Geochemical models of the impact of acidic groundwater and evaporative sulfate salts on Boulder Creek at Iron Mountain, California

Keith, David C.; Runnells, Donald D.; Esposito, K.J.; Chermak, John A.; Levy, David B.; Hannula, S.R.; Watts, M.; Hall, Larry E.

doi:10.1016/s0883-2927(00)00080-9

Cited by 74 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A number of previous studies, many in different climatic settings, have demonstrated the effects that dissolution of metal-sulfate salts during rainfall events has on surface and groundwater (Dagenhart, 1980;Schuiling, 1992;Bayless and Olyphant, 1993;Jambor et al, 2000;Keith et al, 2001). In particular, Dagenhart's (1980) study of Contrary Creek (Sulphur and Arminius mines) showed that spiked increases in dissolved-metal and sulfate concentrations, which occurred during the rising limb of the hydrograph following a storm in June 1978, were related to the dissolution of efflorescent salts on mine tailings lining the creek.…”

Section: Effects On Water Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In arid climates, or during prolonged dry periods in humid climates, thick crusts of salts can form by evaporative processes, where upward migration of water by capillary action is the dominant process (Olyphant et al, 1991;Dold, 1999). Dissolution of accumulated highly soluble sulfate salts during spring snowmelt runoff or rainstorms can have short-term, catastrophic effects on metal loadings and on aquatic ecosystems (Nordstrom, 1977;Dagenhart, 1980;Olyphant et al, 1991;Bayless and Olyphant, 1993;Keith et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Secondary sulfate minerals associated with acid drainage in the eastern US: recycling of metals and acidity in surficial environments

et al. 2005

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Weathering of metal-sulfide minerals produces suites of variably soluble efflorescent sulfate salts at a number of localities in the eastern United States. The salts, which are present on mine wastes, tailings piles, and outcrops, include minerals that incorporate heavy metals in solid solution, primarily the highly soluble members of the melanterite, rozenite, epsomite, halotrichite, and copiapite groups. The minerals were identified by a combination of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron-microprobe. Base-metal salts are rare at these localities, and Cu, Zn, and Co are commonly sequestered as solid solutions within Fe-and Fe-Al sulfate minerals. Salt dissolution affects the surfacewater chemistry at abandoned mines that exploited the massive sulfide deposits in the Vermont copper belt, the Mineral district of central Virginia, the Copper Basin (Ducktown) mining district of Tennessee, and where sulfide-bearing metamorphic rocks undisturbed by mining are exposed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee.Dissolution experiments on composite salt samples from three minesites and two outcrops of metamorphic rock showed that, in all cases, the pH of the leachates rapidly declined from 6.9 to b3.7, and specific conductance increased gradually over 24 h. Leachates analyzed after 24-h dissolution experiments indicated that all of the salts provided ready sources), and base metals (N1000 mg L À1 for minesites, and 2 mg L À1 for other sites). Geochemical modeling of surface waters, mine-waste leachates, and salt leachates using PHREEQC software predicted saturation in the observed ochre minerals, but significant concentration by evaporation would be needed to reach saturation in most of the sulfate salts. Periodic surface-water monitoring at Vermont minesites indicated peak annual metal loads during spring runoff. At the Virginia site, where no winter-long snowpack develops, metal loads were highest during summer months when salts were dissolved periodically by rainstorms following sustained evaporation during dry spells. areas, persist in protected areas when temperature and relative humidity are appropriate, and contribute to metal loadings and acidity in surface waters upon dissolution, thereby causing short-term perturbations in water quality. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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Section: Effects On Water Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary sulfate minerals associated with acid drainage in the eastern US: recycling of metals and acidity in surficial environments

et al. 2005

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“…Sample intervals were more frequent on the rising limb and peak of the hydrograph when hydrochemical changes were most likely to occur (Keith et al 2001). Sample intervals were greater on the falling limb when significant hydrochemical changes were expected to be less likely (Canovas et al 2008).…”

Section: Stormflow Water Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stormflow hydrochemistry of a river draining an abandoned metal mine: the Afon Twymyn, central Wales

