Environmental geochemistry of mesothermal gold deposits, Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska
Cieutat BA, Taylor CD, Goldfarb RJ, Borden JC, Mchugh J. 1994. Environmental geochemistry of mesothermal gold deposits, Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin. 2107:21-25
Stream water samples were collected at 16 sites below and near three developed, mesothermal gold vein occurrences of the Nuka Bay mining district in Kenai Fjords National Park. Background metal concentrations of <0.05 ppb Ag, ≤2 ppb As, <1 ppb Cd, ≤10 ppb Fe, <1 ppb Sb, and 3 to 6 ppb Zn characterize waters that drain metasedimentary rocks of the Valdez Group. In a small basin containing undeveloped sulfide-bearing quartz veins, arsenic concentrations are elevated to 6 ppb. Immediately downstream of surface workings and at the mouth of the adits, metal concentrations are as great as 130 ppb As, 2 ppb Sb, and 40 ppb Fe. These anomalous concentrations are rapidly diluted downstream to background levels; no elevated metal values are detected beyond 500 m from any of the three occurrences.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Cieutat, B; Taylor, C; Goldfarb, R; Borden, J; Mchugh, J
- Date of Issue
- 1993
- Units
- KEFJ
- Keywords
- Chemical Properties, Geochemistry, Gold, Hydrology, Kenai Fjords National Park, Minerals, Mining, Mining Impacts, Nuka Bay, Streamflow