Hydrologic Effects of Surface Coal Mining in Appalachia (U.S.)

Abstract

Surface coal mining operations alter landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains, United States, by replacing bedrock with mine spoil, altering topography, removing native vegetation, and constructing mine soils with hydrologic properties that differ from those of native soils. Research has demonstrated hydrologic effects of mining and reclamation on Appalachian landscapes include increased peakflows at newly mined and reclaimed watersheds in response to strong storm events, increased subsurface void space, and increased base flows. We review these investigations with a focus on identifying changes to hydrologic flow paths caused by surface mining for coal in the Appalachian Mountains. We introduce two conceptual control points that govern hydrologic flow paths on mined lands, including the soil surface that partitions infiltration vs. surface runoff and a potential subsurface zone that partitions subsurface storm flow vs. deeper percolation. Investigations to improve knowledge of hydrologic pathways on reclaimed Appalachian mine sites are needed to identify effects of mining on hydrologic processes, aid development of reclamation methods to reduce hydrologic impacts, and direct environmental mitigation and public policy.

Establishing Pine Monocultures and Mixed Pine-Hardwood Stands on Reclaimed Surface Mined Land in Eastern Kentucky: Implications for Forest Resilience in a Changing Climate

“…Loblolly pine is more tolerant of poorly drained soils than shortleaf pine [37]. Large portions of the project site exhibited poor drainage and even standing water (which can frequently be the case on these sites [52,53]), suggesting that overall soil moisture conditions may be more favorable for loblolly pine than shortleaf pine. Chemically, soils were favorable across treatments, with pH, particle size distribution, nutrient levels, and CEC similar to those observed on soils favorable for tree growth and survival in another eastern Kentucky study [6].…”

Moving mountains : a study examining long-term impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining on mortality in the Appalachian region using geographic information sciences techniques.

“…Coal mining in the Appalachian region is environmentally destructive and has created serious ecological harms to local environment including hydrological impacts (Vengosh et al 2013;Evans et al 2015), polluting of surrounding streams and groundwater (McAuley & Kazor 2006;Lindberg et al 2011), reduced air quality (Aneja, Isherwood & Morgan 2012;Kruth et al 2014) and drastic changes in the topography of the land (Wickham et al 2013;Ross, McGlynn & Bernhardt 2016 There is evidence that air pollution, particularly particulate matter, is associated with neurodegenerative-related diseases and mortality (Kettunen et al 2007;Block & Calderon-Garciduenas 2009;Levesque et al 2011 …”

“…Scholars find mountaintop removal (MTR)MTR coal mining to be highly destructive to the environment (Palmer et al 2010;Aneja, Isherwood & Morgan 2012;Vengosh et al 2013;Kruth et al 2014;Evans et al 2015) and is linked to negative health outcomes, including increased mortality rates and reduced self-rated health (Hitt & Hednryx 2010;Hendryx, Fedorko & Anesetti 2010;Zullig & Hendryx 2010;Zullig & Hendryx 2011). While acknowledging that the role of socioeconomic status on coal mining in the region remains important, socioeconomic status may not be the only mechanism through which coal mining affects the health and wellbeing of the Appalachian region.…”

“…When the physical terrain changes, the hydrological geography changes as well. Streams are buried beneath rubble from the mountains, in some cases, they may be completely rerouted (Lindberg et al 2011;Evans et al 2015). Thus, these streams are susceptible to runoff from the mines when it rains or snows on the large mine site .…”

“…Scholars have found that mountaintop removal mining is associated with increased hydrological damage to the watershed and on the land (Lindberg et al 2011;Evans et al 2015), increased pollution, including chemical and isotopic compositions in streams (Vengosh et al 2013), and increased particulate matter in the air (Kruth et al 2012). There has been little research linking environmental pollution from mountaintop removal coal mining to human mortality rates.…”