Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 13-10.
Topographic map of the Treece, Kansas and Picher-Miami, Oklahoma vicinity. Passive water treatment
system at Commerce indicated by asterisk (*). Adapted from Neosho, Missouri-Oklahoma-Kansas, U.S. Geological
Survey, 1:100 000-scale metric topographic map, 30
×
60 minute quadrangle, 1986. Contour interval
=
20 m.
reclaimed. However, the overwhelming magni-
tude of pollution led to EPA buyouts and reloca-
tion of residents in Picher, Oklahoma and
Treece, Kansas (Fig. 13-10). From a population
of some 20,000 people during its mining peak,
Picher has become virtually a ghost town. It
ceased to exist ofi cially in 2009, but the legacy
of ruined land and human health will endure
for many decades to come. Efforts now focus on
cleanup and remediation (Fig. 13-11).
Soon after active mining ceased, metal-laced
mine water began discharging naturally in 1979
through open mine shafts, springs, and artesian
wells of the vicinity. Initial discharges were
highly acidic; however, water chemistry has
become net alkaline with total alkalinity greater
than total acidity (Aber et al. 2010). Perennial
mine-water l ow through two artesian water
wells was i rst identii ed between Commerce
and North Miami, Oklahoma in 1983 (see Fig.
13-10). This location was selected for passive
treatment of the toxic water (Nairn et al. 2009).
Periodic data collection began in 1998 with
monthly sampling since 2004. The targeted
