helen kember (2001)
TRANSCRIPT
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A study of metal contamination of
sediments within Lake Ullswater and
the Glenridding Beck catchment
Helen M. Kember
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Abstract
Greenside Lead and Silver Mine is located 2.5km west of Lake Ullswater, in the
northern part of the 2292km2 Lake District National Park. Following over a
decade and a half of activity, the mine was closed in 1962, when it was cleared of
most of its buildings and workings and the adits sealed off. Several attempts were
made to vegetate the substantial tailings dams that remain on the site, but were
mostly unsuccessful, a fact highlighted by the collapse of the western dam in
1988. The study of the metal contamination of sediments within Lake Ullswater
and the Glenridding Beck catchment was aimed at determining the overall impact
of the mining remains on the sediment chemistry of the catchment. Samples of
sediment were collected from the becks and lake, and analysed for the three
principal lead mining contaminants, copper, lead and zinc plus 15 other minor
elements. To establish the long-term fluctuations in metal concentrations, two
cores were extracted from the shore of the lake, close to the mouth of Glenridding
Beck, separated into discrete sections and analysed for minor element
concentrations, organic matter content and particle size distribution. Although a
significant decay in metal concentrations is seen with distance from the mine area
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Contents
ABSTRACT........................................................................................... .................................... 1CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 2FIGURES................................................................................................................................... 3
1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 51.1 LOCATION .................................................................................................................... 51.2 GEOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 MINE HISTORY.............................................................................................................. 91.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................ 141.5 EXPECTATIONS ........................................................................................................... 14
1.6 R EPORT STRUCTURE .................................................................................................... 152 HYDROLOGY................................................................................................................. 16
2.1 CATCHMENT CHARACTERISTICS................................................................................... 162.2 MINE DRAINAGE ......................................................................................................... 17
2.3 WATER CHEMISTRY .................................................................................................... 173 METHODS....................................................................................................................... 20
3.1 SAMPLE LOCATIONS.......................................................................................................... 203.2 SAMPLE METHODS....................................................................................................... 273.3 BECK SEDIMENT ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 28
3.3.1 X-ray fluorescence 293.4 CORE SEDIMENT ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 29
3.4.1 XRF analysis 30
3.4.2 Organic matter content analysis 303.4.3 Grain size analysis 30
4 FINDINGS........................................................................................................................ 334.1 SURFACE SEDIMENT SAMPLES ...................................................................................... 33
4.1.1 Metal content 334.2 SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLES ........................................................................................... 37
4 2 1 Sample location 37
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List of Figures
Figure 1 Greenside Lead and Silver Mine. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 5Figure 2 The upper Swart Beck spoil heaps (looking south-east). ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .. 6Figure 3 An extract from the 1:25 000 Ordnance Survey map (Outdoor Leisure 5) of the area,..... 7Figure 4 A map of the mine area showing the locations of the mineral veins ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ... 9
Figure 5 South-easterly view of the western tailings dam as it was in 1954 (Murphy, 1996). ...... . 11Figure 6 the scar on the southern flank of the west tailings dam following the 1982 collapse. ..... 13
Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the tailings dam drainage systems........... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 19Figure 8: Location 1 Glenridding Beck above the hydro dam, facing west ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 21Figure 9: Location 2 West tailings dam, looking east ....... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .. 21
Figure 10: Location 3 High Horse Level spoil stream looking south ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 22Figure 11: Location 4 Swart Beck above Low Horse Level adit ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 22Figure 12: Location 5 Swart Beck below Low Horse Level adit ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 23Figure 13: Location 6 Swart Beck at confluence with Glenridding Beck ............ ...... ...... ...... .... 23
Figure 14: Location 7 East tailings dam drain trough ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... . 24Figure 15: Location 8 Roadside stream, facing north ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .. 24Figure 16: Location 9 Glenridding Beck downstream from Swart Beck, looking south ............ . 25
Figure 17: Location 10 Glenridding Beck at wooden footbridge ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 25Figure 18: Location 11 Glenridding Beck at the campsite........... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 26
Figure 19: Location 12 - Glenridding Beck mouth, facing north-north west ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... . 27Figure 20: Location 13 - Lake Ullswater shore, looking east ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 27Figure 21 The extraction mechanism being used to remove the corer from the ground......... ...... . 28Figure 22 The Makita Percussion drill in use. ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 28
Figure 23 Photograph of core section A1, ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 31Figure 24 (left): Core section A1.1.......... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 31Figure 25 (above): The upper section of core A4. ........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ... 32
Figure 26 (left): Core section A4.1, the lower section of core ............ ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 32Figure 27 A map of the mine area showing sample locations,........ ...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 34
Figure 28 Concentration of lead measured in sediment samples from each location 35
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List of Tables
Table 1 Sample location number and name. ............................................................................... 20
Table 2 Description of the composition of the individual layers within cores A1 and A4........... ... 38Table 3 Weight and percentage of organic material in each layer of cores A1 and A4........... ...... 44Table 4 Percentage of each particle size found in the layers of core A1............ ...... ...... ...... ...... ... 45
Table 5 Percentage of each particle size found in the layers of core A4 ...................................... 46Table 6 Extract of the screening quick reference table for Inorganics in Solids. ...... ...... ...... ...... .. 53
Table 7 Concentrations of lead, copper and zinc in the east tailings dam. ........... ...... ...... ...... ...... 59Table 8 1994 rainfall readings taken at Grizedale Bridge........................................................... 68Table 9 1995 rainfall readings taken at Grizedale Bridge........................................................... 69
Table 10 1996 rainfall readings taken at Grizedale Bridge......................................................... 70
Table 11 Mean values of pH, conductivity, lead and zinc in water from the becks and lake ....... .. 71Table 12 Calibration ranges used in the xray fluorescence process........ ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .. 71Table 13 Results of the minor element analysis performed on the surface sediment samples. ...... . 72
Table 14 Results of the minor element analysis performed on core A1. ....................................... 73Table 15 Results of the minor element analysis performed on A4........ ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .... 74Table 16 Weights and percentages of organic matter in each core layer. ........... ...... ...... ...... ...... . 75
Table 17 Grain size analysis data for the sections of core A1...................................................... 76Table 18 Grain size analysis for the sections of core A4. ............................................................ 77
Table 19 Tailings dam material and control site descriptions and organic matter content. ...... .... 78
Table 20 Minor element analysis results for samples collected from the control sites ...... ...... ...... 79Table 21 Minor element analysis results for samples collected from the west tailings dam .......... 80
Table 22 Minor element analysis results for samples collected from the east tailings dam........... 81
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1 Introduction
1.1 Location
The outstanding beauty and ecological variety of the Lake District National Park
make it one of the most prized and protected areas in the British Isles. Established
as a national park in 1951, the 2292 square kilometres that make up the park are
owned and maintained by various organisations including the National Park
Authority, Forest Enterprises, North West Water and the National Trust, as well as
a large number of private landowners (Lake District National Park Authority,
01/12/2000).
Lake Ullswater is located in the north of the park and at 7 miles in length is the
second largest of the lakes, with a maximum depth of 62.5 metres. In addition to
being a valued recreational area, the lake is also used for water supplies by North
West Water and is home to a rare and protected fish, the Schelly (Environment
Agency, 2000). It is for these reasons that the impacts of Greenside lead and
silver mine, 2.5km west of the lake, are of such concern.
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flows down Greenside Fell from Sticks Pass to Glenridding Beck below the mine.
Glenridding Beck then flows down the valley and enters Lake Ullswater. Anextract of the Ordnance survey map of the area is shown in figure 2.
The lake and shore are owned and maintained by the National Trust, with the
remaining area, including Greenside Fell and the mine being maintained by
National Parks. With the exception of the mine workings and tailings dams, thearea is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is currently being
considered as a possible Special Area of Conservation because it contains habitat
types and/or species which are rare or threatened under the European context
(Scott Doherty Associates, 1999). Additionally, the mine itself is a Scheduled
Ancient Monument and as such is considered to be of national importance.
1.2 Geology
Superficial deposits, both natural and man-made, dominate the surface geology of
the mine area. The natural deposits consist of glacial till in the valley, scree on the
hill slopes and fluvial sediments within the beck channels. Large areas of spoil
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7
Gillowers Level
Tailings dams
Middle Level
Chimney ending
on the Stang
17
18
Top Level
35 36 37 38
High Horse Level
Low Horse Level
Lucy Level
Swart Beck
Glenridding Beck
39
Figure 3 An extract from the 1:25 000 Ordnance Survey map (Outdoor Leisure 5) of the area, showing the mine, tailings dams and the
collapse holes which mark the sites of the early levels. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey maps by permission of Ordnance Survey on
behalf of Her Magestys Stationary Office, Crown Copyright NC/00/1125
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The bedrock is of the Birker Fell Formation, which is part of the Borrowdale
Volcanics Group. This is a fine-grained volcanic rock of the Ordovician Age,formed roughly 460 to 450 million years ago. The rock consists of basalt and
basaltic andesite, normal andesite, dacite and rhyolite. Lavas and pyroclastic
rocks in the form of sills, volcaniclastic sediments and lapilli tuffs are represented
within the rock (Moseley, 1990). The volcanic ashes and lavas were consolidated
by heat and pressure to form the hard greenish coloured rock found today.
