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Mine Water Quality Changes in at the Mayer Ranch Wetland

Mine Water Quality Changes in at the Mayer Ranch Wetland. Kim Wahnee Dr. Robert Nairn Dr. Keith Strevett REU 2000. Presentation Overview. General background Introduction to study site Research questions Field and analytical methods Results Conclusions. Tri-State Mining District.

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Mine Water Quality Changes in at the Mayer Ranch Wetland

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  1. Mine Water Quality Changes in at the Mayer Ranch Wetland Kim Wahnee Dr. Robert Nairn Dr. Keith Strevett REU 2000

  2. Presentation Overview • General background • Introduction to study site • Research questions • Field and analytical methods • Results • Conclusions

  3. Tri-State Mining District • Extensive underground lead and zinc mining (1900-1960s) • Mine flooding began after cessation of mining and associated dewatering • Polluted artesian discharges emerged in late 1979 • 40 square mile site received Superfund status in 1983

  4. Picher Mining Field of the Tri-State Mining District OTTAWA COUNTY OKLAHOMA

  5. Mayer Ranch • Location of first major mine water discharges; November 1979 in horse pasture • At least two major seeps identified • Mine water characterized by USGS (1985) • Extensive volunteer cattail marsh established in last 20 years

  6. Mayer Ranch Wetland

  7. Mine drainage marsh

  8. 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?

  9. Methods • Sampled mine water discharges and surface waters at 8 locations • In 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

  10. Comparison to Historical Data

  11. Summary • Changes in historical concentrations • Fe, Zn, Pb?, Cd? • Conservative constituents do not change • Ca, Mg • Concentrations change with flow through wetland • natural biogeochemical processes • dilution

  12. % Change in Concentrations

  13. 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

  14. Dr. Robert Nairn Dr. Keith Strevett Erin Breetzke Todd Wolfard Lisa Hare Jacob Manko Sharon & Janna Robbins Rebecca Jim Carrie Evenson NSF EBEL and BEESL And the REU 2000 WILD AND WONDERFUL WETLAND WOMEN !!!! Acknowledgements

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