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Research about Missouri

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Missouri.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
USGS1987

Effects of cover materials on leaching of constituents from dolomitic lead mine tailings

Five raised-bed test plots were used to study the effects of cover materials on the leaching of constituents from dolomitic Pb mine tailings over a 2-yr period. The cover materials studied were a fertilizer and seed mixture, anaerobically digested sewage sludge, loam and sod, and fallen leaves from silver maples ( Acer Saccharinum ); one plot was not covered. Fresh leachates and receiving pool waters were analyzed for ten metals, Si, P, inorganic anions, filterable organic carbon (FOC), and alkalinity. The mixture of fertilizer and seed decreased leaching of Pb and Zn during the first year. The leaf cover increased leaching of Pb during both years; this effect decreased as the leaves weathered. Sludge caused some increase in Pb leaching during the first year, and increased Cd leaching during both years. Concentrations of most leachate constituents decreased, and pH increased in the receiving pools. Concentrations of Pb remained higher in the receiving pool for the leaf-covered plot than in the other pools. Increases in leaching of Pb and Cd with a sludge cover were moderate, and the ability of the material to support plant growth on the tailings suggested that it may be a good medium for inducing growth of vegetative cover on the dolomitic tailings. Other organic materials may cause pronounced increase in the concentration of toxic trace metals in leachate from the tailings.

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USGS1987

The effects of sample preparation on measured concentrations of eight elements in edible tissues of fish from streams contaminated by lead mining

The influence of sample preparation on measured concentrations of eight elements in the edible tissues of two black basses (Centrarchidae), two catfishes (Ictaluridae), and the black redhorse, Moxostoma duquesnei (Catostomidae) from two rivers in southeastern Missouri contaminated by mining and related activities was investigated. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ba, and Ca were measured in two skinless, boneless samples of axial muscle from individual fish prepared in a clean room. One sample (normally-processed) was removed from each fish with a knife in a manner typically used by investigators to process fish for elemental analysis and presumedly representative of methods employed by anglers when preparing fish for home consumption. A second sample (clean-processed) was then prepared from each normally-processed sample by cutting away all surface material with acid-cleaned instruments under ultraclean conditions. The samples were analyzed as a single group by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Of the elements studied, only Pb regularly exceeded current guidelines for elemental contaminants in foods. Concentrations were high in black redhorse from contaminated sites, regardless of preparation method; for the other fishes, whether or not Pb guidelines were exceeded depended on preparation technique. Except for Mn and Ca, concentrations of all elements measured were significantly lower in cleanthan in normally-processed tissue samples. Absolute differences in measured concentrations between clean- and normally-processed samples were most evident for Pb and Ba in bass and catfish and for Cd and Zn in redhorse. Regardless of preparation method, concentrations of Pb, Ca, Mn, and Ba in individual fish were closely correlated; samples that were high or low in one of these four elements were correspondingly high or low in the other three. In contrast, correlations between Zn, Fe, and Cd occurred only in normallyprocessed samples, suggesting that these correlations resulted from high concentrations on the surfaces of some samples. Concentrations of Pb and Ba in edible tissues of fish from contaminated sites were highly correlated with Ca content, which was probably determined largely by the amount of tissue other than muscle in the sample because fish muscle contains relatively little Ca. Accordingly, variation within a group of similar samples can be reduced by normalizing Pb and Ba concentrations to a standard Ca concentration. When sample size ( N ) is large, this can be accomplished statistically by analysis of covariance; when N is small, molar ratios of [Pb]/[Ca] and [Ba]/[Ca] can be computed. Without such adjustments, unrealistically large N s are required to yield statistically reliable estimates of Pb concentrations in edible tissues. Investigators should acknowledge that reported concentrations of certain elements are only estimates, and that regardless of the care exercised during the collection, preparation, and analysis of samples, results should be interpreted with the awareness that contamination from external sources may have occurred.

