Prepared in cooperation with 

San Juan County 

San Juan Resource Conservation and Development Council 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Geochemical Data for Upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, 

Under Existing Ambient Conditions and During an 

Experimental pH Modification, August 2005 

Data Series 442
 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Geochemical Data for Upper Mineral 

Creek, Colorado, Under Existing Ambient 

Conditions and During an Experimental pH 

Modification, August 2005 

By Robert L. Runkel, Briant A. Kimball, Judy I. Steiger, and Katherine Walton-Day 

Prepared in cooperation with 

San Juan County 

San Juan Resource Conservation and Development Council 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Data Series 442 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

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

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2009 

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Suggested citation: 

Runkel, R.L., Kimball, B.A., Steiger, J.I., and Walton-Day, K., 2009, Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, 

under existing ambient conditions and during an experimental pH modification, August 2005: U.S. Geological Survey 

Data Series 442, 41p. 
iii 

Contents 

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

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

Purpose and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
 

Study Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
 

Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
 

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
 

Tracer Injection and Base Addition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
 

Synoptic Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
 

Temporal Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
 

Estimating Streamflow by Tracer Dilution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
 

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
 

References Cited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
 

Figures 

1.	 Upper Mineral Creek study reach for August 2005 synoptic sampling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
 

2.	 Spatial profile of streamflow estimates Mineral Creek, Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
 

Tables 

1.	 Site descriptions and locations for all sites sampled on August 22 and August 24, 2005,
 

Mineral Creek, Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
 

2.	 Data for samples collected August 22, 2005, including pH, specific conductance, temperature, and alkalinity, Mineral Creek, Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
 

3.	 Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for aluminum, arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, and magnesium,
 

Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005.	. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
 

4.	 Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for manganese, molybdenum,
 

sodium, nickel, lead, sulfate, silicon, strontium, uranium, vanadium, and zinc, Mineral
 

Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
 

5.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for aluminum, arsenic, barium, calcium,
 

cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, and magnesium, Mineral Creek,
 

Colorado, August 22, 2005.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	. 18
 

6.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for manganese, molybdenum, sodium,
 

nickel, lead, sulfate, silicon, strontium, uranium, vanadium, and zinc, Mineral Creek,
 

Colorado, August 22, 2005.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. 20
 

7.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for chloride, ferrous iron, and ferrous
 

plus ferric iron, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. 22
 

8.	 Data used to estimate streamflow using the tracer-dilution method, Mineral Creek,
 

Colorado, August 22, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
 

9.	 Data for samples collected August 24, 2005, including pH, specific conductance, temperature, and alkalinity, Mineral Creek, Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
 
iv 

10.	 Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for aluminum, arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, and magnesium,
 

Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
 

11.	 Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for manganese, molybdenum,
 

sodium, nickel, lead, sulfate, silicon, strontium, uranium, vanadium, and zinc, Mineral
 

Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
 

12.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for aluminum, arsenic, barium, calcium,
 

cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, and magnesium, Mineral Creek,
 

Colorado, August 24, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
 

13.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for manganese, molybdenum, sodium,
 

nickel, lead, sulfate, silicon, strontium, uranium, vanadium, and zinc, Mineral Creek, 

Colorado, August 24, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
 

14.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for chloride, ferrous iron, and ferrous
 

plus ferric iron, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
 

15.	 Data used to estimate streamflow using the tracer-dilution method, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
 

16.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #1 for bromide, lithium,
 

sodium, sulfate, and zinc, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
 

17.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #2 for bromide, lithium,
 

sodium, sulfate, and zinc, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
 

18.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #3 for bromide, lithium,
 

sodium, sulfate, and zinc, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
 

19.	 Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #4 for bromide, lithium,
 

sodium, sulfate, and zinc, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005.. . . . . . . . . . . . 41
 

20.	 Comparison of synoptic samples and temporal samples for lithium, sodium, and zinc at
 

the Transport Sites, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
 

21.	 Comparison of tracer-dilution streamflow estimate and visual estimates provided by
 

experienced stream gagers, for stream site 2041, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22,
 

2005.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
 
v 

Conversion Factors 

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) 

Area 

square meter (meter2) 0.0002471 acre 

square kilometer (kilometer2) 247.1 acre 

square centimeter (centimeter2) 0.001076 square foot (ft2) 

square meter (meter2) 10.76 square foot (ft2) 

square centimeter (centimeter2

) 0.1550 square inch (in2) 

