Post-mining landform evolution modelling: 1. Derivation of sediment transport model and rainfall-runoff model parameters

Abstract

Data were collected from three sites on the waste rock dump at ERA Ranger Mine: (1) the cap site which was unvegetated and unripped with a surface slope of 2Á8 per cent; (2) the batter site, surface slope 20Á7 per cent, also unvegetated and unripped but with a covering of coarse rock material; and (3) the soil site, surface slope 1Á2 per cent, which had c. 90 per cent vegetation cover of low shrubs and grasses and had been topsoiled and surface ripped.Natural rainfall events were monitored on the sites to collect rainfall, runoff and soil loss data to parameterize a sediment transport model of the form T = S n 1 Q m 1 dt, and the DISTFW rainfall±runoff model. Low frequency, high intensity events resulted in the greatest soil loss. To accurately predict sediment loss during high intensity events, storms with a range of intensities were selected to derive the sediment transport model. DISTFW hydrology model parameters were derived by fitting four monitored events simultaneously. The selected parameters for the vegetated and ripped case may overpredict discharge for some rainfall events resulting in conservative design of erosion control features on rehabilitated landforms.

Legacy effects on sediments in river corridors

“…Diverse types of upland mining (Gilbert, 1917;Toy, 1984;Evans et al, 2000) and human-induced changes in fire regime (Shakesby and Doerr, 2006;Power et al, 2008) have also enhanced sedimentation along river corridors. Localized activities such as upland mining of precious metals are more likely to create a point source of sediment, although this point source can be so enormous that it strongly affects the entire river basin downstream from the sediment source.…”

Comparison of fallout radionuclide (caesium-137) and modelling approaches for the assessment of soil erosion rates for an uncultivated site in south-eastern Australia

“…SIBERIA is a physically-based model for simulating the geomorphic evolution of landscapes subject to fluvial and diffusive erosion and mass transport processes (Willgoose et al, 1991) and has recently been tested and evaluated for erosion assessment over a range of landforms (for example Evans et al, 1999Evans et al, , 2000Hancock et al, 2000Hancock et al, , 2008.…”

A descriptive and quantitative approach regarding erosion and development of landforms on abandoned mine tailings: New insights and environmental implications from SE Spain

“…25 model, which can predict thousands of years of change in the shape of a landform, broadly tested for this purpose at minescapes (Willgoose and Riley, 1998;Evans et al, 2000;Hancock and Turley, 2006).…”