&EFK
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory
Cincinnati OH 45268
Research and Development
EPA-600/S2-82-061 August 1982
Project Summary
Reclamation of Toxic Mine
Waste Utilizing Sewage
Sludge—Contrary Creek
Demonstration
Kenneth Hinkle
Three abandoned pyrite mines in
central Virginia that have been inactive
since 1923 contained about 12 de-
nuded hectares (ha) and caused severe
acid mine drainage (AMD) in a small
stream known as Contrary Creek. The
AMD which included heavy metals
made the stream virtually void of
aquatic life. The Virginia State Water
Control Board (SWCB) was prompted
to seek a solution to this problem
when plans were announced in 1968
to construct a reservoir for a nuclear
power plant downstream from Con-
trary Creek. Two of the mine sites
comprising about 8 ha were reclaimed
with a U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) demonstration grant in
which the SWCB contributed match-
ing funds through in-kind services and
the Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
provided technical assistance. Re-
clamation began in 1976 and included
the use of sewage sludge as a soil
conditioner. Severe droughts in 1976
and 1977 and the highly toxic nature
of the mine waste required a contin-
uing maintenance program to estab-
lish vegetation. By the fall of 1980
approximately 90 percent of the re-
claimed areas supported fair to good
grass cover.
A comprehensive monitoring pro-
gram has indicated little improvement
in the water quality of Contrary Creek
since reclamation began. There ap-
peared to be slight decreases in
concentrations and loads of acidity
and some metals in 1979 and 1980,
but it is too early to tell if a remedial
trend is beginning. Significant im-
provement is expected as infiltration
and AMD formation are reduced by
the development of a soil layer and
vegetative cover. Biologic surveys
have revealed negligible improvement
in the biota.
In late 1980 the EPA approved a
request from the SWCB to extend the
project until mid-1982 to provide
continued maintenance and evaluation.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Industrial Environ-
mental Research Laboratory. Cincin-
nati, OH, to announce key findings of
the research project that is fully
documented in a separate report of
the same title- (see Project Report
ordering information at back).
Introduction
The Contrary Creek Project is located
in Louisa County, Virginia, approxi-
mately 65 km northwest of Richmond
and 129 km southwest of Washington,
D.C. Contrary Creek is approximately 8
km in length with an average annual
flow of 197 l/s (7.3 cfs) at its mouth
where it empties into Lake Anna, an
impoundment completed in 1972 as a
source of cooling water for a nuclear
power plant. The lake also has important
recreational and fishing values.
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The area is in the so-called pyrite-
gold belt of the Piedmont physiographic
province and was the scene of extensive
mining activity in the 19th century.
Between 1880 and 1923 three deep
shaft pyrite mines known as the
Arminius, Boyd Smith, and Sulphur
were operated along Contrary Creek.
Over six million tons of pyrite ore were
produced from the mines during their
operation. It was during this period that
large volumes of wastes were dumped
indiscriminately along Contrary Creek,
denuding about 12 ha at the three sites
and creating an AMD problem The
sources of AMD are shown in Figure 1.
The worst conditions prevailed at the
Sulphur Site where about 6 ha were
seriously affected.
The area remained essentially in this
condition for over 50 years after the
mines were closed until plans were
announced to build the reservoir on the
North Anna River into which Contrary
Creek drained. There was concern that
the continued influx of AMD would
eventually cause a buildup of contami-
nants in the reservoir and could create
major fish kills. Pre-impoundment
biologic studies had shown aquatic life
to be adversely affected in the North
Anna River for about 9 km below the
confluence of Contrary Creek.
The SWCB conducted a cursory water
quality study of Contrary Creek in 1971
and determined that the heavy metals,
copper, iron, lead, manganese, and
zinc, were present in excessive amounts.
In 1973 the SWCB applied for an EPA
demonstration grant to perform abate-
ment measures under the provisions of
Section 107 of PL-92-500. In con-
junction with a feasibility study by a
consultant to support the grant request,
the SWCB initiated a preliminary
monitoring program in 1974 to more
accurately define the AMD problem.