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USGS1987

Mines, prospects, and occurrences of metallic minerals and barite, Springfield 1° by 2° Quadrangle, Missouri

This map is part of a folio of maps of the Springfield 1° x 2° quadrangle, Missouri, prepared under the Conterminous United States Mineral Assessment Program. Other publications in this folio to data include U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps MF-1830-A and B and Missouri Geological Survey Open-file Report OFR-85-42-MR. Additional maps showing various geologic aspects of the Springfield quadrangle will be published as U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps bearing this same serial number with different letter suffixes (MF-1830-D, E).

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USGS1987

Industrial mineral resources of the Springfield 1 degree by 2 degrees Quadrangle, Missouri

This publication is part of a folio of maps of the Springfield 10° × 20° quadrangle, Missouri, prepared under the Conterminous United States Minera1 Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. Other publications in this folio to date include U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps MF-1830-A through E (Erickson and others, 1985; Whitfield, 1986; Wharton, 1987; Middendorf and others, 1987; Kisvarsanyi, 1987) and Missouri Geological Survey Open-file Report OFR85-42-MR (Martin and Pratt, 1985).

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USGS1987

Water resources data, Missouri, water year 1986

Water resources data for the 1986 year for Missouri consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; contains records for water discharge at 107 gaging stations; stage and contents at 10 lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 67 sampling stations (including 2 lakes); and data for 20 crest-stage stations.

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USGS1987

Traveltime, reaeration, and water-quality characteristics during low-flow conditions in Wilsons Creek and the James River near Springfield, Missouri

Before upgrading the Southwest Wastewater-Treatment Plant near Springfield, Missouri, to tertiary treatment, adverse water quality conditions resulting from discharge of wastewater effluent to Wilson Creek were documented in the creek and in the James River. About 7 years after the upgrading of the treatment plant, traveltime, reaeration, and water quality characteristics were determined in Wilsons Creek and the James River. Traveltime was measured once in Wilsons Creek and twice in the James River during low-flow conditions. Traveltimes in the James River were estimated for discharge between 55 and 200 cu ft/sec at a site near Boaz. Reaeration coefficients were calculated for five reaches in Wilsons Creek and the James River using the modified-tracer technique. Calculated reaeration coefficients were compared with coefficients predicted by twelve empirical equations and one equation was chosen that best fit the data. Water quality data were collected during two 44-hr periods, August 14 to 16, 1984, and July 23 to 25, 1985. Samples were collected at the outflow of the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant at seven sites along Wilsons Creek and the James River. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations in Wilsons Creek and the James River were all larger than Missouri 's water quality standard of 5.0 mg/l. Ammonia concentrations and 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demands were small, which indicated that the oxygen consumption by oxidizing ammonia and carbonaceous organic materials would be insignificant. Measured streambed oxygen demand in the James River was largest directly downstream from Wilsons Creek. (USGS)

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USGS1987

Water-quality assessment of Peruque Creek, St Charles County, Missouri, July 1983 and July 1984

Physical, chemical, and biological data collected along the downstream 24.1-river-mi reach of Peruque Creek, Missouri, on July 18-19, 1983 and July 9-10, 1984, were used to characterize the water quality conditions in the creek. Wastewater discharges into the creek at the Lake St. Louis sewage-disposal ponds and at the O'Fallon wastewater-treatment facility. The effluent from the sewage disposal ponds did not have a substantial effect on downstream water quality but that from the wastewater treatment facility caused the Missouri un-ionized ammonia standard of 0.1 mg/l as nitrogen to be exceeded downstream from the outflow. Discharge from the O'Fallon facility also caused all dissolved-oxygen concentrations measured downstream from the outflow to be less than the Missouri dissolved-oxygen standard of 5.0 mg/L. Attempts were made to calibrate and verify the QUAL-II/SEMCOG version water quality model. The model could not be adequately calibrated or verified, because of the non-uniform hydraulic conditions in Peruque Creek, which is characterized by slow velocities; long, deep pools; and inadequate mixing characteristics; and also the non-uniform quantity and quality of effluent discharged from the O'Fallon wastewater treatment facility. Thus, the assumptions of one-dimensional flow and steady-state conditions necessary for the model were not valid. The attempt to calibrate and verify the model indicated that during low-flow conditions the waste-load assimilative capacity of the downstream 17.9 river miles of Peruque Creek was limited.

