In Cooperation with the World Bank, Romanian National Agency for Mineral Resources, 

and Futures Group 

Reconnaissance Study of Water Quality in the 

Mining-Affected Aries River Basin, Romania 

By Michael J. Friedel, James A. Tindall, Daniel Sardan, David L. Fey, and G. L. Poputa 

Open-File Report 2008–1176 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
U.S. Department of the Interior 

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Mark D. Myers, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2008 

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Suggested citation: 

Friedel, M.J. Tindall, J.A., Sardan, D., Fey, D., and G.L. Poptua, 2008, Reconnaissance study of 

water quality in the mining-affected Aries River basin, Romania: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2008-1176, 40 p. 

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endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. 

ii
Contents 

Abstract................................................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................1

Description of Study Areas...............................................................................................................................................2

Sediment Chemistry ...........................................................................................................................................................6

Field Sampling .................................................................................................................................................................6

Physical Properties and Mineralogy of Tailings Sediment...................................................................................11

Sediment Processing and Analytical Chemistry.....................................................................................................13

Sediment-Associated Metal Concentrations ..........................................................................................................13

Abrud-Aries River System...........................................................................................................................................15

Water Chemistry...............................................................................................................................................................21

Water Collection and Analytical Methods...............................................................................................................22

Physical Parameters ....................................................................................................................................................23

Dissolved Constituents ................................................................................................................................................25

Abrud-Aries River System...........................................................................................................................................25

Stefancei and Sesei Tailings Impoundments ..........................................................................................................26

Summary and Conclusions .............................................................................................................................................37

References Cited ..............................................................................................................................................................38

Figures 

1. Map of the Aries River basin including studied rivers and tributaries, mines, tailings impoundments (ponds), 

and location of sample sites....................................................................................................................................3 

2. Tailings dam facilities May 2006: Valea Stefancei tailings impoundment (a) north view pond, (b) south view 

pond, (c) north view from cased piezometer at dam, (d) sampling piezometers at beach, (e) pH probe 

at dam piezometes, (f) seep at dam face,; Valea Sesei tailings impoundment, (g) beach subsidence 

pit with tension cracks at dam, (h) beach installation piezometers and lysimeters, (i) piezometers at 

far side of pond, (j) pond discharge to Aries river (tributary Valea Sesei)..............................................................6 

3. Schematic of (a) water and sediment sample locations; and (b) conceptual hydrologic model, at the Valea 

Stefancei tailings impoundment..............................................................................................................................8

4. Comparison of surface moisture retention in beach sediment associated with tailings dam facilities: (a) Valea 

Stefancei, and (b) Valea Sesei...............................................................................................................................12

5. Concentrations and associated benchmarks for selected metals found in river channel sediment plotted on a 

downstream basis for the Abrud-Aries river system: (a) As, (b) Cd, (c) Cu, (d) Pb, and (e) Zn .............................19

6. Selected downstream sediment concentrations in channel-bed and floodplain on the Aries River, Romania: 

(a) arsenic, (b) cadmium, (c) copper, (d) lead, (e) zinc............................................................................................21

7. Aqueous physical parameter measurements (conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and termperature) plotted on a 

downstream basis for the Abrud-Aries river system ............................................................................................25

iii
Tables 

1. Sample site information (coordinates, distances, elevation), aqueous measurements (conductivity, dissolved 

oxygen, pH, and temperature), and rivers (feature and names), sampled in the Aries River basin ......................9

2. Physical properties of tailings sediment (average of 10 samples).................................................................................11

3. Mineralogy of tailings sediment determined using x-ray diffraction.............................................................................13

4. Downstream concentraions of selected metals in river channel and floodplain of the Abrud-Aries River 

system (mg kg-1)......................................................................................................................................................14

5. Summary statistics for selected sediment-associated metals in the Aries River basin ...............................................16

6. Correlation matrix for selected sediment-associated metals in the Aries River basin .................................................16

7. Exceedance probabilities for selected sediment-associated metals in the Aries River basin......................................17

8. Correlation matrix of aqueous physical parameters measured in the Abrud-Aries River system ................................23

9. Summary statistics of aqueous physical parameters measured in the Abrud-Aries River system...............................24

10. Tailings water sampling station identifiers and location description..........................................................................27

11. Dissolved elemental iron an dphysical parameters measured in groundwater at the Stefancei and Sesei 

tailings impoundments...........................................................................................................................................28

12. Dissolved major elements groundwater at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings impoundments....................................29

13. Dissolved trace elements groundwater at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings impoundments.....................................31

14. Dissolved rare elements groundwater at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings impoundments.......................................33

15. Summary statistics of dissolved major elements in groundwater at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings 

impoundments........................................................................................................................................................36

16. Summary statistics of dissolved trace elements in groundwater at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings 

impoundments........................................................................................................................................................36

 

iv
Conversion Factors 

Inch/Pound to SI 

Multiply By To obtain 

Length 

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm) 

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm) 

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m) 

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km) 

yard (yd) 0.9144 meter (m) 

Volume 

ounce, fluid (fl. oz) 0.02957 liter (L) 

pint (pt) 0.4732 liter (L) 

quart (qt) 0.9464 liter (L) 

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L) 

gallon (gal) 0.003785 cubic meter (m3

) 

cubic inch (in3

) 0.01639 liter (L) 

cubic foot (ft3

) 0.02832 cubic meter (m3) 

cubic yard (yd3

) 0.7646 cubic meter (m3) 

Flow rate 

foot per second (ft/s) 0.3048 meter per second (m/s) 

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s) 

Mass 

ounce, avoirdupois (oz) 28.35 gram (g) 

pound, avoirdupois (lb) 0.4536 kilogram (kg) 

Pressure 

atmosphere, standard (atm) 101.3 kilopascal (kPa) 

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows: 

°C=(°F-32)/1.8 

v
vi

SI to Inch/Pound 

Multiply By To obtain 

Length 

centimeter (cm) 0.3937 inch (in.) 

millimeter (mm) 0.03937 inch (in.) 

meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft) 

kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi) 

meter (m) 1.094 yard (yd) 

Volume 

liter (L) 33.82 ounce, fluid (fl. oz) 

liter (L) 2.113 pint (pt) 

liter (L) 1.057 quart (qt) 

liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal) 

cubic meter (m3

) 264.2 gallon (gal) 

liter (L) 61.02 cubic inch (in3

) 

cubic meter (m3

) 35.31 cubic foot (ft3) 

cubic meter (m3

) 1.308 cubic yard (yd3) 

Flow rate 

meter per second (m/s) 3.281 foot per second (ft/s) 

cubic meter per second (m3/s) 35.31 cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 

Mass 

gram (g) 0.03527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz) 

kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound avoirdupois (lb) 

Pressure 

kilopascal (kPa) 0.009869 atmosphere, standard (atm) 

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows: 

°F=(1.8×°C)+32 
Reconnaissance Study of Water Quality in the 

Mining-Affected Aries River Basin, Romania 

By Michael J. Friedel, James A. Tindall, Daniel Sardan, David L. Fey, and G.L. Poputa 

Abstract 

The Aries River basin of western Romania has been subject to mining activities as 

far back as Roman times. Present mining activities are associated with the extraction and 

processing of various metals including Au, Cu, Pb, and Zn. To understand the effects of 

these mining activities on the environment, this study focused on three objectives: (1) 

establish a baseline set of physical parameters, and water- and sediment-associated 

concentrations of metals in river-valley floors and floodplains; (2) establish a baseline set 

of physical and chemical measurements of pore water and sediment in tailings; and (3) 

provide training in sediment and water sampling to personnel in the National Agency for 

Mineral Resources and the Rosia Poieni Mine. This report summarizes basin findings of 

physical parameters and chemistry (sediment and water), and ancillary data collected 

during the low-flow synoptic sampling of May 2006. 

Introduction 

Reconnaissance surveys were conducted to evaluate water quality in the Tisza 

River basin. Reconnaissance surveys previously conducted by Forray and Hallbauer 

(2000) and Bird and others (2003a, 2003b, 2005) focused on the geochemistry and spatial 

extent of sediment-bound metal pollution in mining-affected tributaries (Aries, Lapus, 

Somes, and Tisza) of the Tisza River basin. These studies focused on the identification of 

sediment-associated metal sources that originate from upstream mining activities in the 

Tisza River basin. Flood events play an important role in the redistribution of sedimentbound metals in channels and floodplains. Catastrophic releases of metals stored in 

tailings-pond sediment occurred as a result of failure of tailings dams (Macline and 

others, 2003); however, the mechanisms for dam failure were not fully understood at the 

time of this study. 

