SULFATE CONCENTRATION VARIATIONS IN GROUNDWATER AT A LIGNITE MINE

Joint South-Central and North-Central Sections, both conducting their 41st Annual Meeting (11–13 April 2007)
Paper No. 3-4

Presentation Time: 10:40 AM-11:00 AM

SULFATE CONCENTRATION VARIATIONS IN GROUNDWATER AT A LIGNITE MINE
CAGLE, Margaret F., Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, neillp@mail.utexas.edu Sulfate concentrations in the groundwater at the TXU Monticello lignite mine in northeast Texas are variable with time and space. Some monitoring wells show steady, cyclic variations in sulfate concentration; others show sharp short term increases or decreases, long term changes in sulfate concentration trends (both increasing and decreasing), and concentrations that first increase then decrease. The monitoring wells in the reclaimed section of the mine have the highest sulfate concentrations and the widest range in sulfate concentration; one reclaim well ranges from 141 ppm to 2450 ppm sulfate. The monitoring wells placed in undisturbed overburden and underburden have both lower concentrations and narrower ranges. These fluctuations are related to several processes. Seasonal changes in precipitation correlate with concentration in some wells. Other wells are affected by proximity to surface water bodies, including newly constructed ponds. Finally, spoil heterogeneity is an important factor. The investigative program includes water sampling, test wells, and statistical analysis.
Joint South-Central and North-Central Sections, both conducting their 41st Annual Meeting (11–13 April 2007) General Information for this Meeting

Session No. 3 Applied Hydrogeology and Geophysics: Innovative Approaches to Old Challenges Kansas Union, University of Kansas: Alderson Auditorium 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Wednesday, 11 April 2007 Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 39, No. 3, p. 3
© Copyright 2007 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.