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USGS1987

Hydrology and water-quality at the Weldon Spring radioactive waste-disposal sites, St. Charles County, Missouri

Water samples from five monitoring wells adjacent to raffinate pits storing low-level radioactive waste contained concentrations of nitrate as nitrogen ranging from 53 to 990 milligrams per liter. Most samples also had maximum concentrations of calcium (900 milligrams per liter), sodium (340 milligrams per liter), sulfate (320 milligrams per liter), lithium (1,700 micrograms), strontium (1,900 micrograms per liter), and uranium (86 micrograms per liter). The raffinate pits also had large concentrations of these constituents. A water balance made on the raffinate pits indicated a 0.04 to 0.08 inch per day decrease in the water level that cannot be attributed to meterological conditions. These data and seismically-detected areas of saturated overburden beneath one raffinate pit and possibly adjacent to three other pits indicate leakage from the pits.

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USGS1986

Seismic-reflection profiles of the New Madrid seismic zone-data along the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri

The tectonic setting and the earthquake hazards of the New Madrid seismic zone in the northern Mississippi embayment have been the subject of intensive study the past several years as part of the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program of the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). These efforts have improved our knowledge of the geologic history, general tectonic setting, and patterns of modern seismicity (see McKeown and Pakiser, 1982) in the New Madrid seismic zone. Identifying and characterizing the specific structures that may be responsible for the seismicity is the focus of continuing research. Unfortunately, these structures are buried by the veneer of poorly consolidated Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments that overlie competent rocks in the embayment. In such a geologic setting, seismic-reflection profiling is one of the most valuable techniques available to obtain useful information on the distribution of faults, and on the local and regional structure. Three major seismic-reflection programs have been conducted by the USGS in the New Madrid seismic zone. The first program consisted of 32 km of conventional Vibroseis profiling designed to investigate the subsurface structure associated with scarps and lineaments in northwestern Tennessee (Zoback, 1979). A second, more extensive Vibroseis program collected about 250 km of data from all parts of the New Madrid seismic zone in Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee (Hamilton and Zoback, 1979, 1982; Zoback and others, 1980). The profiles presented here are part of the third program that collected about 240 km of high-resolution seismic-reflection data from a boat along the Mississippi River between Osceola, Ark., and Wickliffe, Ky. (fig. 1). The data for profiles A, B, C, and D were collected between river miles 839-1/2 and 850-1/2 from near the Interstate-155 bridge to upstream of Caruthersville, Mo. (fig. 2). Profiles on this part of the river are important for three reasons: (1) they connect many of the land-based profiles on either side of the river, (2) they are near the northeast termination of a linear, 120km-long, northeast-southwest zone of seismicity that extends from northeast Arkansas to Caruthersville, Mo. (Stauder, 1982; fig. 1), and (3) they cross the southwesterly projection of the Cottonwood Grove fault (fig. 1), a fault having a substantial amount of vertical Cenozoic offset (Zoback and others, 1980).

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USGS1986

Sources of coal-mine drainage and their effects on surface-water chemistry in the Claybank Creek basin and vicinity, north-central Missouri, 1983-84

