Baseline environmental characterization of Pike County Coal-Gasification Facility site. Environmental Sciences Division publication No. 1858

Preoperational monitoring at the proposed site of the Pike County (Kentucky) Coal Gasification Facility consisted of two tasks: analysis of surface water quality and characterization of site meteorology. Analysis of surface water in Shelby Creek and a small tributary confirmed earlier reports of marginal water quality in the area. Values of alkalinity, ammonia, copper, zinc, and iron were outside recommended ranges. Meteorological studies showed that the complex terrain of the site could have a major effect on pollutant dispersion. The surface air, which is decoupled from regional air flow, usually extends to ridge height, approximately 300 m above the site. At night, the air is typically calm with frequent fog and ground-based or elevated inversions. During the day, frequent convective air flow interacts with the terrain, producing mechanical turbulence. Mechanical turbulence was verified by the helical pattern and irregular direction of experimental smoke releases. The potential for ground-level air pollution appears to be high. Plume impactions with the surrounding terrain could occur during daytime, causing damage to vegetation. Also, plume material that contacts the terrain may lose its bouyancy and sink to lower elevations or be carried down by drainage currents. Although the anticipated effective plume height (approximately 100 m)more » of the proposed facility is well below ridge height, the high frequency of weak winds may often allow the plume to extend above the ridge top. The combination of elevated inversions and fog (which cools the plume) suggests that at night the plume may often be contained within the site. Chemical interaction of plume materials with nighttime moisture could be an additional problem. These tentative results suggest that any pollutants released at this site should be carefully monitored.« less