Below the bedrock are the blue/black metasediments known as the Skiddaw
Slates. These consist of siltstone, mudstone and subsidiary greywacke sandstone,
which were deposited by turbidity currents on the continental slopes of the former
Iapetus Ocean (Moseley, 1990).
The effects of two mountain building events, the Caledonian and the Hercynian
Orogenies, can be identified in the Greenside Fell area. The folding, fracturing
and shearing of the rocks by these events created faults and fissures which later
became the focus of mining activity in the area. Under the correct conditions
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into three further shoots, separated by barren ground. Much later, a fourth shoot
was discovered deep in the mine beneath Glencoynedale to the north. Figure 4shows the locations of the veins in relation to Swart Beck and Glenridding Beck.
Glenridding Mine
Vein Plan
Reservoir
Sticks Gill
Glencoyne Head
Johnsons
Ross Vein
Lucy TongueVein
Glenridding Beck
Chimney
Chimney
MarshallsVein
Greenside Lode
North Cross Course (dead)
*
* - Level mouths/// - Processing areas---- - Approx course of
Lucy Level
*
*
ClayVein
Swart Beck
GlenriddingScrees
N
Figure 4 A map of the mine area showing the locations of the mineral veins,
processing areas and mine adits (Adapted from Adams, 1995). Not to scale.
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Available records identify six levels (see figure 2) from which ore was extracted
(Scott Doherty Associates, 1999):
Top level at 658.6m OD marked by the highest collapse hole shown on
figure 2 NGR NY 358 186
Middle level at 631.0m OD marked by the second collapse area (figure 2)
NGR NY 358 185
Gillowers Level at 581.5m OD NGR NY 358 183
High Horse Level driven at 550.1m OD NGR NY 358 182
Low Horse Level at 486.1m OD (1835) NGR NY 362 178
Lucy Level at 336.1m OD (1853) NGR NY 364 175
The Greenside Mining Syndicate are thought to have begun driving the High
Horse Level in the late 17th century and are likely to have constructed the early
dressing floor alongside Sticks Pass at 550m OD (Murphy, 1996). At this time the
ore would have been gained by hand-picking directly from the vein and then
dressed and washed by hand in the stream (Scott Doherty Associates, 1999).
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In 1853, the company began driving a new level along the Lucy Tongue Vein,which ran parallel to the Greenside lode. The level was driven along the Clay
Vein until, after numerous setbacks, it met the Greenside vein 16 years after
commencement.
When Captain William Henry Borlase became mine manager in 1890, he
convinced the company that due to the falling lead prices, modernisation was
required in order for the mine to survive. As a result, the machinery was replaced
and a hydroelectric plant and an electric locomotive were installed. Around the
time of the First World War, smelting at the mine ceased due to economic reasons
and the ore was taken by steam locomotive to Troutbeck Station where it was
transported by rail to Newcastle upon Tyne (Shaw, 1970).
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complaints from local residents over contamination of Glenridding Beck and Lake
Ullswater with slimes (suspended solids) from the washing mills, a slurrypumping system was installed to take the waste water from the mills to the top of
the spoil heaps. The waste was pumped into tailings ponds and the solids allowed
to settle out, before the clean water was decanted off and released into the beck
(Scott Doherty, 1999). According to Murphy (1996), by 1941 less than 1% of the
milled waste was ending up in the beck compared to the 44% recorded by the
company during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
In 1936, the company was taken over by the Basinghall Mining Syndicate Ltd of
London, who increased production at the mine and installed national grid
electricity. When a shaft sunk below the Lucy Level hit Skiddaw Slates during
World War 2, it was apparent that the ore vein was exhausted and in 1962, the
mine finally closed. At this point, the workings extended 430m below the Lucy
Tongue Level and 910m below the summit of Greenside Fell (Scott Doherty
Associates, 1999).
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to the mine, but considerable destruction to Glenridding Village bellow. The
company paid dearly in compensation for this disaster, almost resulting in itsdemise.
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1.4 Aims and Objectives
The aims of this investigation are as follows:
To ascertain the metal composition of sediments in Glenridding Beck, Swart
Beck and Lake Ullswater, concentrating on lead, copper, zinc and total metal
content.
To determine the changes in sediment metal content with distance from the
mine remains.
To identify the principle sources and sinks of metals within the catchment.
The identification of changes in metal composition of sediments with depth, to
give an indication of changes over time.
The project objectives are the collection and analysis of sediment samples from
Glenridding Beck, Swart Beck and Lake Ullswater and the extraction of two
sediment cores from the lakeshore. Stream sediments by their accumulating
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Mixing with extra clean sediment, especially as a contribution from a
tributary channel that is not mineralised.
Loss to, or exchange with, stored floodplain sediments.
Increases in metal concentrations are expected in areas of sediment deposition,
such as the lower reach of Glenridding Beck and the lake. The highest
concentrations are likely to be found in streams close to the dressing floors,
tailings dams and mine adits.
The results of the core analysis are expected to show a reduction in metal
concentration with decreasing depth, due to the closure and abandonment of the
mine in 1962. It is hoped that the results will reflect the flood events and tailings
dam collapse described in section 1.3, in the form of elevated metal concentrations
and the existence of tailings material within the sediment. A relationship between
the finer sediment fraction and metal concentrations is also anticipated, as metals
tend to adsorb to finer particles more readily than they do coarse grains.
1.6 Report structure
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2 Hydrology
2.1 Catchment characteristics
The Glenridding Beck is approximately 6km in length from the source to the lakeand has a catchment area of 8.37km
2(Scott Doherty Associates, 1999). The beck
has two main tributaries, Swart Beck and Red Tarn Beck, and a small number of
minor, unnamed tributaries. In the upper valley, the streams are narrow and fast
flowing, over beds of glacial deposits and bedrock. Lower in the valley,
Glenridding Beck slows and widens as the gradients decrease, and fluvial deposits
on the beds and along the banks become more prominent. As the beck reaches the
lake, it widens into a delta with banks of gravel and sands within the flow. This
area is periodically dredged to prevent the build of sediments in the beck mouth.
The climate in the area is harsh, with low temperatures and high winds throughout
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Vegetation in the valley is characteristic of upland areas, consisting mostly of
unimproved grassland. The poor quality and quantity of this vegetation restricts
loss of moisture by evapotranspiration, particularly during the winter months
when rainfall levels are high and temperatures are low.
2.2 Mine drainage
There are a number of inputs to the streams from the mine remains, in the form of
drainage systems installed whilst the mine was in operation. They are too
numerous to mention here, but most notable are the tailings dams and mine shaft
systems.
The tailings dams contain a network of pipes and channels that drain water from
the top of the dams and prevent water logging of the unstable spoil. Although
most are predominantly dry, several do contain water, particularly during rainfall.
Two stone-lined channels emerge from the spoil at the base of the east dam and
empty into a roadside culvert. Both flow continuously and are likely to be natural
springs from the underlying bedrock (Scott Doherty, 1999). The west dam is also
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In general, the pH of the catchment is moderately to slightly acidic, ranging on
average from 5.18 to 6.63. The maximum-recorded value of 7.31 occurred at the
Lucy Level Mine drainage pipe, and the minimum value of 4.36 was taken at
Glenridding Beck upstream of the mine area.
The average conductivity ranged from 39 s cm-1 to 107 s cm
-1, with a maximum
value of 300 s cm
-1
and a minimum value of 30s cm
-1
. The maximum andminimum values occurred at the Lucy Level Mine drain and upstream Glenridding
Beck respectively.
The catchment is classed as a salmonid watercourse with breeding trout and as
such has an environmental quality standard of 2 g l
-1
lead and 8 g l
-1
zinc(Environment Agency, 2000). With the exception of upstream Glenridding Beck,
each of the 16 locations tested contained concentrations of lead and zinc that
exceeded the environmental quality standards. The lead content of the water
ranged from 28.84g l-1to 80.61 g l
-1, excluding the lowest value of 1.41 g l-1.
Zi d f 56 26 l
-1
565 6 l
-1
i l di h l l f
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19
Figure 7Schematic diagram of the tailings dam drainage systems. (Adapted from Scott Doherty Associates, 1999).
