wAbstract
@Acid mine drainage (AMD) affects thousands of stream miles in
the Appalachian region of the USA and results in elevated concentrations
of iron and aluminum in the stream water and sediments and wide
ranging pH values. It was hypothesized that these conditions would
lead to increased P buffering capacity of the sediments which
in turn would cause a decrease in dissolved reactive phosphorus
(DRP) in the water column. In the lab fresh Fe, Al, and Mn oxide
precipitates all adsorbed DRP strongly but over different pH ranges.
Sulfate and calcium ions inhibited adsorption of DRP with Fe oxides
but the effect was less apparent with Al oxides. In the field
DRP concentration was reduced 54-90 just downstream of an AMD
input compared to upstream of the input. In addition the sediment
buffering capacity increased and equilibrium phosphate concentration
decreased dramatically downstream of the AMD inputs. The strength
of the effect and the widespread occurrence of AMD suggest that
AMD could be altering the P dynamics of streams and rivers throughout
the Appalachian region.
Keywords: Mine drainage; Phosphorus; pH; Stream sediment; Geochemistryx
1. Introduction
2. Methods
@2.1. Lab experiments
@2.2. Field study
3. Results
@3.1. Lab experiment
@3.2. Field study
4. Discussion
References