Evaluation of acid-producing sulfidic materials in Virginia highway corridors

Orndorff, Zenah W.; Daniels, W. Lee

doi:10.1007/s00254-004-1027-y

Cited by 14 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Also, several relatively minor sections of overburden in Virginia (e.g. the Standiford seam interburden of the middle Wise formation) generate spoils with significant (>20 Mg/1000 Mg) levels of potential acidity (Orndorff & Daniels, 2004). For most spoil samples used in this study the majority of sulfate release occurred within the first month (10 leachings).…”

Section: Characterization Of Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Leaching Potentials of Coal Spoil and Refuse: Acid-Base Interactions and Electrical Conductivity

Orndorff¹,

Daniels²,

Beck³

et al. 2010

JASMR

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Unweathered overburden and coal processing wastes in southwestern Virginia contain varying amounts of carbonates and pyrite which affect water quality as spoil and refuse materials weather and leach. In addition to pH effects, these materials can input significant total dissolved solids (TDS) loads to drainage waters under both low and circumneutral pH conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate acid-base interactions and overall TDS elution (as measured by electrical conductivity/EC) in leachates from a variety of spoil and refuse materials. Ten spoils and three pairs of coarse/fine refuse samples were characterized and subjected to leaching in columns for five months (2 leaching events per week) under saturated and unsaturated conditions. Leachates were analyzed for pH, EC, and cations and oxyanions of concern. The pH of the bulk samples (prior to leaching) were typically near-neutral to alkaline. Bulk EC produced by fresh spoils was relatively low (< 1.0 dS m-1), although a few values ranged up to 3.5 dS m-1. Relatively low total S (< 0.25%) in conjunction with calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) levels of 1.3-6% resulted in low (3.6 Mg CaCO 3 per 1000 Mg material or less net acid) peroxide potential acidity (PPA) levels. For refuse samples, total S was slightly higher (0.27-1.25%), CCE ranged from 5.0 to 6.9%, and PPA ranged up to 31.2 Mg CaCO 3 per 1000 Mg material of net acidity. Leachate pH increased noticeably for most materials over the first few leachings, but after approximately one month, the majority of samples showed no major changes. Electrical conductivity decreased over the first several leachings and most samples achieved a relatively steady state with relatively low levels (< 1.0 dS m-1) within two months. Leachate pH, EC, bicarbonate, Ca, Fe, Mn and sulfate elution were directly related to internal acidbase reactions and water saturation regime. Surprisingly, no major significant or consistent differences were apparent between coarse and fine refuse materials for any parameter of long term leaching concern.

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Section: Characterization Of Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Leaching Potentials of Coal Spoil and Refuse: Acid-Base Interactions and Electrical Conductivity

Orndorff¹,

Daniels²,

Beck³

et al. 2010

JASMR

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“…This material was placed over the underlying Earle sediments between 2012 and 2013 (Tables 2 and 3). The material was very low in contaminants and deemed to be “clean fill,” but based on a potential peroxide acidity (Ondorff and Daniels, 2004) of 10.1 Mg agricultural lime per 1000 Mg for around 20% of the materials shipped, we advised blending agricultural lime with the material as it was placed. Rationale for this recommendation is described in below.…”

Section: Additional Earle Basin Studies and Site Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Before accepting the material, it was screened for a variety of parameters (heavy metals, pesticides, organics, nutrients, potential peroxide acidity, salinity, pH, and particle size), and certain summary properties are presented in Tables 2 and 3. Based on an H 2 O 2 oxidation method for estimating potential acidity (Orndorff and Daniels, 2004), a liming rate of 12.5 Mg CaCO 3 per 1000 Mg dredge sediment was prescribed. Two variations of liming treatments were tested against an unlimed control: (i) a layered application where lime and dredge were applied in alternating layers during placement and (ii) a bulk-blended application where lime was mixed with dredge material before placement.…”

