| Study ID | MinesI |
| Study Name | First Screening Level Investigation of Water and Sediment Quality of Creeks in Ten Washington Mining Districts with Emphasis on Metals |
| EIM Data Entry Review Status | Reviewed |
| Study Type | General environmental study |
| Study Purpose | The purpose of this screening level study was to investigate streams near selected mining districts for water quality and sediment quality impacts. The project was the first application in Washington mining districts of EPA ultra-clean methods for measuring toxic metals at water quality criteria levels. As the first systematic investigation of mining district impacts on water and sediment quality, the results from this study were intended to identify the significant parameters for future
sampling projects. Findings from this study highlighted districts that required follow-up sampling to define the extent of impacts. The study results will also aid watershed planning through identification of water quality impaired streams. |
| Field Collection Date Range | 6/1/1997 - 10/1/1997 |
| Data First/Last Loaded Date |  |
| Data Last Updated Date | |
| Ecology Program or Other Responsible Entity | Ecy Water Quality Program, multi-region or statewide |
| Ecology Contact | Dale Norton |
| Ecology Monitoring Program | |
| Submitting Organization | |
| Study QA Planning Level | LEVEL 3: QAPP, SAP, or Equivalent. |
| Study QA Project Plan Description | The study was conducted jointly by the Department of Ecology and the Department of Natural Resources. Water and sediment samples were collected in streams draining ten metals mining districts in eastern Washington. Samples were collected upstream and downstream of the districts and analyzed for metals and general chemistry parameters. Discharges from several individual mines and tailings facilities were also sampled. Field work took place in June 1997 for characterization of high-flow conditions, and in October 1997 for low-flow conditions. |
| Study QA Assessment Level | Level 5: Data Verified and Assessed for Usability in a Peer-Reviewed Study Report |
| Study Result Description | Water quality impacts are seasonal in most districts, with maximum degradation commonly
occurring during high-flow. Results showed increases in metals concentrations in the streams that drain most districts, in some cases by an order of magnitude or more. Iron, zinc, and lead were most frequently present in elevated concentrations. State water quality standards for zinc, cadmium, and/or copper were exceeded in three streams. Iron problems were pervasive in the study area. None of the mine or tailings water discharges met water quality standards. Impacts were subtle in some districts where a significant distance separated upstream and downstream samples. Metals concentrations in sediments from four streams substantially exceeded sediment quality
guidelines. Zinc, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and silver were common contributors to the
exceedences. Among the general chemistry parameters, sulfate and total dissolved solids appeared to be the most useful indicators of water quality and sediment quality impacts from mining. A ratio of sulfate to total dissolved solids above 20% was found to adequately identify exceedences of water quality and sediment quality standards or guidelines. |
| Study Comment | The Results from duplicate analyses were averaged for use in the tables in the report. Those averages were used in this Study in EIM. This historic dataset was entered into EIM in 2015. For efficiency's sake, some things that were not deemed to have a benefit were not included in the submittal; for example, the lab sample IDs and lab analysis dates were not included. Sample IDs were entered into EIM using the Location Name but the Lab Sample Numbers were not entered, and the lab analyis date equals the Field Collection Date with an accuracy of Year. Grain size was not entered into EIM but can be found in the report. |
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