Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Mobilization Of Toxic Elements From An Abandoned Manganese Mine In The Arid Metropolitan Las Vegas (Nv, Usa) Area, Ji Hye Park, Vernon Hodge, Shawn Gerstenberger, Krystyna Stave

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

Active and abandoned mines may present health risks, especially to children, from environmental exposure to airborne chemical elements, such as Pb, As, and Mn. X-ray fluorescence analysis of tailings at the Three Kids Mine show they contain high levels of: Pb (15,300 mg/kg), As (3690 mg/kg), and Mn (153,000 mg/kg). Soil was sampled along eight transects, radiating from the dried tailings ponds. Concentrations of Mn and Pb to the NE are at background concentrations at 4.8 km, and, As and Sr at 3.2 km from the mine. Going SW to the City of Henderson, all elements are at background at …