Impacts of Historical Mining in the Coeur D'alene River Basin
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Pathways of Metal Transfer from Mineralized Sources to Bioreceptors: A Synthesis of the Mineral Resources Program’s Past Environmental Studies in the Western United States and Future Research Directions Chapter 6—Impacts of historical mining in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin By Laurie S. Balistrieri1, Stephen E. Box1, Arthur A. Bookstrom1, Robert L. Hooper2, and J. Brian Mahoney2 CONTENTS BACKGROUND ore shoots in Precambrian rocks of the Background 1 Mining began in the late 1880s in the Belt Supergroup (Fryklund, 1964; Discussion of mining impacts 3 Coeur d’Alene mining district in north- Hobbs and others, 1965; Zartman and What is known about the distributions, con- ern Idaho (fig. 1). Although only two Stacey, 1971; Bennett and centrations, and speciation of Pb and Zn in the Coeur d’Alene River basin? 3 mines, the Galena and Lucky Friday, Venkatakrishnan, 1982; Leach and Particulate lead. 3 currently are operating, more than 90 others, 1988; Criss and Fleck, 1990). Dissolved zinc 4 historical mines exist in this region The veins are separated into two major Solid-phase speciation 5 (Bennett and others, 1989). Most of the types by ore mineralogy: (1) lead- and What is known about the processes that mobi- mines are along the South Fork of the zinc-rich veins having argentiferous lize Pb and Zn from their sources and Coeur d’Alene River and its major galena (PbS) and sphalerite (ZnS) and then act to physically and biogeochemically redistribute them? 7 tributaries (Bennett and others, 1989). (2) silver-rich veins having argentifer- Physical processes 7 Total production records indicate that ous tetrahedrite [(Cu, Ag)10(Fe, Biogeochemical processes 8 this district ranks among supergiants Zn)2(As, Sb)4S13] and minor galena and Modeling of coupled physical and bio- (top 1 percent of world producers) for sphalerite. The vein types are spatially geochemical processes 10 silver (34,300 metric tons Ag) and lead separated, may represent one or two What is known about impacts of Pb and Zn to (7,290,000 metric tons Pb) and among ages of mineralization, and were depos- biota, and can specific processes that in- fluence bioavailability be identified? 12 giants (top 10 percent of world produc- ited from fluids of metamorphic origin What are the major gaps in knowledge re- ers) for zinc (2,870,000 metric tons Zn) (Leach and others, 1998; Long, 1998a). maining from this research? 13 (Long, 1998a, 1998b). Pyrite (FeS2) is ubiquitous but variable Acknowledgments 14 Ore deposits in the district are in abundance in the veins. Most veins References 14 steeply dipping quartz veins and sider- contain small amounts of chalcopyrite ite (FeCO ) veins containing (CuFeS ). Minor minerals include 1United States Geological Survey 3 2 2University of Wisconsin Eau Claire stratigraphically controlled Pb-Zn-Ag arsenopyrite (FeAsS) and pyrrhotite 1 Chapter 6 (Fe1-xS). Host rocks are primarily directly into the Coeur d’Alene River 1917 and 1982 (Bennett and others, quartzite and argillite, which contain and its tributaries before environmental 1989). This smelter released more than some interbedded carbonate-bearing regulations required the installation of 3,300 metric tons of Pb to the atmo- rocks. Studies at the Lucky Friday tailings ponds in 1968. A preliminary sphere between 1965 and 1981. An Mine indicate that wall rocks around accounting by Long (1998b) has esti- area of 54 km2 surrounding the smelter veins are altered and typically contain mated that 56 million metric tons of was listed by the U.S. Environmental 10 to 15 percent carbonate minerals. tailings containing 2,200 metric tons of Protection Agency (EPA) as one of the Concentric zonation with respect to Ag, 800,000 metric tons of Pb, and at nation’s largest Superfund sites in three carbonate minerals [siderite least 650,000 metric tons of Zn were 1983 (U.S. Environmental Protection (FeCO3), ankerite [CaFe(CO3)2], and dumped into the river system. Stream Agency, 1994). The listing was calcite (CaCO3)] is common in the transport, especially during major flood prompted, in part, by very high levels altered wall rocks (Gitlin, 1986). The events, has redistributed and continues of Pb in the blood of children living in predominant gangue minerals are to redistribute metal-enriched sediment Kellogg. A Natural Resource Damages siderite and quartz. The absolute and from its sources for distances of more (NRD) lawsuit filed by the Federal relative abundances of sulfide and than 240 km downstream throughout government and two Native American gangue minerals vary significantly the channel of the South Fork and main tribes is awaiting a decision after 2 between different vein systems. stem of the Coeur d’Alene River and months of court testimony in 2001. Milling and ore concentration prac- their floodplains, into Lake Coeur The EPA completed a 3-year Remedial