| Abstract: | This report summarizes data obtained from field sampling of mine tailings and waste rock at the Rathburn and Petray Mines that was initiated in July 17, 2001 and water and sediment in regional springs and tributaries that drain from the mine area into Bear Creek on December 14, 2004 and February 16 and May 27, 2005. Although it was initially assumed that the mines were the cause of elevated levels of monomethyl Hg measured by the Central Regional Water Quality Control Board in tributaries near their confluence with Bear Creek (Foe and others, unpublished results), it became apparent during this study that ground water springs were also potential sources of Hg. In addition to sampling of springs in May 2005, saline ground water seepage along an unnamed fault on the west side of Bear Valley was sampled on December 13-14, 2006. We did not sample water or sediment in Bear Creek itself during this study. Our results permit a preliminary assessment of mining and natural sources of Hg and associated chemical constituents that could elevate levels of monomethyl Hg in Bear Creek. |
| Genre: | USGS Numbered Series |
| ProdID: | 85789 |
| Citation Author: | Slowey, Aaron J.; Rytuba, James J. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | USGS Western Mineral Resources |
| Citation Datum: | |
| Citation Day: | |
| Citation Edition: | Version 1.0 |
| Citation Editor: | |
| Citation End Page: | |
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| Citation Keywords: | |
| Citation Language: | ENGLISH |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | |
| Citation LatN: | 0393000 |
| Citation LatS: | 0383000 |
| Citation LonE: | -1220000 |
| Citation LonW: | -1230000 |
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| Citation No Pagination: | |
| Citation Number Of Pages: | |
| Citation Online Only Flag: | Y |
| Citation Phsyical Description: | Report: v, 49 p. |
| Citation Projection: | |
| Citation Public Comments: | Jointly funded by the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Bureau of Land Management |
| Citation Publisher: | Geological Survey (U.S.) |
| Citation Series: | Open-File Report |
| Citation Series Code: | OFR |
| Citation Series Number: | 2008-1179 |
| Citation Search Results Text: | Mercury Release from the Rathburn Mine, Petray Mine, and Bear Valley Saline Springs, Colusa County, California 2004-2006; 2008; OFR; 2008-1179; Slowey, Aaron J.; Rytuba, James J. |
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| Citation Volume: | |
| Citation Year: | 2008 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Mercury Release from the Rathburn Mine, Petray Mine, and Bear Valley Saline Springs, Colusa County, California 2004-2006; 2008; OFR; 2008-1179; Slowey, Aaron J.; Rytuba, James J. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/usgs_thumb.jpg |
| URL (INDEX PAGE): | http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1179/ |
| Date Other: | Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00 -0500 |
| Publisher: | Geological Survey (U.S.) |
