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Seasonal And Spatial Patterns Of Metals At A Restored Copper Mine Site. I. Stream Copper And Zinc, Dustin G. Bambic, Charles N. Alpers, Peter G. Green, Eileen Fanelli, Wendy K. Silk

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

Seasonal and spatial variations in metal concentrations and pH were found in a stream at a restored copper mine site located near a massive sulfide deposit in the Foothill copper-zinc belt of the Sierra Nevada, California. At the mouth of the stream, copper concentrations increased and pH decreased with increased streamflow after the onset of winter rain and, unexpectedly, reached extreme values 1 or 2 months after peaks in the seasonal hydrographs. In contrast, aqueous zinc and sulfate concentrations were highest during low-flow periods. Spatial variation was assessed in 400 m of reach encompassing an acidic, metal-laden seep. At this …