IRON SPECIATION IN ACID MINE DRAINAGE IMPACTED MINGO CREEK, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA

Acid mine drainage or AMD is common in Western Pennsylvania and is generally well understood, however the speciation of dissolved metals in AMD is less understood. Using a Colorimeter to determine speciation of Iron over a diel cycle as well as how speciation is related to sunlight intensity and pH. Dissolution of Iron is common in areas that have extensively mined due to increased exposure of pyrite (FeS₂) to water and the atmosphere and a byproduct of this reaction is sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) as well as free hydrogen protons (H⁺). A HOBO pendant and data logger is used to track both air temperature and sunlight intensity. Temperature and pH of a stream are known to fluctuate over the course of a day due to sunlight intensity and temperature, the impact these changes have on amount and speciation of iron is not as well understood. Temperature, pH, and sunlight intensity are to be compared  graphically with Iron concentrations and speciation to create a correlation from this data. Dissolved ions can be very damaging to stream health and soil qualities. This project aims to further understand water chemistry of Iron in a manner in which it can be expanded upon by future California University of Pennsylvania students. Resources for this project were obtained through the generosity of the Jesse B. Guttman Grant program and the materials purchased will remain in the Geology department.