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Groundwater
Leaching of runoff and precipitation through acid generating tailings/waste
rock, down through the vadose (unsaturated) zone and eventually
to the groundwater table is a probable way for contamination to
leave a mine site in the aqueous phase. Samples of groundwater should
be taken within the contaminated area to determine contaminant concentrations
at the source. Samples should also be taken downgradient to determine
concentrations leaving the site. Upgradient samples are taken to
determine background concentrations in areas that have not been
impacted by acid generating tailings and waste rock.
Groundwater samples are taken from piezometers or monitoring wells
using a wide variety of bailers, suction-lift pumps, submersible
pumps, and other devices. Vadose zone samples are commonly taken
using suction lysimeters. Parameters such as electrical
conductance, pH,
water temperature, and dissolved
oxygen (DO) concentration can be measured in the field. Groundwater
samples are collected in sampling jars, labeled, and are then commonly
sent to a laboratory for analyses of pH,
sulfate,
acidity,
alkalinity,
total dissolved
solids, total
suspended solids, elemental
metals, Eh
(redox potential) and sometimes other parameters (MEND,
2001).
Problem | Compliance
| Health & Safety | Sampling
| Analytical | Data
Quality
Site Assessment | Prediction
| Construction | GIS
| Monitoring & Assessment
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