 1
To enhance our ability to understand the physical and chemical interaction of 

metal-mine activities on the environment, this study had three data-collection objectives. 

The first was to determine the redistribution, storage sites, and mobility of metal 

contaminants in river valley floors by sampling: (1) a previous water-quality survey of 

the Aries River basin, (2) floodplains under changing hydrological conditions, and (3) 

previously unsampled tailings and ground-water sources. The second objective was to 

collect samples and analyze the metal content of tailings water and sediment for future 

computer-model evaluation of geochemical interactions leading to tailings dam failure. 

The third objective was to provide technical training in sediment and water sampling to 

employees of the National Agency for Mineral Resources (NAMR) and Rosia Poieni 

mine personnel through field participation with USGS scientists during the surveys. The 

following sections describe findings of the water and sediment chemistry surveys 

conducted in the Aries River basin. 

Description of Study Areas 

The Aries River basin is underlain by bedrock consisting of igneous, 

metamorphic, and sedimentary assemblages. The igneous rocks are associated with 

volcanic activity within the Carpathian region (Alderton and Fallick, 2000). Calc-alkaline 

igneous rocks, particularly porphyritic andesites, are the most abundant rock types, and 

they host ores of base metals (Cu, Zn, and Pb) and precious metals (Au and Ag). 

Carbonate-rich bedrock is present in the upper reaches of the Aries valley, upstream of 

Campeni, and also within the ore deposits at Baia de Aries (Forray and Hallbauer, 2000). 

The Aries River basin contains both inactive and active metal mines that may 

contribute to existing and future pollution. Past mining activity occurred at a number of 

mines including the EM Bucium, located on a tributary to the Abrudel River that drains 

into the Aries River (fig. 1). Current mining activity takes place at a number of sites in 

the Aries River basin, most notably at the Rosia Poieni mine, where a porphyry copper 

deposit containing 0.4% Cu is exploited through open-pit mining. Mine-waste slurry 

previously and currently deposited at the respective Stefancei and Valea Sesei tailings 

dam facilities constitute a potential source of solute and sediment-associated metal 

contaminants to the Aries River. The Rosia Montana deposit comprises a 20 km2

concession that is believed to contain 100-150 million tonnes of ore, with Au and Ag 

contents of 1.9 g tonne-1 and 10 g tonne-1, respectively. Since the study by Bird and others 

 2
(2005), the Rosia Montana mine has become operational using cyanide (CN)-leach 

methods to process about 13 Mt of ore each year. The Rosia Montana mine also is linked 

hydrologically to the Aries River system, and therefore its mine waste constitutes a 

potential source of solute and sediment-associated contaminants to that system.

Figure 1. Map of the Aries River basin including studied rivers and tributaries, mines, 

tailing impoundments (ponds), and location of sampling sites (numbers indicate sample 

station). The dark line is the boundary of the Aries Basin. 

The two tailings dam facilities (TDFs) being studied are the upper Valea Stefancei 

(fig. 2a-f) and Valea Sesei (fig. 2g-j). Both TDFs are hydrologically connected to the 

Aries River, with average allowable designed releases of 0.108 m3 

sec-1 and 0.263 m3 sec-1

for the Valea Stefancei and Valea Sesei, respectively. Although both TDFs are 

hydrologically connected to the Aires River, they differ in age, depositional activity, and 

risk of dam failure. 

The Valea Sesei TDF is younger (1988-present), active, and has surface 

desiccation-induced cracks (60 to 80 cm deep and 0.5 to 2 m long). As of May 1, 2006, 

 3
the 79-m-high Valea Sesei dam was retaining about 30.1 million tons of acid water and 

metal-associated sediment, covering about a 127-ha area. Early in 2007, the Valea Sesei 

TDF was expected to reach design capacity, with a 100-m-high dam that retains about 66 

million tons of acid water and metal-associated sediment over about a 221-ha area. 

The Valea Stefancei TDF is essentially semi-inactive (1980-1998), overgrown 

with vegetation (riparian-like), and has a dam stability that is of primary concern. The 

older Valea Stefancei TDF is considered semi-inactive because tailings sediment is 

deposited here only when problems arise with the processing plant, during extreme 

weather conditions, or when capacity with the upstream Valea Sesei TDF is exceeded. 

The inactive, 35-m-high Valea Stefancei dam retains about 9 million tons of acid water 

and metal-associated sediment (Poputa, personal comm., 2006). At the surface, the Valea 

Stefancei TDF is at about 750 m elevation and covers about 26 ha. 

 

(a) (b) 

 4
 (c) (d) 

(e) (f) 

 5
(g) (h) 

 (i) (j) 

Figure 2. Tailings dam facilities, May 2006, Valea Stefancei tailings impoundment. (A) view of 

the pond looking north, (B) view of the pond looking south, (C) north view from cased piezometers 

at dam, (D) sampling piezometers at beach, (E) pH probe at dam piezometers, (F, left) collecting 

water samples at seep at dam face; Valea Sesei tailings impoundment, (F, right) close-up of seep, 

(G) beach subsidence pit with tension cracks at dam, (H) beach installation piezometers and 

lysimeters, (I) piezometers at far side of pond, (J) pond discharge into Aries River (a tributary of 

the Valea Sesei). 

Sediment Chemistry 

Field Sampling 

Sampling of the Abrud-Aries River system and associated tributaries was 

conducted near low-flow conditions in May 2006. Samples and measurements were 

collected in the Abrud-Aries River system from Bucium to a point upstream of Turda to 

 6
evaluate the dispersal, storage, and remobilization of sediment-associated metals derived 

from mine sites and to identify future water-quality sampling and monitoring points. In 

this field study, samples of river-channel sediment and water, and aqueous measurements 

of dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature, were 

collected concurrently from twenty-four sites along a 75-km reach of the Abrud-Aries 

river system (fig. 1). In addition to these samples, river-channel sediment and surfacewater samples were collected from six tributaries where mining activities were or are 

presently conducted upstream of the sampling point (table 1). The six tributaries and their 

associated mines (listed in order from the headwaters downstream) include the Valea 

Abuzel (Rosia Poieni mine), Valea Covina (EM Bucium mine), Valea Lalishei (Rosia 

Montana mine), Valea Rosei (Rosia Montana mine), Valea Stefancei (Rosia Poieni 

mine), and Valea Sesei (Rosia Poieni mine) at river distances of about 0, 4.0, 8.3, 10.6, 

26.7, and 36.0 km, respectively, where the distance downstream is measured from the 

first sample station located at the Abruzel tributary (Rosia Poieni mine). In addition to instream sampling of these tributaries, floodplain and surface-sediment sampling was 

conducted at the Valea Sesei and Valea Stefancei tailings impoundments (fig. 3). At all 

sites, a 200–300 g (wet weight) sediment sample was collected using a stainless steel 

trowel. 

 7
18’ 2”

2 m

2 m

2 m

23’ 4”

P1

P2

P3

PD

P =

piezometer

piepiezometer

PD =

piezometer

At dam

Tailings Dam

Tailings Pond

Tailings

beach

A B

C D

x x

x x

Sediment samples

(a) 

tailings acid pond

dam 

Direction of groundwater flow 

seepage 

(b) 

Figure 3. Schematic of (a) sediment and water sample locations, and (b) conceptual hydrologic model, at 

the Valea Stefancei tailings impoundment. 

