OSM Region |
Institution
and $ OSM Funds |
OSM
Technical Representative |
Project Title and PI (Principal Investigator) |
Objective |
| HDQ |
Pennsylvania Dept Environmental Protection
$50,000 |
Maria M. Mitchell
202-208-2865
mmitchell@
osmre.gov |
Inter-laboratory Evaluation of Draft Kinetic Test:
Procedure for Prediction of Coal Mine Drainage Quality
PI Roger Hornberger |
Develop a standardized protocol for column leaching test to
predict mine drainage quality of overburden rocks.
The method will be certified by the Environmental
Protection Agency as an accepted method for leaching
studies. |
| AR |
University of Kentucky
$44,278 |
Don Stump
412-937-2164
dstump@
osmre.gov |
Investigation of Alternatives for Restoring Headwater Streams via Sediment Pond Removal in the Appalachian Coal Belt Region
PI Dr. Richard Warner |
(1) Monitor and document down-gradient sediment concentrations associated with modified sediment pond removal techniques. (2) Develop design techniques for restoring the function of headwater streams and floodplains following sediment pond removal. (3) Re-establish high-value hardwood trees to provide shading, organic matter, habitat, and stream bank stability as part of the restoration design. (4) Document the economic factors associated with these new methods for sediment pond removal and headwater stream restoration. |
| AR |
University of Kentucky
$46,296 |
Michael Bower
412-937-2857
mbower@
osmre.gov |
Development of a Field Procedure to Evaluate
the Reforestation Potential of Reclaimed Surface-Mined Land (Click here to link to final report.)
PI Dr. Richard Sweigard |
Development of a field procedure for evaluating the reforestation potential of reclaimed surface mined land using portable equipment applicable under any field conditions. |
| AR |
Virginia Tech
$40,000 |
Michael Bower
412-937-2857
mbower@
osmre.gov |
Demonstrate the Potential for Large-Scale Carbon
Sequestration by Reforestation of Mined Lands Using Managed Forests (Click here to link to final report.)
PI Dr. James Burger |
Determine the distribution pattern and accumulation of soil organic carbon down the mine soil profile and to determine thee maximum cost effective depth of soil organic carbon analysis on mined lands supporting abandoned grasslands. Specifically:(1) design a new technique for carbon content measurement on reclaimed mined land that will differentiate between pedogenic and geogenic carbon forms present in mine soils; (2) evaluate and compare the performance (accuracy and precision of the new carbon measurement and the Walkley-Black procedure for carbon analysis on mine soils;
(3) determine the effects of spoil material type and coal content in mine soils on the accuracy and precision of the Walkley-Black procedure. |
| AR |
Virginia Tech
$40,126 |
Lois Uranowski
412-937-2805
luranowski@
osmre.gov |
Development of Rapid Assessment Protocols for Beneficial Use
of Post-2000 Coal Combustion Products in Virginia Coal Mines (Click here to link to final report.)
PI Dr. Lee Daniels |
Predict the relative bioavailability/leaching risk of metals, specifically arsenic, selenium, mercury, and boron in common southwest Virginia coal mining and coal-combustion products (CCPs) utilization environments. Develop and refine a simple combined laboratory and greenhouse screening technique that will predict the potential beneficial use of CCPs when used as (a) topical mine spoil amendment, (b) geo-chemically stable backfill material, and (c) bulk-blended treatment for acidic coal waste materials. |
| AR |
Virginia Tech
$34,618 |
Craig Walker
865-545-4103
x 168
cwalker@
osmre.gov |
Determining the Eco-toxicological Recovery of Black Creek (Wise County) and Ely Creek (Lee County) after Watershed Restoration of abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage
PI Dr. Don Cherry |
Determine the effectiveness of AMD remediation measures undertaken in the Black Creek (Wise County) and Ely Creek (Lee County) sub-watersheds in VA. Determine the eco-toxicological recovery of Black and Ely Creeks by applying an eco-toxicological recovery rating (ETR) to them. |
| AR |
Wilkes University $40,000
Applied Science & $40,000 TIPS |
Lois Uranowski
412-937-2805
luranowski@
osmre.gov |
Geospatial Technologies For Regulatory Oversight On Mining And Reclamation Operations
PI Dale Bruns |
The project is using several geospatial applications for regulatory (and bonding) oversight and management at an on-going mining operation in western PA The applications include the integrated use of GIS, GPS, and satellite imagery to provide geospatial and geophysical data/analysis. The project will demonstrate the applicability of using satellite imagery and GPS to track operation and reclamation activates over time and be incorporated into the permit’s yearly bonding calculation. If proven successful, this application of remote sensing and GIS analysis can act as a model for hundreds of surface mines in Pennsylvania. Training and technology transfer to PA DEP staff are key components of this project. |
| AR |
West Virginia University
$50,134 |
Tom Gayla
tgayla@osmre.gov
(304) 347-7158 |
Monitoring and Exploration for Flooded Pools in the Pittsburgh Coal Basin of Northern West Virginia
PI Donovan |
The purpose of this project is to gather additional information regarding the flooding of vast underground mine pools in the Pittsburgh coal seam basin. This information is needed in order to predict potential mine pool discharge locations, to assess the need for changes in mine water treatment scenarios at active and future mine water treatment stations and to assess the potential for utilizing the mine pools as a marketable resource. |
| AR |
West Virginia University
$20,000 |
Jay Hawkins
412-937-2127
jhawkins@
osmre.gov |
Stream Dewatering Project- Underground mine Subsidence and Its Influence on Stream Flow at High and Low Base Flow Conditions
PI |
Determine if subsidence from underground mines affects stream flow under certain geologic and stream morphology conditions. Evaluate seasonal effects. Measured stream flow, geophysical surveys and stream morphology will be used to assess subsidence effects. |
| MCR |
University of Illinois
$49,900 (2005) Applied Science |
Len Meier
lxmeier@
osmre.gov
(618) 463-6463
x 109 |
A System to Evaluate Prime Farmland Reclamation Success Based on Spatial Soil Properties
PI R. Dunker |
A soil property based formula would be developed to ensure the most efficient process to return the productive soil resource to the landowner. This method also will identify problem fields immediately after reclamation. This is a 3 year project. Year 1 was to build the model and test the equipment. Year 2 and 3 will test and refine the model on a wide variety of soils. |
| WR |
Montana State University and Montana Department of Environmental Quality
$65,000 |
Tonya Buckmaster
tbuckmaster@
osmre.gov
(303) 293-5064 |
Vegetation Habitat Analysis to Enhance Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands
PI Harrington |
An empirical approach for better understanding key environmental aspects that must be present for planning and achieving successful revegetation in support of bond release. Data on vegetation type, slope aspect, slope amount, soil category, and physical characteristics will be collected, entered into statistical and geographical databases (GIS) for analysis. |
| WR |
American Geological Institute
$10,000 |
Debbie McGinnis
(303) 293-5073
DMcGinnis@
osmre.gov |
Coal and the Environment
|
This is a new research publication sponsored by several government (e.g., OSM, USGS) and professional organizations. It is volume 9 in the American Geological Institute’s Environmental Awareness Series and is available. |
