University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Publications of the US Geological Survey US Geological Survey 2002 Progress on Geoenvironmental Models for Selected Mineral Deposit Types Robert R. Seal II U.S. Geological Survey Nora K. Foley U.S. Geological Survey Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgspubs Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Seal, Robert R. II and Foley, Nora K., "Progress on Geoenvironmental Models for Selected Mineral Deposit Types" (2002). Publications of the US Geological Survey. 83. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgspubs/83 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications of the US Geological Survey by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Progress on Geoenvironmental Models for Selected Mineral Deposit Types Robert R. Seal II1 and Nora K. Foley1 Editors U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-195 This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U. S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U. S. Government. 1 U. S. Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, VA 20192 CONTENTS CHAPTER A. Introduction to Geoenvironmental Models of Mineral Deposits by Robert R. Seal II, Nora K. Foley, and Richard B. Wanty............................................................1 Introduction Definition of a Geoenvironmental Model Anatomy of a Geoenvironmental Model The State of the Art and Scope References Cited B. Geochemical and Mineralogic Characterization of Solids and Their Effects on Waters in Metal- Mining Environments by Jane M. Hammarstrom and Kathleen S. Smith............................................................................8 The Role of Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Solids in Geoenvironmental Models Acid-Base Accounting Kinetic Testing Leaching Procedures Geologic Materials that Contribute to Environmental Signatures Tools of the Trade Sampling Media, Methods, and Examples References Cited C. Toolkit for the Rapid Screening and Characterization of Waste Piles on Abandoned Mine Lands by Kathleen S. Smith, David L. Campbell, George A. Desborough, Philip L. Hageman, Reinhard W. Leinz, Mark R. Stanton, Stephen J. Sutley, Gregg A. Swayze, and Douglas B. Yager ....................................................................................................................................55 Introduction Sampling and Geochemical Screening Tools Non-Invasive Screening Tools Site Characterization Tools Acknowledgments References Cited D. Environmental Behavior of Two Molybdenum Porphyry Systems by Michele L. Tuttle, Richard B. Wanty, and Byron R. Berger .....................................................65 Introduction Background Geology Hydrology and Major-Element Geochemistry Metal Geochemistry Conclusions References Cited E. Environmental geochemistry of platform carbonate-hosted sulfide deposits by Nora K. Foley ............................................................................................................................87 Introduction Platform Carbonate-Hosted Deposits Acknowledgments References Cited F. A geoenvironmental lifecycle model: The Austinville platform carbonate deposit, Virginia by Nora K. Foley ..........................................................................................................................101 Introduction Geology of the Deposit Ore Textures, Mineralogy and Paragenesis Soil and Sediment Signatures Drainage Signatures Climatic Effects Potential Environmental Concerns References Cited G. A Geoenvironmental Mineral Deposit Model for the New World Polymetallic Replacement/Skarn Deposit by Lisa Bithell Kirk, and Allan R. Kirk........................................................................................108 Introduction Hydrogeochemical Overview of the New World Deposit Hydrology Geochemistry Styles of Mineralization in the New World Deposit Geoenvironmental Models in Mine Closure References Cited H. Environmental Geochemistry of Skarn and Polymetallic Carbonate-Replacement Deposit Models by Jane M. Hammarstrom ............................................................................................................115 Introduction Skarn and Polymetallic Carbonate-Replacement Deposit Models Acknowledgments References Cited I. A Geoenvironmental Model for Polymetallic Vein Deposits: A Case Study in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District and Comparisons with Drainage from Mineralized Deposits in the Colorado Mineral Belt and Humboldt Basin, Nevada by Laurie S. Balistrieri, Stephen E. Box, and Arthur A. Bookstrom............................................143 Abstract Introduction Study Area Data Sources Discussion Acknowledgments References Cited J. Mercury Geoenvironmental Models by James J. Rytuba .......................................................................................................................161 Introduction Global Mercury Cycle and Environmental Mercury Production Mercury Deposit Types Mineralogic Characteristics Mining and Processing Methods Environmental Concerns Associates with Mineral Processing Mercury Mine Drainage Composition Climate References Cited K. Geoenvironmental Model for Low-Sulfide Gold-Quartz Veins by Roger P. Ashley.......................................................................................................................176 Deposit Geology Examples Related Deposit Types Deposit Size Host Rocks Surrounding Geologic Terrane Wall-Rock Alteration Nature of Ore Mining and Ore Processing Methods Trace Element Geochemistry Primary Mineralogy and Zonation Secondary Mineralogy Pre-Mining Soil and Sediment Signatures Topography and Physiography Hydrology Drainage Signatures Climatic Effects Potential Environmental Concerns References Cited L. Geoenvironmental Models for Seafloor Massive Sulfide Deposits by Robert R. Seal, II, Jane M. Hammarstrom, and Nora K. Foley...............................................196 Introduction Classification of Massive Sulfide Deposits Geologic Characteristics Mining and Ore Processing Methods Environmental Geochemistry Potential Environmental Concerns Conclusions References Cited APPENDIX: Definitions and References for Aqueous Geochemistry by Laurie S. Balistrieri..................................................................................................................213 Chapter A INTRODUCTION TO GEOENVIRONMENTAL MODELS OF MINERAL DEPOSITS Robert R. Seal II, Nora K. Foley, and Richard B. Wanty INTRODUCTION Since the beginning of economic geology as a subdiscipline of the geological sciences, economic geologists have tended to classify mineral deposits on the basis of geological, mineralogical, and geochemical criteria, in efforts to systematize our understanding of mineral deposits as an aid to exploration. These efforts have lead to classifications based on commodity, geologic setting (Cox and Singer, 1986), inferred temperatures and pressures of ore formation (Lindgren, 1933), and genetic setting (Park and MacDiarmid, 1975; Jensen and Bateman, 1979). None of these classification schemes is mutually exclusive; instead, there is considerable overlap among all of these classifications. A natural outcome of efforts to classify mineral deposits is the development of “mineral deposit models”. A mineral deposit model is a systematically arranged body of information that describes some or all of the essential characteristics of a selected group of mineral deposits; it presents a concept within which essential attributes may be distinguished and from which extraneous, coincidental features may be recognized and excluded (Barton, 1993). Barton (1993) noted that the grouping of deposits on the basis of common characteristics forms the basis for a classification, but the specification of the characteristics required for belonging to the group is the basis for a model. Models range from purely descriptive to genetic. A genetic model is superior to a descriptive model because it provides a basis to distinguish essential from extraneous attributes, and it has flexibility to accommodate variability in sources, processes, and local controls. In general, a descriptive model is a necessary prerequisite to a genetic model. DEFINITION OF A GEOENVIRONMENTAL MODEL Geoenvironmental models are natural extensions of mineral deposit models. Plumlee and Nash (1995) defined a geoenvironmental model of a mineral deposit as a compilation of geologic, geochemical, geophysical, hydrologic, and engineering information pertaining to the environmental behavior of geologically similar mineral deposits (1) prior to mining, and (2) resulting from mining, mineral processing, and smelting. Thus, a geoenvironmental model provides information about natural geochemical variations associated with a particular deposit type, and geochemical variations associated with its mining effluents, wastes, and mineral processing facilities, including smelters. Data include information about waters and solids. From a practical perspective, a geoenvironmental model provides an opportunity to assemble information traditionally within the realm of the economic geologist, and recast it in an “environmentally friendly” format, minimizing the jargon commonly used by economic geologists