Laserfiche WebLink
Mountain Coal Company CO-0038776 SCG Project No.: 304181 <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Biomonitoring provides an effective means by which the toxicity of discharges from <br />municipal, industrial, and mining operations can be tested. Among the advantages of <br />biomonitoring is the ability to test complex effluents containing a broad range of contaminants. <br />Biomonitoring, when used in conjunction with chemical analyses, can generate data capable of <br />identifying a much wider range of contaminants. <br />In accordance with accepted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State of <br />Colorado procedures, acute tests were performed using Daphnia magna in July of 2004. This <br />report details the results of these acute tests. <br />MATERIALS AND METHODS <br />Sample Collection <br />A grab sample from the discharge system was collected into one-gallon plastic <br />container(s) at 0800 on July 21, 2004. The sample was iced and then messengered to the <br />SeaCrest lab where it arrived at 1230 on July 22, 2004. Upon receipt at SeaCrest lab, the sample <br />was refrigerated at a temperature between 0-6° C, when not in use. The Chain of Custody form <br />showing sample collection and lab arrival times are included in Appendix 1. <br />Source and Acclimation of Test Organisms <br />The biomonitoring test used Daphnia magna, cultured in the SeaCrest laboratory. The <br />organisms aze batch cultured in 5-gallon aquaria. These organisms are used to supplement brood <br />boazds from which individual females aze monitored for reproduction for periods up to two <br />weeks. Neonates aze counted daily during this time and young from broods of eight or more are <br />collected for use in tests. The animals aze fed daily with a mixture of Yeast, Cereal Leaves and <br />Trout Chow (YCT). This supplemented with an equal volume of cultured green algae <br />(Selenastrum capricornutum). <br />In-house organisms are tested at least monthly in a reference toxicant test using sodium <br />chloride to monitor overall health and test reproducibility. <br />Test Procedures <br />Upon receipt at the lab, water samples were analyzed for alkalinity, hardness, <br />conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, chlorine and pH. Alkalinity and hazdness were <br />determined titrimetrically according to methods described in Hach Chemical Company'. <br />Ammonia was measured by a Thermo Orion ion-selective electrode according to the procedures <br />in APHA/AWWA/WEFZ. <br />The acute tests were started on July 22, 2004. The tests were performed according to the <br />procedures outlined in USEPA' and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Evironment°. <br />The Daphnia magna tests were conducted over a 48-hour period. Exposure concentrations <br />include 0%(control), 1.9%, 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100% effluent mixtures. Moderately hard <br />laboratory reconstituted water was used as the dilution water and control for the tests. <br />Reconstituted water is prepazed by adding sodium bicarbonate, calcium sulfate, magnesium <br />sulfate and potassium chloride to deionized water. <br />The SeaCrest Group, LLC 5 <br />