Use of Natural and Applied Tracers to Guide Targeted Remediation Efforts in an Acid Mine Drainage System, Colorado Rockies, USA

摘要: Stream water quality in areas of the western United States continues to be degraded by acid mine drainage (AMD), a legacy hard-rock mining. The Rico-Argentine Mine southwestern Colorado consists complex multiple-level workings connected tunnel discharging AMD passive treatment ponds that discharge Dolores River. are excavated into hillslope on either side tributary stream with passing directly under channel. There is need define hydrologic connections between surface water, groundwater, and understand source both contaminants discharge. Source identification will allow targeted remediation strategies developed. To identify we employed combination natural applied tracers including isotopes, ionic tracers, fluorescent dyes. Stable isotopes (δ18O/δD) show well-mixed hydrological system, while tritium levels waters indicate fast flow-through system mean residence times years not decades or longer. Addition multiple independent indicated traveling through minimal obstructions. results from simultaneous salt dye tracer application demonstrated types can successfully used acidic conditions.