<br/>Legacy mine waste is a persistent source of acid and heavy metals to streams throughout the Appalachian coal region of the United States. The Huff Run watershed is one location in eastern Ohio that has been severely impacted by surface and underground mining operations. Restoration efforts costing $4.6 million have reduced acid loading and improved biodiversity in the Huff Run stream; however, metal concentrations in the stream remain elevated because of runoff and leaching of solutes from piles of coal refuse. Here, we evaluate the potential for pyrite and other sulfide minerals contained within soils developed on coal refuse to weather and release sulfuric acid and toxic metal(loid)s (e.g., Mn, As, Se) to stream water and groundwater. Geochemical analyses of soil and soil pore waters are combined with synchrotron-source microprobe techniques to elucidate zones of mineral weathering and the temporal variability of metal(loid) mobilization in response to rainfall events.<br/>

Metal(loid) leaching from soils developed on coal mine waste

251st National Meeting (2016)

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