Eighteen sources of drainage related to past coal-mining activity were identified in the Claybank Creek, Missouri, study area, and eight of thew were considered large enough to have detectable effects on receiving streams. However, only three sources, coal wastes at Keota and Binkley, and drainage from underground coal mines near Keota, significantly affected the chemistry of water in receiving streams. Coal wastes in the Claybank Creek basin contributed large quantities of acid drainage to receiving streams during storm runoff; pH of coal-waste runoff ranged from 2.1 to 2.8. At these small pH values, concentrations of some dissolved metals and dissolved sulfate were a few to several hundred times larger than Federal and State water-quality standards established for these constituents. Effects of acid storm runoff were detected near the mouth of North Fork Claybank Creek where the pH during a small storm was 3.9. Coal wastes in the streambeds and seepage from coal wastes also had significant effects on receiving streams during base flows. The receiving waters had pH values between 2.8 and 3.5 and concentrations of some dissolved metals and dissolved sulfate were a few to several hundred times larger than Federal and State water-quality standards. Most underground mines in the North Fork Claybank Creek basin are hydraulically connected and about 80 percent of their discharge surfaced at one site. Drainage from the underground mines contributed most of the dissolved constituents in North Fork Claybank Creek during dry weather. Underground-mine water always had a pH near 5.9, was well-buffered, had a dissolved-sulfate concentration of about 2,400 milligrams per liter, dissolved-manganese concentrations ranging from 4.0 to 5.3 milligrams per liter, and large concentrations of ferrous iron. Iron was in the ferrous state due to reducing conditions in the mines. When underground-mine drainage reached the ground surface, the ferrous iron was oxidized and precipitated to form large, orange deposits of ferric hydroxide around the site and in streambeds. Generally, drainage from strip mines had dissolved-sulfate concentrations several times larger than drainage from unmined areas. However, effects of drainage from strip mines on receiving streams were minimal when compared to the drainage from coal wastes and underground mines. No appreciable effects of mine-related drainage were detected in the water of the Claybank Creek arm of Thomas Hill Reservoir at the time of sampling because beaver bogs upstream had trapped suspended coal wastes and moderated the effects. However, the concentration of coal in the bottom material was 60 percent of the coal concentration in coal wastes at Keota, indicating that the reservoir had received these wastes during the past.

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USGS1986

Water resources data, Missouri, water year 1985

Water resources data for the 1985 water year for Missouri consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; contains records for water discharge at 108 gaging stations, stage and contents and 9 lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 68 sampling stations (including 1 lake); and data for 20 crest-stage stations,

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USGS1986

Ground-water movement and effects of coal strip mining on water quality of high-wall lakes and aquifers in the Macon-Huntsville area, north-central Missouri

Glacial drift and Pennsylvanian bedrock were mixed together forming spoil during pre-reclamation strip mining for coal in north-central Missouri. This restructuring of the land increases the porosity of the material, and increases aqueous concentrations of many dissolved constituents. Median sodium and bicarbonate concentrations were slightly greater, calcium 5 times greater, magnesium 6 times greater, manganese 15 times greater, iron 19 times greater, and sulfate 24 times greater in water from spoil than in water from glacial drift. Median potassium concentrations were slightly greater, and chloride concentrations were two times greater in water from glacial drift than in water from spoil. Water types in glacial drift and bedrock were mostly sodium bicarbonate and calcium bicarbonate; in spoil and lakes in the spoil, the water types were mostly calcium sulfate. Median pH values in water from spoil were 6.6, as compared to 7.4 in water from glacial drift and 9.0 in water from bedrock. Neutralization of acid by carbonate rocks causes the moderate pH values in water from spoil; a carbonate system closed to the atmosphere may result in alkaline pH values in bedrock. Transmissivities generally are greatest for spoil, and decrease in the following order: alluvium, glacial drift, and bedrock. Recharge to spoil is from precipitation, lateral flow from glacial drift, and lateral and vertical flow from bedrock. The rate of recharge to the aquifers is unknown, but probably is small. Groundwater discharge from the glacial drift, bedrock, and spoil is to alluvium. The direction of flow generally was from high-wall lakes in the spoil toward East Fork Little Chariton River or South Fork Claybank Creek. Significant differences (95% confidence level) in values and concentrations of aqueous constituents between spoil areas mined at different times (1940, 1952, and 1968) were obtained for pH, calcium, magnesium, manganese, sulfate, chloride, and dissolved solids, but not for iron. These differences are attributed to local variations in the geohydrologic system rather than spoil age. (Lantz-PTT)

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USGS1986

Compilation and preliminary interpretation of hydrologic data for the Weldon Spring radioactive waste-disposal sites, St Charles County, Missouri — A progress report

