especially below larger mines and associated valley fills. My objective was to characterize the geochemical properties of a range of surface soils and associated geologic strata from the Central Appalachian coalfields and to relate those properties to simple field indicators, such as color or rock type. I hypothesized that these indicators can accurately predict certain geochemical properties. Thirty-three vertical weathering sequences were sampled from eight surface mines throughout the Central Appalachian coalfields, for a total of 204 individual samples. No differences were found among sites in overall saturated paste specific conductance (SC; used as a proxy for TDS) levels, but significant geochemical differences existed among samples. Sulfate release dominated SC levels, followed closely by Ca and Mg. Surficial soils and sandstones were yellowish-brown in color, high in citrate dithionite (CD) - extractable Al, Fe, and Mn, and low in SC, compared to underlying sandstones, shales, and mudstones, which were grayish to black, low in CD-extractable Al, Fe, and Mn, and significantly higher in SC. Saturated paste As and P were higher in A horizons, whereas Se was significantly higher in unweathered bedrock than in soil or weathered bedrock. Samples generating exothermic reactions with 30% H2O2 produced higher SC levels, sulfate, Mg, and Se. In conclusion, the mine spoils studied varied widely in geochemical properties. The simple field indicators presented here, such as color, weathering status, rock type, and H2O2 reaction can provide valuable guidance for identifying TDS risk which would greatly improve operator's ability to actively minimize TDS release. I recommend using soil and weathered, yellowish-brown sandstone layers as a source of low TDS spoil material whenever possible. The H2O2 field test is useful for identification of TDS and Se risk. Underlying unweathered bedrock layers should be treated as "potentially high TDS spoils". Particularly high risk spoils include gray to black mudstones and shales, coals, and coal associated shales, mudstones, and clays directly associated with coal seams. I recommend hydrologically isolating these spoils using techniques similar to those used historically for acid-forming materials.
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    Locating and Identifying Low TDS Strata in Appalachian Soil-Overburden Sequences
    Johnson, Daniel K.; Daniels, W. Lee; Orndorff, Zenah W. (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2014)
    Release of total dissolved solids (TDS) from Appalachian coal mine spoils to headwater streams has emerged as a significant concern for the coal mining industry, its regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The overall objective of this project is to develop a new set of techniques to reliably predict the amount, ionic composition, and temporal pattern of TDS release from a range of spoil and overlying soil materials from regional coal surface mines. This project was initiated in 2010 with sole support from Powell River Project. Between 2011 and 2013, we received significant parallel funding for this program from the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES) to support our collaboration with the University of Kentucky and West Virginia University to broaden the scope to the central Appalachian region while continuing to focus on SW Virginia in more detail. Therefore, we are utilizing Powell River Project (PRP) funds to focus specifically on the determination of TDS release potentials of soil-saprolite-hard rock sequences in SW Virginia and adjacent counties in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. This information will better allow operators to determine the thickness and availability of low TDS forming strata for use in new and innovative mining and reclamation plans designed to limit TDS release to local streams.
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    Long-Term Effects of Rock Type, Amendments and Weathering on Mine Soil Properties and TDS Potentials
    Daniels, W. Lee; Johnson, Daniel K.; Haering, Kathryn; Klopf, Sara K.; Angel, Hannah; Burger, Julia C. (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2018)
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    Long-Term Effects of Rock Type, Amendments and Weathering on Mine Soil Properties and TDS Potentials
    Daniels, W. Lee; Johnson, Daniel K.; Haering, Kathryn; Klopf, Sara K.; Burger, Julia C. (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2017)
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    Long-Term Effects of Rock Type, Amendments and Weathering on Mine Soil  Properties and TDS Potentials
    Daniels, W. Lee; Angel, Hannah; Stewart, Ryan D.; Klopf, Sara K.; Johnson, Daniel K.; Haering, Kathryn (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2021-02-01)
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    Predicting TDS Release from SW Virginia Soil-Overburden Sequences
    Johnson, Daniel K.; Orndorff, Zenah W.; Daniels, W. Lee (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2012)
    Release of total dissolved solids (TDS) from Appalachian coal mine spoils to headwater streams has emerged as a significant concern for the coal mining industry, its regulatory agencies, and non‐governmental organizations. The overall objective of this project is to develop a new set of techniques to reliably predict the amount, ionic composition, and temporal pattern of TDS release from a range of spoil and overlying soil materials from regional coal surface mines. This project was initiated in 2010 with sole support from Powell River Project. In 2011/2012 we received significant parallel funding for this program from the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES) to support our collaboration with the University of Kentucky and West Virginia University to broaden the scope to the central Appalachian region while continuing to focus on SW Virginia in more detail. Therefore, we are utilizing Powell River Project (PRP) funds to focus specifically on the determination of TDS release potentials of soilsaprolite‐hard rock sequences in SW Virginia. This information will better allow operators to determine the thickness and availability of low TDS forming strata for use in new and innovative mining and reclamation plans designed to limit TDS release to local streams.
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    Predicting TDS Release from SW Virginia Soil-Overburden Sequences
    Johnson, Daniel K.; Daniels, W. Lee; Orndorff, Zenah W. (Virginia Tech. Powell River Project, 2013)
    Release of total dissolved solids (TDS) from Appalachian coal mine spoils to headwater streams has emerged as a significant concern for the coal mining industry, its regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The overall objective of this project is to develop a new set of techniques to reliably predict the amount, ionic composition, and temporal pattern of TDS release from a range of spoil and overlying soil materials from regional coal surface mines. This project was initiated in 2010 with sole support from Powell River Project. Between 2011 and 2013, we received significant parallel funding for this program from the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES) to support our collaboration with the University of Kentucky and West Virginia University to broaden the scope to the central Appalachian region while continuing to focus on SW Virginia in more detail. Therefore, we are utilizing Powell River Project (PRP) funds to focus specifically on the determination of TDS release potentials of soil-saprolite-hard rock sequences in SW Virginia and adjacent counties in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. This information will better allow operators to determine the thickness and availability of low TDS forming strata for use in new and innovative mining and reclamation plans designed to limit TDS release to local streams.