Volume 

liter 33.82 ounce, fluid (fl. oz) 

liter 0.2642 gallon (gal) 

cubic meter (meter3) 264.2 gallon (gal) 

cubic centimeter (centimeter3

) 0.06102 cubic inch (in3) 

cubic meter (meter3) 35.31 cubic foot (ft3) 

cubic meter (meter3

) 0.0008107 acre-foot (acre-ft) 

Flow rate 

cubic meter per second (meter3

/s) 70.07 acre-foot per day (acre-ft/d) 

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

cubic meter per second (meter3

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

liter per second (liter/s) 15.85 gallon per minute (gal/min) 

cubic meter per day (meter3

/d) 264.2 gallon per day (gal/d) 

Mass 

gram (g) 0.03527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz) 

kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound avoirdupois (lb) 

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

 ̊F = (1.8 x  ̊C) + 32
 

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

 ̊C = ( ̊F - 32) / 1.8
 

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).
 

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at
 

25 ̊C).
 

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given either in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or
 

micrograms per liter (μg/L).
 

Geochemical Data for Upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, 

Under Existing Ambient Conditions and During an 

Experimental pH Modification, August 2005 

By Robert L. Runkel, Briant A. Kimball, Judy I. Steiger, and Katherine Walton-Day 

Abstract 

Mineral Creek, an acid mine drainage stream in southwestern Colorado, was the subject of a water-quality study that 

employed a paired synoptic approach. Under the paired synoptic approach, two synoptic sampling campaigns were conducted on the same study reach. The initial synoptic campaign, 

conducted August 22, 2005, documented stream-water quality 

under existing ambient conditions. A second synoptic campaign, conducted August 24, 2005, documented stream-water 

quality during a pH-modification experiment that elevated the 

pH of Mineral Creek. The experimental pH modification was 

designed to determine the potential reductions in dissolved 

constituent concentrations that would result from the implementation of an active treatment system for acid mine drainage. During both synoptic sampling campaigns, a solution containing lithium bromide was injected continuously to allow for 

the calculation of streamflow using the tracer-dilution method. 

Synoptic water-quality samples were collected from 30 stream 

sites and 11 inflow locations along the 2-kilometer study reach. 

Data from the study provide spatial profiles of pH, concentration, and streamflow under both existing and experimentallyaltered conditions. This report presents the data obtained 

August 21–24, 2005, as well as the methods used for sample 

collection and data analysis. 

Introduction 

Streams and rivers affected by acid mine drainage are 

complex systems in which hydrologic and geochemical processes interact to determine the fate and transport of trace metals. Many of the watersheds affected by mining activities are 

headwater systems that gain substantial amounts of water as 

they flow down valley. The sources of additional water range 

from well-defined tributary inflows that appear on topographic 

maps, to diffuse ground-water inflows that are not visible to the 

naked eye. The water quality associated with these sources of 

water also can vary substantially, ranging from dilute mountain 

springs to metal-rich waters emanating from mineralized areas. 

The situation is further complicated in extensively mined 

watersheds where numerous adits, shafts, mine dumps, and 

prospect pits litter the landscape. The challenge facing those 

interested in improving water quality is thus one of source 

determination: in a given watershed, what sources of water are 

most detrimental to streamwater quality? In response to this 

question, synoptic sampling1 techniques have been developed 

within the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Toxic Substances 

Hydrology Program that allow for the quantification of mass 

loads associated with various sources (Kimball and others, 

2002; Kimball and others, 2007). Given this information, 

sources contributing the highest mass loads may be targeted for 

remediation. 

In August 2005, the USGS conducted a water-quality 

study on Mineral Creek using the synoptic sampling techniques described above. The study, conducted in cooperation 

with San Juan County, the San Juan Resource Conservation 

and Development Council, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides detailed spatial information on 

pH, constituent concentrations, and streamflow along a 2-kilometer study reach under both existing ambient conditions and 

during an experimental pH modification. 

Purpose and Scope 

The purpose of this report is to summarize data collected 

August 21–24, 2005, during a water-quality study on Mineral 

Creek. The overall objectives of the study were to (1) determine the effects of remedial activities conducted from 1999 to 

2005 on Mineral Creek water quality, (2) determine the potential of an active treatment system to improve the water quality 

of Mineral Creek, and (3) assess the ability of a simulation 

model to provide estimates of post-remediation water quality. 

