Aquatic Biota Assessment: Document the Present Health of Aquatic Biota in the New Exploration Area, and Evaluate the Effects of Lead-Zinc Mining in the Viburnum Trend on the Ecological Health of Streams Draining the Viburnum Trend

Funding Program: Contaminant Biology

Statement of Problem: Lead has been mined in Missouri since the 1700s. To date, lead and zinc mining has been focused in three primary areas: The "Old Lead Belt", in southeast Missouri, which was active from about 1700 until the early 1970s; the "Tri-States District", in southwest Missouri, which was active from the late 1890s to the early 1970s; and the "New Lead Belt", which became active in the 1960s and where lead and other metals are still mined. Much of the mining in the New Lead Belt occurs on lands either presently or formerly part of the Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF). More recently, exploration has occurred in a new area of south-central Missouri within the boundaries of the MTNF, and exploitation of mineral resources in this proposed mining area (PMA) may occur in the future. The PMA, which is also within the MTNF, lies within the groundwater recharge area of Big Spring in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) of the National Park Service (NPS). NPS-ONSR has expressed frequent concern about the possible effects of contamination from expanded mining on aquatic resources. Previous studies by CERC have documented the release of metals from the three mining districts and effects on aquatic organisms as well as background conditions in the prospecting area of the MTNF. Studies conducted seek to document the release of metals from mining activities in the New Lead Belt and their effects on aquatic biota; and to document existing conditions in aquatic ecosystems that may be affected by mining in the PMA.

Objectives: Provide information with which to assess the biological effects of lead-zing mining on aquatic organisms, including transfer through food chains. Studies seek to document existing condition in streams draining the New Lead Belt to document concentrations of mining-derived contaminants in an area that has been mined for about 30 years using contemporary mineral extraction technology and which has been subjected to environmental controls and regulation similar to what would be employed in the PMA.

Principal Investigators