Table 1 shows average concentrations
of approximately 20 samples collected
at the mouth of Contrary Creek and
indicates the magnitude of the AMD
problem.
An EPA grant to reclaim the two
downstream mine sites known as the
Boyd Smith and Sulphur was awarded
to the SWCB in 1975 The provisions of
the grant were for 60 percent Federal
funding to cover construction costs with
the SWCB providing 40 percent match-
ing funds through in-kind services
including project administration, moni-
toring, and preparing reports. A mining
company assumed responsibility for
reclaiming the third mine site known as
Runoff of AMD
and mine waste
into stream
i Infiltration
\ \
AMD - overflow
from mine shaft
Mine
shaft
Leaching of AMD
from mine waste
Leaching of AMD
from mine
waste
Mine waste
Figure 1. Sources of mine drainage into Contrary Creek. (Not to scale).
Table 1. Average composition of water at mouth of
Contrary Creek (mg/IJ*
Acidity
SO*
pH
as CaCO3
Fe
Cu
Zn
Pb
Mn
3.3
169
267
23. J
1.20
3.5
0.05
1.5
* Average of approximately 20 samples collected in 1974.
the Arminius To save the cost of
retaining an engineering consultant,
the SWCB asked the SCS to provide
technical assistance. The SCS had done
some earlier experimental vegetative
studies at one of the Contrary Creek
mine sites and agreed to assist. The
SWCB obtained easements from all
affected property owners before re-
clamation began
Reclamation of the Boyd Smith and
Sulphur Sites began in April 1976 and
consisted essentially of clearing debris,
regrading and smoothing wastes,
constructing diversions, excavating
stream channels, riprappmg stream
banks, applying fertilizer and lime,
incorporating wastewater sludge as a
soil conditioner, seeding and mulching,
and placing erosion controls.
Arrangements were made with the
Government of the District of Columbia
to deliver wastewater sludge from the
Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant
(STP). The plant generates approximately
275 wet tonnes of anaerobically digested
sludge daily which is concentrated to
approximately 20 percent solids. Be-
cause of the high cost ofsludgedisposal
in the Washington, D.C. area, the
District agreed to deliver all sludge
needed at no cost to the SWCB which
resulted in a tremendous cost saving
The 1976 reclamation work was
completed in early July, but the late
seeding at the onset of hot weather
coupled with meager rainfall for the
remainder of the summer resulted in
very sparse seed germination. A com-
plete reseeding was done the following
spring, but 1977 proved to be one of the
driest years of the century which made
the effort almost a complete failure The
dry summers of 1976 and 1977, both
followed by abnormally cold winters, led
to the development of the following
semi-annual maintenance program
that is still in progress:
(1) applying additional fertilizer, lime,
and sludge
(2) spot-seeding persistent problem
areas
(3) placing straw bales for erosion
control
(4) periodic irrigation of a small
portion of the Sulphur Site.
Atotal of 2118 dry tonnes (2335 tons)
of sludge was applied to the two mine
sites from 1976 through 1979. Seventy-
five percent of this amount was applied
during the major- reclamation work of
1976 with lesser amounts applied each
successive year. Application rates in
1976 ranged from 200 to 260 dry
tonnes/ha (90 to 116 tons/ac).
During the initial reclamation work,
lime was applied to all areas at the rate
of 8.9 tonnes/ha (4 tons/ac). Lime
application rates for subsequent main-
tenance were determined on the basis
of pH and lime titration analyses of
composite soil samples collected from
various areas of the reclaimed sites and
ranged from 4.5 tonnes/ha (2 tons/ac)
to 33 4 tonnes/ha (15 tons/ac).
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Fertilizer application rates have
generally been 1121 kg/ha (1000
Ibs/ac). Initially, 10-10-10 fertilizer
was applied to all areas with 38-0-0
(ureaform) added at the rate of 448
kg/ha (400 lbs/ac)to unsludged areas
Beginning in 1979, 6-6-12 and 6-0-12
fertilizers were used to increase potash
availability.
