Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geography, Geology, and Anthropology

First Advisor

Sandra Brake

Second Advisor

Stephen Wolf

Third Advisor

Anthony Rathburn

Abstract

This study evaluates the degree and extent of contamination in West Little Sugar Creek by analyzing water chemistry in the stream during low and moderate flow conditions. West Little Sugar Creek is located in Vigo County, Indiana and has been severely impacted by AMD discharging from the abandoned Green Valley Mine site. Stream water is commonly acidic (as low as pH 2.4) with elevated concentrations of Fe and Al and elevated trace elements including Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Co, and others, many of which exceed local and/or national surface water quality standards. Amorphous Fe and Al precipitates also form in the stream and coat the substrate up to 5 km downstream from the site. The overall impact of AMD on West Little Sugar Creek appears to be strongly tied with the hydrologic conditions within the stream. Low flow conditions correspond to a very acidic waters and elevated concentrations of dissolved constituents that persist for 1 km beyond the mine site. Whereas, moderate flow correspond to a less acidic conditions and lower concentrations of dissolved constituents, but with conditions persisting up to 2.5 km beyond the mine site. Macroscopic aquatic life appears to be severely impacted by AMD contamination in the stream. Observable aquatic life disappears within the mixing zone near the mine site and reappears when stream pH increases above 5 and dissolved element concentrations approach background levels.

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