This study focuses on the effects of legacy mining activities on the stream function of Lone Elm creek, an urban stream running through the city of Joplin, MO, USA. The area was once a major producer of lead and zinc and, although mining ceased during the second half of the 20th century, the impact of the activity can still be seen as the old mines are now flooded and discharge heavy-metal contaminated water to surface creeks. During nine months, we measured oxygen concentrations and water chemical parameters and performed nutrient additions above and below a mine-adit to understand the effects of this point discharge on stream functional process, specifically, stream metabolism and nutrient uptake. Continuous dissolved oxygen (DO) data revealed that the two reaches were characterized by different metabolic regimes. Results from constant-rate ammonium and phosphorus additions showed different controls on nutrient uptake between reaches: uptake in the upstream reach was largely influenced by seasonal patterns in primary producers, while the downstream reach was influenced by the elevated ammonium and iron concentrations from the mine adit. This study suggests that legacy mining activities continue to have significant ecological impacts even after mining has ceased and provides valuable information for understanding the impacts of legacy mining on ecosystem services that can be used to inform management and restoration efforts.

Primary Presenter: Alba Argerich, University of Missouri (argericha@missouri.edu)

Authors:

Jessica Wilson, University of Missouri  (wilsonjess@mail.missouri.edu)

Alba Argerich, University of Missouri  (argericha@missouri.edu)