Laserfiche WebLink
,, <br />Solids Locations <br />• SW SUMP: solids were collected at the bottom of the (dry) Leve16 pad stormwater sump <br />• ORE: solids were taken from the ore body geologic formation <br />• ALLUVIUM: solids were taken from the alluvium material from the Leve16 pad area <br />• WASTE ROCK: solids were taken from the waste rock pile at the Leve16 pad. <br />Surface water samples were analyzed for major (and some minor) anions and cations that aze <br />typically used to `type' water and `trace' flow pathways. These include total recoverable and <br />dissolved calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, silica, sodium, bicazbonate, cazbonate, chloride, <br />hydroxide, sulfate and total alkalinity (total CaC03). The results were compiled using tabulated <br />data and graphical formats in order to be able to compaze findings between sample locations. <br />The results were also compared to the solids analysis in order to determine if solids solutes may <br />be a contributor to the measured water quality within the samples. <br />Solids samples were analyzed for `leachate' anion and cation content using synthetic <br />precipitation leaching procedures (SPLP). SPLP is an extraction process that pulls soluble <br />constituents from the solid matrix with the use of a rigorous acid digestion. The resulting <br />leachate or elutriate was then analyzed for the same suite of anions and cations listed above for <br />the surface water. The results provide an indication of whether or not the solid could act as a <br />source of any anion or cation measured in the surface water samples. <br />Measurements of water quality indicators of pH, temperature, conductivity and total dissolved <br />solids were collected `real time' at the time of sample collection. These measures were collected <br />with the use of a hand held field meter pre-calibrated using anticipated standards ranging about <br />the expected concentrations for the field setting. <br />All samples were collected in accordance with standazd water and solids collection procedures. <br />All samples were collected directly into appropriate sample containers with standard protocols <br />for the control of cross contamination being adhered to. Samples were immediately placed on <br />ice in coolers with appropriate chains of custody and shipped at day's end for next day arrival to <br />the laboratory (ACZ Laboratories, Steamboat, CO). Resulting laboratory documentation <br />indicated that samples were delivered in good order with no discernable chain of custody or <br />holding time error. <br />Results <br />The analytical results for the water samples collected are provided in Table 1, while the results <br />of the SPLP leachate analysis of various solids aze provided in Table 2. The surface water <br />concentration results were within the low `parts per million' range which allows for the use of <br />various water typing graphical methods. However, since the concentrations were relatively low, <br />trends aze more discernable with the use of the raw results in addition to the graphical <br />interpretations. Therefore, for the purpose of this report, the point by point analytical results <br />were used in combination with the graphical methods to identify trends and possible pathway <br />linkages. <br />The graphical methods applied to the analytical results were all developed using Rockware <br />Aquachem softwaze. Measured concentrations in ppm or ppb were converted to meq <br />(milliequivalents) or mass percentage where appropriate for the graphical method. Data were <br />Page 9 of 16 <br />