Geochemical and Stable Isotope Evidence for Precipitation and Groundwater Sourcing of Recharge at the Green Valley Site, Vigo County, Indiana

Abstract

We examined the recharge sources of acid mine drainage (AMD) seeps that form at the toe of the coal refuse (gob) pile at a site in Indiana, using traditional geochemistry and oxygen isotopes. AMD from this site has impacted local waterways, and reducing the volume of AMD is a priority. Our observations indicate that there are two main sources of recharge. The first is relatively dilute, isotopically homogenous, geochemically-reducing groundwater that flows up through pre-mining karst-like features beneath the gob pile due to localized, precipitation-induced, hydraulic head. This produces a perched water table above the regional water table. The second source of recharge is oxidizing and isotopically variable meteoric precipitation that percolates through the permeable capping material; a partially buried and abandoned railroad grade may also channel meteoric waters into the pile. During periods of low precipitation, oxygenated pore moisture in the unsaturated zone facilitates AMD generation. During periods of elevated precipitation, these metal-rich pore fluids are flushed through the system by isotopically variable, oxygenated, metal-poor meteoric waters. Each source contributes subequal but variable amounts of recharge waters. The hydraulic conductivity and permeability of the gob pile, as calculated by isotopic lag, is consistent with values for silty to clean unconsolidated sand.