Lucy TongueLevel
West tailings East tailings
Glenridding Beck
Swart Beck
Stone drainage channel
Stream
Dam and mine drainage
discharge point
LowerSwart Beck
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3 Methods
3.1 Sample locations
Sediment samples were taken from 13 locations within the Glenridding Beck
catchment. Five were collected from Glenridding Beck itself, three from Swart
Beck and one from Lake Ullswater. The remaining samples were taken from the
numerous spoil drainage streams within the mine area. The individual sample
locations are listed below, with a short description of the site, the grid reference
and a photograph. Each of the 13 sample locations was chosen for specific
reasons according to proximity to the mine remains and the likelihood of
contamination from the spoil. These reasons are detailed in table 1 below.
Table 1 gives the sample location number and name, and describes the reasons forthe choice of location.
Location name Reason for choice
1 Glenridding above the hydro dam Above mining remains, therefore uncontaminatedby the mine.
2 West spoil drain First major source of contamination to GlenriddingBeck from the mine remains.
3 i h l d i fl i j f i i S k
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Figure 8: Location 1 Glenridding Beck above the hydro dam, facing west NGR
363 173
Location 1 (figure 8) is above the mining remains and therefore should be free
from metal contamination.
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Figure 10: Location 3 High Horse Level spoil stream looking south NGR 358 182
The stream (in the channel on the left of figure 10) runs through the old High
Horse Level spoil heaps and dressing floors, and into Swart Beck. The spoil is
fine and sandy, with little vegetation to prevent erosion.
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Figure 12: Location 5 Swart Beck below Low Horse Level adit - NGR 363 178
The Low Horse Level adit (figure 12), situated in the ravine face, expels a
constant trickle of mine water into the beck below. Although the bed of the beck
is strewn with large rocks, a deep pool at the base of the slope provided a source
of fine sediment for sampling.
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the sediment at the base of Swart Beck was collected to compare against metal
levels downstream.
Figure 14: Location 7 East tailings dam drain trough NGR 367 173
A large metal trough is situated at the base of the eastern tailings dam (figure 14),
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A sample was collected from a drainage ditch that runs alongside the track to
Glenridding (figure 15). The ditch carries the water draining from the east tailings
dam.
Figure 16: Location 9 Glenridding Beck downstream from Swart Beck, looking
south NGR 366 174
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Location 10 (figure 17) is the site of a small deposition area on the nearside of the
beck, with a vertical rock face on the far side. The beck flows deeper and more
slowly here, with numerous deep pools.
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Figure 19: Location 12 - Glenridding Beck mouth, facing north-north west NGR
390 172
The mouth of the beck is wide and shallow, with several raised areas consisting of
gravel and larger rock fragments (figure 19).
Figure 20: Location 13 - Lake Ullswater shore, looking east NGR 390 172
The lakeshore (figure 20) is exposed and heavily eroded by wind and water. The
beach consists of mostly gravel with some sands and finer material. A sample was
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until a depth of 1m was reached (see figure 22). The drill was then detached and
the extraction mechanism used to remove the core from the ground, as shown in
figure 21. The Perspex holding tube was removed, capped at both ends and
labelled.
Figure 21The extraction mechanism being used toremove the corer from the ground.
Figure 22 The Makita Percussion drill in use.
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entire mould was then pressed at 551600 Pascal for one minute to form the
briquette.
3.3.1 X-ray fluorescence
Minor elemental analysis of the sediment samples was performed using a
Rhodium tube X-ray spectrometer. The process works by irradiating the sample
with continuous and characteristic radiation. The wavelengths contained in the
secondary fluorescent radiation emitted by the sample are qualitatively and
quantitatively characteristic of individual elements within the sample (Philips,
1990).
The secondary radiation is directed onto an analysing crystal, which diffracts it
into discrete wavelengths. The detected angle of diffraction can then be used to
determine the wavelength of the secondary radiation. A scan performed through
an angular range detects the presence of X-ray wavelengths that are characteristic
of each element present. This provides the qualitative analysis. As the
concentration of each element in the sample is proportional to the intensity of the
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3.4.1 XRF analysis
One sample from each section of the cores was prepared in the same manner asthe beck samples and the resulting briquettes analysed by X-ray fluorescence.
3.4.2 Organic matter content analysis
Approximately 2grams of each sample were placed in separate crucibles, weighed
and then heated in a furnace at 500 degrees centigrade for two hours to allow the
organic matter to burn away. After removal from the oven, the crucibles were
allowed to cool before being weighed again. The weight after baking was
subtracted from the initial weight to give the weight of organic matter in each
sample.
3.4.3 Grain size analysis
A sample from each section was put through a series of 13 sieves, ranging from
4mm to 63m. The quantity of sample retained in each sieve was placed into a
sample bag and weighed. After subtracting the weight of the empty bag from the
total weight, the proportions of the different grain sizes in each sample was
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31
Figure 23 (above): Photograph of core section A1, showing the differences in the grain size and colour of the layers.
Figure 24 (left): Core section A1.1, completing the
lower part of core A1.
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32
Figure 25 (above): The upper section of core A4. The dark, organic layer (7) can clearly be seen at the lower end.
Figure 26 (left): Core section A4.1, the lower
section of core
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4 Findings
4.1 Surface sediment samples
Although the samples were analysed for 18 minor metal elements, this report will
concentrate on lead, zinc, copper and total metal content of each location, with the
full results given in appendix D. Lead, zinc and copper were chosen as these are
the principle metal contaminants from the lead mine industry. To give anindication of the overall metal contamination, the sum of the individual metal
concentrations are given as total metal content. The results for arsenic were
thought to be unreliable due to interference from the high lead content and were
discarded.
4.1.1 Metal content
As many of the concentrations measured in the samples were outside the
calibration range (see appendix C for ranges), the values given here are computer
extrapolations and may not be exact. The results do, however, give an impression
of the level of contamination in the sediments and indicate the patterns of decay in
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34
HHLM High Horse Level MineLHLM Low Horse Level Mine
LTLM Lucy Tongue Level Mine
Tailings dams shown by hatched areas
Copper 49Lead 1019Zinc 187
Tot metal 3554
Copper 103
Lead 30871Zinc 187
Tot metals 32398
Copper 560
Lead 58687
Zinc 12358Tot metals 98855
Copper 270Lead 41994
Zinc 5282Tot metals 70551
Copper 502
Lead 36068
Zinc 12452Tot metals 77309
Copper 268
Lead 27201Zinc 3978
Tot metals 43603
Copper 267Lead 23612Zinc 3774
Tot metals 78388
Copper 98Lead 11106
Zinc 1329Tot metals 14658
Copper 86
Lead 7798
Zinc 1348Tot metals 11700
Copper 416
Lead 10928Zinc 3618
Tot metals 27910Copper 236Lead 13191
Zinc 2172
Tot metals 30071
Copper 181Lead 5896
Zinc 1192Tot metals 17896
Copper 533Lead 6412
Zinc 2580Tot metals 31149
Not to s cale
Lake
Ullswater
N
Glenridding Beck
Swart Beck
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1011
12
HHLM
LHLM
13
LTLM
Figure 27 A map of the mine area showing sample locations, concentrations in parts per million of lead, zinc, copper and total metals. Also shownare the tailings dams and main mine adits
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Figure 28 shows the concentration of lead measured in sediment samples from each
location.
Lead concentration in beck and lake sediments
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
1-
Gle
nri
dding
Bec
ka
bove
hy
dro
dam
2-
Wes
ttailings
dra
in
3-
HHLdress
ing
floors
tream
4-
Swart
Bec
ka
bove
LHLa
dit
5-
Swart
Bec
kbe
low
LHLa
dit
6-
Swart
Bec
kbe
fore
con
fluence
7-G
lenri
dding
Bec
ka
fter
con
fluence
8-
Eas
ttailings
dra
introug
h
9-
Roa
dsid
es
tream
be
loweas
t
tailings
10
-Glenri
dding
Bec
ka
t
foo
tbri
dge
11
-Glenri
dding
Bec
ka
t
camps
ite
12-
Glenri
dding
Bec
kups
tream
ofL
ake
Ullswa
ter
13-
La
ke
Ullswa
ter
Sample location
Concentration(ppm)
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Figure 30 shows the concentration of copper measured in sediment samples from
each location.
Copper concentration in beck and lake sediments
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1-
Glenri
dding
Bec
ka
bove
hyd
rodam
2-
We
sttailings
dra
in
3-
HHLdressing
floors
tream
4-
Swart
Becka
bove
LHLa
dit
5-
Swart
Beck
be
low
LHLa
dit
6-
Sw
art
Bec
kbe
fore
c
on
fluence
7-
Glenrid
ding
Bec
ka
fter
con
fluence
8-
Eas
ttailings
dra
introug
h
9-
Roa
ds
idestre
am
be
loweas
t
tailings
10-
Glen
ridding
Bec
ka
t
fo
otbri
dge
11-
Glen
ridding
Bec
ka
t
c
amps
ite
12-
Glenri
dding
Bec
kups
tream
ofLa
keU
llswa
ter
13-
La
ke
Ullswa
ter
Sample location
Concentration(ppm)
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4.2 Sediment core samples
4.2.1 Sample location
The two sediment cores were extracted, roughly 5 metres apart, from an area of
the lakeshore close to the mouth of Glenridding Beck, as indicated in figure 32
below. These locations were chosen because this part of the shore is frequently
flooded during periods of heavy rainfall, and is likely to receive material carried
from the mine remains at these times.
