Serena Hollmeyer
Abandoned mines, and the
associated wastes, present a significant environmental problem. Hard-rock
mining, in particular, exposes metallic minerals to the weathering effects of
ground and surface waters. These fluids are often capable of leaching metals from
the rocks and into the local hydrologic systems. This leaching of toxins into
the local watersheds not only threatens the health of the organisms within the
watershed (including humans) but also limits land-use potential.
This project aims to study the stream chemistry of five abandoned mine sites in
New York and Vermont. I hope to begin the process of quantifying the downstream
impacts of the mining operations and site abandonment. I have spoken with some
inhabitants of the potentially affected areas and they have expressed some
concern in the metal contents of local watersources.
The sites to be studied are the Cuttingsville mine, Berkshire mine, Eden Mills
mine, Lewis mine, and the MacIntyre mine.
Methods:
I plan to sample the stream water above and below the mine sites using
syringes, filters and sample bottles. Using depth measurements and velocity
meters I will calculate the discharge of the stream. Using a GPS in the field
and aerial photos in the lab, I plan to map these sites including the areas,
locations, and volumes of the tailings piles as well as calculate drainage
basin area to determine discharge and the areas potentially affected by the
mines.