Data collected to meet study objectives include pH and inorganic constituent concentrations (cations and anions) from 30 

1

Synoptic sampling refers to the collection of water-quality samples at 

numerous locations over a short period of time. Given steady hydrologic and 

geochemical conditions, the synoptic samples represent a spatial “snapshot” 

of stream-water quality at a given point in time. 
2 Geochemical Data for Upper Mineral Creek, Colorado 

stream sites and 11 inflow locations. Streamflow estimates for 

the 30 stream sites were obtained using the tracer-dilution 

method (Kilpatrick and Cobb, 1985). 

Study Area 

The San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado contain numerous headwater streams that are contaminated by acid 

mine drainage. Mineral Creek originates at the top of Red 

Mountain Pass north of Silverton, Colorado (fig. 1), and flows 

approximately 15 kilometers before entering the Animas 

River. The study reach considered in this report begins in a 

small unnamed drainage that collects water from hillsides in 

the vicinity of the Longfellow mine and Koehler tunnel (fig. 1). 

Waters in this upper part of the study reach are primarily mine 

drainage, including acidic discharge from the Junction mine 

and Koehler tunnel. This unnamed drainage merges with Mineral Creek, and the remainder of the study reach follows Mineral Creek (fig. 1). The 2-kilometer study reach is constrained 

by a steep canyon (stream gradient is approximately 0.08), 

with stream depth during low-flow periods being less than 0.5 

meter, and stream width ranging from 1 to 3 meters. Numerous 

inflows along the study reach introduce metals and acidic 

waters. The metal-rich, acidic inflows drain alteration zones of 

the Silverton Volcanics, which are porphyritic andesitic flows, 

containing 15 to 25 percent phenocrysts of plagioclase and 

augite. In the study area, there is local alteration to a quartzsericite-pyrite assemblage, which contains complete replacement of plagioclase and potassium feldspar by fine-grained 

quartz, illite (sericite), and 10 to 20 percent finely disseminated 

and fracture-filling pyrite (Bove and others, 2007). Inflows 

consist of both mine drainage and natural sources draining 

mineralized areas. Elevated concentrations of iron, aluminum, 

copper, and zinc are observed, and pH ranges from 2.5 to 5.0 

throughout the study reach. Under these conditions, precipitated hydrous iron oxides coat the streambed and the stream is 

virtually devoid of typical montane aquatic life. 

Methods 

Overview 

Quantification of metal sources and constituent loads 

requires estimates of streamflow and solute concentration. An 

approach used in acid mine drainage streams is to combine the 

tracer-dilution method with synoptic sampling (Bencala and 

McKnight, 1987; Kimball and others, 1994; Kimball and others, 2002; Runkel and Kimball, 2002; Runkel and others, 

2007). The tracer-dilution method provides estimates of 

streamflow (Kilpatrick and Cobb, 1985), and synoptic sampling provides a description of instream and inflow chemistry. 

Implementation of the tracer-dilution method typically 

involves the continuous injection of a conservative (nonreactive) tracer at a constant rate. Because the tracer is conservative, downstream decreases in tracer concentration are attributed solely to dilution. Potential tracers include lithium 

chloride, lithium bromide, sodium bromide, and sodium chloride. Lithium salts (lithium chloride or lithium bromide) are 

typically used in acidic streams due to the conservative behavior of lithium at low pH and the low background concentration 

of lithium in most fresh waters. 

In order to meet the overall objectives of the Mineral 

Creek study, a paired synoptic approach was employed. Under 

the paired synoptic approach, two synoptic sampling campaigns were conducted in August 2005. The initial synoptic 

campaign, conducted August 22, 2005, documented streamwater quality under existing ambient conditions. A second synoptic campaign, conducted August 24, 2005, documented 

stream-water quality during a pH-modification experiment that 

elevated the pH of Mineral Creek. The experimental pH modification was designed to determine the potential reductions in 

dissolved constituent concentrations that would result from the 

implementation of an active treatment system for acid mine 

drainage. Elevation of instream pH during the second synoptic 

campaign was achieved using a continuous, constant-rate 

injection of a solution containing a strong base. Both synoptic 

sampling campaigns used a continuous, constant-rate injection 

of a conservative tracer to allow for the calculation of streamflow using the tracer-dilution method. Additional details on the 

conservative tracer injection, base addition, synoptic and temporal sampling, and estimation of streamflow by tracer dilution 

are provided below. 

