Additive effects of mining and residential development on stream conditions in a central Appalachian watershed

Abstract

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis report was prepared under 3 work assignments of EPA contract #68-C7-0014 to Tetra Tech, Inc. Authors of this report are Jeroen Gerritsen, June Burton, and Michael T. Barbour. We thank Maggie Passmore and Jim Green of EPA Region 3 for helpful guidance, discussions and review. The biological index was made possible by the intensive data collection efforts and discussion of West Virginia DEP; in particular, Janice Smithson, Jeffrey Bailey, Pat Campbell, and John Wirts. This report was prepared with the assistance of Jeffrey White, Erik Leppo, and Brenda Fowler. A Stream Condition Index for West Virginia Wadeable StreamsTetra Tech, Inc. iv March 28, 2000 (Revised July 21, 2000 THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK A Stream Condition Index for West Virginia Wadeable StreamsTetra Tech, Inc. v March 28, 2000 (Revised July 21, 2000 Tetra Tech, Inc. vi March 28, 2000 (Revised July 21, 2000 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK A Stream Condition Index for West Virginia Wadeable StreamsTetra Tech, Inc. vii March 28, 2000 (Revised July 21, 2000 LIST OF FIGURES Tech, Inc. viii March 28, 2000 (Revised July 21, 2000 LIST OF TABLES EXECUTIVE SUMMARYOver the past century, land use activities such as mining, agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization have seriously threatened the quality of surface waters by contributing to nonpoint-source pollution. In West Virginia, the investigation of these nonpoint sources of water pollution has become a priority. indicator of ecosystem health and can identify impairment with respect to the reference (or natural) condition. The index includes six biological attributes, called metrics, that represent elements of the structure and function of the bottom-dwelling macroinvertebrate assemblage. Metrics are specific measures of diversity, composition, and tolerance to pollution, that include ecological information.The SCI is to be used as the basis for bioassessment in West Virginia and has been calibrated for a long-term biological index period extending from April through October. A data analysis application has been developed to ensure consistency in data management and analysis throughout the state as DEP biologists conduct biological monitoring.Benefits expected from the implementation of the WV SCI will apply to a broad spectrum of management programs, including:characterizing the existence and severity of point and nonpoint source impairment;targeting and prioritizing watersheds and ecosystem management areas for remedial or preventive programs; evaluating the effectiveness of nonpoint source best management programs; screening ecosystems for use attainability; and developing a basis for establishing biocriteria that relate to regional water quality goals, an EPA priority.The West Virginia SCI was tested with independent data collected in 1998 and was able to correctly identify the majority of the stream sites stressed in some way by human disturbance or pollution. Index scores were divided into 5 proposed rating categories for reporting on the condition...

Mountaintop Removal Mining and Catchment Hydrology

“…In the Central Appalachian coalfields, groundwater movement is predominantly controlled by a complex network of stress relief fractures in hillslopes and valley bottoms [102,103]. However, a long history of underground coal mining throughout much of this region has drastically altered the structure of the subsurface system [104]. Subsidence associated with abandoned underground mines creates additional fractures which can increase hydrologic connectivity between the surface and subsurface as well as between water-bearing subsurface geologic units [89,105].…”

“…Insights into these uncertainties extend beyond physical hydrology as valley fills are particularly important in terms of downstream water chemistry; overburden placed in drainage pathways forces contact time between runoff and unweathered rock. Numerous studies document increased concentrations of dissolved solutes that degrade aquatic ecosystems downstream of MTM/VF (e.g., [7,104,105]). While the work of Hawkins and Aljoe [95] and Wunsch et al [12] are starting point for understanding, future research should address valley fills that differ in size, construction and reclamation techniques, age, and geologic and topographic settings to represent the range of conditions present across the region.…”

Derivation of a benchmark for freshwater ionic strength

“…The surface runoff and leachate from the crushed rock are neutral to mildly alkaline but contain much higher levels of HCO 3 , and Mg 2þ than occur in undisturbed stream systems [5,6]. This effluent is of particular concern because the amount of dissolved ions entering streams below surface coal-mining operations can be very high and the areal extent of mining may have exceeded the assimilative capacity of streams and entire drainage basins [5,[7][8][9][10]. A protective benchmark is needed to inform decision making because there is currently no regulatory criterion to protect aquatic life from ionic stress.…”

Landscape-Scale Disturbance: Insights into the Complexity of Catchment Hydrology in the Mountaintop Removal Mining Region of the Eastern United States

“…The placement of waste material in headwater valleys forces contact time between runoff and overburden geology. Streams downstream of valley fills are characterized by high pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids due to elevated concentrations of selenium, sulfate, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate ions [6,7,10,18,19]. The wholesale reconfiguration of catchments from surface mining and valley fills certainly impacts important runoff generation controls, such as the flow path gradient [20] and riparian zone contributions [21], but how and to what degree is unknown.…”