U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program--Proceedings of the Technical Meeting Charleston South Carolina March 8-12,1999--Volume 1 of 3--Contamination From Hard-Rock Mining, Water-Resources Investigation Report 99-4018A

Synthesis of Watershed Characterization for Making Remediation Decisions

By Briant A. Kimball, Kenneth E. Bencala, and John M. Besser

This paper is available in pdf format: keynote.pdf

ABSTRACT

The Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative combines expertise from each division of the U.S. Geological Survey. The watershed orientation of the initiative leads to a synthesis of information from many areas of study. Geologic and geochemical studies contribute information about mineral deposits, their role in premining conditions, and their potential for contributing metals to mine drainage. Hydrologic and geochemical studies indicate the transport and transformation of metals from the sources to the streams. Biological studies show the effects of metals on the aquatic organisms and habitats, and help to establish goals for improving the habitats. All of these studies are unified by the application of geographic information systems and information management methods to enable a synthesis for regulatory and land management agencies.