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iii iiiiiiiiniii iii <br />STATE OF C:ULUi~vO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />1)l'narlntenl ul NaNral Re$ource5 <br />I S 14 Sherman 51., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />I'hune' 0031 866J567 <br />FA%. (3071 fl32-8106 <br />DATE: March 3, 1998 <br />TO: Dave Berry <br />FROM: Harry Posey <br />RE: West Elk Geochemical Assessme bservations and Interpretations <br />The attached DRAFT Report contains changes from my February 25 memo. This report <br />~~~ <br />DEPARTMENT VF <br />NATURAL <br />RESOURCES <br />Roy Rnmer <br />Governor <br />lames 5. Lochhead <br />E.ecuave Director <br />m¢hael B Lunl; <br />Dim~ion Director <br />provides a simple model to explain the data surrounding the West Elk situation. Unequivocally, <br />Dr. Mayo's interpretation is not the only plausible explanation of the data, nor is it the simplest. <br />The current report's interpretations, if regarded, deserve at least some mass-balance calculations <br />as a check on their adequacy, but overall the report provides a reasonable hypothesis which <br />seems consistent with all the information. <br />To accept or dismiss Dr. Mayo's interpretations outright would require further sampling along <br />with clazification of some of the data we have already. Frankly, I do not think this is necessary. <br />Despite some of the shortcomings, West Elk and Dr. Mayo have developed an incredible data <br />set, and we have enough information already to make awell-supported interpretation. Although <br />I did not set out to do so, the alternative model supports the Division's interpretations that the <br />fault and sump waters are the source of the Edwards Portal seep water. This interpretation seems <br />to incorporate more of the data, has multiple avenues of support, and is compatible with the <br />probable hydrologic consequences predictions. [t is simpler because it requires only mixing of <br />the fault waters with meteoric water to explain the variations in chemical compositions between <br />the fault and seep waters. <br />This is a summary document only. If you wish, I can develop a background presentation on <br />isotope geochemistry and the mixing model that will help explain it further, but the report should <br />be readable to Dr. Mayo and others in its present form. If you would like to discuss any of the <br />work with me, or if you have edits, please let me know. I would look forward to a discussion of <br />the isotope data with the group, if you think that would help. <br />cc: Mike Boulay <br />Susan McCannon <br />Jim Burnell <br />Jim Pendleton <br />m:\m in\hh p\westelk?.doc <br />