--> Abstract: Petrological and Geochemical Analysis of Mine Spoil to Determine the Source of Magnesium-Rich Groundwater, Star Fire Mine, Eastern Kentucky, by J. L. Barone; #90925 (1999)

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BARONE, JESSICA L., Ball State University, Dept. of Geology, Muncie, IN

Abstract: Petrological and Geochemical Analysis of Mine Spoil to Determine the Source of Magnesium-Rich Groundwater, Star Fire Mine, Eastern Kentucky

High-magnesium groundwater is associated with the mine spoil aquifer system at the Star Fire Coal Mine in eastern Kentucky. Excess magnesium in groundwater is detrimental to plant metabolism and understanding its source is important to the planned reclamation of the mine site and post mining land use. The purpose of this study is to combine petrological analysis with leaching experiments of spoil sediments to identify the source of the high-magnesium groundwater.

The Star Fire Coal Mine is a large strip mining operation that produces mine spoil consisting of sandstones, shales, siltstones, and underclays of the Pennsylvanian aged Breathitt Formation. Previous research has found that acidic groundwaters, with a pH of 4, are quickly neutralized within the spoil aquifer system indicating interaction with carbonates within the Breathitt Formation. Thin section point count analysis of sandstones, which make up 69 % of the spoil aquifer, has found siderite to be the dominant carbonate phase with concentrations up to 22 %. Initial electron microprobe analysis of this siderite indicates that magnesium concentrations range from 0.48 % to 18.09 % and average 5.49 %. In order to assess the influence of dissolution of this siderite on magnesium enrichment in spoil groundwater, a water - shake extraction method will be used. This method involves producing slurries of spoil sediments with both distilled water and sulfuric acid. Cation and anion concentrations as well as Eh, pH, and electrical conductivity will be measured in the resulting water samples to determine their geochemical characteristics. 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90925©1999 AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid