Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A.

Axtmann, Ellen V.; Luoma, Samuel N.

doi:10.1016/0883-2927(91)90064-v

Cited by 123 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Fine colloidal particles can carry a large pollutant load in contaminated streams (Axtmann and Luoma, 1991;Kimball et al, 1995;Harvey and Fuller, 1998). In addition, deposition of fines into streambeds can greatly reduce hyporheic exchange (Packman and MacKay, 2003), and this can have deleterious effects on benthic and aquatic life (Wood and Armitage, 1997;Brunke, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Effects of suspended sediment characteristics and bed sediment transport on streambed clogging

Rehg

Packman

Ren

2004

Hydrological Processes

148

150

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Abstract:Fine sediment deposition in streambeds can reduce pore water fluxes and the overall rate of hyporheic exchange, producing deleterious effects on benthic and hyporheic ecological communities. To increase understanding of the factors that control the reduction of hyporheic exchange by fine sediment deposition, we conducted experiments in a laboratory flume to observe changes in the rates of solute exchange and kaolinite clay deposition as substantial amounts of kaolinite accumulated in the streambed. Two long-term experiments were conducted, with durations of 14 days and 29 days. Use of a laboratory flume system allowed steady stream flow conditions to be maintained throughout both experiments, and alternating injections of known quantities of kaolinite and a sodium chloride tracer were used to assess the effect of clay accumulation on hyporheic exchange directly. In the first experiment, there was no bed sediment transport and kaolinite deposition formed a highly clogged near-surface layer that greatly reduced hyporheic exchange. Application of a fundamental model for advective hyporheic exchange indicated that the effective permeability and porosity of the streambed decreased substantially during the course of the experiment. In the second experiment, the kaolinite was prepared with different surface properties to be more mobile, and the experiment was conducted with a small degree of bed sediment transport. As a result, no distinct clogged layer developed, and the rate of hyporheic exchange was found to remain approximately constant throughout the experiment (29 days). These results indicate that increasing fine sediment loads, e.g. those that occur from changes in land use, can have substantially different impacts on hyporheic exchange and associated ecological processes depending on the stream flow conditions, the rate and frequency of bed sediment transport, and the extent of interaction of the introduced fines with bed sediments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Effects of suspended sediment characteristics and bed sediment transport on streambed clogging

Rehg

Packman

Ren

2004

Hydrological Processes

148

150

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“…Milling of silver ore was initiated in the 1880s, with the mills later converted to process the rich manganese ore in the district (Emmons and Calkins, 1913;Goddard, 1940). Over a century of mining and milling in the Philipsburg District has resulted in elevated trace element concentrations in the sediments of Flint Creek, extending to the con¯uence with the CFR (Axtmann and Luoma, 1991;Helgen, 1995;Lambing, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Many of these are small prospects, but some, such as the Butte and Philipsburg Districts in western Montana, were the sites of large mining and milling operations. While the mines and mills located in the headwaters of the Clark Fork River at Butte and Anaconda have been the focus of numerous investigations in the Clark Fork basin (Multitech, 1987;Titan, 1995), there has been only minimal investigation of additional tributary sources, such as the Philipsburg District, that also contributed mine wastes to the lower Clark Fork system (Essig and Moore, 1992;Axtmann and Luoma, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Quantifying Metal Contributions from Multiple Sources to the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A.

Helgen¹,

Davis²

2000

Environmental Forensics

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Identifying and quantifying the contributions of multiple sources of trace elements to stream sediments in a basin containing several possible inputs presents a unique problem related to the investigation of rivers impacted by industrial activity. A multi-source dilution±mixing model was developed and applied to determine the relative contributions to As, Cu and Pb burdens in the Clark Fork River, Montana, a recipient of historical mine wastes as a result of over a century of mining and milling operations. The results identi®ed the Flint Creek drainage as a major source of anthropogenic As (47%) and Pb (35%) to sediments of the Clark Fork River and the Milltown Reservoir, in addition to the major sources associated with mining operations in Butte, MT. The Little Blackfoot River also contributes anthropogenic As (3%) and Pb (4%) to the Clark Fork River, while minor inputs of Cu (1%) and Pb (2%) emanate from the Blackfoot River. The model allows source quanti®cation, and an understanding of the fate and transport of mine wastes in a basin, allowing identi®cation and eventual prioritization of sites destined for remediation.# 2000 AEHS

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“…The primary purposes of these studies have been to characterize the source(s), the transport, and the extent of trace element enrichment (Filipek et al, 1981;Benes et al, 1985;Axtmann and Luoma, 1991;Foster and Charlesworth, 1996;Song et al, 1999). Usually, the enrichments are associated predominantly with sediments rather than water because element enrichment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of mining and related activities on the sediment–trace element geochemistry of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA. Part III. Downstream effects: the Spokane River Basin

Grosbois

Horowitz

Smith

et al. 2001

Hydrological Processes

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Abstract:During 1998/1999, surface and subsurface sediment samples were collected along the entire length of the Spokane River from its outlet at the northern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene (CDA), Idaho, to Lake Roosevelt on the Columbia River, Washington. The study was conducted to determine if the trace element enrichments observed in Lake CDA and on the floodplain and in the CDA River extend through the Spokane River Basin (SRB).As in Lake CDA, surface sediments in the SRB are enriched in Pb, Zn, As, Cd, Sb and Hg relative to local background levels. Pb, Cd and Zn are the most elevated, with maximum enrichment occurring in the upper Spokane River in close proximity to Lake CDA. On average, enrichment decreases downstream, apparently reflecting both increased distance from the inferred source (the CDA River Basin), as well as increased dilution by locally derived but unenriched materials. Only Cd and Zn display marked enrichment throughout the SRB. Pb, Zn and Cd seem to be associated mainly with an operationally defined iron oxide phase, whereas the majority of the As and Sb seem to be matrix-held.Subsurface sediments also are enriched in Pb, Zn, As, Cd, Sb and Hg relative to background levels. Based on 137

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Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A.

Cited by 123 publications

References 30 publications

Effects of suspended sediment characteristics and bed sediment transport on streambed clogging

Effects of suspended sediment characteristics and bed sediment transport on streambed clogging

Quantifying Metal Contributions from Multiple Sources to the Clark Fork River, Montana, U.S.A.

The effect of mining and related activities on the sediment–trace element geochemistry of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA. Part III. Downstream effects: the Spokane River Basin

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