A1A4
Lake
UllswaterGlenriddin Beck
Tree
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Table 2 Description of the composition of the individual layers within cores A1 and
A4.
CoreA1 Depth (cm) Composition CoreA4 Depth (cm) Composition
1 0 12 Fine gravel and sand,plant roots
1 0 14 Coarse gravel and sand,plant roots
2 12 17 Mixed gravel and sand 2 14 26 Fine sand and gravel
3 17 25 Fine, dark brown sandand silt, organic matter
3 26 38 Fine, dark brown sandand silt, organic matter
4 25 28 Light coloured sandand clay
4 38 46 Coarse gravel and sand
5 28 29 Fine, dark brown sandand silt
5 46 52 Fine, dark brown sandand silt, organic matter
6 29 41 Coarse and fine graveland sand
6 52 58 Fine gravel and sand
7 41 54 Dark brown sand andclay, organic matter
7 58 67 Fine, dark brown sandand silt, organic matter
8 54 66 Coarse and fine gravel 8 67 85 Angular, light coloured
gravel
9 66 71 Dark coloured sandand clay
9 85 94 Fine gravel and dark brown sand
10 71 81 Coarse and fine gravel 10 94 114 Angular, light coloured
gravel
11 81 91 Fine gravel and sand
12 91 113 Coarse to fine gravel
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failed to reveal the expected pattern of increasing zinc concentration with depth
peaking at just 3500 ppm at roughly 60 cm depth. The copper content of core A1
increased gradually from 375 ppm at the surface to 1750 ppm at 120 cm. The
copper content of core A4 was much less defined, although the highest
concentration was found at 100cm indicating a general trend of increasing
concentrations with depth. The total metal content of both cores was found to
increase gradually with depth, although core A4 contained lower levels of metals
in comparison to core A1. This difference is to be expected given the lower
concentrations of lead, zinc and copper measured in core A4.
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41
Figure 35 Concentration of zinc measured in core A1. Figure 36 Concentration of zinc measured in core A4.
Concentration of zinc in core A4
0 1000 2000 3000 4000
120
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
25
20
15
10
Dep
th(cm)
Concentration (ppm)
Concentration of zinc in core A1
0 5000 10000 15000 20000
120
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
25
20
15
10
Dep
th(cm)
Concentration (ppm)
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42
Figure 37 Concentration of copper measured in core A1 Figure 38 Concentration of copper measured in core A4.
Concentration of copper in core A1
0 500 1000 1500 2000
120
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
25
20
15
10
Meandepthofsection(cm)
Concentration (ppm)
Concentration of copper in core A4
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
120
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
25
20
15
10
Depth(cm)
Concentration (ppm)
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43
Figure 39 shows the total metal content measured in core A1. Figure 40 shows the total metal content measured in core A4.
Total metal content of core A1
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000
120
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
25
20
15
10
Dep
th(cm)
Concemtration (ppm)
Total metal content of core A4
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
120
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
25
20
15
10
Dep
th(cm)
Concentration (ppm)
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4.2.4 Organic matter content
The weight of organic matter in each sample was divided by the initial sample
weight and multiplied by 100 to give the quantity of organic matter as a
percentage of the initial sample. Table 3 gives the weight and percentage of
organic matter in each sample. Full results are shown in appendix F.
Table 3 contains the weight and percentage of organic material in each layer of cores
A1 and A4.
CorenumberDepth
Organicmatterweight
Organicmatter
CORE
NUMBE
RDepth
Organicmatterweight
Organicmatter
A1 (cm) (g) % A4 (cm) (g) %
1 0 12 0.055 2.74 1 0 14 0.04 1.97
2 12 17 0.071 3.64 2 14 26 0.042 2.08
3 17 25 0.2 9.91 3 26 38 0.277 13.684 25 28 0.059 3.02 4 38 46 0.05 2.51
5 28 29 0.089 4.37 5 46 52 0.227 11.05
6 29 41 0.045 2.28 6 52 58 0.091 4.46
7 41 54 0.217 10.31 7 58 67 0.461 22.73
8 54 66 0.048 2.38 8 67 85 0.042 2.07
9 66 71 0.046 2.55 9 85 94 0.056 2.82
10 71 81 0.047 1.90 10 94 114 0.036 1.58
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45
Table 4 gives the percentage of each particle size found in the layers of core A1, with the median range shown in the grey cell.
Core A1
1
0-12cm
2
12-17cm
3
17-25cm
4
25-28cm
5
28-29cm
6
29-41cm
7
41-54cm
8
54-66cm
9
66-71cm
10
71-81cm
11
81-91cm
12
91-113cm
13
113-122cm
m % % % % % % % % % % % % %4000 10.49 14.92 1.90 1.81 0.83 42.63 3.02 32.78 15.31 55.12 18.06 53.58 47.75
2000-4000 12.18 7.47 1.57 5.37 2.72 11.74 3.35 13.17 8.07 11.48 12.70 13.82 18.11
1400-2000 6.68 5.32 3.25 8.29 3.55 8.11 3.06 7.81 1.75 5.64 10.84 3.67 6.27
1000-1400 7.55 4.82 2.25 11.28 4.21 7.50 3.64 7.93 6.08 4.07 10.42 3.37 4.21
850-1000 5.33 3.11 2.83 7.04 3.11 4.00 2.15 4.29 9.58 2.18 7.38 2.03 2.24
500-850 17.20 10.53 5.40 25.34 16.21 11.39 10.05 13.52 14.06 6.48 21.26 7.33 6.95
300-500 18.07 14.03 11.51 21.32 24.80 7.25 17.66 7.95 13.91 6.47 10.81 5.49 6.57
210-300 8.14 8.84 12.41 8.50 16.25 2.31 13.59 3.52 8.71 3.16 4.29 2.99 2.71
150-210 6.52 8.95 22.28 4.40 13.12 1.80 15.65 3.18 6.50 2.41 2.16 2.23 2.01
105-150 3.44 8.75 15.75 2.46 5.89 1.22 8.84 1.72 4.82 1.53 0.70 1.65 0.99
90-105 1.20 4.39 4.21 1.00 3.34 0.80 4.83 1.03 2.21 0.20 0.28 0.96 0.3263-90 0.94 3.61 5.77 1.46 1.93 0.63 5.48 0.65 3.89 0.37 0.32 0.81 0.32
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46
Table 5 gives the percentage of each particle size found in the layers of core A4, with the median range shown in the grey cell.
Core A41
0-14cm
2
14-26cm
3
26-38cm
4
38-46cm
5
46-52cm
6
52-58cm
7
58-67cm
8
67-85cm
9
85-94cm
10
94-114cm
m % % % % % % % % % %4000 39.30 13.15 0.29 57.79 12.47 25.94 10.77 41.37 69.92 31.45
2000-4000 14.38 13.65 0.49 11.54 10.17 14.31 10.20 12.08 8.21 22.37
1400-2000 7.77 11.56 2.95 5.28 7.68 7.54 8.41 6.72 2.52 10.39
1000-1400 5.84 10.05 3.64 4.20 6.17 7.37 5.01 5.16 1.91 8.48
850-1000 3.70 6.54 1.59 1.98 4.28 4.78 2.29 2.99 0.92 4.09
500-850 14.08 18.12 4.01 6.33 12.15 17.38 13.58 9.44 3.34 10.21
300-500 11.12 12.91 7.31 4.17 10.87 11.24 12.98 7.19 2.84 5.93
210-300 2.04 6.45 8.66 2.23 5.72 4.55 9.29 4.18 2.07 2.45
150-210 0.64 3.47 15.87 1.56 5.62 2.39 8.75 3.43 1.95 1.63
105-150 0.34 1.97 19.23 1.62 5.94 1.41 6.17 2.86 1.73 1.04
90-105 0.10 0.44 10.88 0.75 3.17 0.42 2.72 1.12 0.85 0.3063-90 0.11 0.71 7.87 0.76 3.43 0.60 3.18 0.61 1.07 0.38
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5 Discussion
5.1 Interpretation of results
The following section of the report is divided into two parts, the first describing the
beck and lake sediment results and the second discussing the core results.
5.1.1 Beck and Lake sediments
Analysis of the sediment samples collected from the lake and streams revealed
abnormally high concentrations of lead, copper and zinc, with total metal content
ranging between 1% and 10% mass per unit mass of sediment. The lowest metal
concentrations were found in the sediments of Glenridding Beck, upstream of the
mine workings (location 1), which contained 1019 ppm lead, 187 ppm zinc, 48 ppm
copper and a total metal content of 3554 ppm. However, these concentrations are
higher than the background levels anticipated, indicating that contamination is
reaching the beck from the smaller mining operations higher in the valley.
