Effect of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) By‐Product on Water Quality at an Underground Coal Mine

• Published in: Journal of environmental quality Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 1371 - 1381
• Main Authors: Lamminen, Mikko, Wood, James, Walker, Harold, Chin, Yu‐Ping, He, Yongtian, Traina, Samuel J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society 01.07.2001; Crop Science Society of America; American Society of Agronomy
• Subjects: Acid mine drainage; Acidity; Air pollution control; Aluminum; Aluminum Silicates; Aluminum sulfate; Applied sciences; Byproducts; Calcium sulfate; Calcium Sulfate - chemistry; Coal; Coal mines; Desulfurization; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Flue gas; Flue gas desulfurization; Freshwater; Gases; Gypsum; Incineration; Injection; Mining; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution control equipment; Pollution, environment geology; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Sulfates; Sulfur; Sulfur - chemistry; USA, Ohio; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Water levels; Water Movements; Water Pollutants - analysis; Water quality; Water treatment and pollution; Ohio; United States; North America; America; Chemical precipitation; In situ; Gypsum; Geochemistry; Runoff water; Buffering capacity; Calcium sulfate; Tailings; Industrial waste; Decontamination; Coal mine; Upgrading; Surface water; Water quality; Waste reuse; Solid waste; Water pollution; Acid mine drainage; Performance; Mining waste; Ground water
• ISSN: 0047-2425; 1537-2537
• DOI: 10.2134/jeq2001.3041371x

ABSTRACT In this paper, a field study was carried out to examine the effect of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by‐product on water quality at an underground coal mine in central‐eastern Ohio. Flue gas desulfurization by‐product was injected into the down‐dip portions of the Roberts–Dawson mine in an attempt to seal major seeps exiting the mine and to coat exposed pyritic surfaces. Immediately following grout injection, significant increases in acidity, iron, aluminum, sulfur, and calcium were observed at most surface and ground water locations near where grouting was carried out. Following this initial flush of elements, concentrations of most constituents have decreased to near pre‐grouting levels. Data from the site and geochemical modeling suggest that an increase in water level or rerouting of drainage flow resulted in the dissolution of iron and aluminum sulfate salts and ferrihydrite. Dissolution of the FGD grout material resulted in increases in calcium and sulfate concentrations in the drainage waters. Water within the mine voids was saturated with respect to calcium sulfate and gypsum immediately following grout injection. Based on an analysis of core samples obtained from the site, acid mine drainage (AMD) was in contact with at least some portions of the grout and this resulted in grout weathering. Subsequent transport of calcium and sulfate to the underclay, perhaps by fracture flow, has resulted in the deposition of gypsum and calcium sulfate solids.