Section: Management Of Acid-forming Dredge Material: Maryland Port Aumentioning

confidence: 99%

Beneficial Use of Dredge Materials for Soil Reconstruction and Development of Dredge Screening Protocols

et al. 2016

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Upland placement of dredge sediments has the potential to provide beneficial reuse of suitable sediments for agricultural uses or urban soil reconstruction. However, the use of many dredge materials is limited by contaminants, and most established screening protocols focus on limiting major contaminants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and generally ignore fundamental agronomic parameters. Since 2001, we have placed over 450,000 m of Potomac River fresh water dredge materials and 250,000 m of saline materials from various locations into monitored confined upland facilities in Charles City, VA, and documented their conversion to agricultural uses. Groundwater and soil quality monitoring has indicated no adverse effects from material placement and outstanding agricultural productivity for the freshwater materials. Once placed, saline materials rapidly leach and ripen with quick declines in pH, electrical conductivity, and sodicity, but potentials for local groundwater impacts must be considered. Our experience to date indicates that the most important primary screening parameter is acid-base accounting (potential acidity or lime demand), which should become a mandatory analytical requirement. Our second level of acceptance screening is based on a combination of federal and state residual waste and soil screening standards and basic agronomic principles. High silt+clay and total organic C may also limit rapid use of many dredge materials due to extended dewatering times and physical limitations. This dredge material screening system separates potential upland placement candidates into three soil quality management categories (unsuitable, suitable, and clean fill) with differing monitoring requirements. Similar use of these sediments in urban soil reconstruction is also recommended.

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“…S ulfidic deposits are found in various settings across the mid‐Atlantic region of the USA, including unconsolidated sulfide‐rich sediments in formations of the Coastal Plain, certain slate and phyllite‐bearing formations in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge, certain black shales in the Valley and Ridge, and sulfide‐rich coal seams in the coalfields of southwest Virginia (Orndorff and Daniels, 2004). Exposure of sulfidic materials (as defined by Keys to Soil Taxonomy; Soil Survey Staff, 2006) may result in localized acid rock drainage (ARD) and associated technical, environmental, and social problems.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The PPA values of unoxidized samples from SRAP were between 30 and 50 Mg CaCO 3 per 1000 Mg material. Upon weathering, field pH rapidly drops to values between 2.5 to 3.5, PPA values drop to 10 to 20 kg CaCO 3 Mg −1 air‐dry material, and total S drops to <10 g kg −1 (Orndorff and Daniels, 2004). Problem sites typically exhibit lack of vegetation due to the very low pH of surface material and sulfate salt efflorescence on cut surfaces.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reclamation of Acid Sulfate Soils Using Lime‐Stabilized Biosolids

2008

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Excavation of sulfidic materials during construction has resulted in acid rock drainage (ARD) problems throughout Virginia. The most extensive documented uncontrolled disturbance at a single location is Stafford Regional Airport (SRAP) in Stafford, Virginia. Beginning in 1998, over 150 ha of sulfidic Coastal Plain sediments were disturbed, including steeply sloping cut surfaces and spoils placed into fills. Acid sulfate soils developed, and ARD generated on-site degraded metal and concrete structures and heavily damaged water quality with effects noted over 1 km downstream. The site was not recognized as sulfidic until 2001 when surface soil sampling revealed pH values ranging from 1.9 to 5.3 and peroxide potential acidity (PPA) values ranging from 1 to 42 Mg CaCO(3) per 1000 Mg material. In February 2002 a water quality program was established in and around the site to monitor baseline pH, EC, NO(3)-N, NH(4)-N, PO(4)-P, Fe, Al, Mn, and SO(4)-S, and initial pH values as low as 2.9 were noted in on-site receiving streams. In the spring and fall of 2002, the site was treated with variable rates of lime-stabilized biosolids, straw-mulch, and acid- and salt-tolerant legumes and grasses. By October 2002, the site was fully revegetated (> or = 90% living cover) with the exception of a few highly acidic outcrops and seepage areas. Surface soil sampling in 2003, 2004, and 2006 revealed pH values typically > 6.0. Water quality responded quickly to treatment, although short-term NH(4)(+) release occurred. Despite heavy loadings, no significant surface water P losses were observed.

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Evaluation of acid-producing sulfidic materials in Virginia highway corridors

Cited by 14 publications

References 13 publications

Leaching Potentials of Coal Spoil and Refuse: Acid-Base Interactions and Electrical Conductivity

Leaching Potentials of Coal Spoil and Refuse: Acid-Base Interactions and Electrical Conductivity

Beneficial Use of Dredge Materials for Soil Reconstruction and Development of Dredge Screening Protocols

Reclamation of Acid Sulfate Soils Using Lime‐Stabilized Biosolids

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