Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio
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The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
2015
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429613137 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu14296131372021-08-03T06:30:31Z Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio Pollock, Matthew John Water Resource Management Environmental Management Geomorphology Mining coal mining surface mining strip mining reclamation smcra geomorphology sediment watershed Surface mining for coal has been carried out in Ohio since the early 1800s. Surface mining involves the complete removal of vegetation, soils and geologic units (overburden) to expose underlying coal seams. This coal extraction method results in heavily disturbed landscapes, in what were historically forested or agricultural lands. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 was enacted to address the environmental impacts of coal surface mining. Recent studies have examined the hydrologic impacts of surface mining but few have explored geomorphic impacts including potential linked impacts across spatial scales. This study identifies significant geomorphic differences between unmined, Pre-SMCRA and Post-SMCRA watersheds at the landscape, channel network and outlet reach scales. Geomorphic differences were quantified across the three spatial scales in twenty one small watersheds (~1km2), seven within each of the three land use types (unmined, Pre-SMCRA, and Post-SMCRA) located in southeastern Ohio. It was expected that Post-SMCRA sites would be more dissimilar to unmined sites compared to differences between Pre-SMCRA and unmined sites at all spatial scales. Specifically, Post-SMCRA sites were expected to have detectable differences characterized by smoothed and homogenized landscape topography and highly engineered channel network systems. At the landscape scale, Pre-SMCRA sites would have steep, varied topography similar to unmined sites, but exhibit geomorphic differences from unmined sites at the network topologic and reach scales. Hypotheses were created based on these expectations as well as the expected influence of broader spatial scales on finer reach scale channel morphology.Univariate Kruskal Wallis tests indicate reduced complexity in Post-SMCRA sites relative to Pre-SMCRA and unmined sites at the landscape scale, as well as some differences at the channel network and outlet reach scales. Multivariate methods that include Nonmetric Multi-Dimensional Scaling (NMDS), Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PerMANOVA) and standardized linear models indicate some interactions between spatial scales, with land use influential at all scales. Multivariate analyses largely support the hypothesized influential effects of mining and reclamation across all spatial scales, via direct and indirect effects.The simplification of Post-SMCRA landforms and drainage networks, coupled with the well-documented compaction and low soil fertility of recontoured lands has resulted in altered landscapes with altered geomorphic trajectories compared to unmined sites. Pre-SMCRA sites have attributes which are inconsistent with the goals of erosion control and water quality such as unconsolidated mine spoils, which contribute heavy sediment loads to the channel network and vertical headwalls that are prone to periodic failure. Despite these attributes, Pre-SMCRA sites resemble the geomorphic structure of unmined sites more closely than reclaimed Post-SMCRA sites. These findings suggest a need for reclamation strategies that incorporate greater topographic and topologic complexity, to more closely resemble the structure of unmined conditions. Further research is needed to evaluate geomorphic function of these landscapes. 2015-05-19 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429613137 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429613137 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Water Resource Management Environmental Management Geomorphology Mining coal mining surface mining strip mining reclamation smcra geomorphology sediment watershed |
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Water Resource Management Environmental Management Geomorphology Mining coal mining surface mining strip mining reclamation smcra geomorphology sediment watershed Pollock, Matthew John Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio |
| author |
Pollock, Matthew John |
| author_facet |
Pollock, Matthew John |
| author_sort |
Pollock, Matthew John |
| title |
Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio |
| title_short |
Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio |
| title_full |
Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio |
| title_fullStr |
Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Geomorphic Differences between Unmined and Surface Mined Lands in Southeastern Ohio |
| title_sort |
geomorphic differences between unmined and surface mined lands in southeastern ohio |
| publisher |
The Ohio State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2015 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429613137 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT pollockmatthewjohn geomorphicdifferencesbetweenunminedandsurfaceminedlandsinsoutheasternohio |
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1719438112583581696 |