Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1901 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Washington State Department of Ecology. 2005. Effects of small-scale gold dredging on arsenic, copper, lead and zinc concentrations in the Similkameen River. Washington State Department of Ecology. |
| Organization | Washington State Department of Ecology |
| URL | http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/PERMITS/docs/Effects%20of%20Small-Scale%20Gold%20Dredging%20on%20Arsenic,%20Copper,%20Lead%20and%20Zinc%20Concentrations%20in%20the%20Simikameen%20River.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | A field study was conducted to determine if small-scale gold dredges operating in the Similkameen River exacerbate current exceedances of the human health criteria for arsenic or result in violations of aquatic life criteria for arsenic, copper, lead, or zinc. Dredge effluents were analyzed from 14 sites on the river, and discharge plumes were sampled below three dredges. Data were also obtained on ambient metals concentrations, total suspended solids, and turbidity. Results showed that the metals concentrations discharged from small-scale gold dredges are not a significant toxicity concern for aquatic life in the Similkameen River. Although this activity will exacerbate exceedances of arsenic human health criteria, it would take very large numbers of dredges to effect a 10% change in the river's arsenic levels, even at low-flow conditions. water quality, heavy metals, arsenic, zinc, turbidity |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Similkameen |
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| Project status | complete |
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