tices varied over time in the district d’Alene, and into the Spokane River Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) because of changing technology and (Horowitz and others, 1993; Horowitz for the entire Coeur d’Alene Basin in economics. Early ore separation meth- and others, 1995; Bookstrom and 2001. The proposed plan, in its public ods, which included coarse crushing others, 2001; Box and others, 2001). comment period as of May 2002, and gravity (“jig”) mineral separation Because the river gradient is steeper recommends a 30-year, $300 million methods, were not very efficient. Jig and the flow faster in the upper Coeur remedial program as the first incre- tailings produced before 1915 ranged d’Alene River system, the major reposi- ment of a longer remediation schedule. from coarse gravel to fine powder and tories of the discharged mine tailings EPA is expected to issue a Record of were still very rich in metals. Develop- were the channel and floodplain of the Decision laying out its remediation ment of more efficient flotation meth- lower Coeur d’Alene River (that is, plan in mid-2002. The State of Idaho ods between 1915 and 1925 resulted in between Cataldo and Harrison) and has completed some remediation tailings with finer grain size (fine sand Lake Coeur d’Alene. projects and is currently doing several and finer) and lower metal concentra- The Bunker Hill lead smelter in more within the district but outside of tions. Most tailings were deposited Kellogg (see fig. 1) operated between the Superfund site. 2 Chapter 6 Although our data encompass a The EPA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife cause of closure of the smelters and wide range of elements, the following Service provided supplemental funding. environmental regulations that prohibit discussion of our work focuses on the the dumping of tailings into rivers. behavior of Pb and Zn in the near- DISCUSSION OF MINING However, historically produced particu- surface environment because of their IMPACTS late Pb from smelter fallout and mill importance to environmental and tailings is constantly being redistributed health issues in the Coeur d’Alene What is known about the distribu- by wind and water. Because Superfund River basin. As discussed in the intro- tions, concentrations, and specia- work focused on cleaning up smelter ductory chapter (ch. 1), we examine tion of Pb and Zn in the Coeur fallout in houses and yards, the biggest the results of our work in light of four d’Alene River basin? remaining challenge is grappling with the questions: environmental and health impacts of 1. What is known about the distribu- Particulate Lead fluvially distributed tailings. tions, concentrations, and specia- Pb exists primarily in the particulate or The origin of the fluvially deposited tion of Pb and Zn in this river solid phase rather than the dissolved tailings is the historical milling and basin? phase. This is because of the low solubil- processing of ore within the district and 2. What is known about the processes ity of Pb minerals and the high affinity of subsequent disposal of tailings into the that release Pb and Zn from their dissolved Pb for metal oxide particles at river system. The concentration of sources and then act to physically neutral pH. Health problems in the basin metals in tailings from mills in the and biogeochemically redistribute for humans and wildlife are linked to Coeur d’Alene mining district decreased them? high concentrations of particulate Pb in irregularly through time as ore concen- 3. What is known about the impacts surface soils and sediment and to inges- tration methods improved (fig. 2). of Pb and Zn on biota and can we tion of those particles. Elevated concen- Gravity separation or jigging was the ore identify specific processes that trations of particulate Pb are associated concentration method used between influence bioavailability? with soils that formed over mineralized 1885 and 1925. Data from the historical 4. What additional work needs to be rocks in the area (Gott and Cathrall, Morning Mill, the remnants of which are done to provide a more thorough 1980), tailings from mills that processed just west of Mullan, indicates that understanding of Pb and Zn cy- the mineralized rock (Long, 1998b), and tailings contained between 4 and 9 cling in this basin? atmospheric fallout from smelters that percent Pb and Zn during this time (fig. Our work was done as part of the operated in the mining district (U.S. 2). Flotation methods, used between Coeur d’Alene Project that was funded Environmental Protection Agency, 1994). 1925 and 1968, produced tailings con- primarily by the Mineral Resources There are no new sources of particulate taining lower metal concentrations (<1.5 Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. Pb from smelters or tailings today be- percent Pb and Zn) (fig. 2). 3 Chapter 6 The distribution of Pb as a function of diminution of sedimentation rate or Box and others, 2001).