Foos, A., 1997, Geochemical modeling of coal mine drainage, Summit Co. Ohio. Environmental Geology, V. 31, p. 205-210

ABSTRACT

Geochemical modeling was used to investigate downstream changes in coal mine drainage at Silver Creek Metro-park, Summit County, Ohio. A simple mixing model identified the components that are undergoing conservative transport (Cl-, PO4-3, Ca+2, K+, Mg+2, and Na+) and those undergoing reactive transport (DO, HCO3-, SO4-2, Fe+2, Mn+2 and Si). Fe+2 is removed by precipitation of amorphous iron-hydroxide. Mn+2 is removed along with Fe+2 by adsorption onto surfaces of iron-hydroxides. DO increases downstream due to absorption from the atmosphere. HCO3- increases downstream as a result of oxidation of organic material. The rate of Fe+2 removal from the mine drainage was estimated from the linear relationship between Fe+2 concentration and downstream distance to be .126 mg/s. Results of this study can be used to improve the design of aerobic wetlands used to treat acid mine drainage.