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increases (and sometimes even decreases) in chemical values, it is concluded that the • <br />stock tanks have little if any effect on downgradient spoil springs. <br />Water quality analyses for all stock tanks monitored may be found in Appendix E. In <br />addition to those stock tanks requiring both field parameters and lab analysis (2, 5, 7, <br />12 and 25 ), field parameters were occasionally run on other stock tanks. Also, when a <br />stock tank requiring monitoring was dry, lab analysis may have been performed from water <br />from an adjacent (usually downstream) stock lank. <br />Table 27 (Appendix A) presents the percent milliequivalent values for the stock tanks <br />averaged over the 1997 end 1992 samples. Of particular interest are the high average TDS <br />values for Stock Tanks 2 and b and also the high percentages of magnesium and chlorides <br />found et Stock Tanks 2, b, 7 end 12. The magnesium chloride comes from the road treatment <br />used at Seneca 11 Nine for dusC control. If these stock tanks are allowed to remain in <br />the reclaimed landscape after coal production, and after dust control using magnesium <br />chloride has ceased, then the high TDS, magnesium end chloride values should decrease in <br />the pond water. <br /> • <br />Table 22 (Appendix A) presents a comparison of stock tank water quality to OSNRE livestock <br />standards (Table 23, Appendix A). High values of pH, boron, chlorides, mercury, sulfates, <br />dissolved solids end aluminum have been observed. High pH values are a result of <br />algal blooms. The one high aluminum value (9.28 mg/l) may 6e due [o lab error since all <br />other aluminum values noted at this stock tank (2) ranged from <0.05 to 0.92 mg/l. High <br />values of boron, chlorides, sulfates and dissolved solids were observed at Stock Tanks 2 <br />and 6 where chemical treatment has been used to treat the roads for dust suppression above <br />both ponds. Mercury values ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 ug/l have been observed in Stock Tanks <br />2, 3 and 5. While the OSMRE has chosen a mercury standard of 0.05 ug/l for livestock (see <br />Table 23, Appendix A), the EPA (EPA, 1976) has chosen a mercury standard of 2.0 ug/l for <br />human potable water. All samples tested below that 2.0 ug/l standard. Also to be <br />considered is that the lab detection Limit for mercury is 0.1 ug/l and that the high <br />values noted are relatively close to that detection limit. <br />In summary, it may be concluded that these stock tanks are beneficial in that they provide <br />water for wildlife (as indicated by the presence of numerous tracks at all sites where <br />water was present). Although most stock tanks did not hold water for all months they were • <br />monitored, any extra water available in the reclaimed landscape during the summer months <br />24 <br />