Sediments from the western tailings dam drainage stream were found to contain
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the Low Horse Level adit to Swart Beck (location 5) causes an increase in copper,
zinc and total metal content, although lead decreases further from 41994 ppm at
location 4, to 36068 ppm.
Due to the lack of suitable sample sites, the impact on Swart Beck from the Lucy
Level Mine drainage could not be identified. However, analysis of sediments from
Swart Beck, upstream of the confluence with Glenridding Beck and downstream of
the drainage pipe, revealed a substantial decay in lead, copper and zinc, with overall
metal content measuring 43603 ppm compared to 77309 ppm at location 5. This
suggests that the mine water does not contain enough metals to significantly
increase the sediment metal concentrations of Swart Beck.
The combined input of Swart Beck and the west tailings dam stream, however, has a
considerable effect on the sediment chemistry of Glenridding Beck, causing the lead
concentration to increase from 1019 ppm at location 1 to 23612 ppm downstream of
the confluence with Swart Beck. Overall metal content also shows a large increase
from 3554 ppm to 46337 ppm.
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levels of lead and total metal content. As the sediments in this part of the beck
contained a greater quantity of fine particles and organic material than those
upstream, it is probable that there is increased potential for adsorption of metals to
organic and inorganic particles. In addition, the sample was taken from a deep pool,
which is likely to collect metal laden particulates from the flow of water.
Sediment collected from the mouth of Glenridding Beck revealed a substantial
reduction in all metal concentrations, continuing the decay pattern seen further
upstream. With the exception of location 1, above the mine area, the concentration
of lead is lower here than at any other location. The lack of fine particles in this
area may be responsible for the drop in metal levels. The sample taken from the
shore of Lake Ullswater indicated that despite the decay in metal levels along the
Glenridding Beck, a substantial quantity of contamination is still reaching the lake.
5.1.2 Sediment cores
Analysis of the two sediment cores produced quite different results, indicating that
the two extraction locations are subject to different conditions. As expected, the
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organic matter content. When the two are plotted together (see figure 41), it
becomes apparent that the percentage of particles
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cm) and 7 (58 67 cm), which may indicate the presence of tree roots due to the
proximity of the core location to the tree.
Percentage of organic matter and particles
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5.2 Experimental Errors
The possible errors associated with this investigation are numerous and difficult to
quantify, due to the potential for sample contamination and the fact that many of the
minor element analysis results obtained were outside the calibration range. As
described in chapter 3.3.1, many of the results were extrapolations from the
minimum and maximum calibration values and may not be entirely accurate. In
addition, the calibration of the x-ray spectrometer is based upon basaltic rock
standards, which may not be suitable for sediment analysis. The use of riverine
sediment standards would remove this source of error. The instrumental systematic
errors are limited to the balance calibration error of +/- 0.001g and the spectrometer
error of approximately +/- 3%.
As plastics contain minute quantities of metals, it is possible that the samples could
have been contaminated by the trowel used to collect the sediment, the sample bags
used for storage and the other plastic apparatus used during sample preparation.
The Perspex tubes, metal corer and core catcher used to obtain the sediment cores
may also have been a source of contamination. A further source of contamination is
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5.3 Environmental Implications
5.3.1 Sediment contaminationThe severity of metal contamination in the Glenridding Beck catchment and Lake
Ullswater can only be realised when the concentrations measured are compared
against expected background levels and existing data collected from similar areas.
Information regarding background metal concentrations in freshwater sediments is
limited, although Nriagu (1978) conducted a survey of rivers and streams in variousparts of the world and calculated the average lead abundances for riverine sediments
to be 23 ppm. In a similar survey of world lakes, including Windermere and
Estwaite, the average lead content was found to be 16 ppm in pre-industrial
sediments and 95 ppm in surficial sediments (Nriagu, 1978). The lead content of
surficial sediments from Lake Ullswater at the mouth of Glenridding Beck (6412
ppm) is comparable to the 5000 ppm lead content of the most contaminated lake
surveyed, Lake Coeur DAlene in Idaho, which also receives massive discharges of
mine waste (Nriagu, 1978). It should be recognised, however, that due to the
variability of the natural geochemical background, natural levels of metals might be
as high or higher than man-made sources of pollution (Plant et al, 1997). It is
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Figure 43. Lead concentrations measured in water samples from the becks and lake.
Lead content of the water at sampled locations
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1-G
lenri
dding
Bec
ka
bove
hy
dro
dam
2-
Wes
ttailings
dra
in
3-
HH
Ldress
ing
floors
tream
4-
Swart
Bec
ka
bove
LHL
adit
5-
Swart
Bec
kbe
low
LHL
adit
6-
Swart
Bec
kbe
fore
con
fluence
7-
Glenri
dding
Bec
ka
fter
con
fluence
8-Eas
ttailings
dra
introug
h
9-
Roa
ds
ides
tream
be
low
eas
ttailings
1
0-
Glenri
dding
Bec
ka
t
foo
tbri
dge
1
1-
Glenri
dding
Bec
ka
t
camps
ite
12-
Glenri
dding
Bec
k
upstreamo
fLa
ke
Ullswa
ter
13-
La
ke
Ullswa
ter
Sample location
Concentration(ppb)
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Figure 45 Concentration of zinc measured in water samples from the becks and lake.
Zinc content of water at sampled locations
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
1-
Glenri
dding
Bec
ka
bove
the
hy
dro
dam
2-
Wes
ttailings
dam
dra
in
3-
HHLdress
ing
floors
tream
4-
Swart
Be
cka
bove
LHLa
dit
5-
Swart
Bec
kbe
low
LHLa
dit
6-
Swart
Bec
kbe
fore
con
fluence
7-
Gle
nri
dding
Bec
ka
fter
con
fluence
8-
Eas
ttailings
dam
dra
in
troug
h
9-
Road
sides
tream
be
low
eas
ttailings
10-G
lenri
dding
Bec
ka
t
foo
tbri
dge
11-G
lenri
dding
Bec
ka
t
camps
ite
12-G
lenri
dding
Bec
k
ups
tream
ofLa
ke
Ullswa
ter
13-
La
ke
Ullswa
ter
Sample location
Co
ncentration(ppb)
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In the aquatic environment, heavy metals will be found in four main phases: in ion
exchange sites, incorporated into or onto the surface of inorganic precipitates or
incorporated into organic compounds (Dowdy & Volk, 1992). The pH of the water
determines the solubility of a metal; a low pH will cause many metals to become
increasingly soluble, and hence, more mobile and bioavailable than at higher pH
levels (Alloway and Ayres, 1993). When the pH increases, the ionic concentration
of the metal in solution decreases due to the occurrence of precipitation, thereby
reducing the mobility of the metal (Dowdy & Volk, 1992). At present, the minor
changes in pH along the catchment appear to have little effect on the water or
sediment chemistry. However, the slight to moderate acidity of the water means
that the metal cations will be bound less strongly to the sediments and any major
reduction in pH will cause an increase in mobilisation of metals from the solid to the
aquatic phase. This in turn will cause the metals to travel further in solution,
thereby increasing the extent of contamination from the mine. In addition, the
increased mobility and bioavailability of metals in acid conditions causes the
associated toxicity to be more severe than at higher pHs (Alloway and Ayres,
1993).
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sorting of heavy minerals according to their relative densities then counteracts this
dilution (Merefield, 1995). When the velocity of a stream slows, the large heavy
minerals will settle out first, followed by the smaller heavy minerals and then the
light minerals according to size and density (Merefield, 1995). The highest
concentrations are therefore likely to found on the insides of meanders, at the
confluence of a swift tributary with a slower main channel and in natural riffles
caused by imbedded rocks and other large objects. Concentrations of metals stored
in the sediments will also change according to the time of year, due to the changes
in the pattern and volume of rainfall with the seasons (Bradley, 1995).
5.3.3 Tailings dams
Ghosh (2000) performed analysis of the metal content of the tailings dam material,
again during the same period as the sediment analysis. A number of shallow (50 to60 cm) cores were extracted from the top of each dam, separated into discrete
sections according to grain size and colour, and the minor element composition
analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The organic matter content of the
samples was also determined and the results of the metal analysis and the organic
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Table 7 Concentrations of lead, copper and zinc measured in layers of core E,
extracted from the east tailings dam (Ghosh, 2000).
