Simulation of Metals Total Maximum Daily Loads and Remediation in a Mining-Impacted Stream
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 5
Abstract
Simulation of metals transport was performed to help develop metals total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and evaluate remediation alternatives in a mountain stream in Montana impacted by hundreds of abandoned hardrock metal mines. These types of watersheds are widespread in Montana and many other areas of the western United States. Impacts from abandoned hardrock or metal mines include loadings of sediment, metals, and other pollutants causing impairment of multiple beneficial uses and exceedances of water quality standards. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) was used to model and evaluate TMDLs for several heavy metals in Tenmile Creek, a mountain stream supplying drinking water to the City of Helena, Mont. The model was calibrated for baseflow conditions and validated using data collected by the EPA and the United States Geological Survey, and used to assess existing metals loadings and losses, including interactions between metals in water and bed sediment, uncertainty, water quality standard exceedances, TMDLs, potential source areas, and required reductions in loadings. During baseflow conditions, adits and point sources contribute significant metals loadings to Tenmile Creek. Exceedances of standards are widespread throughout the stream under both baseflow and higher flow conditions. Adsorption and precipitation onto bed sediments play a primary role in losses from the water column in some areas. Modeling results indicate that some uncertainty exists in the metal partition coefficients associated with sediment, significance of precipitation reactions, and in locations of unidentified sources and losses of metals. TMDLs and loading reductions were calculated based on variations in flow, concentrations, loadings, and standards (which vary with hardness) along the mainstem. In most cases, considerable reductions in loadings are required to achieve TMDLs and water quality standards. Reductions in loadings from point sources, mine waste near watercourses, and streambed sediment can help improve water quality, but alteration of the water supply scheme and increasing baseflow will also be needed.
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Acknowledgments
Mike Bishop of the EPA provided funding for this study and helped define modeling objectives and remedial alternatives. Tim Cox of CDM was integral in model development, calibration, and validation, and Mark McClusky assisted with implementation of the WASP model and simulation and evaluation of remedial alternatives.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 5 • May 2005
Pages: 777 - 789
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 9, 2003
Accepted: Jul 21, 2004
Published online: May 1, 2005
Published in print: May 2005
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