Abstract

Using Esri's ArcScene Application to Visualize the Geospatial Relationship Between the Occurrence of AMD Seeps, Underground Mining Operations, and an Adjacent Coal Refuse Disposal Area
Track: Mining and Geosciences
Author(s): Thomas Galya, Thomas Mastrorocco

Downstream of the Abbott Hollow coal refuse disposal site in Kanawha County, West Virginia, Fifteenmile Fork, receives significant metals and acidity runoff from AMD (acid mine drainage) seepage (seeps). The seep water chemistry is characterized as having a pH of 3.2 s.u., 240 mg/L iron (dissolved), 13.2 mg/L manganese (dissolved), and 22.1 mg/L aluminum (dissolved), which results in the degradation of water quality of the receiving stream, Fifteenmile Fork. Data for this project was gathered from several sources: AutoCad files; ortho-photos; company and Office of Surface Mining-Mine Map Repository (MMR) scanned mine paper maps; and GPS locations of the AMD seeps. Both pre-and post-SMCRA (Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 1977) placement of AMD-producing refuse materials in the Abbott Hollow refuse area caused and contributes to the generation of AMD seeps from the refuse area. The underground mines contribute to inflows into the refuse pile, which has the geochemical character to produce and contribute to the AMD seeps. The results of this project demonstrated how Esri's ArcScene application was used to visualize the complex geospatial relationship between the occurrence of the AMD seeps, underground mines, and the adjacent coal refuse disposal area.

Thomas Galya
Office of Surface Mining
1027 Virginia Street, East
Charleston , West Virginia 25301
United States
Phone: 304-347-7158
E-mail: tgalya@osmre.gov

Thomas Mastrorocco
Office of Surface Mining
3 Parkway Center
Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15220
United States
Phone: 412-937-2939
E-mail: tmastrorocco@osmre.gov