 8
Table 1. Sample site information (coordinates, distances, elevation), aqueous measurements (conductivity, d

and temperature), and rivers (feature and names), sampled in the Aries River basin. [km, kilometer; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microSiemens per centimeter; °C, degrees Celsius; < less than] 

Sample 

Station 

Distance 

downstream 

(km) 

pH 

Dissolved 

oxygen 

(mg/l) 

Conductivity 

(μS/cm) 

Temperature 

(°C) 

River 

feature 

River 

name 

1 0.00 4.3 9.0 917 12.7 Tributary Valea Abruzel 2 0.08 5.6 8.3 313 12 Tributary Bucium 3 0.24 5.5 8.0 413 11.9 Tributary Bucium 4 2.43 5.7 8.1 255 12.3 Tributary Abrudel 5 2.62 6.8 8.8 271 12.3 Tributary Abrudel 6 3.95 7.1 8.6 475 12.4 Tributary Valea Covina 7 4.71 7.4 8.5 368 12.5 Tributary Abrudel 9 8.19 7.1 6.4 355 15.1 Tributary Abrudel 

10 8.29 6.7 8.0 688 13 Tributary Valea Lalishei 11 8.58 7.5 6.9 633 14.5 Tributary Abrudel 12 10.59 3.1 7.0 1866 13.9 Tributary Valea Rosei 13 11.49 5.4 6.9 929 14.2 Tributary Abrudel 14 17.26 5.4 7.5 916 13.8 Mainstem Abrudel 15 19.18 7.2 7.5 111 13.4 Mainstem Aries 16 21.36 7.6 6.7 134 14 Mainstem Aries 17 26.64 8.4 7.0 122 14.3 Mainstem Aries 18 26.74 8.1 6.6 308 16.5 Tributary Valea Stefancei 19 34.87 8.1 6.4 125 24.4 Mainstem Aries 20 35.94 3.5 5.2 2195 14.1 Tributary Valea Sesei 21 40.62 5.3 5.8 193 15.4 Mainstem Aries 22 40.68 5.2 5.9 181 15.1 Mainstem Aries 23 43.34 7.0 5.1 194 12.9 Mainstem Aries 24 45.74 7.5 5.4 180 14.4 Mainstem Aries 25 50.23 6.9 7.5 177 14.7 Mainstem Aries 26 59.11 7.0 8.5 187 14.7 Mainstem Aries 

 9 
 10 

27 63.54 7.4 6.3 160 13.8 Tributary ??? 28 66.06 7.8 6.5 161 15.2 Mainstem Aries 29 71.46 7.6 8.0 196 15.3 Mainstem Aries 30 76.85 7.7 6.6 195 15.2 Mainstem Aries 
Physical Properties and Mineralogy of Tailings Sediment 

To understand the geochemical interaction, fate, and transport that leads to 

deterioration and sometimes catastrophic failure of tailings dams, the physical properties 

of tailings sediment samples were analyzed for future input to vadose zone transport and 

geochemical models. Ten tailings sediment samples (5 samples per site) were collected at 

the Valea Sesei and Valea Stefancei tailings impoundments. The analysis of physical 

properties for these samples was accomplished through a variety of published laboratory 

and field methods. 

The ten tailings sediment samples were analyzed at the USGS Vadose Zone 

Laboratory (VZL). Analyses performed at the VZL included particle-size analysis, soil 

class, saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, porosity, and moisture retention 

characteristics (table 2). All analyses were performed in accordance with standards 

developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or other approved 

technical procedures (Blake and Hartge, 1986; Gee and Bauder, 1986; Klute, 1986; Klute 

and Dirksen, 1986). Classification of textural-size fractions uses the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture system (Tindall and Kunkel, 1999). 

Table 2. Average physical properties of tailings sediment (10 samples). 

Tailings 

Site 

Soil 

Class 

Percent 

sandsized 

grains 

Percent

siltsized 

grains 

Percent

claysized 

grains 

Saturated 

hydraulic 

conductivity 

(m day-1) 

Bulk 

density 

(Kg m-3) 

Porosity

 

Valea 

Sesei 

Sandy 

Loam 75 15 12 2.26 x 10 -1 1.24 0.54 

Stefancei 

upper 

Loamy 

Sand 80 10 9 3.73 x 10 -1 1.30 0.53 

Field analysis of surface moisture retention was conducted using a combination of 

a Campbell Scientific time-domain reflectometer and a Soil Moisture Systems moisture 

suction probe. Pairs of moisture-suction measurements were recorded and plotted, 

revealing a complete profile of surface retention behavior for both the Stefancei and Sesei 

tailings beach sites (fig. 4). Construction of a complete retention profile underscores the 

heterogeneous nature of surface moisture. Because of the consistency in surface physical 

properties, the heterogeneous moisture content is attributed to gravitational potential 

associated with undulations in surface topography and lateral moisture migration toward 

surface tension cracks. 

11 
X-ray diffraction analyses of two sediment samples (one per tailings 

impoundment) show the most abundant mineral to be quartz, with subordinate albite and 

trace amounts of muscovite, pyrite, and other clay and silicate minerals (table 3). Two 

observations are pertinent here. First, the mineralogy suggests that at the surface, the 

trace-metal-bearing sulfide minerals have been mostly leached. Second, the infiltration of 

water through pyrite-laden tailings will likely result in the lowering of in situ pH. The 

changing pH of pore water caused by variations in oxygen and temperature results in a 

complex geochemical environment. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 5 10 15 20

SUCTION, cbar

VWC, %

(a) 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 5 10 15 20

SUCTION, cbar

VWC, %

 

(b) 

Figure 4. Comparison of surface moisture retention using volumetric water content 

(VWC) as a function of suction in centibar (cbar) in beach sediment associated with 

tailings dam facilities: (a) Valea Stefancei, and (b) Valea Sesei. 

12 
Table 3. Mineralogy of surface tailings sediment determined using x-ray diffraction. 

Stefancei Upper mine tailings impoundment 

Phase – ID 

Quartz – SiO2 Major

Albite – Na(Si3Al)O8 Minor

Muscovite - 2M1 - KAl2 (Si3Al)O10(OH,F) 2 Trace

Nontronite - 15A - NaO.3Fe2Si4O10 (OH) 2*4H2O Trace

Clinochlore - 1Mllb - (Mg,Fe06(Si,Al)4O10 (OH)8 Trace

Jarosite - (K,H3O)Fe3 (SO4) 2 (OH)8 Trace

Kaolinite - 1A - Al2Si2O5(OH)4 Trace

Magnesiohornblende - Ca2 (M,g,Fe+2)4Al(Si7Al)O22(Oh,F) 2 Trace

Pyrite - FeS2 Trace

Vale Sesei mine tailings impoundment 

Phase – ID 

Quartz, SiO2 Major

Albite – Na(Si3Al)O8 Minor

Muscovite - 2M1 - KAl2 (Si3Al)O10 (OH,F) 2 Trace

Orthoclase - KAlSi3O8 Trace

Clinochlore - 1Mllb - (Mg,Fe06(Si,Al)4O10 (OH) 8 Trace

Kaolinite - 1A - Al2Si2O5(OH)4 Trace

Pyrite - FeS2 Trace

Sediment Processing and Analytical Chemistry 

All sediment samples were air-dried, disaggregated, and sieved through a stainless 

steel mesh to isolate the <63 μm fraction. Sediment samples were then digested in 

concentrated (70%) HNO3 at 100°C for 1 hour, and metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, 

and others) were determined using an ICP-MS (Lamothe and others, 1999). Although 

concentrated HNO3

 does not provide a complete sediment digestion, it has been widely 

used in previous studies investigating metal contamination in mining-affected river basins 

(Bird and others, 2003a, 2003b, 20005). 

Sediment-Associated Metal Concentrations 

In this section, sediment-associated metal concentrations for the Abrud-Aries 

river system, including the channel, floodplain, and Stefancei and Sesei tailings 

impoundments, are presented (table 4) together with multiple soil/sediment toxicological 

benchmarks. For example, the respective pairs of Dutch (Visser, 1995) and US toxicity 

13 
benchmarks (MacDonald and others, 1994) include values for the target level (the 

lower value) and intervention level (the higher value), and the threshold effect level (the 

lower value) and probable effect level (the higher value). The threshold effect level is 

defined as the upper limit of the range of sediment contaminant concentrations 

dominated by no adverse biological effects. The probable effect level represents the 

lower limit of the range of contaminant concentrations that are associated with 

adverse biological effects (MacDonald and others, 1994). Because the Dutch 

guidelines are similar defined but not identical, both sets of benchmarks are presented 

for a more robust evaluation of the sediment chemical data. Both sets of standards have a 

long history of use in setting soil/sediment protection policies and guidelines based on 

eco-toxicological methods and human health considerations. These benchmark criteria 

were adopted and used in various European and US metal-mine-related pollution studies 

(Macklin and Klimek, 1992; Macklin and others, 2003; Jones and others, 1997) and are 

routinely used in basin studies to evaluate sediment quality. 