Byrne

Reid

Wood

2012

Environ Monit Assess

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Contaminated drainage from metal mines is a serious water quality problem facing nations that exploit metal mineral resources. Measurements of river hydrochemistry during baseflow are common at mine sites, whilst detailed hydrochemical information regarding stormflow is limited and often confined to a single event. This study investigates the seasonal evolution of stormflow hydrochemistry at an abandoned metal mine in central Wales, UK, and the possible sources and mechanisms of metal release. Significant flushing of metals was observed during stormflow events, resulting in concentrations that severely exceeded water quality guidelines.The relationship between metal concentrations and river discharge suggests dissolution of efflorescent metal sulphates on the surface of the mine spoil as the principal source of the contamination. High fluxes of Pb during stormflows are linked to extended periods of dry weather prior to storm events that produced water table drawdown and encouraged oxidation of Pb sulphide in the mine spoil. However, some Pb flushing also occurred following wet antecedent conditions. It is suggested that Fe oxide reduction in mine spoil and translatory flows involving metal-rich pore waters results in flushing during wetter periods. Detailed measurements of stormflow hydrochemistry at mine sites are essential for accurate forecasting of long-term trends in metals flux to understand metal sources and mechanisms of release, to assess potential risks to water quality and instream ecology, and to gauge the potential effectiveness of remediation. In order to protect riverine and riparian ecosystems, it is suggested that routine monitoring of stormflows becomes part of catchment management in mining-impacted regions.2

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“…Furthermore, an increase of dissolved metal(loid) concentrations downstream from old mines has been reported during rising floods and was assigned to flushing of metal-rich soluble secondary sulfates which accumulated at mining sites during summer (Byrne et al, 2013;Cánovas et al, 2008Cánovas et al, , 2010Grimshaw et al, 1976;Hudson-Edwards et al, 1999;Keith et al, 2001), contribution of contaminated subsurface water or groundwater (Byrne et al, 2013;Cánovas et al, 2008) and metal(loid) release from mineral phases (Byrne et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation of dissolved and particulate metal(loid) (As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Tl, Zn) concentrations under varying discharge during a Mediterranean flood in a former mining watershed, the Gardon River (France)

Resongles

Casiot

Freydier

et al. 2015

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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The variation of dissolved and particulate metal(loid) concentrations was investigated during a Mediterranean flood in a former mining watershed, the Gardon River (SE France), using high-temporal resolution sampling. Dissolved antimony originating from the Upper Gardon River watershed underwent dilution during flood. Conversely, dissolved As and particulate As, Pb, Zn, Cd and Tl concentrations exhibited increased values during rising flood compared to low and receding flow conditions, with a double-peak shape. As, Pb, Cd and Tl concentration data in suspended particulate matter from this double-peak were distributed along two different correlation lines, showing the successive mobilization of two groups of particles highly enriched with As and Cd or Pb and Tl, both inherited from ancient Pb/Zn mines. Metal(loid) loads during the monitored 24 h-flood event were: 0.5 kg for Cd, 19.4 kg for Sb and 204 kg for As in the dissolved phase and 24 kg for Cd, 38 kg for Tl, 94 kg for Sb, 1915 kg for As, 2860 kg for Pb and 5214 kg for Zn in the particulate phase. Altogether, these results highlighted the importance of floods in the mobilization of metals and metalloids from ancient mining sites in Mediterranean regions, showing the need for high-temporal resolution monitoring of flood events to accurately assess the long-term contribution of mining activity to metal(loid) loads of downstream watershed.Please cite this article as: Resongles, E., et al., Variation of dissolved and particulate metal(loid) (As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Tl, Zn) concentrations under varying discharge during a Medite.

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Geochemical models of the impact of acidic groundwater and evaporative sulfate salts on Boulder Creek at Iron Mountain, California

Cited by 74 publications

References 13 publications

Secondary sulfate minerals associated with acid drainage in the eastern US: recycling of metals and acidity in surficial environments

Secondary sulfate minerals associated with acid drainage in the eastern US: recycling of metals and acidity in surficial environments

Stormflow hydrochemistry of a river draining an abandoned metal mine: the Afon Twymyn, central Wales

Variation of dissolved and particulate metal(loid) (As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Tl, Zn) concentrations under varying discharge during a Mediterranean flood in a former mining watershed, the Gardon River (France)

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