Abstract

Large-scale metal extraction has generated extensive deposits of hazardous waste worldwide. Mining began more than 125 years ago in the Clark Fork drainage basin, western Montana, and contributed to primary, secondary and tertiary contamination over an area 115 the size of Rhode Island and along hundreds of kilometers of riparian habitat. This complex of waste deposits provides numerous examples of technically difficult problems in geochemistry I hydrology, ecology and epidemiology associated with characterizing, understanding and managing hazardous mine wastes.

Start Date

20-4-1990 4:00 PM

End Date

20-4-1990 4:40 PM

Document Type

Presentation

Share

COinS
 
Apr 20th, 4:00 PM Apr 20th, 4:40 PM

Hazardous Wastes from Large-scale Metal Extraction: The Clark Fork Waste Complex, MT

Large-scale metal extraction has generated extensive deposits of hazardous waste worldwide. Mining began more than 125 years ago in the Clark Fork drainage basin, western Montana, and contributed to primary, secondary and tertiary contamination over an area 115 the size of Rhode Island and along hundreds of kilometers of riparian habitat. This complex of waste deposits provides numerous examples of technically difficult problems in geochemistry I hydrology, ecology and epidemiology associated with characterizing, understanding and managing hazardous mine wastes.