Predicting Potential Aluminum Contamination of Surface and Ground Waters from Acid Sulfate Enriched Drainages Emanating from Low Neutralization Capacity Watersheds

Authors

Anastasios D. Karathanasis, University of KentuckyFollow
Vasilios P. Evangelou, University of Kentucky
Y. L. Thompson, University of Kentucky

Abstract

The composition of soil solutions and surface waters emanating from unreclaimed, or partially reclaimed, strip-mined watersheds with low buffering capacity in Kentucky were compared with soil solution compositions of unaffected strata in the watershed. The data suggest that almost 20 years after mining, most soil solutions and surface waters of the disturbed areas still contain high levels of dissolved Al, controlled primarily by the solubilities of a jurbanite-like mineral (upper limit) and alunite (lower limit). Soluble Al in solutions of undisturbed areas was consistent with the solubility of kaolinite or gibbsite. The absence of jurbanite x-ray diffraction peaks suggested the presence of an amorphous mineral or one stoichiometrically similar to jurbanite. Despite greater residence times for soil solutions as compared to surface waters, their compositional differences were insignificant. The control of soluble AL by basic aluminum sulfate minerals was not affected by the variable mineralogical and textural composition of soil and geologic strata in the watershed. Apparently, this is the result of low buffering capacity. At pH 4, pH and sulfate activities can be used to accurately predict the levels of soluble Al³⁺ in surface and ground waters of the watersheds. Similar predictions from pH and SO2-/4 activities can also be made for dissolved Fe³⁺ levels, supporting the stoichiometry but a much higher solubility than that of jarosite.

Publication Date

1988

Report Number

170

Notes/Citation Information

Project numbers: G 1227-04, G 1424-04*

Agreement numbers: 14-08-0001-G1227 (FY 1986)

14-08-0001-G1424 (FY 1987)

Funding Information

Supported in part by the United States Department of the Interior as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1984.

Repository Citation

Karathanasis, Anastasios D.; Evangelou, Vasilios P.; and Thompson, Y. L., "Predicting Potential Aluminum Contamination of Surface and Ground Waters from Acid Sulfate Enriched Drainages Emanating from Low Neutralization Capacity Watersheds" (1988). KWRRI Research Reports. 201.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kwrri_reports/201