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| Title | Effects of Small-Scale Gold Dredging on Arsenic, Copper, Lead, and Zinc Concentrations in the Similkameen River | |||
| Month-Year Published | March 2005 | |||
| Online Availability |
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| Short Description |
A field study was conducted to determine if small-scale gold dredges operating in the Similkameen River exacerbate current exceedances of the human health criteria for arsenic or result in violations of aquatic life criteria for arsenic, copper, lead, or zinc. Dredge effluents were analyzed from 14 sites on the river, and discharge plumes were sampled below three dredges. Results showed that the metals concentrations discharged from small-scale gold dredges are not a significant toxicity concern for aquatic life in the Similkameen and that it would take large numbers of dredges to effect a small change in the river′s arsenic levels, even at low-flow conditions. (Also see abstract below) | |||
| Publication Number | 05-03-007 | |||
| Author(s) | Johnson, A. and M. Peterschmidt | |||
| Print Availability | ||||
| Number of pages | 26 + app. (47 total) | |||
| Keywords | arsenic, copper, dredging, gold, results, river, toxic, zinc | |||
| Subject Waterbodies |
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| Related Publications | Title | Relationship | ||
| A Total Maximum Daily Load Evaluation for Arsenic in the Similkameen River | similar topic | |||
| Quality Assurance Project Plan: Effects of Small-Scale Gold Dredging on Metals Concentrations in the Similkameen River | similar topic | |||
| Abstract | Long Description |
A field study was conducted to determine if small-scale gold dredges operating in the Similkameen River exacerbate current exceedances of the human health criteria for arsenic or result in violations of aquatic life criteria for arsenic, copper, lead, or zinc. Dredge effluents were analyzed from 14 sites on the river, and discharge plumes were sampled below three dredges. Data were also obtained on ambient metals concentrations, total suspended solids, and turbidity. Results showed that the metals concentrations discharged from small-scale gold dredges are not a significant toxicity concern for aquatic life in the Similkameen River. Although this activity will exacerbate exceedances of arsenic human health criteria, it would take very large numbers of dredges to effect a 10% change in the river′s arsenic levels, even at low-flow conditions. |
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