Fecal coliform concentrations in runoff from a grazed, reclaimed surface mine
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Authors: D. G. Boyer, and H. D. Perry
Date: 1987
Journal: Water Resources Bulletin
Volume: 23
Number: 5
Pages: 911-917
Summary of Methods: Fecal coliform runoff from two grazed watersheds on a reclaimed surface coal mine in southern West Virginia (central Appalachia) was evaluated during the 1984 and 1985 grazing season. The slopes of watershed 1 and 2 ranged were 3 to 3.5% respectively. The site was grazed by seven cattle beginning in June and continued until forage stubble height was 3 to 5 cm and any of the three pastures grazed simultaneously. Following each runoff event from before grazing was initiated until after cattle grazing concluded in 1985, 2 water samples were collected from a holding tank and transported to the laboratory within an hour for analysis.
Article Summary / Main Points: Prior to the initial grazing in 1984, fecal coliform (FC) counts were always <10/100 ml in both watersheds. These initial measurements are very low compared to other similar studies. FC concentrations increased as a direct result from grazing and continued to be observed for several months after grazing ceased. FC counts were not higher on the reclaimed site than what would be expected from grazed, non-mined sites. Bacteriological quality of receiving streams was impacted by grazing the reclaimed mine area as the standards for point sources were often exceeded.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: Unknown
Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Reclaimed land Coliform bacteria
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: indicator bacteria, pollution control, post-mine land use, bacterial pollution
Annotation: The findings of this study demonstrate the need for carefully managed grazing on reclaimed and non-reclaimed sites to avoid bacterial contamination of adjacent bodies of water.
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