Although leachates from the dams are probably diminishing with time, as indicated
by the decreasing sediment metal content with decreasing depth seen in the lake
core results, the slump of the west dam in 1988 identified the most serious threat to
the catchment and lake. It was hoped that the effects of the collapse would be
evident in the lake sediment cores, but unfortunately, this was not the case. What is
evident is the magnitude of contamination reaching the lake by natural hydrological
processes, which together with the data in table 7, gives an idea of the damage that
Depth
(cm) Description
Pb
(ppm)
Cu
(ppm)
Zn
(ppm)
Total
metals
(ppm)
1-3 Root layer 4106 579.4 272.1 7030.5
4-6 Dark brown layer 4169 621.4 325.2 7533
6-17 Grey/brown layer 1993 85.4 1084.1 5013.6
25-27 Cream coloured clay layer 28949 565.1 16807 50749
37-38 Brown clay layer 13117 258 4975.8 22901
42-43 Ferrous red coloured layer 18602 1796.6 57936 83458
52-53 Grey clay layer 21115 578.9 12871 36722
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6 Conclusions
6.1 Summation of reportMetal contamination from the abandoned Greenside lead and silver mine was found
to be extensive, ranging from the headwaters of Swart Beck to Lake Ullswater in the
valley below. The principle sources of metals to the catchment were found to be the
High Horse Level dressing floors, the mine drainage waters and the two large
tailings dams above the confluence of Swart Beck with Glenridding Beck.Analysis of sediment samples taken from numerous locations along the length of
Glenridding Beck revealed the expected decay in metal concentrations with distance
from the mine remains. However, despite this decay the lake still receives sufficient
contamination to cause elevated concentrations of metals in both the sediments and
the water. Concentrations of lead and zinc in the water were found to exceed the
Environmental Quality Standards required of salmonid watercourses such as
Glenridding Beck and Lake Ullswater.
The slight to moderate acidity of the water within the catchment means that any
substantial reduction in pH would cause the mobilisation of metals from the
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population of biota, including the Schelly, which is rarely found in the United
Kingdom.
6.2 Future management
In light of the results obtained during this study and the issues discussed in the
previous chapters, it is apparent that the greatest threat to the water quality of the
Glenridding Beck catchment and Lake Ullswater is from the metal-laden tailings
dam material. In order to mitigate this threat, steps must be taken to, a) reduce theangle of repose of the dams in order to lessen the potential for collapse, b) cap the
tops of the dams to reduce the quantity of rainwater penetrating the material, and c)
encourage the growth of vegetation on the lower slopes of the dams to provide
stability. A further possible measure is the installation of troughs below the
drainage system outputs. The analysis results of sediments contained within thetrough at the base of the east dam suggest that this may be an efficient method of
removing particulate matter from the drainage water as it leaves the dams.
Management of the water quality within the lake requires regular monitoring of pH
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In conclusion, the severity of metal contamination revealed in this investigation
gives rise to concerns over the future health of the lake, and further investigation
and regular monitoring is recommended to assess the stability of the entire system.
Before the solutions can be proposed and implemented, the problem domain must
be fully understood.
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References
Adams, J., 1988. Mines of the Lake District fells, Dalesman, Clapham, p128.
Alloway, B.J., and Ayres, D.C., 1993. Chemical Principles of Environmental
Pollution, Blackie Academic and Professional, p154.
Bidoglio, G., and Stumm, W., 1994. Chemistry of Aquatic Systems: Local and
Global Perspectives, Kluwer Academic Publishers, the Netherlands, p343.
Brady, N.C., and Weil, R.R., 1999, The nature and Properties of Soils,Prentice-
Hall,127-128.
Bradley, S.B., 1995. Long-term Dispersal of Metals in Mineralised Catchments by
Fluvial Processes, In: Foster, I.D.L., Gurnell, A.M., and Webb, B.W. (eds.),
Sediment and Water Quality in River Catchments, John Wiley & Sons Ltd,
Chichester, p164-165.
Buchman, M.F., 1999. NOAA Screening Quick Reference Tables, NOAA
HAZMAT Report 99-1, Seattle WA, Coastal Protection and Restoration
Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 12 pages.
Dowdy, R.H., and Volk, V.V., 1992. Chemical Mobility and Reactivity in Soil
Systems, p230.
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Moseley, F., 1990. The Lake District. Geologists' Association guides, Geologists'
Association, pp 11-14.
Murphy, S., 1996. Grey Gold: men, mining and metallurgy at the Greenside lead
mine in Cumbria, England, 1825 to 1962, Moiety Publishing, pp 6-8, 14-16,
28, 62, 69, 80, 387 & 437.
Nriagu, J.O., 1978. Biochemistry of Lead in the Environment, Vol. 1, Elsevier
Biomedical Press, Holland, pp55-60.
Ordnance Survey, 1997. Section of outdoor Leisure Map 5 reproduced by
permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's
Stationery Office, Crown Copyright NC/00/1125.
Philips. 1990. Introduction to X-ray Spectrometry, Customer Support Training
Booklet, Ch 2, pp 1-16 & Ch 4, pp 1-9.
Plant, J.A., Klaver, G., Locutura, J., Salminen, R., Vriana, K., and Fordyce, F.M.,
1997. The Forum of European Geological Surveys Geochemistry Task
Group Inventory 1994 1996, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Vol.
59, pp123-146.
Scott Doherty Associates, 1999. Greenside Mine, Glenridding Geo-environmental
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Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the Environment Agency and the Lake District Nation Park
Association for providing invaluable information, and to Mr Guy Weller for his
time and assistance.
Thanks also Dr Andrew Binley for his time, guidance and patience, to Anita Ghosh
and Robert Maxwell for allowing the use of their data, and to Vicky Burnett and
Anne Wilkinson for their help during the sample analysis.
Finally, a very big thank-you to my family, especially to my husband for his endless
support and encouragement.
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Glossary
adit mine entrance
andesite a light-coloured volcanic rock, with identifiable crystals
anoxic deficiency or absence of oxygen
basalt a dark, fine grained, mafic igneous rock
bioavailable availability of substance for uptake by organisms
briquettes circular cakes of finely ground material used in x-ray fluorescence
analysis
chalcopyrite brass-yellow coloured mineral similar to pyrite, often found in
clumps
characteristic radiation when high energy electrons strike the target and orbital
electrons are removed from some of the target atoms, causing the movement
of electrons between electron shells and the emission an X-ray photon, the
energy of which is equivalent to the difference in energy levels between the
two shells involved
continuous radiation caused by the deceleration of the bombarding electrons as
they collide with electrons in the target (anode) material
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ion exchange the exchange of positively charged cations on a negatively charged
inorganic particle, i.e. a clay mineral
leachates materials in solution removed by the action of water
made ground areas of land that have been reformed by the action of man
metasediments sedimentary rock that has undergone regional metamorphism
mudstone a fine grained, sedimentary rock
orogeny mountain building event
oxidation the loss of electrons by a substance
pyroclastic rocks fragments of volcanic material ejected during an eruption
qualitative involving quality or kind
quantitative involving the measurement of quantity or amount
porphyry an igneous rock containing some large grains within a smaller-grained
matrix
reduction the gain of electrons by a substance
riverine sediments sediments from within a river or stream
rhyolite light-brown to grey, fine grained extrusive rock
scree debris formed by the weathering of rock
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Appendices
Appendix A Rainfall readings
Table 8 1994 rainfall readings taken at Grizedale Bridge NY391163 Altitude 146m
(Scott Doherty Associates, 2000).
Date Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1 13 37.5 3.5 2 0.5 0.5 3 3.5 0.5
2 9 23 3 0.5 17 7 14.5 13.5 11.5
3 27 7.5 4 22.5 17.5 12.5 30 4.5 8.5 16.54 3 0.5 35 5.5 15 0.5 5 4 12.5 13.5
5 6.5 11 6 8 2.5 1.5 3.5 0.5 17.5
6 0.5 10 12 21 1 2 4.5 23.5 20.5
7 3.5 7.5 6 0.5 7.5 0.5 63
8 9 25 22.5 26.5 0.5 3.5 7 24 3.5
9 12 0.5 1.5 8 2 3.5 21.5 6.5 7.5
10 1.5 9 0.5 15 45.5 1 16
11 24 6 2.5 23.5 0.5 3 3912 23.5 39.5 1 16 20 1
13 22.5 9 1 48.5 6.5
14 13.5 0.5 0.5 16.5 0.5
15 5.5 0.5 8 2 2.5 2.5 3.5 5.5
16 1 3 1.5 8 0.5 6.5 4
17 0.5 1.5 1 16 33
18 11 2.5 0.5 2.5 3 1 17.5 11.5
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Table 9 1995 rainfall readings taken at Grizedale Bridge NY391163 Altitude 146m
(Scott Doherty Associates, 2000).
