Anthropogenic sources and transport of mercury in the Carson River, Nevada arid and semiarid landscapes
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States). Graduate Program of Hydrology/Hydrogeology
Mercury contamination in the Carson River is a direct result of mining activities during the Comstock Lode of the late 1800`s. Unfiltered surface water samples taken in July of 1993 showed elevated Hg levels which increased downstream from Carson City to Lahontan Reservoir. Mercury concentrations from filtered and unfiltered water samples were used to determine effective flux rates of Hg from stream sediment. The flux rate for the filtered samples was calculated to be 5.59 ng/L/day while that associated with sediment in unfiltered water was calculated to be 15.8 ng/L/day upstream of Dayton, and 52.8 ng/L/day downstream of Dayton. The unfiltered water column results were supportive of the independent sediment sampling results also taken as part of this study. Detailed fluvial geomorphologic analysis of the system clearly identifies the progression of Hg contaminated mine tailings from steep canyons to extensive downstream floodplain areas. During the upcoming summer field season, at least 3 detailed synoptic surveys of the system will be completed. Surface water will be sampled for the following parameters which are significant to Hg speciation: dissolved oxygen, sulfate, sulfide, dissolved organic carbon, and chloride. Surface water will be sampled for both inorganic and organic Hg species in both filtered and unfiltered water samples. Three duplicate samples will be taken at each site for each Hg type to provide a range of uncertainty. This distribution will later be used in an uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo simulation techniques.
- OSTI ID:
- 49502
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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