Abstract |
The report describes geophysical field investigations undertaken to evaluate the utility of surface geophysical techniques in detecting and monitoring groundwater pollution from mine waste in the Western United States. The document addresses results of investigations at Spenceville Copper Mine, Leviathan Sulfur Mine, Iron Mountain Copper Mine, and Walker Copper Mine. Methods used in the field investigations included conventional D.C. resistivity, electromagnetic, self potential, and magnetic. It was found that the source and extent of acid mine drainage can be identified, known groundwater flow paths correlate well with geophysical anomalies, subsurface layering of mine waste piles can be mapped with some geophysical methods, and leakage from waste impoundments is detectable by some surface geophysical methods. The document includes maps, charts, and tables. |