Research Article| January 01, 1995 1994 AEG Student Professional Paper: Graduate Division: Geochemical Evolution of Ground-Water Recovery in a Reclaimed Surface Mine CLIFTON F. WISE CLIFTON F. WISE Clifton F. Wise, the son of Clete and Jean Wise, was born in San Diego, California on July 1,1969. As his father pursued a career as a Naval aviator, Mr. Wise's family lived throughout the United States finally retiring to Sulphur Springs, Texas. Following graduation from Stephen Decatur High School in Sicily, Italy, Mr. Wise entered East Texas State University at Commerce in September 1987. He graduated in December 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with Highest Honors completing an Honor's Thesis entitled “Uptake of Phosphorus in Wheat on Texas Blackland Soil.” Mr. Wise entered Texas A&M University in January 1992 to pursue a Master's degree specializing in hydrogeology. While at Texas A&M, Mr. Wise has been an active member of the Lone Star Student Chapter of the Association of Engineering Geologists serving as president in 1993–94. Mr. Wise is completing his thesis under the direction of Dr. Christopher C. Mathewson. His thesis is entitled “Prediction of Ground-water Quality at a Texas Surface Lignite Mine.” Mr. Wise is currently residing with his wife, Elizabeth, in College Station and plans to graduate in May 1995. *present address: Department of Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (1995) I (1): 1–6. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.I.1.1 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation CLIFTON F. WISE; 1994 AEG Student Professional Paper: Graduate Division: Geochemical Evolution of Ground-Water Recovery in a Reclaimed Surface Mine. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 1995;; I (1): 1–6. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.I.1.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract A surface lignite mine in central Texas began operating in Eocene deltaic sediments in 1982. By 1986, reclamation and monitoring of ground-water recovery had begun in two mine blocks. Analysis of the ground water at that time revealed high concentrations of many ions, and correlations could not be made with the age of the spoil. However, examination of the geochemical evolution of spoil water, a decade after mining, revealed the development of a number of trends. Ground-water recovery reached equilibrium within 7 to 8 years after reclamation began. Recovery was not influenced by the lithology of the spoil. However, spoil lithology did affect the concentrations of ions in the ground water. Mine blocks containing a greater percentage of overburden sand had increased ion concentrations for most parameters due to either limited oxidation of reduced sediments or better mixing between ground water and spoil. Another important factor in the geochemical development of the ground water was the rate of ground-water recovery. Most ion concentrations exhibited an increasing trend until ground-water recovery was complete. At that time, flushing of the ground water began to dominate and concentrations decreased. Important processes occurring in the spoil include the oxidation of pyrite, cation exchange reactions, the dissolution of carbonates, and the precipitation of gypsum. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.