Abstract
Long-term mining activities in the mountains around Creede, Colorado have resulted in significant contamination in soils and water in the Willow Creek floodplain. Total major and trace were determined for soils and water and sequential chemical extraction for soils. Objectives were to determine concentrations and potential reactivity of trace elements and investigate their relationship with other soil and water properties. Water trace elements showed significant variability among sites, ranging from 347 to 12108 μg/L. Relative trend showed (Zn > Sr > Ba) > (Mn > W > Cd) > (Sn > V≈Ni≈Cu > Co) > (Ag). Soil trace elements showed significant short-range spatial variability, ranging from 2819 to 19274 mg/kg. Relative trend showed (Pb≈Zn > Mn > Ba > P) > (As > Cu > Sr > V > Cd > Sb≈Ag) > (Co≈Cr > Mo≈Sn≈Ni) > (Be≈W > Se≈Hg). Predominant fractions were oxide, specifically-sorbed/carbonate bound, and residual. Water soluble and exchangeable fractions showed (Zn≈Cd) > Pb and Cd > Zn > Pb, respectively. Mobility factors for highly contaminated soils showed Cd≈Zn > Pb > Cu > As.
Highlights
The measurement of the total extractable pool of trace elements has been commonly used to assess the environmental levels or background amounts of trace elements in soils and water [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
The relatively lower pH for the water associated with the sampled soils and for the water from the second day sampling of the Creek water may be due in part to the capturing of more sediment in the sample compared to the other samplings
Total concentrations of trace elements showed significant variability among sites, ranging from 345 to 12108 μg/L, with much of this disparity explained by Zn levels (Table 5)
Summary
The measurement of the total extractable pool of trace elements has been commonly used to assess the environmental levels or background amounts of trace elements in soils and water [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. An assessment of trace element fate, bioavailability, and transport (e.g., surface and groundwater) is required in order to predict potential contamination and impact upon soil and water quality. Willow Creek, a tributary to the Rio Grande, is polluted from drainage from various mine adits and rock piles upstream of Creede and by leachates from a gravelcapped tailings pile below [23]. Ores common to this area contain Cd which occurs mainly in the Zn sulfides sphalerite and wurtzite and is recovered with Zn usually from polymetallic ores containing Pb and Cu [24]
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