STUDY NUMBER ; 10.7 



ORGANIZATION : University of Montana (UM) - Department of Geology 



TITLE OF STUDY ; Distribution and Chemical Analyses of Metal 

 Contamination in the Floodplain Sediments of the Upper Clark 

 Fork River, Montana 



CONTACT ( S ) ; Rebekah Brooks, Department of Geology - 542-0537 



Johnny Moore, Department of Geology - 243-2141 



OBJECTIVES ; 1) Prepare a detailed map of sediments on the flood- 

 plain and determination of their mineralogic and chemical content, 

 2) determine distribution of tailings material in the floodplain 

 deposits by detailed sampling, 3) chemical analysis of floodplain 

 sediments to determine metal concentrations, and 4) analyze sed- 

 iment underlying tailings to determine if contaminants have mi- 

 grated vertically into the vadose zone or unlying alluvial aqui- 

 fer. 



DURATION ; 1986 - 1987 



CURRENT STATUS ; Detailed sedimentologic maps are constructed 

 using colored aerial photos and data obtained from cores, trenches 

 and auguring. Soil samples at various distances from the river 

 are used to determine mineralogy, grain size, and lateral dis- 

 tribution of metals concentration. Water movement into the vadose 

 zone is measured at selected sites with a suction lysimeter. 

 Sand point piezometers and augered wells are used to measure 

 water levels and collect water samples in the alluvial aquifer. 

 Groundwater samples are analyzed for metal concentrations. 



PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS ; This investigation is being developed 

 as a Master of Science thesis project. 



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