Program Type

Undergraduate

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jacob Siebach

Document Type

Poster

Location

Face-to-face

Start Date

18-4-2024 11:00 AM

Abstract

Arkansas has a rich history of lead and zinc mining. While there are still some active mines, many historical mines have been abandoned and/or reclaimed. Although most reclamation procedures result in the burial and containment of target minerals, accessory minerals and elements can be leached out of waste materials/tailings piles and include heavy metals (i.e., Pb, As, Cd). We aim to evaluate the soil and watershed of a few abandoned/reclaimed mines in Pope County, AR, for the presence of heavy metals/source minerals. Soil and stream sediment geochemistry will be conducted using a portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer. Field work and sampling plans will be developed to initially identify the presence of heavy metals in the immediate area, and then secondarily as to whether heavy metals are actively being transported in soil and stream sediments. Results from this study will help determine whether there is potential heavy metal contamination/leaching from these inactive mines.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 18th, 11:00 AM

Evaluating Reclaimed Mines and Heavy Metal Soil Contamination

Face-to-face

Arkansas has a rich history of lead and zinc mining. While there are still some active mines, many historical mines have been abandoned and/or reclaimed. Although most reclamation procedures result in the burial and containment of target minerals, accessory minerals and elements can be leached out of waste materials/tailings piles and include heavy metals (i.e., Pb, As, Cd). We aim to evaluate the soil and watershed of a few abandoned/reclaimed mines in Pope County, AR, for the presence of heavy metals/source minerals. Soil and stream sediment geochemistry will be conducted using a portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer. Field work and sampling plans will be developed to initially identify the presence of heavy metals in the immediate area, and then secondarily as to whether heavy metals are actively being transported in soil and stream sediments. Results from this study will help determine whether there is potential heavy metal contamination/leaching from these inactive mines.