Table 4. Downstream concentrations of selected metals in river channel and floodplain sediment of 

the Abrud-Aries River system. The distance downstream is measured from the first sample station 

located at the Abruzel tributary (Rosia Poieni mine). 

[mg kg-1, km - kilometer] 

Downstream 

distance 

Km 

As 

mg kg-1

Cd 

mg kg-1

Cu 

mg kg-1

Pb 

mg kg-1

Zn 

mg kg-1

River 

Name 

Mine 

 

0.00 17.4 0.36 127 30.4 113 Abuzel Rosia Poieni mine 

0.08 16.6 2.6 325 45.4 609 Bucium EM Bucium mine 

0.24 19.9 0.72 264 45.5 249 Bucium EM Bucium mine 

2.43 15.1 1.2 332 76.8 285 Abrudel Bucium confluence 

2.62 10.7 0.46 116 34.7 157 Abrudel 

3.95 58.5 1.1 186 49.7 405 Valea Covina 

4.71 8.1 0.59 76.5 44.3 172 Abrudel 

8.19 11 1.5 165 31.3 325 Abrudel 

8.29 160 2.3 75.1 104 651 

Valea 

Lalishei 

Rosia Montana 

mine 

8.58 21.2 2.1 330 49.7 552 Abrudel 

Rosia Montana 

mine 

10.59 234 0.38 77.2 49.1 177 Valea Rosei 

Rosia Montana 

mine 

11.49 49.9 3.2 265 70.6 820 Abrudel 

17.26 72.8 5.3 153 75.9 1050 Abrudel 

19.18 14.4 0.45 53.8 59.8 164 Aries Abrudel confluence 

21.36 25.5 1.8 108 157 365 Aries 

26.64 20.4 1.7 107 44.2 366 Aries 

14 
26.74 37.1 0.4 431 35.1 94.6 

Valea 

Stefancei Rosia Poieni mine 

34.87 29.3 2.4 302 63 484 Aries 

35.94 34.8 0.3 503 45.5 142 Valea Sesei Rosia Poieni mine 

40.62 37.4 1.5 924 107 338 Aries 

40.68 51.3 2.6 702 118 535 Aries 

43.34 38.4 0.7 40.4 52.4 198 Aries 

45.74 22.6 1.4 570 52.8 340 Aries 

50.23 47.8 1.6 451 84 364 Aries 

59.11 76.5 3.6 665 220 775 Aries 

63.54 16 0.19 27.3 18.9 87.7 ??? 

66.06 26.5 1.5 234 42.7 279 Aries 

71.46 44.9 4.5 794 50.8 756 Aries 

76.85 23 1.7 476 40.4 382 Aries 

63.54 20.5 0.39 73.2 33.9 144 

Aries 

floodplain 

66.06 26.8 0.66 113 48.1 189 

Aries 

floodplain 

71.46 169 2.3 94.3 117 449 

Aries 

floodplain 

76.85 38.3 0.27 42.6 27.6 101 

Aries 

floodplain 

Abrud-Aries River System 

The basin sediment sampling campaign (30 locations) may be treated as a single 

population, and the metal concentrations vary over a wide range of statistical values 

(table 5). Of the selected sediment-associated metals, the only pair of metals 

characterized by a strong relation (with a correlation coefficient 0.97) is Cd and Zn (table 

6). This strong correlation is typically apparent where Cd is substituted for Zn in the 

mineral sphalerite [(Zn,Fe) S]. This is particularly true where dissolution and/or 

precipitation of sphalerite is likely. Whereas either Cd or Zn can be used as a predictor 

for the other, the relations between other metals are weak. The weak correlations may 

have something to do with sorption, kinetics, and redistribution during flood events. For 

this reason, the probability of exceeding the benchmarks for the selected metals was 

computed (table 7). With the exception of Cu, the probability for exceeding the 

benchmarks differs between the US and Dutch systems. Using the US system, which is 

considered more conservative, the probability for exceeding the threshold effect level 

(low) for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn is 100, 100, 100, 91, and 87.5%, respectively, and the 

probability of exceeding the probable effects level (high) is 51.9, 4, 69, 11, and 60.5%. 

The relative likelihood for pollution by the selected metals is, from high to low: 

Cu>Zn>As>Cd.

15 
Table 5. Summary statistics for selected sediment-associated metals in the 

Aries River basin. 

[mg kg-1, milligrams per kilogram] 

Statistics 

 

As 

mg kg-1

Cd 

mg kg-1

Cu 

mg kg-1

Pb 

mg kg-1

Zn 

mg kg-1

0% 8.1 0.2 27.3 18.9 87.7 

5% 10.9 0.3 41.7 29.3 98.4 

50% 26.8 1.5 186 49.7 338 

95% 164 4.0 743 136 795 

100% 234 5.3 924 220 1050 

Average 45.3 1.6 279 64.4 367 

Standard deviation 26.7 1.5 210 49.7 339 

Range 226 5.1 897 201 962 

Table 6. Correlation matrix for selected sediment-associated 

metals in the Aries River basin. 

[As – arsenic, Cd – cadmium, Cu – copper, Pb – lead, Zn – zinc.] 

As Cd Cu Pb Zn 

As 1.00 

Cd 0.13 1.00 

Cu -0.08 0.36 1.00 

Pb 0.24 0.44 0.36 1.00 

Zn 0.22 0.97 0.29 0.46 1.00

The concentration of selected metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) found in the 

Abrud-Aries river channel sediment is shown in figure 5, together with the associated 

benchmarks. In all cases, concentrations of these five metals exceed the low benchmarks, 

showing the likelihood for some adverse effects on in-stream biota and the potential for 

human-health concerns where these biota, such as fish, are consumed. In many cases, 

downstream metal concentrations exceed both of the high benchmarks, which again 

indicates probable adverse effects on in-stream biota and human health. Of the selected 

metals, As is the only metal that occurs at sample locations of mining-associated 

tributaries. For example, the greatest As concentrations of 160 and 234 mg kg-1

 were 

measured downstream from the mouths of the Valea Lalishei and Valea Rosei, both 

sampling points associated with the Rosia Montana mine. The four largest observed Cu 

16 
concentrations also all occur downstream from the confluence of mining-associated 

tributaries. In contrast, the largest five Cd concentrations appear to be spread out over the 

complete study reach from distances of 0.08 to 71.5 km, and none of the locations are 

directly associated with mining-related tributaries. Like Cd, the largest sediment 

concentrations of Pb also span the study reach and show no direct correlation to miningrelated tributaries. 

Table 7. Exceedance probabilities for selected sediment-associated metals in the Aries 

River basin. 

[% percent.] 

Country Guidelines Probability of exceedance in Aries River basin,% 

 As Cd Cu Pb Zn 

Netherlands Target (low)1 47 62 97.5 18.5 87.5 

Netherlands Intervention (high)1 17.5 0 52 0 10.5 

United States Threshold effect level (low)2,3 100 100 100 91 87.5 

United States Probable effects level (high)2,3 51.9 4 69 11 60.5 

2

MacDonald and others, 1994; 3Jones and others, 1997

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 25 50 75 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg -1

As Dutch US

(a) 

17 
0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 25 50 75 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg -1

Cd Dutch US

(b) 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

0 25 50 75 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg -1

Cu Dutch US

(c) 

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0 25 50 75 1

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg -1

00

Pb Dutch US

(d) 

18 
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0 25 50 75 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg -1

Zn Dutch US

(e) 

Figure 5. Concentrations of selected metals in river-channel sediment in the AbrudAries River system: (a) As, (b) Cd, (c) Cu, (d) Pb, and (e) Zn. The distance downstream is 

measured from the first sample station located at the Abruzel tributary (Rosia Poieni 

mine). The lower benchmark is called the threshold effect level and is defined as the 

upper limit of the range of sediment contaminant concentrations dominated by no adverse 

biological effects. The upper benchmark is called the probable effect limit and is defined 

as the lower limit of the range of contaminant concentrations that are associated with 

adverse biological effects. 

