ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: There is a potential for runoff to become polluted with sulfuric acid and metals (mostly iron) when the pyrite/sulfide rock weathers in road projects where Chattanooga shale and other pyrite-bearing or sulfide-bearing rock formations are exposed. As a part of surface water pollution management, the Tennessee Department of Transportation updated its standard operating procedure to create a new guidance document. A team of geologists and GIS experts developed a database to quickly identify projects that need to follow the new guideline to avoid impacts by highlighting zones of geologic formations known to contain pyrite or acidic pH-neutralizing rocks such as carbonates.