Tracer Injection and Base Addition 

Continuous, constant rate injections for both synoptic 

sampling campaigns were initiated at the upstream end of the 

study reach, located approximately 100 meters upstream from 

the intersection of San Juan County Road 14 and U.S. Highway 

550 (one meter downstream of stream sampling location 270, 

fig. 1). The conservative tracer was prepared by adding anhydrous lithium bromide (LiBr) to stream water collected at the 

injection site. The resultant injectate solution had a concentration of approximately 1.7 moles LiBr per liter. An injectate 

solution containing the strong base was prepared by mixing 

approximately 110 gallons of 50 percent sodium hydroxide 

(NaOH) solution with approximately 110 gallons of water 

from a circumneutral-pH tributary (inflow sampling location 

850, fig. 1). The conservative tracer injection for the initial synoptic campaign was initiated at 1407 hours on August 21, and 

terminated at 1630 hours on August 22 following the completion of synoptic sampling. The injection rate of the conservative tracer during this time period was approximately 123 milliliters per minute. Tracer injections (conservative tracer and 

strong base) for the second synoptic campaign were initiated at 

1430 hours on August 23, and terminated at 1358 hours on 

August 24. Injection rates for the conservative tracer and 

strong base were approximately 104 and 340 milliliters per 

minute, respectively. 
Colorado River 

Animas R. 

Rio Grande River 

COLORADO 

South 

Platte River 

Denver 

Grand Junction 

Colorado Springs Gunnison 

River 

Pueblo Study area 

Arkansas River 

Silverton 

 Methods 3 

107 ̊ 43' 21" 107 ̊ 42' 24" 

37 ̊ 53' 53"

Red Mountain Pass 3,375 m 

Longfellow mine 

295 309 Junction mine 

270 376 349 410 Koehler tunnel 

Mineral Creek 432 512 

576 

Carbon Lake 

656 694 mining area 

709 

776 

826 

850 836 

940 888

37 ̊ 53' 21" 

976 

1076 

1151 

1156 EXPLANATION 

1231 Stream sample site for synoptic sampling, 

with distance in meters 

1330 Stream sample site for temporal and synoptic 

1338 sampling, with distance in meters 1439 

Porphyry 1526 Inflow sample site, with distance in meters 

Gulch 

Mine shaft without surface discharge Silver 1676 

Ledge 

Mine 1776 Mine or tunnel with surface discharge 

1831 

1941 1921 1991 1989

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 1 Kilometers 2041 

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Miles 

Figure 1. Upper Mineral Creek study reach for August 2005 synoptic sampling. Streamflow direction is from top to bottom. 
4 Geochemical Data for Upper Mineral Creek, Colorado 

Synoptic Sampling 

Synoptic samples were collected at 30 stream sites and 11 

inflow locations (fig. 1, stream sites 533–566 not shown) on 

August 22 and August 24, after instream concentrations of the 

conservative tracer had reached steady-state plateau.2 Collection of stream samples proceeded in the downstream-toupstream direction, to avoid contaminating samples with resuspended streambed materials. Stream samples were collected as 

rapidly as possible in an effort to minimize effects of diel metal 

fluctuations (Nimick and others, 2003). Sampled inflows 

ranged from small springs to well-defined tributaries such as 

Porphyry Gulch (fig. 1). Inflow samples were collected close 

(0 to 3 meters) to where each inflow entered the study reach.3 

A complete listing of sampling locations, sample information, 

and associated data for the August 22 and August 24 synoptic 

sampling campaigns is provided in tables 1–15, following the 

main body of this report. 

Samples were collected in 1.8-liter high-density polyethylene (HPDE) bottles after triple rinsing with water collected 

on-site (stream or inflow water, as appropriate). Stream samples were collected by submersing the neck of each bottle into 

the water near the thalweg (shallow depths precluded the collection of samples using a width- and depth-integrated 

approach). Water temperature was measured in situ using an 

alcohol thermometer. Samples were transported to a central 

processing area where 125-milliliter aliquots were prepared for 

cation and anion analyses. Processing included filtration, measurement of pH and specific conductance, and preservation of 

samples for iron speciation. Filtration was completed using 

0.45-micrometer disposable filters. Aliquots for cation analysis 

were acidified to pH <2.0 with ultrapure nitric acid (HNO3). 

Total-recoverable and dissolved cation concentrations were 

determined from unfiltered and filtered samples, respectively, 

using inductively coupled argon plasma-mass spectrometry 

(ICP–MS). ICP–MS analyses were performed at the University 

of Southern Mississippi, in a laboratory approved by the USGS 

Branch of Quality Assurance. Cation concentrations are 

reported for aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium 

(Ca), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), 

iron (Fe), potassium (K), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), 

lead (Pb), sulfur (converted to sulfate, SO4), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) (tables 3– 

6, 8, 10–13, 15). Dissolved anion concentrations were determined from filtered, unacidified samples by ion chromatogra2

Stream- and inflow-sampling sites are identified herein using a numeric 

value that indicates the distance (in meters) from the top of the study reach to 

the given sampling location. These distances are identical to those used for the 

1999 study on Mineral Creek described by Runkel and Kimball (2002). 