Date Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec1 1 4 1.5 9 1.5
2 30.5 8 2 1.5 3 1
3 2 1 2 2.5 0.5 3 6.54 18.5 14 0.5 3.5 2 0.5
5 9 0.5 12.5 0.5 2
6 1 2 1 0.5 0.5 8.5 2.5 0.5 3.5
7 2.5 2.5 9.5 2.5 3.5 0.5
8 2.5 18 4.59 7.5 3 12.5 1
10 19 13.5 0.5 7 7
11 35 2 6.5 1 0.5 38 0.5
12 1 17 6 3.5
13 2.5 17 4
14 3.5 20 2.5 0.5 1.5 9.5 30
15 2.5 27 4.5 1.5 44.5 0.516 21.5 4.5 20 1.5 8.5 2 7.5
17 15 4 25.5 10.5 1 12
18 14.5 49.5 11.5 2 7.5 0.5 1 0.5
19 21 13.5 1 0.5 3 12.5 0.5
20 15.5 35 1.5 1 5.5 11.521 45 32.5 0.5 11 12.5
22 19 29.5 3.5 0.5 0.5 4.5 9
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Table 10 1996 rainfall readings taken at Grizedale Bridge NY391163 Altitude 146m
(Scott Doherty Associates, 2000).
Date Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec1 0.5 12 0.5 5.5 2 1.5 7 9.8
2 0.5 31 10 10.8
3 4 17 17.5 16 25 16.54 13 1.5 7 1.5 23.5 4
5 5.5 1.5 1 46.5
6 17 0.5 2 5.5 7 15 0.5
7 7.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
8 29.5 0.5 4 0.5 6 199 10 52 0.5 9.5 12.5 0.5 3
10 16.5 2 0.5 6 2 0.5
11 18.5 27 28 0.5 14.5 2.5 2.5 28 16.5
12 41 5 0.5 3 0.5
13 21 1.5 0.5 2 0.5
14 1 2.5 2.5 22.5 3.5
15 3 2 0.5 29.5 2.516 7 6 22.5 19.5 4.5
17 0.5 34.5 24 0.5 11 0.5 1
18 2 11.5 2.5 18.5 20.5
19 0.5 1 12 2 0.5 0.5 1.5 4.5
20 0.5 0.5 0.5 4.5 13.5 10.5 0.521 1.5 8 4 1.5 0.5 5.5
22 0.5 9.5 29.5 2 14.5 0.5 2
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Appendix B - Water analysis results
Table 11 Mean values of pH, conductivity, lead and zinc in water from the becks andlake (Maxwell, 2000).
Sample site pH Conductivity
(s cm-1)
Lead(ppb)
Zinc(ppb)
1 Glenridding Beck above hydro dam 1.41 3.72 33.80 5.70
2 West tailings drain NM NM NM NM
3 HHL dressing floor stream 80.61 56.26 43.67 NM4 Swart Beck above LHL adit 55.73 77.81 46.97 NM
5 Swart Beck below LHL adit 70.83 131.96 47.60 5.18
6 Swart Beck before confluence 32.88 130.32 94.53 6.31
7 Glenridding Beck after confluence 33.99 66.64 68.27 6.63
8 East tailings drain trough 35.5 565.6 107.19 6.27
9 Roadside stream below east tailings NM NM NM NM
10 Glenridding Beck at footbridge 51.27 76.01 52.39 5.42
11 Glenridding Beck at campsite 47.21 73.36 55.54 5.85
12 Glenridding Beck upstream of Lake Ullswater 28.84 60.52 51.21 5.81
13 Lake Ullswater 47.92 124.44 58.12 6.01N.B. NM indicates locations where no measurements were
Appendix C Calibration ranges
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Appendix D - Minor element analysis results for beck and lakesurface sediment samples
Table 13 contains the results of the minor element analysis performed on the surfacesediment samples collected from the becks and Lake.
Samplesite
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Element
GlenriddingBeck abovehydro dam
Westtailings
dam drain
HHLdressing
floor
stream
SwartBeckabove
LHL adit
SwartBeckbelow
LHL adit
Swart Beckbefore
confluence
GlenriddingBeck afterconfluence
Barium 941.9 22044.0> 26910.2> 11301.2> 17646.7>
Cerium 80 266.8>
Lanthanum 39.1 185.8 179.4
Lead 1019> 30871> 58687> 41994> 36068> 27201> 23612>Rubidium 108.6> 71.9>
Strontium 40.9<
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Appendix E Minor element analysis results for lake shore core sediment samples
Table 14contains the results of the minor element analysis performed on the sections within core A1.
Core number A1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Depth 0-12cm
12-17cm
17-25cm
25-28cm
28-29cm
29-41cm
41-54cm
54-66cm
66-71cm
71-81cm
81-91cm
91-113cm
113-122cm
Element ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm Ppm ppm ppm ppm
Lead 7996 6514 1 0452 9967 10766 15086 18992 21796 1 4390 13748 16775 18282 20423
Barium 3505.8 4797.1 9209.1 5296.2 3191.5 4451.7 2069.3 3314 3275 4356.3 5605.6 8751.2 14489.5
Cerium 72.7 53.1 74.8 78.4 69.4 54.6 54.9 47.1 66.8 51.3 49.2 30.4 21.5
Chromium 87 48 134 129 122 136 97 90 88 73 63 92 83
Copper 277.4 145.6 290.3 299.3 320.3 536.2 264.1 476 342.8 440.9 691 1252.7 1769.7
Lanthanum 38.6 29.1 40.1 41.9 38.2 32.5 33.4 30 39.8 32.2 30.3 21.5 16.5Niobium 24.5 21.6 29.7 25.6 26.9 17.9 21.5 16.5 21.2 20.2 15.3 9.9 8.6
Nickel 136.3 72.6 126.5 136.3 149.7 180.6 150.9 194.7 151 1 60.3 210.6 353 708
Rubidium 115.9 112.6 114.4 113.3 108.2 92 96.9 91.7 106.3 103.7 101.9 78.3 63.8
Strontium
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74
Table 15 contains the results of the minor element analysis performed on the sections of core A4.
Core number A4 10-14cm
214-26cm
326-38cm
438-46cm
546-52cm
652-58cm
758-67cm
867-85cm
985-94cm
1094-114cm
Element Ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm Ppm ppmLead 7023 8967 9092 11497 12651 10426 12831 17892 14633 13531
Barium 1595.7 5293.8 5806.4 6068 4039.7 3289.6 1980.9 2843.4 3182 4362.7
Cerium 54.6 54.5 80.4 79 67.4 60.9 60.4 70.2 64.1 45.5
Chromium 78 90 118 133 95 75 101 93 100 83
Copper 278.3 365.1 199.5 403.9 385 364.6 259.3 499.8 394.9 1081.9
Lanthanum 31.1 32 44.4 43.6 38.6 35.2 35.2 39.9 36.8 29.1
Niobium 21 21.7 31.7 26 23.4 23.3 23.6 18.7 20.8 14.8
Nickel 121.6 142.2 98.9 111.3 169.6 128.2 181 175.4 161.4 186.2
Rubidium 118.8 116.7 123.2 105.4 109.5 109 107.8 100.9 113.5 94.9
Strontium
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Appendix F Organic matter content of cores A1 and A4
Table 16 contains the weights and percentages of organic matter in each core layer, together with the measurements used for calculation and the
original section lengths.
Corenumber
Depth ofsection
Sectionlength
Crucibleweight
Initial sampleweight
Initial totalweight
Final totalweight
Organic matterweight
Organicmatter
A1 (cm) (cm) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (%)
1 0 12 12 13.235 2.009 15.244 15.189 0.055 2.74
2 12 17 5 13.599 1.949 15.548 15.477 0.071 3.64
3 17 25 8 13.807 2.018 15.825 15.625 0.2 9.91
4 25 28 3 12.389 1.952 14.341 14.282 0.059 3.02
5 28 29 11 12.893 2.038 14.931 14.842 0.089 4.37
6 29 41 12 12.968 1.976 14.944 14.899 0.045 2.28
7 41 54 13 15.233 2.104 17.337 17.12 0.217 10.31
8 54 66 12 10.342 2.017 12.359 12.311 0.048 2.38
9 66 71 5 15.981 1.807 17.788 17.742 0.046 2.55
10 71 81 10 12.232 2.474 14.706 14.659 0.047 1.9011 81 91 10 15.622 1.765 17.387 17.362 0.025 1.42
12 91 113 12 15.886 1.965 17.851 17.823 0.028 1.42
13 113 122 9 13.006 2.042 15.048 15.013 0.035 1.71
A4
1 0 - 14 14 12.805 2.026 14.831 14.791 0.04 1.972 14 - 26 12 15.944 2.015 17.959 17.917 0.042 2.08
3 26 - 38 12 12.566 2.025 14.591 14.314 0.277 13.68
4 38 - 46 8 15.565 1.996 17.561 17.511 0.05 2.51
5 46 - 52 6 15.509 2.054 17.563 17.336 0.227 11.05
6 52 - 58 6 12.893 2.041 14.934 14.843 0.091 4.46
7 58 - 67 9 16.795 2.028 18.823 18.362 0.461 22.73
8 67 85 18 16.044 2.033 18.077 18.035 0.042 2.07
9 85 94 9 15.686 1.986 17.672 17.616 0.056 2.82
10 94 115 21 16.649 2.283 18.932 18.896 0.036 1.58
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Appendix G Grain size analysis data for cores A1 and A4
Table 17 contains the grain size analysis data for the sections of core A1.
