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Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis

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Geochemistry of natural acid rock drainage in the Mt Evans area, Anaconda–Pintler Range, Montana, USA

View ORCID ProfileC. H. Gammons, M. F. Doolittle, View ORCID ProfileK. A. Eastman and View ORCID ProfileS. R. Poulson
Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 21, geochem2021-068, 12 November 2021, https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2021-068
C. H. Gammons
1Department of Geological Engineering, Montana Technological University, Butte, MT, USA
Roles: [Conceptualization (Lead)], [Formal analysis (Lead)], [Investigation (Equal)], [Methodology (Lead)], [Project administration (Lead)], [Supervision (Lead)], [Writing – original draft (Equal)], [Writing – review & editing (Lead)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for C. H. Gammons
  • For correspondence: [email protected]
M. F. Doolittle
1Department of Geological Engineering, Montana Technological University, Butte, MT, USA
Roles: [Investigation (Equal)], [Writing – original draft (Equal)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
K. A. Eastman
1Department of Geological Engineering, Montana Technological University, Butte, MT, USA
Roles: [Investigation (Supporting)], [Writing – original draft (Supporting)], [Writing – review & editing (Supporting)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for K. A. Eastman
S. R. Poulson
2Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, USA
Roles: [Investigation (Supporting)], [Methodology (Supporting)], [Writing – review & editing (Supporting)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
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  • ORCID record for S. R. Poulson
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Abstract

This paper investigates natural acid rock drainage in two streams draining either side of Mt Evans, Montana. Bedrock consists of pyrrhotite-bearing schist intruded by granitic dykes and plutons of Late Cretaceous to Tertiary age. The headwaters of both streams are moderately acidic (pH < 5.0) and carry elevated loads of dissolved sulfate, aluminum and other trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn) as well as rare earth elements (REEs). Copious aluminum precipitates inferred to be hydrobasaluminite coat boulders of both streams as pH rises > 5, with adsorption of copper and REEs. Concentrations and loads of dissolved sulfate and trace elements are anomalously high in a small tributary that is sourced by meltwater from a rock glacier. The S-isotope composition of dissolved sulfate in both watersheds is similar to that of pyrrhotite in the meta-sediments, but not molybdenite in late porphyry dykes. Calculations of sulfate flux (i.e. sulfate load divided by surface area) indicate a relatively fast rate of sulfide oxidation in the study area, possibly due to exposure of fresh bedrock in the steep and recently glaciated field area. Overall, the geochemistry of the site suggests the possible presence of a metamorphosed sedimentary–exhalative deposit, a possibility that is unlikely to be tested by drilling given the proximity of the site to a federal wilderness area.

Supplementary material: All analytical data related to this project, additional maps and photographs, and selected results from geochemical modelling are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5649850

Thematic collection: This article is part of the Hydrochemistry related to exploration and environmental issues collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/hydrochemistry-related-to-exploration-and-environmental-issues

  • hydrobasaluminite
  • solute flux
  • rock glacier
  • chemical weathering
  • pyrrhotite
  • rare earth elements
  • © 2021 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London for GSL and AAG. All rights reserved
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Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis: 21 (4)
Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis
Volume 21, Issue 4
November 2021
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Geochemistry of natural acid rock drainage in the Mt Evans area, Anaconda–Pintler Range, Montana, USA

C. H. Gammons, M. F. Doolittle, K. A. Eastman and S. R. Poulson
Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 21, geochem2021-068, 12 November 2021, https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2021-068
C. H. Gammons
1Department of Geological Engineering, Montana Technological University, Butte, MT, USA
Roles: [Conceptualization (Lead)], [Formal analysis (Lead)], [Investigation (Equal)], [Methodology (Lead)], [Project administration (Lead)], [Supervision (Lead)], [Writing – original draft (Equal)], [Writing – review & editing (Lead)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for C. H. Gammons
  • For correspondence: [email protected]
M. F. Doolittle
1Department of Geological Engineering, Montana Technological University, Butte, MT, USA
Roles: [Investigation (Equal)], [Writing – original draft (Equal)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
K. A. Eastman
1Department of Geological Engineering, Montana Technological University, Butte, MT, USA
Roles: [Investigation (Supporting)], [Writing – original draft (Supporting)], [Writing – review & editing (Supporting)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for K. A. Eastman
S. R. Poulson
2Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV, USA
Roles: [Investigation (Supporting)], [Methodology (Supporting)], [Writing – review & editing (Supporting)]
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for S. R. Poulson

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Geochemistry of natural acid rock drainage in the Mt Evans area, Anaconda–Pintler Range, Montana, USA

C. H. Gammons, M. F. Doolittle, K. A. Eastman and S. R. Poulson
Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 21, geochem2021-068, 12 November 2021, https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2021-068
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