Conclusions
Vegetation and Soil
Conditions
The first real successes in the
revegetative effort did not occur until
1978 and 1979 when near normal
seasonal rainfall returned, but even
then irrigation water had to be applied
periodically to critical parts of the
Sulphur Site Another dry summer in
1980 impeded vegetative growth.
Despite the abnormal weather condi-
tions that have plagued this project and
the very harsh conditions that existed
before reclamation, about 90 percent of
the Sulphur Site had a fair to good cover
of vegetation by late 1980 However,
some highly toxic portions of the
Sulphur Site remained practically
barren, especially the streambanks
Much of this site has a very thin soil
layer supporting vegetat'on and the
susceptibility to drought is quite high.
About 98 percent of the Boyd Smith Site
had a dense mat of grass established
by late 1980, and appeared well on its
way to reverting back to the natural
wildlife habitat of the surrounding
areas. It is doubtful that a fraction of the
vegetative cover would have been
attained m this project without the use
of sludge
The most successful planting has
been KY-31 fescue grass which has
proved to be the mainstay of the
vegetation. Weeping lovegrass exhibited
high tolerance for drought and always
made its best showing during the hot
months when the KY-31 became dor-
mant Korean and sericea lespedeza
have both been used in the seed
formula, but neither of these legumes
has shown any appreciable success.
Regular soil analyses conducted by
the SCS and SWCB have shown signifi-
cant increases in pH and nutrient
availability in the top layer of soil as the
project has progressed. However, there
has been little improvement in the
deeper layers below the root zone. The
heavy application of lime has undoubt-
edly been a factor in raising the pH.
Fertilizer formulas have been adjusted
according to nutrient requirements. A
high potash fertilizer was used after soil
tests began to show a relationship
between potash deficiency and difficult
areas to vegetate. Soil was also analyzed
for acid-extractable heavy metals, and
there have been sharp reductions in
metal concentrations within the top few
cm over most of the reclaimed areas.
Table 2» shows pH and metals analyses
of composite soil samples collected
between 1975 and 1980 from the east
and west sides of the Sulphur Site
Reclamation of the Arminius Site,
which has been under the direction of a
private consultant, has progressed
similarly to that at the other two mine
sites. A wide variety of plant species has
been tried and soil additive application
rates generally have been less. Sludge
from the Blue Plains STP was used at
this site also.
Water Quality
A comprehensive water quality pro-
gram to evaluate the success of the
project was implemented in October
1975 prior to reclamation. The program
involved semi-monthly samplings and
flow measurements at five stream
stations and sampling of two stations at
surface, middle, and bottom depths in
the Contrary Creek arm of Lake Anna. A
stream monitoring station was estab-
lished below each mine site with an
additional one at the mouth of Contrary
Creek and another above the Arminius
Site for control Water samples from
both stream and lake stations were
analyzed for the following parameters:
pH, acidity, sulfate, copper, iron, lead,
manganese, zinc, suspended solids,
turbidity, BOD (5-day), and fecal coliform.
BOD and fecal coliform were included
to determine if adverse effects of the
wastewater sludge were occurring.
Additional parameters including some
of the lesscommon metals present were
analyzed at least once annually. The
regular monitoring program continued
until early 1980 when the lake stations
were eliminated and the stream sam-
pling was reduced to once monthly.
Other monitoring included pH and
conductivity transects along selected
reaches of Contrary Creek and periodic
analyses of tributaries
Concentration and load data from the
regular stream stations are presented in
the Project Report. The data show that
the water quality of Contrary Creek
steadily deteriorates downstream and
that there has been little change in
water quality since reclamation began.
The Sulphur Site is the major contrib-
utor of AMD, but certain heavy metals
appear peculiar to each site. Erosion
and surface runoff of AMD have been
reduced. However, the continual leach-
ing of AMD from the stream banks, the
sudden flushouts during heavy rain-
storms following extended dry periods,
and the mine wastes remaining in the
stream channel downstream from the
Sulphur Site are serious problems.
The monitoring program has shown
that the Contrary Creek arm of Lake
Anna is degraded by AMD, but the mam
body of the reservoir apparently has
been unaffected. No adverse effects on
water quality and no health hazards are
known to have resulted from the
extensive use of sludge in this project.
