Date of Award

Spring 5-1-1984

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography, Geology, and Anthropology

First Advisor

Lee Guernsey

Second Advisor

William D. Brooks

Third Advisor

Robert C. Larson

Abstract

This study was involved with direct impact of abandoned surface coal-mined lands on the local population in southwestern Indiana. Five problem areas studied have a total of 237 acres of gob, 71 acres of slurry, 22 acres of spoil areas, 10 dangerous high walls, 13 acres of haul road, and 4 acres of tipple. Only three problem areas have postreclamation plans, while the rest do not. Pollution of lake #29 in Green Sullivan LK #29 problem area in Sullivan County and the lake west of Centenary in Electric Shovel problem area in Vermillion County has been caused by sediment and acid mine drainage from the gob and slurry, spoil areas and gob, respectively. A hog farm in Shasta and an agricultural field in Hammilmans (LKN2), problem areas both in Knox County, have been polluted by acid mine drainage and sediments from gob, slurry, haul road, tipple and spoil areas, respectively. Since abandonment, some of the problem areas have been used for unauthorized and dangerous recreational purposes, and disposal of residential waste, while others have been used as water resource for agricultural purposes. Feasible reclamation procedures were outlined for each problem area. Physical aspects included soils and overburden, surface and ground water, physiography and topography of spoils. These elements were explored to iv determine the impact abandoned coal-mined lands have on the local population. The study determined that 1066 local residents of southwestern Indiana receive direct impact from abandoned coal-mined lands.

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