Before-After Control-Impact field surveys and novel experimental approaches provide valuable insights for characterizing stream recovery from acid mine drainage

Kotalik, Christopher J.; Cadmus, Pete; Clements, William H.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145419

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Although in this study, we focused mainly on statistical methods used to analyze nonsystematic observational datasets, previous studies have estimated the intervention effects of trace metal concentrations through well‐designed field experiments (e.g., the so‐called Before–After Control–Impact study; Kotalik et al, 2021). It is also possible to conduct other well‐designed field studies, such as those based on randomized controlled trials (Fisher, 1947).…”

Section: Statistical Analysis Methods For Observational Datasetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do we want to estimate from observational datasets? Choosing appropriate statistical analysis methods based on the chemical management phase

Takeshita

Hayashi

Yokomizo

2022

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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The goals of observational dataset analysis vary with the management phase of environments threatened by anthropogenic chemicals. For example, identifying severely compromised sites is necessary to determine candidate sites in which to implement measures during early management phases. Among the most effective approaches is developing regression models with high predictive power for dependent variable values using the Akaike information criterion. However, this analytical approach may be theoretically inappropriate to obtain the necessary information in various chemical management phases, such as the intervention effect size of a chemical required in the late chemical management phase to evaluate the necessity of an effluent standard and its specific value. However, choosing appropriate statistical methods based on the data analysis objective in each chemical management phase has rarely been performed. This study provides an overview of the primary data analysis objectives in the early and late chemical management phases. For each objective, several suitable statistical analysis methods for observational datasets are detailed. In addition, the study presents examples of linear regression analysis procedures using an available dataset derived from field surveys conducted in Japanese rivers. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1414–1422. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

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Section: Statistical Analysis Methods For Observational Datasetsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do we want to estimate from observational datasets? Choosing appropriate statistical analysis methods based on the chemical management phase

Takeshita

Hayashi

Yokomizo

2022

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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“…As a result, metal concentrations decreased rapidly, providing an opportunity to quantify recovery following the near‐instantaneous elimination of this major stressor. In the present study, we integrate and expand the chemical and biological results previously presented (Cadmus et al, 2016 ; Kotalik et al, 2021 ; Lloyd, 2020 ). A key goal of our study was to compare the rates of chemical and biological recovery in the North Fork of Clear Creek (NFCC; CO, USA) with those of other streams recovering from the long‐term effects of mining impacts where remediation activities occurred over much longer time periods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…In addition, we collected samples monthly during the summers (July–September) of 2017 and 2018 at all stations except Main. Details of benthic sampling and preservation procedures are presented in Kotalik et al ( 2021 ). In the laboratory, invertebrates were identified to the lowest taxonomic resolution possible, typically to genus (except for chironomids, which were identified to subfamily).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Assessment of Chemical and Biological Recovery After Diversion and Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in a Rocky Mountain Stream

Kotalik

Meyer

Cadmus

et al. 2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Responses of stream ecosystems to gradual reductions in metal loading following remediation or restoration activities have been well documented in the literature. However, much less is known about how these systems respond to the immediate or more rapid elimination of metal inputs. Construction of a water treatment plant on the North Fork of Clear Creek (NFCC; CO, USA), a US Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site, captured, diverted, and treated the two major point‐source inputs of acid mine drainage (AMD) and provided an opportunity to investigate immediate improvements in water quality. We conducted a 9‐year study that included intensive within‐ and among‐year monitoring of receiving‐stream chemistry and benthic communities before and after construction of the treatment plant. Results showed a 64%–86% decrease in metal concentrations within months at the most contaminated sites. Benthic communities responded with increased abundance and diversity, but downstream stations remained impaired relative to reference conditions, with significantly lower taxonomic richness represented by a few dominant taxa (i.e., Baetis sp., Hydropsyche sp., Simulium sp., Orthocladiinae). Elevated metal concentrations from apparent residual sources, and relatively high conductivity from contributing major ions not removed during the treatment process, are likely limiting downstream recovery. Our study demonstrates that direct AMD treatment can rapidly improve water quality and benefit aquatic life, but effectiveness is limited, in part, to the extent that inputs of metals are captured and treated. Consideration should also be given to the effects of elevated major ion concentrations from the treated effluent not removed during the lime treatment process. Continued chemical and biological monitoring will be needed to quantify the NFCC recovery trajectory and to inform future remediation strategies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:512–524. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

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“…We present an analysis of concentrations and loads of metals, major geochemical ions, and routine water chemistry parameters that reveals the rapidity with which some physical-chemical conditions improved but others did not change after remediation. A parallel analysis of biological communities in the NFCC before, during, and after remediation has been reported by Kotalik et al (2021), and a synthesis of the biological and chemical interactions is presented in Kotalik et al (2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical–Chemical Recovery of a Montane Stream After Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage: Timing and Extent After Turning off the Tap

Meyer

Lloyd

Bevers³

et al. 2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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We monitored physical-chemical conditions in the North Fork of Clear Creek in Colorado (USA) before, during, and after the start of remediation (lime treatment) to remove metals from two major inputs of acid mine drainage (AMD) water. In addition, we analyzed historical monitoring data that extended back more than two decades. Concentration-discharge (C-D) and load-discharge (L-D) plots accounted for discharge dependence in concentrations and loads of metals, major ions, and other water chemistry parameters. Total and dissolved concentrations, and loads of the metals decreased after remediation began, with the largest decreases usually during low stream flow. However, postremediation concentrations and loads remained slightly to considerably higher than reference, probably because of unidentified groundwater seeps and/or small surface flows. Dissolved Cu concentrations decreased much less than total Cu concentrations, because the percentage of total Cu in the dissolved phase increased considerably as particulate Fe (PFe) concentration decreased. We conclude that 1) water chemistry can change to a new steady state or pseudo-steady state relatively quickly after major AMD inputs to a stream are remediated; 2) elevated flows during snowmelt and rainfall periods can mobilize additional amounts of major ions and metals, resulting in in-stream concentrations that are manifestations of both dilution and mobilization; 3) although lime treatment of AMD-related waters can decrease metal concentrations, it does not decrease elevated concentrations of major ions that might impair sensitive stream invertebrates; 4) although Fe is toxic to aquatic organisms, PFe adsorbs other metals and thereby provides protection against their toxicity; and 5) use of C-D and L-D plots and element ratios can indicate the presence of unidentified AMD inputs to a stream.

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Before-After Control-Impact field surveys and novel experimental approaches provide valuable insights for characterizing stream recovery from acid mine drainage

Cited by 10 publications

References 49 publications

What do we want to estimate from observational datasets? Choosing appropriate statistical analysis methods based on the chemical management phase

What do we want to estimate from observational datasets? Choosing appropriate statistical analysis methods based on the chemical management phase

Integrated Assessment of Chemical and Biological Recovery After Diversion and Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in a Rocky Mountain Stream

Physical–Chemical Recovery of a Montane Stream After Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage: Timing and Extent After Turning off the Tap

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