In view of the very toxic nature of the
AMD emanating from these mine sites
and unfavorable weather that has
occurred since reclamation began, it is
concluded that rapid changes in the
water quality of Contrary Creek cannot
be expected. It will probably be several
Table 2. pH and Metals Content in Soil at Sulphur Site (mg/kg-dry weight basis)*
Area and Date
pH
Cu
Fe
Mn
Zn
Sulphur East
11-76
3-78
3-79
2-80
Sulphur West
11-76
6-77
3-78
6-78
3-79
2-80
5.5
7.3
5.9
5.2
4.1
3.1
5.1
5.9
4.5
4.9
8.6
0.3
0.3
0.2
50
62
0.1
1.0
3.2
0.2
4.2
6.2
3.6
0.8
30
34
7.8
24
7.6
0.4
31
0.5
1.9
1.7
74
17
6.8
3.6
6.4
2.6
18.8
0.1
1.2
3.4
262
82
6.6
1.5
28
3.4
*Each analysis is for one composite sample collection. All samples were collected at
depth of about 5 cm.
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years before any appreciable improve-
ment in water quality is realized.
Biologic Studies
As part of the monitoring program,
the SWCB conducted spring and fall
biologic surveys annually to determine
the status of aquatic life in Contrary
Creek. The studies to date indicate
that the virtual sterility of the stream
existing for nearly 100 years has
remained essentially unchanged within
the relatively short time interval that
has elapsed since reclamation began.
There have been slight improvements
in the benthic communities between
the Boyd Smith and Sulphur Sites, but
much of the stream in the affected area
remains highly toxic to all but the most
tolerant organisms.
Costs
The total cost of the project through
the end of June 1980 was $295,334. A
breakdown of cost figures appears in
Table 3. On the basis of the total cost of
reclamation and maintenance of 8 ha
(19.8 acres) at the Boyd Smith and
Sulphur Sites the cost of reclamation
through June 1980 was $5,875/ac or
$14,518/ha.
Due to the need for continued
maintenance and project evaluation, a
request was made to EPA to extend the
project until 1982; the request was
approved in October 1980.
Recommendations
A project of this type will require
several years of maintenance to assure
permanent survival of vegetation.
Regular inspections are necessary to
determine maintenance needs including
reseeding of problem areas and place-
ment of erosion controls. Soil tests
should be conducted at least once
annually to evaluate progress and to
determine soil additives needed.
Whenever feasible, wastewater sludge
should be used in the reclamation of
lands severely affected by mine wastes.
The positive effects that sludge has in
promoting vegetative growth on highly
toxic areas have been well demonstrated
in this project. Large urban areas that
generate huge volumes of sludge and
have problems obtaining disposal sites
are the likeliest sources.
The ongoing water quality monitoring
program associated with this project
should continue with stream stations
sampled monthly for at least one year,
and then on a quarterly or semi-
annually basis for a few more years.
Biologic studies should continue at
least biennially.
Table3. Summary of Project Costs-July 1975 through June 1980
Federal funds
Reclamation-1976
Maintenance-1977-80 (inclusive)
Water quality study by University of Virginia
Aerial photography
Survey work
Draft of construction plans
Subtotal
SWCB matching funds
Personnel
Fringe Benefits
Travel
Lab Analyses
Lab Equipment
Photo Supplies
Miscellaneous Supplies
Bid Advertisement
Easement Recording
Grand Total
Subtotal
Costs, $
65.709
47,888
16,465
1,006
890
SO
132,038
Costs, $
98,109
22,565
8,229
28,023
5,105
361
683
194
27
163,296
295,334
Kenneth Hinkle is with the Virginia State Water Control Board, Bridgewater, VA
22812.
R. D. Hill was the EPA Project Officer (for information contact R. C. Wilmoth,
see below).
The complete report, entitled "Reclamation of Toxic Mine Waste Utilizing
Sewage Sludge—Contrary Creek Demonstration," (Order No. PB 82-227
521; Cost: $25.50, subject to change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, V'A 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
R. C. Wilmoth can be contacted at:
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
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