Abstract |
During the summer of 1970, fish from the Cheyenne River Arm of Oahe Reservoir, and other areas throughout western South Dakota were found to have mercury in their flesh exceeding 0.5 parts per million (ppm). The report presents a follow up study to investigate the effects of natural mercury deposits throughout the Cheyenne River system in western South Dakota; to determine the location and extent of reservoirs of mercury and other toxic materials due to previous mining activity; to document and characterize the discharge of tailings solids and various dissolved toxic pollutants from the Homestake Mining Company Deadwood-Lead mill; and to ascertain the movement and fate of these pollutants in the hydrologic environment, and the effect of these pollutants on the biota. |