Total Dissolved Solids in
Streams: Elevated concentrations of
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in streams occur due to mining operations and are becoming
an environmental quality issue of concern in Virginia and to the US EPA. In
2007-08, Powell River Project developed an innovative and proactive research
effort to determine how TDS in streams affects aquatic biota; the research is
led by Stephen Schoenholtz of Virginia Water Resources Research Center (VWRRC),
and is being conducted cooperatively with two co-sponsors: Virginia Department
of Environmental Quality and Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.
The coal industry is also an important partner in this research, and is
providing access to field sites.
Related research, led by Lee
Daniels (Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences – see below) and supported
directly by PRP, is addressing properties of mine spoils that contribute to
elevated TDS levels; this work will aid industry efforts reduce TDS-related
water quality impacts by mining operations.
Publications
S. Schoenholtz, D. Soucek, C.
Zipper, A. Timpano. 2008. Effects
of Total Dissolved Solids in Streams of Southwestern Virginia. P. 54-57,
in: 2008 Powell River Project Research and Education Reports.