At the time of this survey, the upper portion of the sampled reach did not have a 

well-defined floodplain. For this reason, only limited sampling was conducted, beginning 

about 60 km downstream from the first sample location (table 4). Sediment 

concentrations for both the channel and floodplain are variable, with peak metal values 

occurring at about 71.5 km (fig. 6). These peak concentrations occur about 7.9 km 

downstream from the confluence of an unnamed tributary with the Aries River. The 

relation between sediment concentrations sampled in the channel to those of the 

floodplain are strong and positive for As, Cd, and Zn, with respective correlation 

coefficients of 0.95, 0.92, and 0.84. Less prominent is the relation between Pb 

concentrations as shown by an intermediate correlation coefficient of 0.65. Interestingly, 

there was no correlation found between Cu concentrations in the channel and in 

floodplain sediment, despite the fact that Cu concentrations in the channel sediment 

displayed the strongest exceedance characteristics for both the US and Dutch guidelines. 

19 
 

0

50

100

150

200

0 20 40 60 80 100

Downstream Distance km

Concentration, mg kg-1

channel

floodplain

(a) 

 

0

1

2

3

4

5

0 20 40 60 80 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg-1

channel

floodplain

(b) 

 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

0 20 40 60 80 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg-1

channel

floodplain

(c) 

20 
 

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

0 20 40 60 80 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg-1

channel

floodplain

(d) 

 

0

200

400

600

800

0 20 40 60 80 100

Downstream Distance, km

Concentration, mg kg-1

channel

floodplain

(e) 

Figure 6. Concentrations of selected metals in downstream sediments from the channel 

bed and floodplain of the Aries River, Romania: (a) As, (b) Cd, (c) Cu, (d) Pb, and (e) Zn. 

Water Chemistry 

Water samples and measurements of physical parameters in the Aries River basin 

were collected to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of solute metals in relation to 

mine sites and to identify future water-quality sampling and monitoring points. Samples 

of river water were collected during low-flow conditions in May 2006 from Bucium to a 

point upstream of Turda (fig. 2), as well as from various mining-affected tributaries (table 

2). Surface and ground-water samples were also collected from the Stefancei and Sesei 

tailings impoundment sites (fig. 3). Measurements of physical parameters, such as 

21 
dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature (T), were 

collected simultaneously with the water samples. 

Water Collection and Analytical Methods 

Surface water samples were collected from sites having flowing water, and 

subsurface water samples were collected following the purging of up to three volumes of 

water from lysimeters (4.8 cm in diameter and 60 cm in length, with 2-bar ceramic cups) 

and piezometers (flush-threaded, 5-cm-diameter, schedule-40 polyvinyl chloride casing 

and screen). During purging, measurements of specific conductance, pH, water 

temperature, and dissolved oxygen were monitored using a flow-through chamber until 

consecutive stable readings were obtained, then water samples were collected. Water in 

the unsaturated zone (soil water) was collected from suction-cup lysimeters installed at 

the tailings sites. A 60-centibar vacuum was applied to the sample-chamber/ceramic-cup 

assembly to move soil water into the lysimeter. Ground water in the saturated zone was 

collected from existing or newly installed piezometers at the tailings sites. Either a 

suction or peristaltic pump was used to draw water from the piezometers. 

All waters were filtered in the field through a 0.45-μm disposable capsule filter 

and captured in clean polyethylene or amber glass bottles that were rinsed on-site with 

filtered native water. Water samples for anion analysis were filtered and deacidified, 

whereas water samples for trace elements and iron speciation (redox pairs) were filtered 

and preserved with about 2 mL of 7.5–7.7 N nitric acid and 2 mL of 50% sulfuric acid, 

respectively. All water samples were kept chilled in a cooler with ice. 

Chemical analyses of water collected from surface, soil, and ground water were 

conducted at the USGS Geologic Division Laboratory in Denver, Colorado, USA, using 

the methods of Fishman (1993) and Zaugg and others (1995). Analyses of dissolved 

major and trace elements were conducted using an elemental inductively coupled 

plasma–mass spectrometer (ICP-MS; Lamothe and others, 1999) and inductively coupled 

plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES, Briggs and Fey, 1996). Standard 

titration methods were used to determine bicarbonate concentrations, and arsenic and iron 

speciation concentrations were determined using atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS; 

Moreno and others, 2000) and the ferrozine method (Bangthanh T. and others, 1999). 

Blank and replicate samples also were collected and used to assess the combined effects 

22 
of procedures on measurement variability (quality control). Laboratory measurements of 

conductivity and pH were recorded as a check against field measurements. 

Physical Parameters 

Findings for aqueous physical parameters and dissolved constituents in the water 

samples are shown as a statistical summary (table 8) and as correlation coefficients (table 

9). Comparing these coefficients with the physical parameters for the Abrud-Aries River 

system (fig. 7), a strong negative correlation (-0.77) is present between EC and pH; that 

is, EC increases with decreasing pH. There also are weak positive and negative pairwise 

correlations between T and pH (0.32), and T and DO (-0.39). Pairwise correlation 

between T and EC is lacking, although there seems to be a temporal correlation, with 

about an apparent five-day lag. Of these relations, conductivity is the most obvious 

predictor of mine-affected solute concentrations. 

Table 8. Summary statistics of aqueous physical parameters 

measured in the Abrud-Aries river system, May 2006 (N=30). 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; °C, degrees 

Celsius; < less than] 

Statistic 

 

pH 

 

Dissolved 

oxygen 

mg/l 

Conductivity

μS/cm 

Temperature

°C 

minimum 3.1 5.1 111 11.9 

maximum 8.4 9.0 2195 16.5 

average 6.5 7.2 456 13.9 

median 7.0 7.0 255 14.1 

standard 

deviation 

1.4 

 

1.1 

 

503 

 

1.20 

 

23 
Table 9. Correlation matrix of aqueous physical parameters 

measured in the Abrud-Aries river system, May 2006 (N=30). 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microSiemens per centimeter; °C, degrees 

Celsius; < less than] 

pH 

 

Dissolved

oxygen 

mg/l 

Conductivity

μS/cm 

Temperature

°C 

pH 

1 

Dissolved 

oxygen 

mg/l -0.04 1 

Conductivity 

μS/cm -0.77 -0.09 1 

Temperature 

°C 0.32 -0.39 -0.16 1 

The physical parameters for the Abrud-Aries river system (fig. 7) reveal three 

primary anomalies at sample locations at downstream distances of 0, 10.6, and 35.9 km 

that are associated with the tributaries Valea Abruzel (Rosia Poieni mine), Valea Rosei 

(Rosia Montana mine), and Valea Sesei (Rosia Poieni mine), respectively. Downstream, 

the pH generally increases (becoming more basic), and conductivities decrease, probably 

due to stream dilution. There also are less prominent increases in conductivity 

downstream from these primary peaks that correspond to the confluence of two other 

tributaries. Specifically, the conductivity increases from a background value to 475 and 

308 μS/cm at distances of 3.9 and 26.7 km that are associated with the Valea Stefancei 

(Rosia Poieni mine) and Valea Covina (unknown mine) tributaries. 

24 
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

0 20 40 60 80 100

Distance Downstream, km

Conductivity, us/cm

0

5

10

15

20

25

Other Parameters

Conductivity, us/cm pH

Dissolved oxygen, mg/L Temperature, degree C

Figure 7. Aqueous physical-parameter measurements (conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, 

and temperature) for the Abrud-Aries river system. The distance downstream is measured 

from the first sample station located at the Abruzel tributary (Rosia Poieni mine). 

Dissolved Constituents 

A summary of solute concentrations for the dissolved ions analyzed in surface and 

ground water samples and related physical parameters measured on-site during sample 

collection are given in tables 8-9. Statistical summaries of dissolved constituents (major, 

trace, and rare elements) in surface and ground water at the tailings sites are provided in 

tables 10-16. In each of these tables, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(USEPA) national drinking-water standards 

(http://www.epa.gov/safewater /mcl.html) are provided as a frame of reference for the 

relative quality of collected samples. 

Abrud-Aries River System 

The major dissolved ions Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, SiO2, SO4, and Zn 

account for the bulk of dissolved constituents in water sampled. In natural environments 

unaffected by anthropogenic sources, these dissolved constituents generally are derived 

25 
from rock/water interactions; however, reuse of water can increase constituent concentrations through repeated exposure to weathered minerals or through evaporation that 

removes water but leaves dissolved metallic ions behind. Evaporative concentration 

would tend to increase the concentration of all dissolved ions, whereas exposure to 

weathered rock would affect only selected constituents. Many of these dissolved 

constituents exceed the USEPA maximum contaminant levels at tributaries associated 

with upstream mining activities, which suggests a strong anthropogenic influence. 

