Long-term consequences of short-term thinking: a study on the EPA remediation of Elm Creek in Picher, Oklahoma

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an EPA remediation project during the removal of contaminated mining talus and to establish the source of the contamination. Two locations were chosen to represent contamination entering and exiting the one-mile stretch of Elm Creek, Picher, Oklahoma. The two locations were monitored for water depth, velocity, turbidity, metals content and other water quality parameters. The hydrologic study of this site showed increases in water depth, velocity, turbidity, and other water quality parameters at the exiting location and ultimately indicated that the contamination source was the mining talus within the study site. The surface water and sediment samples saw decreases in contamination at the exiting location from the start to the conclusion of this study. Which indicated that as the remediation continues the reductions in contamination should continue as well.