Core numberA1
10-
12cm
212-
17cm
317-
25cm
425-
28cm
528-
29cm
629-
41cm
741-
54cm
854-
66cm
966-
71cm
1071-
81cm
1181-
91cm
1291-
113cm
13113-
122cm
Grain size (um) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g)
>4000 12.23 8.05 1.4 0.67 0.81 82.13 3.64 16.2 9.09 84.51 24.86 63.17 25.2
2000-4000 14.2 4.03 1.16 1.99 2.67 22.62 4.05 6.51 4.79 17.6 17.49 16.29 9.56
1400-2000 7.79 2.87 2.4 3.07 3.48 15.63 3.69 3.86 1.04 8.64 14.93 4.33 3.31
1000-1400 8.81 2.6 1.66 4.18 4.13 14.45 4.39 3.92 3.61 6.24 14.34 3.97 2.22
850-1000 6.22 1.68 2.09 2.61 3.05 7.7 2.59 2.12 5.69 3.34 10.16 2.39 1.18500-850 20.06 5.68 3.99 9.39 15.89 21.94 12.13 6.68 8.35 9.93 29.27 8.64 3.67
300-500 21.07 7.57 8.5 7.9 24.31 13.96 21.32 3.93 8.26 9.92 14.88 6.47 3.47
210-300 9.49 4.77 9.16 3.15 15.93 4.45 16.4 1.74 5.17 4.85 5.9 3.53 1.43
150-210 7.61 4.83 16.45 1.63 12.86 3.46 18.89 1.57 3.86 3.69 2.97 2.63 1.06
105-150 4.01 4.72 11.63 0.91 5.77 2.35 10.67 0.85 2.86 2.35 0.96 1.95 0.52
90-105 1.4 2.37 3.11 0.37 3.27 1.55 5.83 0.51 1.31 0.31 0.39 1.13 0.17
63-90 1.1 1.95 4.26 0.54 1.89 1.21 6.62 0.32 2.31 0.57 0.44 0.96 0.17
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Table 18 contains the grain size analysis for the sections of core A4.
Core number A4 1
0-14cm
2
14-26cm
3
26-38cm
4
38-46cm
5
46-52cm
6
52-58cm
7
58-67cm
8
67-85cm
9
85-94cm
10
94-114cmGrain size (um) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g)
>4000 32.36 20.45 0.2 62.06 6.61 12.49 9.83 83.06 59.04 85.85
2000-4000 11.84 21.24 0.33 12.39 5.39 6.89 9.31 24.26 6.93 61.07
1400-2000 6.4 17.98 2 5.67 4.07 3.63 7.68 13.49 2.13 28.37
1000-1400 4.81 15.64 2.47 4.51 3.27 3.55 4.57 10.35 1.61 23.14
850-1000 3.05 10.17 1.08 2.13 2.27 2.3 2.09 6 0.78 11.17
500-850 11.59 28.18 2.72 6.8 6.44 8.37 12.4 18.95 2.82 27.86
300-500 9.16 20.08 4.96 4.48 5.76 5.41 11.85 14.44 2.4 16.2
210-300 1.68 10.03 5.87 2.39 3.03 2.19 8.48 8.39 1.75 6.68
150-210 0.53 5.4 10.76 1.68 2.98 1.15 7.99 6.88 1.65 4.46
105-150 0.28 3.06 13.04 1.74 3.15 0.68 5.63 5.74 1.46 2.84
90-105 0.08 0.69 7.38 0.81 1.68 0.2 2.48 2.24 0.72 0.81
63-90 0.09 1.1 5.34 0.82 1.82 0.29 2.9 1.23 0.9 1.03
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Appendix H Tailings dam material analysis
Table 19 Tailings dam material and control site descriptions and organic matter
content (Ghosh, 2000).
Sample site Depth(cm)
Description OrganicMatter %
Control 1 1-6 Root layer 13.89
Control 2 7-16 Dark brown soil 8.24
Control 3 7-30 6.31
Control 4 31+ 3.59
West dam
A7 10-11 Dark brown soil 22.12
B13 8-10 Dark brown soil 26.21
C20 1-6 Root layer 17.54
C21 7-13 Dark brown soil 38.99
C22 13-14 Brown layer 3.37
C23 14-25 Light brownlayer 34.97
C24 25-34 Grey, coursegrain
1.03
C25 34-36 Clay layer 1.82C26 36-39 Wetter clay 1.27
C27 39-54 Fine & coursegrey layer
1.86
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Table 20 Minor element analysis results for samples collected from the control sites (Ghosh, 2000).
Control site samples
Sample site& number
QCExpected
QC Actual QCDifference
Control 1 Control 2 Control 3 Control 4
Depth 1-6cm 7-16cm 7-30cm 31+ cm
Description Root layer Dark brown soil layer
OM % 13.89 8.24 6.31 3.59
Lead 7.5 9 -1.5 675> 509> 115> 62>
Barium 162 165.9 -3.9 459.3 463 464.3 517.6
Chromium 119 121 -2 281 298 193 195
Copper 113 112.4 0.6 61.5 66.4 48.5 72.4
Niobium 9.9 8 1.9 31.5 34.2 30.3 31
Nickel 75 76.2 -1.2 73.4 73.1 78.6 73.4
Strontium 186 181.6 4.4 48.6< 55.4< 14.7< 55.8 95.2> 113.2> 101.7>
Vanadium 257 264.6 -7.6 199.8 197.3 210.5 213.8
Yttrium 26 22.2 3.8 27.1 29.6 28.8 32.9
Zinc 84 80 4 152.8 131 133.1 101.9
Zirconium 99 100.7 -1.7 373.4> 420> 322.9> 349.5>
Tungsten 2.4< 3.7< 3.2< 4.3< 4 5283> 6813> 11950> 4473> 5026> 3032> 10355> 4709> 1844> 4362>
Barium 1696.3> 638.5 2219.2> 1063.9> 1435.8> 2802.9> 702 918.4 614.7 506.5 1066.5>
Chromium 155 147 92 224 63 25 10 9< 11 4< 174
Copper 245.1> 123.8 243.7> 394.4> 119.6 128.7 139.9 220.4> 219.1> 161.8> 389.7>Niobium 24.5 23.3 19 18.6 19.5 18.8 20.6 17.7 18.3 19.5 19.5
Nickel 67.9 58 77.3 91.8 56.5 82 49.8 121 108 51.8 75.5
Strontium 30.1< 128.7>
Vanadium 191 212.5 193 177.9 187.2 207.1 204.3 216 199.8 208.7 182.3
Yttrium 16.7 2043.5> 2003.1> 813.1> 377.7>
Zirconium 367.4> 321.5> 173.6 204.9 181.8 169.9 139.1 98.4 117.3 137.3 237.3
Tungsten 0.9< 1.2< 5.0< 0.9< 2.6< 4.6< 4.6< 11.6< 6.1< 2.7< 65.1 152.5> 23.4 19.2 16.3 24.7 17.2 16.1 117.3>
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Table 22 Minor element analysis results for samples collected from the east tailings dam (Ghosh, 2000).
East tailings dam samples
Sample site &number
E35 F40 F41 F42 F43 F44 F45 F46 G47 QCsample
Depth 7-13cm 1-3cm 4-6cm 6-17cm 25-27cm 37-38cm 42-43cm 52-53cm 56-58
Description Darkbrownlayer
Rootlayer
darkbrownlayer
Grey/brown layer
Creamcolouredclay layer
Brownclay
Redcolouredlayer
Grey clay Wet, coarse, greygrains
OM % 36.66 42.33 29.85 2.81 2.85 1.34 1.66 0.89 1.07
Lead 3925> 4106> 4169> 1993> 28949> 13117> 18602> 21115> 12865> 9
Barium 839.5 1053.5> 1333.6> 1148.0> 3252.1> 3729.0> 2417.2> 1102.1> 2087.1> 178.4
Chromium 196 208 217 26 27 31 30 21 29 124
Copper 470.4> 579.4> 621.4> 85.4 565.1> 258.0> 1796.6> 578.9> 232.9> 112.4
Niobium 20.8 17.3 20 18.2 10.3 16.7 9.1 12 17 8.3Nickel 86 87.5 91.8 48 676.7> 217 2249.9> 557.6> 131.5 76.6
Strontium 22.1
Vanadium 178.6 163.4 161.9 202.8 240.6 221.7 221 212.6 219.2 254.7
Yttrium 2.4 12870.5> 2684.0> 82
Zirconium 296.5> 237.4 261.7 173.1 0.2< 108.4 37.1 35.3 110.7 101.1
Tungsten 18.6 36.7 28.7 24 32.2 25.3 2.1