Water Quality Contaminants Long-term Spatial Analysis Along the Upper Clark Fork River Superfund Site Between Warm Springs and Garrison, Montana

Author

Raegan Michele Osentowski, University of MontanaFollow

Graduation Year

2024

Graduation Month

December

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

School or Department

Geosciences

Major

Geosciences

Faculty Mentor Department

Geosciences

Faculty Mentor

W. Payton Gardner

Subject Categories

Earth Sciences | Geochemistry | Hydrology

Abstract

Long-term data of heavy metal contaminants, cadmium, copper, lead, arsenic, and zinc were compiled from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, DEQ, and the United States Geological Survey, USGS, to investigate the effects of remediation on water quality along the upper Clark Fork River superfund site. Long-term data sets were analyzed at CFR-03A, CFR-27H, CFR-34, and SS-25 along the upper Clark Fork River and Silver Bow Creek. CFR-03A and CFR-27H had full remediation in the immediate vicinity, SS-25 had on-going remediation in the immediate vicinity, and CFR-34 had no remediation in the immediate vicinity. Analysis of heavy metal contaminants is demonstrated through time series trend analysis, population comparison before and after remediation, and evaluation of concentration-discharge relationships to provide quantitative understanding of the effects of remediation on the upper Clark Fork River. Data analysis showed long-term changes in individual contaminants across varying stages of remediation progress. Copper and lead concentrations showed improvement across upstream remediated sites, and arsenic demonstrated gradual improvement in locations with remediation at upstream sites. The downstream remediated site saw little overall change following remediation. Analytical analysis of remediation will provide the USGS, DEQ, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and the community quantitative results of remediation progress, influencing further action to the clean-up of the Clark Fork River superfund site. Data is beneficial for individual interpretation for future analysis and remediation efforts.

Honors College Research Project

1

GLI Capstone Project

no

Recommended Citation

Osentowski, Raegan Michele, "Water Quality Contaminants Long-term Spatial Analysis Along the Upper Clark Fork River Superfund Site Between Warm Springs and Garrison, Montana" (2024). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 534.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/534