3

“Left bank inflow” (LBI) and “right bank inflow” (RBI) as used throughout this report refer to the side of the stream from which a given inflow enters 

the study reach (where “left” and “right” are from the point of view of an 

observer who is looking downstream). 

phy (IC). IC analyses were performed at the USGS in Salt Lake 

City, Utah, using the quality-assurance procedures described 

by Kimball and others (1999). Anion concentrations are 

reported for bromide (Br) and chloride (Cl) (tables 7–8 and 14– 

15). Aliquots for iron speciation were placed in amber bottles 

and preserved with concentrated HCl to fix the ratio of ferrous 

to ferric iron in filtered samples (To and others, 1999). Ferrous 

and total dissolved iron concentrations were determined by 

spectrophotometry (Brown and others, 1970) and are reported 

in tables 7 and 14. Alkalinity was determined from filtered, 

unacidified samples (tables 2 and 9). 

Quality-assurance procedures included the analysis of 

sequential replicates, field blanks, and standard reference samples. Sequential replicate samples (Wilde and others, 1999) 

were collected at two stream sites (MC-0888 and MC-1231, 

table 1) during both synoptic sampling campaigns to assess 

sampling and analytical error. Inorganic blank water was 

poured into a 1.8-liter HPDE sample bottle that was processed 

in a manner identical to the stream and inflow samples. Analytical results from blank aliquots for most constituents were less 

than method detection limits,4 such that contamination during 

sample processing is not suspected. Standard reference samples collected in the field were analyzed repeatedly to assess 

precision; standard reference samples obtained from the USGS 

Branch of Quality Assurance were analyzed repeatedly to 

assess bias and precision. Data obtained from these qualityassurance procedures indicate that all sampling and analytical 

errors were within acceptable limits. 

Temporal Sampling 

Successful application of the tracer-dilution method used 

in conjunction with synoptic sampling requires the attainment 

of steady-state tracer concentrations at all of the stream sites. 

Steady-state tracer concentrations are attained when the tracerladen water has fully mixed with water in all of the pools, 

eddies, and hyporheic zones between the injection site and a 

given stream site. Upon reaching steady state, tracer concentrations stop increasing and a steady concentration, known as the 

plateau, is maintained. Attainment of the plateau is typically 

documented by collecting a time series of samples at a number 

of “transport sites” located along the study reach. These temporal samples are collected manually and (or) by using automatic samplers that collect samples at fixed time intervals and 

store them for later processing. Transport sites for the 2005 

study were located at stream sites 512, 576, 826, and 1989 (fig. 

1).5 Temporal samples from the transport sites were filtered 

4

Exceptions to this statement include aluminum and chromium. The aluminum concentration in the unfiltered blank aliquot from August 24, 2005 and 

the chromium concentrations from filtered and unfiltered blank aliquots from 

August 22 and August 24, 2005 were above the method detection limits. In all 

cases the detected amount of contamination was inconsequential relative to 

the high concentrations of both constituents observed in the acid mine drainage waters of Mineral Creek. 

5

Sites 512, 826, and 1989 were selected for temporal sampling to provide 

spatial coverage (representing the top, middle, and bottom of the study reach); 

transport site 576 was added to meet the objectives of a separate study. 
5 

within 24 hours and analyzed for bromide and sulfate by ion 

chromatography at the USGS in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the 

fall of 2005. Additional laboratory analyses of the temporal 

samples from August 21 and 22, 2005 were conducted to investigate the temporal change in specific conductance that was 

observed at stream site 826 during the August 2005 sampling 

period. These additional analyses included determination of 

lithium, sodium, and zinc concentrations by atomic-absorption 

spectroscopy in the spring and summer of 2007. Results for the 

temporal samples are provided in tables 16–19, following the 

main body of this report. 

