Metal(loid)s as Hydrologic Tracers for Particle Transport via Fluvial Processes from the Yellow Pine Mine and Mill in an Arid Environment of Southern Nevada, USA

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to provide a broader view of the transport and mobilization of metal(loid)s in sediments from the Yellow Pine Mill site in Goodsprings, Nevada. This mine was principally a lead ore operation located in the township of Goodspring, Nevada. From the two wash systems originating from processed tailing piles of the mill the contaminant migration was evaluated. Concentrations of metal(loid)s in sediments were up to 10 times higher in the south wash than in the north. Maximum levels of As and Pb in surficial south wash sediments were 103 and 1351 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Similarly, the enrichment factors of Cd, Cu, and Pb were far lower in north wash tailing than those obtained for south wash. Principal component analysis (PCA) data from the south wash shows PC2 explained 13.98% of the total variance and loadings on Zn (0.982), Cu (0.875), Pb (0.778), and Cd (0.690), which can be considered anthropogenic component associated with mine tailing. Evaluation of the transport mechanism of sediments indicates that metal(loid)s in sediments were found to have been derived from anthropogenic activities and migrated at least 1050 m beyond source materials in the south wash.

Sediment transport from source areas to the wider environment during storm events.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Metal(loid)s
• climatic effects
• transport of sediment
• enrichment factor
• principal component analysis

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the support of the College of Southern Nevada for the use and access to equipment which was used to perform the analysis of samples.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was partially supported by a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Space Grant College and Fellowship Training Program Cooperative Agreement (#NNX15AI02H) and the State of Nevada Office of Science, Innovation & Technology (OSIT).