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This project involves field monitoring and laboratory research to identify processes controlling release, speciation, transport, attenuation, and toxicity of metals in mined areas. We are currently studying some of these processes at a fluvial tailings deposit in the upper Arkansas River basin downstream from Leadville, Colorado. These tailings deposits represent a potential non-point source of metals to the river. This is a joint project with WRD and the Colorado School of Mines, and has included participation by the State of Colorado, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and several local entities. Previous work on metal transport and attenuation was conducted at St. Kevin Gulch near Leadville, CO. In a different component of this project, we are examining an assortment of toxicity tests for screening leachates from a variety of mine-waste materials. These tests are being performed at the Colorado School of Mines and address toxicity to aquatic organisms and vegetation. The tests are designed to simulate reactions occurring upon runoff from mined areas into receiving streams. Another aspect of this project is the examination of aqueous arsenic speciation. We are conducting a round-robin study to test different analytical methods for inorganic arsenic speciation. This is a joint study with the Colorado School of Mines, and collaborating labs include the WRD National Water Quality Laboratory, a WRD research laboratory, a GD research laboratory, and a laboratory at the University of Waterloo in Canada. |
Project chief:
| Kathleen Smith | Box 25046 MS 973 DFC Denver, CO 80225 |
U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey
