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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
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
Picher Mining Field of the Tri-State
Mining District
OTTAWA
COUNTY
OKLAHOMA
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
Mayer Ranch Wetland
Meyer Ranch Wetland
Seep A
West
Marsh
Mine drainage marsh
Runoff
Seep B
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?
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
Comparison to Historical Data
pH
Alkalinity
USGS
(1985)
5.90.2
5536
Seep A
(2000)
5.90.3
45641
Seep B
(2000)
6.10.2
37284
(mg/L as CaCO3)
Ca (mg/L)
680113
74427
726129
Mg (mg/L)
Fe (mg/L)
Zn (mg/L)
Cd (mg/L)
Pb (mg/L)
1476
40312
4710
0.010.01
0.020.03
1452
15611
110.5
0.060.01
0.290.04
144187
17034
102.3
0.060.01
0.250.01
Water Sampling Locations
Mine water discharge sampling
Surface water sampling
Seep A
West
Marsh
Runoff
Site 1
Site 2
Seep B
Site 4
Site 3
Mean pH
8
7
West Marsh
6
pH
5
4
Runoff
SEEP A
SEEP B
S1
3
S2
2
S3
S4
1
0
Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3)
Concentration (mg/L as CaCO3)
600
500
400
300
200
West Marsh
Runoff
SEEP A
SEEP B
S1
S2
S3
100
0
S4
Oxidation Reduction Potential
200
150
West Marsh
Redox (mV)
Runoff
100
SEEP A
SEEP B
50
S1
S2
S3
0
-50
S4
Calcium (Ca) concentrations (mg/L).
900
Concentration (mg/L)
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Magnesium (Mg) Concentrations (mg/L)
180
Concentration (mg/L)
160
140
120
100
80
60
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
40
20
0
S4
Iron (Fe) Concentrations (mg/L)
Concentration (mg/L)
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
West Marsh
Runoff
Seep A
Seep B
S1
S2
S3
S4
Zinc (Zn) Concentrations (mg/L)
14
Concentration (mg/L)
12
West Marsh
10
Runoff
Seep A
8
6
Seep B
S1
S2
4
2
0
S3
S4
Sulfate Concentrations (mg/L)
Concentration (mg/L)
2500
2000
West Marsh
Runoff
1500
Seep A
Seep B
S1
1000
S2
S3
500
0
S4
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
% Change in Concentrations
Fe
12
48
23
14
34
8
Zn
60
25
10
Ca
43
2
11
Mg
41
2
14
42
28
25
SO4
-2
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 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 !!!!