Date of Award
11-28-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Applied Science
First Advisor
Laura Ruhl
Abstract
The mining of lead and zinc ores in the Tri-State Mining District of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma resulted in some of the most severe environmental degradation in the country. Large amounts of waste rock, known as ‘chat’, were produced during mining and left in surface piles in the surrounding area. These chat piles, located mostly near the town of Picher, Oklahoma contain potentially harmful elements that can be leached from the rock into local streams and sediment. The mines also filled with water after mining ceased and have discharged contaminated water to nearby waterways, as well as resulted in groundwater contamination. This investigation analyzes the impact of the Tri-State Mining District on local streams and groundwater, while evaluating the extent of contamination, and assessing the use of strontium isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr) for source identification and water mixing.
Recommended Citation
Ketcheside, William Daniel, "Using Geochemistry and Strontium Isotopic Ratios (87sr/86sr) to Determining Water Mixing and Sources in the Picher Mining District" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 710.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/710