Stefancei and Sesei Tailings Impoundments 

The major dissolved ions Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, SiO2, SO4, and Zn 

account for the bulk of dissolved constituents in water sampled at the Valea Sesei and 

Valea Stefancei tailings impoundment sites (tables 10-12). At these two sites, the 

elevated major-ion chemistry of the collected water samples indicates a drinking water 

resource of generally poor quality. Although some water samples had sufficient dissolved 

ions to be considered “hard” water, the U.S. drinking-water standards for dissolved solids 

(the sum of major dissolved ions dissolved in water; Boyd, 1999) were, for the most part, 

not exceeded (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1986). 

Notable exceptions include the large concentrations of Al, Ca, and sulfate in the 

piezometers and Valea Sesei tributary exiting the tailings impoundment and flowing 

toward the Aries River. More problematic from a human-health perspective are the 

number of samples that exceeded the maximum contaminant level for the dissolved trace 

elements As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and U at both tailings 

impoundments (tables 13). While rare earth elements were present, none of their 

concentrations posed a potential ecological or human-health hazard (table 14). 

The physical parameter measurements, redox environment (table 11), and pore 

fluid chemistry from samples along a flowpath (fig. 3b) through the Stefancei tailings 

impoundment are geochemically noteworthy (tables 12-13). For example, whereas the 

ground water is generally well-oxygenated at both tailings impoundment sites, the 

oxygen content at the Stefancei tailings diminishes along a flowpath from the pond to the 

seep about 2/3 of the way down the dam face. Dissolved oxygen concentrations of two 

water samples near the dam seep are almost suboxic (less than 1.0 mg/L). Suboxic 

26 
27 

dissolved-oxygen conditions often affect the concentration of other dissolved constituents 

by altering the oxidation/reduction and dissolution/precipitation reactions in the groundwater environment. In a similar manner, the pH, redox, and chemistry of water also 

appear to change along the flowpaths. Quantifying the effect of changing redox 

conditions and their influence on reactions is important for understanding the 

deterioration of the earth dam structures and devising dam failure mitigation strategies. 

Table 10. Station identification and location description of tailings water samples. 

[m, meter] 

Sample 

site ID 

Location 

 

Depth 

(m)

SU1P1R Valea Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 1 1 

SU1PND Valea Stefancei upper tailings at pond 0 

SU1P1 Valea Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 1 0.46 

SU1LSM1 Valea Stefancei upper tailings at beach lysimeter 1 0.6 

SU1P2 Valea Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 2 1.29 

SU1P3 Valea Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 3 1.6 

SU1PDM Valea Stefancei upper tailings at dam piezometer 8 

SU1SPL2 Valea Stefancei upper tailings at dam seep piezometer 1 

SU1SPL1 Valea Stefancei upper tailings at dam seep 0 

SU1D1 Valea Stefancei upper tailings discharge at spillway 0 

VSTRB Valea Sesei tributary - upper entering pond 0 

VSPU Valea Sesei piezometer (near dam) 1 

VSDSNL1 Valea Sesei dam site lysimeter 1 0.5 

VSDSNL2 Valea Sesei dam site lysimeter 2 0.5 

VSTRBL Valea Sesei tributary - lower exiting toward Aries River 0 
Table 11. Dissolved elemental iron and physical parameters measured in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei t

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microSiemens per centimeter; °C, degrees Celsius; < less than] 

Station Identifier Location description

Total iron 

(mg/l) 

Ferrous 

iron 

(mg/l) 

Ferric iron 

(mg/l) pH 

Dissolved 

oxygen 

(mg/l) 

Electrical 

conductivit

(μS/cm) 

SU1D1 Stefancei upper tailings discharge at spillway no sample no sample no sample 11.40 6.53 449 SU1PND Stefancei upper tailings at pond 0.052 0.053 -0.001 9.19 13.9 323 SU1P1 Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 1 no sample no sample no sample 5.60 no data 487 SU1LSM1 Stefancei upper tailings at beach lysimeter 1 11.4 10.8 0.52 

no 

data no data no data 

SU1P1R Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 1 41.2 0.00 41.2 5.45 5.53 476 SU1P2 Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 2 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.30 no data 288 SU1P3 Stefancei upper tailings at beach piezometer 3 54.0 50.4 3.59 4.32 5.04 432 SU1PDM Stefancei upper tailings at dam piezometer 1.50 0.35 1.15 6.12 5.12 301 SU1SPL2 

Stefancei upper tailings at dam piezometer (between dam piezometers and seep) 2.10 2.01 0.10 7.00 2.0 570 

SU1SPL1 Stefancei upper tailings at dam seep 8.39 5.43 2.96 6.70 1.5 604 VSTRB Sesei tributary - upper entering from above no sample No sample no sample 7.17 12.1 244 VSDSNL1 Sesei dam site lysimeter 1 0.00 -0.007 0.00 12.20 6 3.94 VSDSNL2 Sesei dam site lysimeter 2 0.00 -0.007 0.00 12.20 7.4 3.90 VSPU Sesei piezometer (near dam) 0.007 0.002 0.004 7.00 8.2 145 VSTRBL Sesei tributary - lower exiting toward Aries R. 64.5 50.4 14.01 3.40 7.16 2.24 VSTRBL Replicate 65.9 50.5 15.4 3.40 7.16 2.24 VSTRBL Replicate 64.3 49.9 14.4 3.40 7.16 2.24 VSTRBL Replicate 66.6 50.3 16.3 3.40 7.16 2.24 

28 
Table 12. Dissolved major elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings impoundments. 

[m, meter; mg/L, milligrams per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level; nd, no data] 

Constituent Site ID SU1P1R SU1PND SU1P1 SU1LSM1 SU1P2 SU1P3 SU1PDM SU1SPL2 

Depth, m 1 0 0.46 0.6 1.29 1.6 8 1 pH 5.45 9.19 5.60 No data 4.3 4.32 6.12 7 

Dissolved oxygen, mg/L 5.13 13.9 No data No data No data 5.04 5.12 2.0 

Al, mg/L Stefancei 0.34 0.023 0.078 1.24 0.451 2.65 0.139 0.0428 Ca, mg/L Stefancei 44.7 41.9 48.9 45.9 17.3 20.6 39.8 109 Cu, mg/L Stefancei 2.32 0.036 0.115 1.78 1.94 4.48 1.95 0.0033 Fe, mg/L Stefancei 40.4 0 33.5 11.3 19.5 59.5 0.996 0.208 K, mg/L Stefancei 10.5 9.31 11.6 9 6.01 3.89 3.98 7.94 Mg, mg/L Stefancei 3.31 2.38 4.44 5.84 2.74 8.28 4.36 8.15 Mn, mg/L Stefancei 0.399 0.004 0.326 0.296 0.238 0.553 0.542 1.1 Na, mg/L Stefancei 8.84 11 11 16.1 6.82 8.07 7.02 9.57 P, mg/L Stefancei < 0.01 0.04 < 0.01 0.05 0.06 0.04 < 0.01 0.04 SiO2, mg/L Stefancei 67.8 6.5 64 74.6 70.2 82.7 38.8 13.3 SO4, mg/L Stefancei 218 90 222 197 108 216 113 206 Zn, mg/L Stefancei 0.509 0.004 1.02 0.885 1.41 0.4 0.518 0.0126 Solids, mg/L Stefancei 397 161 397.0 364.0 234.7 407.2 211.1 355.4 

29 
Table 12—Continued. Dissolved major elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings impoundments

[m, meter; mg/L, milligrams per liter; ; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level] 

Constituent Site ID VSTRB VSPU VSDSNL1 VSDSNL2 VSTRBL MCL, mg/L 

Depth, m 0 1 0.5 0.5 0 

pH 7.17 7.0 12.2 12.2 3.4 

Dissolved oxygen 

mg/L 12.1 8.2 6 7.4 7.16 

Al, mg/L Sesei 0.006 0.012 1.61 1.42 127 0.2 

Ca, mg/L Sesei 27.7 21.8 348 351 250 Cu, mg/L Sesei 0.001 0.005 0.001 0.0006 14.9 1.3 

