Geochemistry (continued) 3

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Surface and Ground Water Chemistry

Acidic mine drainage entering intermittent streams is highly enriched in Fe, Cu, As, Cd. pH commonly <3

worlds fair mine image ventura mine image

three R mine image 4 metals mine image

Chemistry of acid mine drainage flowing from adits at four abandoned mines in the Patagonia Mountains. The mines are located within epithermal base- and precious-metal mineralization

Ground water exiting NW-trending fractures are highly enriched in toxic trace elements and have low pH consistent with an acid generating source
Discharge of metal-laden waters into streams perturbates stream chemistry

patagonia Copper plot patagonia Lead plot

Distribution of Cu (ppm) and Pb (ppb) in Alum Gulch water. The overall high values were largely due to input from adit waters and tailings waters from the World's Fair Mine. Concentration spikes downstream (to the north) were due to input from fluids derived from crossing fractures.

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