Kniss, Sylvia, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Freshwater Research Institute, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, sjkniss2004@gmail.com; Ashcraft, Sara, Ecology, Freshwater Research Institute, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, ashcraft@susqu.edu; Matlaga, Tanya, Biology Susquehanna University 514 University Avenue Selinsgrove PA, 17870, matlagat@susqu.edu.
Bituminous coal mining operations have been impacting many regions of Pennsylvania since the mid-1700s. Even when these operations are abandoned, they continue to have negative effects on biodiversity and human ability to use the land. From 1870 to 1886, McIntyre Wild Area, a 7,500-acre natural area located in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, was a bituminous coal mining operation controlled by the McIntyre Coal Company. Even though the mining operation is now abandoned, the effects are still being felt. The goal of this pilot study was to determine the effects of an abandoned mine operation on the stream structure and biodiversity to guide future restoration work and keep visitors safe. We utilized ArcGIS Pro to designate priority zones based on their proximity to the mining extent identified by the PADEP. Streams were then selected based on whether they were expected to be more or less impacted by acid mine drainage due to their location in relation to the priority zones. We characterized streams using two field survey types. The first field survey was a stream ecology survey conducted using backpack electrofishing, as well as, sediment and gravel sampling, Surber macroinvertebrate sampling, water quality sampling, and channel measurements. The second field survey type provided smaller snapshots of stream health with Surber macroinvertebrate sampling, water quality sampling, sediment sampling, a visual fish assessment, and channel measurements. Historical mine maps were georeferenced using ArcGIS Pro to determine the extent of the mining in the area. Findings indicate that Dutchmans Run is the most heavily impacted stream in McIntyre Wild Area due to its central location in the mining operation and its proximity to the incline plane. Most exposed coal was found in and along Dutchmans Run, but coal was also found in the upper parts of the two streams within and bordering the priority 1 area, Abbott and Miners Run. The subsurface geology of the area is a sulfuric rock unit, so typical acid mine indicators such as acidic water were skewed by the natural rocks in the area. This caused some of the streams predicted to be less impacted to have acidic water, even though they were not draining from the mining area. Additional samples are still being processed and are necessary to generate a clearer picture of the effects of abandoned mine land. Sediments are being analyzed for metal content, water samples for carbon and nitrogen, and macroinvertebrates for species composition and abundance. The georeferenced material indicates a much more extensive mining operation than what is shown on PADEP maps. These new findings improve our ability to plan restoration efforts to improve ecosystem health and trout productivity in connecting streams. It is vital that visitors be aware of the dangers associated with hiking through abandoned mine land which can appear largely untouched and disguised within the forest. Future work will be required to pin down specific actions to take to ensure safety and environmental health within McIntyre Wild Area.
acid mine drainage