Fe, mg/L Sesei <50 <50 <50 <50 64.2 0.3 

K, mg/L Sesei 3.29 1.41 49.1 58 16.6 

Mg , mg/L Sesei 9.9 1.55 0.03 0.02 33.8 

Mn, mg/L Sesei 0.004 0.095 0.0004 0.0004 3.73 0.05 

Na, mg/L Sesei 4.12 3.77 51.4 62.5 14.1 

P, mg/L Sesei < 0.01 < 0.01 0.3 0.3 0.02 0.0001 

SiO2, mg/L Sesei 13.2 9.6 7.1 8.1 17 

SO4, mg/L Sesei 15 10 16 22 1740 250 

Zn, mg/L Sesei 0.004 0.107 0.013 0.009 7.19 5 

Solids, mg/L Sesei 73.2 48.4 473 503 2288 500 

30 
Table 13. Dissolved trace elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings impoundments. 

[m, meter; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level; <, less than] 

Constituent Site ID SU1P1R SU1PND SU1P1 SU1LSM1 SU1P2 SU1P3 SU1PDM SU1SPL2 

Depth, m 1 0 0.46 0.6 1.29 1.6 8 1 

pH 5.45 9.19 5.60 No data 4.3 4.32 6.12 7 

Dissolved oxygen, 

mg/L 5.13 13.9 No data No data No data 5.04 5.12 2.0 

As, μg/L Stafancei 5.9 0.7 5.9 2.1 0.4 1.2 1.2 4.4 

Ba, μg/L Stafancei 4.81 32.4 6.11 18.6 23.5 15.9 45.6 33.3 Be, μg/L Stafancei 0.2 <0.05 <0.05 0.2 0.07 0.5 0.2 <0.05 

Cd, μg/L Stafancei 0.98 0.05 0.92 1.22 2.12 1.42 1.64 0.1 Co, μg/L Stafancei 3.88 0.14 4.46 2.81 5.34 18.9 17.8 5.85 

Cr, μg/L Stafancei <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 

Cu, μg/L Stafancei 2320 35.7 115 1780 1940 4480 1950 3.3 

Mo, μg/L Stafancei < 2 16 6.9 18 < 2 < 2 3.9 55.7 

Ni, μg/L Stafancei 3 0.4 5.4 3 4.5 5.3 8 2.6 

Pb, μg/L Stafancei <0.05 0.1 0.09 0.1 0.87 0.09 0.07 0.3 Se, μg/L Stafancei 2.5 1.6 3.2 3.2 1.8 1.7 < 1 < 1 

Sr, μg/L Stafancei 45.5 228 38.9 69.2 30.8 50.4 92.3 199 

U, μg/L Stafancei < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 0.58 < 0.1 0.26 < 0.1 0.12 

Solids, μg/L Stafancei 2.39 0.32 0.19 1.90 2.01 4.58 2.12 0.30 

31 
Table 13—Continued. Dissolved trace elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei 

tailings impoundments [m, meter; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level; <, less than] 

Constituent Site ID VSTRB VSPU VSDSNL1 VSDSNL2 VSTRBL MCL, μg/L 

Depth, m 0 1 0.5 0.5 0 

pH 7.17 7.0 12.2 12.2 3.4 

Dissolved oxygen mg/L 12.1 8.2 6 7.4 7.16 

As, μg/L Sesei <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 10 

Ba, μg/L Sesei 17.1 10.8 65.4 76.8 81.8 2000 Be, μg/L Sesei <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 5.4 4 

Cd, μg/L Sesei <0.02 0.18 0.1 0.1 50.6 5 Co, μg/L Sesei 0.02 0.98 <0.02 <0.02 203 

Cr, μg/L Sesei <1 <1 <1 <1 3.3 100 

Cu, μg/L Sesei 1.3 4.7 1.1 0.55 14900 1300 

Mo, μg/L Sesei < 2 < 2 61.8 58.5 3.6 80 

Ni, μg/L Sesei 0.9 2.3 <0.4 <0.4 56.7 0.1 

Pb, μg/L Sesei <0.05 0.08 0.1 <0.05 88.2 15 Se, μg/L Sesei < 1 < 1 4 4.2 9.5 50 

Sr, μg/L Sesei 70 46 830 806 470 25000 

U, μg/L Sesei 0.24 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 6.96 30 

Solids, μg/L Sesei 0.09 0.07 0.96 0.95 15.88 500000 

32 
Table 14. Dissolved rare earth elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei tailings impoundments. 

[m, meter; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level; <, less than] 

Constituent Site ID SU1P1R SU1PND SU1P1 SU1LSM1 SU1P2 SU1P3 SU1PDM SU1SPL2 

Depth, m 1 0 0.46 0.6 1.29 1.6 8 1 

pH 5.45 9.19 5.60 No data 4.3 4.32 6.12 7 

Dissolved oxygen, mg/L 5.13 13.9 No data No data No data 5.04 5.12 2.0 

Cd, μg/L Stefancei 0.98 0.05 0.92 1.22 2.12 1.42 1.64 0.1 Ce, μg/L Stefancei 0.48 0.02 0.14 5.61 0.64 2.64 0.14 0.21 

Cs, μg/L Stefancei 1.7 0.04 0.73 0.16 2.7 1.68 1.31 0.04 Dy, μg/L Stefancei 0.13 < 0.005 0.03 0.32 0.066 0.3 0.02 0.01 

Er, μg/L Stefancei 0.074 < 0.005 0.02 0.16 0.03 0.15 0.01 0.005 

Eu, μg/L Stefancei 0.02 < 0.005 0.007 0.1 0.02 0.091 0.008 0.005 

Ga, μg/L Stefancei < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 Gd, μg/L Stefancei 0.11 < 0.005 0.03 0.44 0.072 0.38 0.02 0.02 Ge, μg/L Stefancei 0.06 < 0.05 0.08 0.1 0.2 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 

Ho, μg/L Stefancei 0.03 < 0.005 0.008 0.059 0.01 0.061 0.005 < 0.005 

La, μg/L Stefancei 0.24 < 0.01 0.06 2.57 0.31 1.07 0.12 0.11 Lu, μg/L Stefancei < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 

Nd, μg/L Stefancei 0.23 0.01 0.08 2.25 0.34 1.5 0.09 0.09 

Pr, μg/L Stefancei 0.05 < 0.01 0.02 0.59 0.07 0.35 0.01 0.02 

Rb, μg/L Stefancei 47.4 13.4 36.1 12.9 57.6 35.5 10.3 7.85 

Sc, μg/L Stefancei 5.9 < 0.6 5.2 4.8 6 6.4 2.6 0.8 

Sm, μg/L Stefancei 0.06 < 0.01 0.03 0.42 0.07 0.29 0.01 0.02 

Tb, μg/L Stefancei 0.02 < 0.005 0.007 0.057 0.01 0.053 0.005 < 0.005 Th, μg/L Stefancei < 0.2 < 0.2 0.29 < 0.2 < 0.2 < 0.2 < 0.2 < 0.2 

Ti, μg/L Stefancei 2.3 1.2 2.3 2.8 3.2 2.2 1.4 3.2 Tl, μg/L Stefancei 0.4 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 0.78 0.59 0.2 <0.1 

V, μg/L Stefancei 1.8 <0.5 <0.5 203 0.5 4.8 <0.5 <0.5 

W, μg/L Stefancei < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 

Y, μg/L Stefancei 0.74 0.02 0.24 1.53 0.32 1.46 0.27 0.05 

Yb, μg/L Stefancei 0.06 < 0.005 0.02 0.13 0.03 0.15 0.008 < 0.005 

Solids, μg/L Stefancei 0.062 0.015 0.047 0.239 0.075 0.061 0.018 0.013 

33 
Table 14—Continued. Dissolved rare earth elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei 

tailings impoundments. [m, meter; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level; <, less than] 

Constituent Site ID VSTRB VSPU VSDSNL1 VSDSNL2 VSTRBL MCL, μg/L 

Depth, m 0 1 0.5 0.5 0 

pH 7.17 7.0 12.2 12.2 3.4 

Dissolved oxygen mg/L 12.1 8.2 6 7.4 7.16 

Cd, μg/L Sesei <0.02 0.18 0.1 0.1 50.6 5 Ce, μg/L Sesei 0.06 0.09 < 0.01 < 0.01 58.2 

