Progress 02/01/09 to 01/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience includes Mid-Missouri residents in Cole, Miller, Mniteau and Morgan Counties. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Undergraduate and graduate students were supported by the grant. At Lincoln University two students who graduated with a BS in Agriculture (Megan Ordway) and a BS in Environmental Science (Richard Abbott) were involved in data compilation, field samplecollection and laboratory work. A doctoral student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Zachary Wenz, was partial supported by the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The findings were communictaed in conferences and published in peer-review journal. Additional manuscript is in prepartion for for submission. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The water sample analysis enabled to assess the surface water quality in the Central Mining District. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) national recommended water quality criteria were used to evaluate the laboratory analysis. The results indicate that a number of samples exceeded the water quality criteria set by the EPA for cadmium, lead, and zinc. The Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) limit (0.25 μg/l) and the Criteria Maximum Concentration (CMC) limit (2.0 μg/l) set for cadmium and the CCC limit (2.5 μg/l) set for lead were exceeded. The CMC and CCC limits (120 μg/l) set for zinc were also topped. The geospatial digital database enabled to visualize the spatial correlation between the anomalous concentrations of heavy metals and the locations of abandoned mines,it enabled to identify “hotspots”. Anomalously high concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc are known to have adverse effects on humans as well as aquatic life. The implications of these anomalous concentrations in the environment will be the target of future investigations.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Tesfaye, S., Tarka, M., Ikem, A., 2013. Anomalous Levels of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Miller County Streams, Missouri (Program & Abstracts, 17th Biennial Research Symposium of the Association of Research Directors, April 7-10, Jacksonville, Florida).
Wenz, Z. J., Appold, M.S., Shelton, K.L., Tesfaye, S., 2012. Geochemistry of Mississippi Valley-Type Mineralizing Fluids of the Ozark Plateau: A Regional Synthesis, (American Journal of Science , 312, 2280, DOI 10.2475/01.2012.02)
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The data collection phase of the project is completed. A total of 107 water samples and 67 soil samples were collected from Cole, Miller, Moniteau, and Morgan Counties in central Missouri. Of these, 70 water samples and 32 soil samples are analyzed. Chemical analysis of the remaining soil and water samples will be conducted using ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer). In addition, mineralogical analysis of the soil samples will be conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD). PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project had encountered a slow start in the data collection phase. Getting access to private property was problematic and hindered sample collection. Because of the slow start, laboratory analysis of the samples and interpretation of the results cannot be completed in time. As a result a one year extension of will be needed to wrap up the project.
Impacts
The project is still at data analysis stage.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) mineralization of the Ozark Plateau produced world class Pb-Zn mineralization in Southeast Missouri and Tri-State districts (Missouri-Oklahoma-kansas). Smaller accumulations of MVT sulfide mineralization occur in the Northern Arkansas and Central Missouri districts. All of the districts are hosted predominantly by platform carbonate rocks, but the stratigraphic ages are Cambrian for Southeast Missouri, Mississippian for Tri-State, Ordovician and Mississippian for Northern Arkansas, and Ordovician for Central Missouri. Millions of tones of sulfide ores and an even greater volume of mine waste were produced from these deposits. Field work was conducted in 2009 and 2010 to collect rock samples. The compositions of fluid inclusions hosted in ore and gangue minerals were analyzed to investigate the nature of the original mineralizing fluid. The study used laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in conjunction with microthermometry. The study also included Raman microprobe analyses of fluid inclusions from Ozark MVT districts, from which methane concentrations were determined and which constrain the redox potential and pressure of mineral deposit formation. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Martin Appold, University of Missouri-Columbia Dr. Kevin Shelton, University of Missouri-Columbia Dr. Zachary Wenz (former graduate student at University of Missouri-Columbia) TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The robust and comprehensive fluid inclusion composition dataset generated, to which this project is a part, makes it possible to develop a regional hydro-geochemical conceptual model for MVT mineral deposit formation in the Ozark Plateau. This model is used to explain the variability of the fluids responsible for mineralization, the ore precipitation mechanism, temporal change in fluid composition invading the districts, and what factors may have controlled the deposits' size, stratigraphic location and Zn/Pb ratio. The findings will be used to interpret the chemical analysis data that are being collected from soil and water samples of the Central Missouri district. It will enable to put in context the heavy metal concentrations of lead and zinc that have the potential to adversely impact the environment as a consequence of past mining practices.
