mine water quality changes in at the mayer ranch wetland kim wahnee dr. robert nairn dr. keith...
TRANSCRIPT
Mine Water Quality Changes in at the Mayer Ranch
Wetland
Kim Wahnee
Dr. Robert Nairn
Dr. Keith Strevett
REU 2000
Presentation Overview
General backgroundIntroduction to study site Research questionsField and analytical methodsResultsConclusions
Tri-State Mining DistrictExtensive underground lead and zinc mining (1900-
1960s)Mine flooding began after cessation of mining and
associated dewateringPolluted artesian discharges emerged in late 197940 square mile site received Superfund status in 1983
OTTAWA COUNTY
OKLAHOMA
Picher Mining Field of the Tri-State Mining District
Mayer Ranch
Location of first major mine water discharges; November 1979 in horse pasture
At least two major seeps identifiedMine water characterized by USGS
(1985)Extensive volunteer cattail marsh
established in last 20 years
Mayer Ranch Wetland
WestMarsh
Seep A
Seep B
Meyer Ranch Wetland
Runoff
Mine drainage marsh
Research Questions
What are the chemical constituents of the mine discharges and surface waters at Mayer Ranch?
Is the water quality changing from the discharges to wetland outflow?
MethodsSampled mine water discharges and surface
waters at 8 locationsIn situ measurements
pH, temperature, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, conductivity, turbidity, flow rate
Metals and anion data Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cd, Pb SO4
-2, Cl-, F-, NO2-, NO3
-, PO4-3
Comparison to Historical Data
USGS(1985)
Seep A(2000)
Seep B(2000)
pH 5.90.2 5.90.3 6.10.2
Alkalinity(mg/L as CaCO3)
5536 45641 37284
Ca (mg/L) 680113 74427 726129
Mg (mg/L) 1476 1452 144187
Fe (mg/L) 40312 15611 17034
Zn (mg/L) 4710 110.5 102.3
Cd (mg/L) 0.010.01 0.060.01 0.060.01
Pb (mg/L) 0.020.03 0.290.04 0.250.01
WestMarsh
Seep A
Seep B
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
Water Sampling Locations
Runoff
Site 4
Surface water sampling
Mine water discharge sampling
Mean pH
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
pH
West Marsh
Runoff
SEEP A
SEEP B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Con
cent
ratio
n (m
g/L
as C
aCO
3)
West Marsh
Runoff
SEEP A
SEEP B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Oxidation Reduction Potential
-50
0
50
100
150
200
Red
ox (m
V)
West Marsh
Runoff
SEEP A
SEEP B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Calcium (Ca) concentrations (mg/L).
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Conc
entra
tion
(mg/
L)
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Magnesium (Mg) Concentrations (mg/L)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Conc
entra
tion
(mg/
L)
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Iron (Fe) Concentrations (mg/L)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Con
cent
ratio
n (m
g/L)
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Zinc (Zn) Concentrations (mg/L)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Con
cent
ratio
n (m
g/L)
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Sulfate Concentrations (mg/L)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Conc
entra
tion
(mg/
L)
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
S4
SummaryChanges in historical concentrations
Fe, Zn, Pb?, Cd?
Conservative constituents do not change Ca, Mg
Concentrations change with flow through wetland natural biogeochemical processes dilution
% Change in Concentrations
1 2 2 3 3 4
Fe 48 14 8
Zn 60 25 10
Ca 43 2 11
Mg 41 2 14
SO4-2 42 28 25
Conclusions
Mine discharge waters are elevated in metals but are net alkaline
Metal concentrations decrease with flow through wetland
Wetland does not effectively treat the discharge to acceptable quality
Redesigning system may result in improved effluent water quality
Acknowledgements
Dr. Robert NairnDr. Keith StrevettErin BreetzkeTodd WolfardLisa HareJacob MankoSharon & Janna
Robbins
Rebecca JimCarrie EvensonNSFEBEL and BEESL And the REU 2000 WILD
AND WONDERFUL WETLAND WOMEN !!!!