Cs, μg/L Sesei 0.28 < 0.02 1.58 1.13 0.91 Dy, μg/L Sesei 0.01 0.01 < 0.005 < 0.005 24.6 

Er, μg/L Sesei 0.009 0.01 < 0.005 < 0.005 14.3 

Eu, μg/L Sesei 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005 0.006 5.2 

Ga, μg/L Sesei < 0.05 < 0.05 5.6 5.1 1.6 Gd, μg/L Sesei 0.03 0.02 < 0.005 < 0.005 22.1 Ge, μg/L Sesei < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 0.25 

Ho, μg/L Sesei < 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005 5.08 

La, μg/L Sesei 0.14 0.1 < 0.01 < 0.01 24.8 Lu, μg/L Sesei < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 1.6 

Nd, μg/L Sesei 0.15 0.14 < 0.01 < 0.01 45.2 

Pr, μg/L Sesei 0.04 0.03 < 0.01 < 0.01 8.66 

Rb, μg/L Sesei 5.8 3.48 56.2 52.2 34.6 

Sc, μg/L Sesei 0.6 < 0.6 < 0.6 < 0.6 35.4 

Sm, μg/L Sesei 0.02 0.02 < 0.01 < 0.01 14.8 

Tb, μg/L Sesei < 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005 3.86 Th, μg/L Sesei < 0.2 < 0.2 < 0.2 < 0.2 4.01 2 

Ti, μg/L Sesei < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 < 0.5 16.7 Tl, μg/L Sesei <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2 

Tm, μg/L Sesei < 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005 < 0.005 1.91 

V, μg/L Sesei <0.5 1 228 80.9 <0.5 

34 
35 

W, μg/L Sesei < 0.5 < 0.5 4.12 2.06 < 0.5 

Y, μg/L Sesei 0.1 0.11 0.01 0.01 151 

Yb, μg/L Sesei 0.007 0.01 < 0.005 < 0.005 11.8 

solids, μg/L Sesei 0.007 0.005 0.296 0.142 0.537 500000 
Table 15. Summary statistics of dissolved major elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei 

tailings impoundments. 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level; <, less than] 

Location 

Statistic 

Constituent 

Stefancei 

Minimum 

mg/L 

Stefancei 

maximum 

mg/L 

Stefancei

average 

mg/L 

Stefancei

deviation 

mg/L 

Sesei 

minimum

mg/L 

Sesei 

maximum

mg/L 

Sesei 

Average 

mg/L 

Sesei 

deviation

mg/L 

MCL, 

mg/L

Al 0.01 2.65 0.512 0.83 0.007 127 26.1 56.5 0.2 

Ca 17.3 114 53.6 32.7 21.8 351 200 164 

Cu 0.002 4.48 1.27 1.5 0.0006 14.9 2.98 6.66 1.3 

Fe 0 59.5 19.3 21 64.2 64.2 64.2 Na 0.3 

K 3.89 12.2 8.1 2.96 1.41 58 25.7 26.3 

Mg 0.45 8.88 4.88 2.84 0.02 33.8 9.06 14.4 

Mn 0.001 1.68 0.51 0.52 0.0004 3.73 0.77 1.66 0.05 

Na 6.82 16.1 9.9 2.68 3.77 62.5 27.2 27.8 

P 0.04 0.1 0.052 0.022 0.02 0.3 0.21 0.16 

SiO2 6.5 82.7 44 31 7.1 17 11 4.07 

SO4 90 222 168 56.8 10 1740 361 771 250 

Zn 0.003 1.41 0.48 0.5 0.004 7.19 1.46 3.2 5 

Solids 161.2 407 308 98.1 48.3 2288 677 926 500 

Table 16. Summary statistics of dissolved trace elements in ground water at the Stefancei and Sesei 

tailings impoundments. 

[μg/L, micrograms per liter; MCL, maximum contaminant level; <, less than] 

Location 

Statistic 

Constituent 

Stefancei 

minimum 

μg/L 

Stefancei 

maximum 

μg/L 

Stefancei

average 

μg/L 

Stefancei

deviation 

μg/L 

Sesei 

minimum

μg/L 

Sesei 

maximum

μg/L 

Sesei 

average 

μg/L 

Sesei 

deviation

μg/L 

MCL, 

mg/L

As 0.4 6.2 3.1 2.5 0 0 Na na 0.01 

Ba 4.8 45.6 23 12.7 10.8 81.8 50.4 33.9 2 

Be 0.07 0.5 0.23 0.16 5.4 5.4 5.4 na 0.004 

Cd 0.03 2.12 0.858 0.76 0.1 50.6 12.7 25.2 0.005 

Co 0.14 18.9 7.93 6.7 0.02 203 68 117 

Cr 0 0 Na na 3.3 3.3 3.3 Na 0.1 

Cu 0.002 4.48 1.27 1.5 0.0006 14.9 2.98 6.66 1.3 

Mo 3.9 55.7 24.7 20.6 3.6 61.8 41.3 32.7 

Ni 0.4 8 3.93 2.2 0.9 56.7 20 31.8 

Pb 0.06 0.87 0.2 0.26 0.08 88.2 29.5 50.9 0.001 

Se 1.6 3.2 2.35 0.68 4 9.5 5.9 3.11 0.05 

Sr 30.8 241 119 85.7 46 830 444 381 

U 0.12 0.58 0.28 0.2 0.24 6.96 3.6 4.75 0.03 

Solids 0.19 4.57 1.44 1.43 0.07 15.9 3.6 6.9 500 

 36
Summary and Conclusions 

Reconnaissance surveys were conducted for the purpose of evaluating water-quality in the 

Aries River basin, a subbasin of the Tisza basin. Basin surveys included sampling and analyzing 

physical aqueous parameters and concentrations of sediment-associated metals in river bed and 

floodplains, and establishing a baseline set of physical and chemical measurements of tailings water 

and sediment. The physical parameters (conductivity and pH) for the Abrud-Aries river system 

revealed three primary anomalies corresponding to the influence of upstream mining activities 

associated with the tributaries Valea Abruzel (Rosia Poieni mine), Valea Rosei (Rosia Montana 

mine), and Valea Sesei (Rosia Poieni mine). Downstream from these locations, the pH generally 

increased (becoming more basic) and conductivities decreased, probably due to stream dilution. 

Of the selected bed-sediment metal concentrations, As was the only metal that coincided with 

mining-associated tributaries. The other bed-sediment metal concentrations fluctuated downstream 

from these tributaries and over a wide range of values, probably due to episodic flooding. Cd and Zn 

were highly correlated, but relations between the other metals were weak, probably due to sorption, 

kinetics, and redistribution during flood events. The respective probability for exceeding the probable 

effects threshold level for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn was 51.9, 4, 69, 11, and 60.5%. This finding 

indicated the relative importance of basin pollution by these selected metals (high to low: 

Cu>Zn>As>Cd) and the probable adverse effects to all in-stream biota and consequently to human 

health where in-stream biota are a source of food. The relation between metal concentrations in 

sediment from the channel to those of the floodplain were strong and positive for As, Cd, and Zn, 

whereas there was no relation between Cu concentrations, despite the fact that Cu concentrations in 

bed sediment displayed the strongest exceedance characteristics. 

At the Sesei and Stefancei tailings impoundment sites, the major-ion chemistry of the 

collected water samples indicated a drinkable water resource of generally poor quality. From a 

human-health perspective, problems are related to exceedances of maximum contaminant levels for 

As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and U at both tailings impoundments. Geochemical 

sample analysis revealed changes in physical and parameter measurements and chemistry along a 

flowpath from the pond, through the Stefancei tailings impoundment, to a seep located in the dam 

face. As a result of this study, sufficient physical and chemical sediment data and water information 

now exists to be used as input to a geochemical model for the evaluation of principal reactions and 

related mechanisms along flowpaths in the Stefancei tailings impoundment. Quantifying the effect of 

 37
changing redox conditions and their influence on reactions is an important step toward understanding 

the observed deterioration (as shown by seepage) and possible future failure at the upper Stefancei 

(number 1) tailings dam. Other potential issues contributing to deterioration may include tree roots 

and animal burrows associated with the riparian wetland allowed to develop. 

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