Publications
- Geochemistry of Mississippi Valley-Type Mineralizing Fluids of the Ozark Plateau: A Regional Synthesis, 2011 (accepted), Wenz, J.Z., Appold, M.S., Shelton, K.L., Tesfaye, S., American Journal of Science
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project is on track; however, access to private property for sample collection (rock, soil, and water) has the potential to hinder its progress. The project has focused on Miller County so far. Seventy water samples from Miller County streams were analyzed at Lincoln University using ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer) for heavy metal contaminants (cadmium, lead, and zinc). The results were evaluated using the current Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) national recommended water quality criteria. The Criteria Maximum Concentration (CMC) is an estimate of the highest concentration of a material in surface water to which an aquatic community can be exposed briefly without resulting in an unacceptable effect. The Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) is an estimate of the highest concentration of a material in surface water to which an aquatic community can be exposed indefinitely without resulting in an unacceptable effect. The chemical analysis results show that some samples have higher concentration of cadmium, lead, and zinc in excess of that set by the EPA. Of the 70 samples analyzed 7 samples exceeded the CCC limit (0.25 μg/l) set for cadmium, of which 6 exceeded the CMC limit (2.0 μg/l). Similarly, 18 samples exceeded the CCC limit (2.5 μg/l) for lead; however, none exceeded the CMC limit (65 μg/l). Three samples exceeded both the CMC and CCC limits (120 μg/l) set for zinc. The implication of these anomalous concentrations on the drinking water supply is not yet clear. Chemical analysis is being conducted on 32 soil samples that are collected from abandoned mines sites (pits, tailings, banks) primarily from Miller County. These samples are being analyzed for heavy metals using the sequential extraction procedure adopted from Tessier et al. (1979). The soil sample results will be investigated along with the water samples to determine the level of heavy metal contaminants and their impact on the environment. A parallel investigation on the nature of the original mineralizing fluid, the parent material for heavy metal contaminants, is being conducted. Fluid inclusion analysis on samples collected from the Central Missouri Mining District (56 sphalerite, 31 barite, 21 galena, and 4 pyrite) was conducted at VirginiaTech's Geosciences Fluids Research Laboratory using LA-ICP-MS (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Preliminary results of the work were presented at conferences. A geospatial digital database is established for the Lake of the Ozarks, Lamine, Lower Missouri-Moreau, and Lower Osage watersheds. PARTICIPANTS: Two students, Zachary Wenz (former graduate student) and Richard Abbott (current undergraduate student) were supported by the grant. Dr. Abua Ikem, Lincoln University and Dr. Martin Appold, University of Missouri-Columbia continue to collaborate on the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The project is still at data collection and analysis stage to yield an outcome.
Publications
- Wenz, Z. J., Appold, M. S., and Tesfaye, S., 2010. Fluid Chemistry of Sphalerite-Hosted Fluid Inclusions from the Central Missouri Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) District (GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 42, No. 2, p. 54).
- Wenz, Z. J., Appold, M. S., Tesfaye, S., 2010. Geochemistry of Ore- and Gangue- Hosted Fluid Inclusions from the Ozark Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) Deposits: Implications for Ore Body Size and Precipitation Mechanisms [PanAmerican Current Research on Fluid Inclusions (PACROFI-X), University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., June 8-10, 2010, Abstract Volume].
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Progress 01/15/09 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project that assesses the impact of abandoned mines primarily on water quality in the Central Missouri Mining District. The project is proceeding as planned; however, limited access to private property for sample collection (rock, soil, and water) could potentially cause a problem in the future. Water and rock (ore) samples were collected from various sites in the Central Missouri Mining District. The samples were analyzed at Lincoln University, University of Missouri-Columbia, and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. The laboratory results are being processed and interpreted to identify areas of anomalous concentrations of heavy metals in water. The nature and composition of the original mineralizing fluid which would be the root cause of contamination is also being investigated. The project has so far accomplished the following: 1) Collected 37 rock samples from 7 mines, 2) Prepared 16 thin sections, 3) Conducted 188 LA-ICP-MS analyses (includes fluid and mineral analysis), 4) Performed 152 Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry measurements, 5) Collected 54 water samples (stream) mainly from Miller county and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations, and 6) A geospatial digital database for the Lower Osage watershed is being compiled. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Abua Ikem, Lincoln University and Dr. Martin Appold, University of Missouri-Columbia participated in laboratory analysis and field sample collections respectively. Two students who are working on the project, Richard Abbott (undergraduate) and Zachary Wenz (graduate), are being supported by the grant. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The project is at the early stages of data collection and analysis to yield an outcome.
Publications
- Tesfaye, S., Tarka, M. Ordway, M., 2009. Assessing the Environmental Impact of the Abandoned Mines of the Central Missouri Mining District, Missouri. (Program & Abstracts, 15th Biennial Research Symposium of the Association of Research Directors, Atlanta, GA, March 28 to April 1).
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