Loading...
Effectiveness of acid mine drainage remediation on the water quality of the North Fork of Clear Creek, Gilpin County, Colorado
Lloyd, Evan Hunter
Lloyd, Evan Hunter
Citations
Altmetric:
Advisor
Editor
Date
Date Issued
2020
Date Submitted
Keywords
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Embargo Expires
Abstract
North Fork of Clear Creek (NFCC) was impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD) for over a century. Starting March 2017, a water treatment plant (NCCWTP) began treating AMD effluents entering NFCC, with the goal to decrease instream metal concentrations. Water quality samples were taken every four to six weeks over two years at seven locations. Elemental loading and concentrations were analyzed to investigate water chemistry changes since treatment. Metal exceedance ratios of the state of Colorado aquatic life standards (ALS) and the Biotic Ligand Model predictions were analyzed to understand NFCC regulatory compliance. NCCWTP has been successful at decreasing concentrations and loading metals in NFCC. Total iron concentrations decreased by 95%, total copper by 84% and total zinc by 64%. Concentrations of aluminum, cadmium, copper, and zinc are all elevated above the ALS. Further remedial efforts are likely required to decrease metal concentrations to protect the most sensitive aquatic organisms.
Associated Publications
Rights
Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.