| Abstract: | A study was begun in 1975 to determine the geochemical processes that have affected ground-water quality as a result of a lignite strip mine at Gascoyne, North Dakota. Ground waters and surface waters on or near the mine were analyzed for major and minor dissolved constituents, tritium and carbon-13 isotopes, and dissolved gases. Compositions and carbon isotopes were determined in gas samples from various horizons at six unsaturated-zone sites. Mineralogic and cation-exchange data were obtained from core samples and surface solids from the mine and from nearby farms. Reactions that control ground-water chemistry at the mine include: (1) Oxidation of organic matter and ferrous iron minerals in the saturated zone; (2) Dissolution of C02, carbonates and sulfates in unsaturated-zone water; (3) Cation exchange reactions on clays and on lignite; (4) Sulfate reduction and pyrite deposition in the lignite; (5) leaching of halides and of organic matter from the lignite; and (6) Silicate hydrolysis near the lignite outcrop. Gascoyne area ground waters are near neutral to moderately alkaline sodium sulfate solutions containing several hundred to several thousand mg/L dissolved sulfate. Mining operations will probably increase the dissolved sulfate levels in the ground-water reservoir at Gascoyne. (USGS) |
| Genre: | USGS Numbered Series |
| ProdID: | 25517 |
| Citation Author: | Fisher, D. W.; Thorstenson, D. C.; Croft, M. G.; Houton, R. L. |
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| Citation Language: | ENGLISH |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | v, 80 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm. |
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| Citation Publisher: | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Citation Series: | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Citation Series Code: | WRI |
| Citation Series Number: | 84-4192 |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Geochemical processes in the Gascoyne Lignite Mining Area, Bowman County, North Dakota; 1985; WRI; 84-4192; Fisher, D. W.; Thorstenson, D. C.; Croft, M. G.; Houton, R. L. |
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| Citation Year: | 1985 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Geochemical processes in the Gascoyne Lignite Mining Area, Bowman County, North Dakota; 1985; WRI; 84-4192; Fisher, D. W.; Thorstenson, D. C.; Croft, M. G.; Houton, R. L. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1984/4192/report-thumb.jpg |
| URL (DOCUMENT): | http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1984/4192/report.pdf |
| Date Other: | Sat, 1 Jan 1994 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | U.S. Geological Survey, |