The Weldon Spring Chemical Plant is located just north of the drainage divide separating the Mississippi River and the Missouri River in St. Charles County, Missouri. From 1957 to 1966 the plant converted uranium-ore concentrates and recycled scrap to pure uranium trioxide, uranium tetrafluoride, and uranium metal. Residues from these operations were pumped to four large pits that had been excavated near the plant. Small springs and losing streams are present in the area. Water overlying the residue in the pits has a large concentration of dissolved solids and a different chemical composition compared to the native groundwater and surface water. This difference is indicated by the concentrations of calcium, sodium, sulfate, nitrate, fluoride, uranium, radium, lithium, molybdenum, strontium, and vanadium, all of which are greater than natural or background concentrations. Water from Burgermeister Spring, located about 1.5 miles north of the chemical plant area, contains uranium and nitrate concentrations greater than background concentrations. Groundwater in the shallow bedrock aquifer moves northward from the vicinity of the chemical plant toward Dardenne Creek. An abandoned limestone quarry several miles southwest of the chemical plant also has been used for the disposal of radioactive waste and rubble. Groundwater flow from the quarry area is southward through the alluvium, away from the quarry and toward the Missouri River. The St. Charles County well field is located in the Missouri River flood plain near the quarry and the large yield wells are open to the Missouri River alluvial aquifer. Water from a well 4,000 ft southeast of the quarry was analyzed; there was no indication of contamination from the quarry. Additional water quality and water level data are needed to determine if water from the quarry moves toward the well field. Observation wells need to be installed in the area between the chemical plant, pits, and Dardenne Creek. The wells would be used to provide access for measurements of depth to ground water and for the collection of water samples from the shallow bedrock aquifer.

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USGS1986

Discharge ratings for control gates at Mississippi River Lock and Dam 22, Saverton, Missouri

The water level of the navigation pools on the Mississippi River are maintained by the operation of tainted and roller gates at the locks and dams. Discharge ratings for the gates on Lock and Dam 22, at Saverton, Missouri, were developed from current-meter discharge measurements made in the forebays of the gate structures. Methodology is given to accurately compute the gate openings of the tainter gates. Discharge coefficients, in equations that express discharge as a function of tailwater head , forebay head, and height of gate opening, were determined for conditions of submerged-orifice and free-weir flow. Rating discharges are given for comparison to those used in the operation schedule, Plan A, which is in use for the operation of Lock and Dam 22.

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USGS1985

Metals in riparian wildlife of the lead mining district of southeastern Missouri

Five species of riparian vertebrates (425 individuals) primarily representing upper trophic levels were collected from the Big River and Black River drainages in two lead mining districts of southeastern Missouri, 1981–82. Big River is subject to metal pollution via erosion and seepage from large tailings piles from inactive lead mines. Black River drains part of a currently mined area. Bullfrogs ( Rana catesbeiana ), muskrats ( Ondatra zibethicus ), and green-backed herons ( Butorides striatus ) collected downstream from the source of metal contamination to Big River had significantly (ANOVA, P<0.05) higher lead and cadmium levels than specimens collected at either an uncontaminated upstream site or on Black River. Northern water snakes ( Nerodia sipedon ) had elevated lead levels below the tailings source, but did not seem to accumulate cadmium. Levels of lead, cadmium, or zinc in northern rough-winged swallows ( Stelgidopteryx serripennis ) were not related to collecting locality. Carcasses of ten bank swallows ( Riparia riparia ) collected from a colony nesting in a tailings pile along the Big River had lead concentrations of 2.0–39 ppm wet weight. Differences between zinc concentrations in vertebrates collected from contaminated and uncontaminated sites were less apparent than differences in lead and cadmium. There was little relationship between metal concentrations in the animals studied and their trophic levels. Bullfrogs are the most promising species examined for monitoring environmental levels of lead, cadmium, and zinc. Downstream from the source of tailings, bullfrogs had markedly higher levels of these metals in most of their tissues. The species is also widely distributed in North America, easily caught, and relatively sedentary.

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