Spectral Reflectance as an Indicator of Water Quality in Streams Impacted by Mine Drainage

Stream water pH and dissolved sulfate concentrations were estimated from the spectral reflectance of the resident mine drainage sediments. Mine drainage sediments were collected from sites in the anthracite coal region of eastern Pennsylvania,representing acid to near neutral pH. Sediment color was determined using chroma meter measurements. Mineralogical analysis of the sediments was accomplished using x-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy (FTIR), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.Sediment chemical composition was determined by acid dissolution and analysis by optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-EOS). The mineralogy of sediments occurring in acidic waters was primarily schwertmannite and goethite while near neutral watersformed ferrihydrite. The minerals comprising the sediments occurring at each pH mode are spectrally separable. Color indices and spectral angle mapping of the sediments correlated with stream water pH. Continuum removal analysis of mineral VNIRreflectance spectra indicated that the presence of sulfate associated with the sediments shifted primary absorption bands to lower wavelengths. Spectral analysis results were used to classify Digital MultiSpectral Video (DMSV) imagery for several sites in theregion. The high spatial resolution of the DMSV sensor allowed for precise mapping of the mine drainage sediments. Spectroscopy results can be used by airborne and spaceborne imaging spectrometers to accurately predict water quality.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Science

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

1999

Author dc:creator

• Williams, David James

Contributors dc:contributor

• Traina, Samual

• Environmental Science

Statement dc:rights

• 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.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1363860077

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1363860077