Acidity Loading Behavior in Coal-Mined Watersheds

作者：Kruse Natalie A^*; Stoertz Mary W; Green Douglas H; Bowman Jennifer R; Lopez Dina L

来源：Mine Water and the Environment, 2014, 33(2): 177-186.

DOI：10.1007/s10230-014-0269-5

• Acid mine drainage
• Dilution
• Flushing
• Load
• Total maximum daily load
• Reclamation
• Nonpoint source

In this paper, we propose a method (the Stoertz Water Quality Evaluation Method) to estimate the reduction in acidity load at mean annual discharge (l) in acid mine drainage impaired streams. For a given stream, acidity loading (L), defined as the product of measured acidity concentration and discharge (Q) for a range of streamflow conditions, is proportional to l and the ratio (Q(n)) of Q and the mean daily discharge (Q), according to the following equations: L = l (Q/Q)(F) = l Q(n) (F) and log L = log l + F log Q(n), where F is a %26apos;flushing factor%26apos; characterizing the stream loading behavior, such that F = 0 in pure dilution, F %26gt; 0 for flushing behavior, and F %26lt; 0 for sparing behavior. The assumed power-law relation between acidity load and discharge is supported by test cases. Acidity load at mean annual discharge can be a useful measure of the quantity of acid removed by mine drainage treatment, particularly where data for pre- and post-treatment cases can be compared. The proposed measure allows resource managers to assess and report the effectiveness of source control, passive treatment, and active treatment in alleviating acidity loads. This method can also be used to assess inputs of contamination to streams compared to pristine or background conditions.

• 出版日期2014-6