Although the analyses of lithium, sodium, and zinc concentrations provide considerable information on the temporal 

variation at the transport sites, the uncertainty of the concentrations reported for these samples is likely higher than the uncertainty associated with the synoptic samples. The increase in 

uncertainty is attributable to several factors, including (1) the 

automatic samplers were initially intended to collect samples 

for the analysis of tracer concentrations only; as such the automatic sampling units were not thoroughly cleaned prior to use, 

(2) some of the samples remained in the automatic samplers for 

a number of hours before being filtered, (3) the filtered, unacidified samples were analyzed by atomic-absorption spectroscopy (versus ICP-MS for the filtered, acidified synoptic samples), and (4) laboratory analyses were performed in the spring 

and summer of 2007, long after the August 2005 study. To 

assess this uncertainty, a subset of temporal samples are compared with synoptic samples collected at the same locations 

(table 20). Although a direct comparison of temporal and synoptic samples is not possible due to differing times of sample 

collection and temporal variation, this comparison suggests 

that the four factors listed above result in higher concentrations 

for the temporal samples. Despite this potential bias, the temporal data included in tables 16–19 provide qualitative evidence that significant temporal variation occurred during the 

August 22 synoptic sampling campaign. 

Estimating Streamflow by Tracer Dilution 

Under the tracer-dilution method, a conservative tracer is 

continuously injected at a constant rate and concentration. 

Given sufficient time, all portions of the stream have become 

fully mixed with the tracer-laden water, and concentrations at 

a given instream site reach a steady-state plateau. Decreases in 

plateau concentration with stream length reflect dilution of the 

tracer by additional water entering the channel (surface and 

(or) ground-water inflow). Consideration of this dilution 

allows for the calculation of streamflow at each site (Kilpatrick 

and Cobb, 1985; Kimball and others 2007): 

QINJCINJ Q = --------------------- (1) CP – CB

Methods 

where CB is the background tracer concentration, CP is the 

tracer concentration at plateau, CINJ is the injectate concentration, QINJ is the injection rate, and Q is the streamflow estimate.6 

Table 20. Comparison of synoptic samples (filtered, acidified 

samples analyzed by ICP-MS) and temporal samples (filtered, 

unacidified samples analyzed by IC) for lithium (Li), sodium (Na), 

and zinc (Zn) at the Transport Sites, Mineral Creek, Colorado, 

August 22, 2005. 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter] 

Sample 

Type Time Li (mg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

Transport Site #1 (MC-0512) 

Temporal 13:00 5.91 16.9 42.2

Synoptic 13:30 6.42 16.0 43.8 

Temporal 14:00 6.26 18.0 43.9 

Synoptic 14:30 5.45 16.1 43.3

Temporal 15:00 5.77 17.4 44.5 

Transport Site #2 (MC-0576) 

Synoptic 12:45 5.52 13.3 31.3 

Temporal 13:00 6.02 14.8 36.0

Transport Site #3 (MC-0826) 

Temporal 12:00 5.46 14.4 31.1 

Synoptic 12:15 4.84 13.1 27.2 

Transport Site #4 (MC-1989) 

Synoptic 09:25 0.48 2.96 5.03 

Temporal 09:30 0.52 3.14 4.86 

For the paired synoptic approach, streamflow estimates 

are needed for both the acidic ambient conditions (August 22, 

2005) and at the experimentally-elevated pH (August 24, 

2005). Because of these differing conditions, a lithium-bromide tracer was selected based on theoretical considerations 

that indicate conservative transport of the cation (lithium) 

under the acidic conditions, and conservative transport of the 

anion (bromide) at elevated pH. Lithium concentrations are 

therefore used with equation 1 (CP) to develop streamflow estimates for the August 22 synoptic campaign, whereas bromide 

concentrations are used with equation 1 for the August 24 syn6

Streamflow estimates reported herein have units of cubic feet per second 

(cfs). These units may be obtained by expressing the injection rate in terms of 

cfs and all concentration variables in terms of milligrams per liter (concentration units in the numerator and denominator of equation 1 cancel out). 
6 Geochemical Data for Upper Mineral Creek, Colorado 

optic campaign. Although use of equation 1 is theoretically 

straightforward, practical application is often confounded by 

laboratory and sampling errors that affect the plateau concentrations. For the case considered here, the spatial profile of lithium from August 22 exhibits increases in concentration with 

distance that are theoretically impossible (table 8; given negligible background concentrations of lithium and bromide in 

most headwater systems, the addition of inflow waters should 

result in a continuously decreasing tracer profile). In contrast, 

the spatial profile of bromide from August 24 exhibits continuous dilution over the length of the study reach (table 15). 

Given the lithium profile described above, the observed 

lithium concentrations cannot be used directly in equation 1 as 

the resulting streamflow profile would exhibit decreases in 

streamflow with distance that are an artifact of laboratory and 

(or) sampling error, rather than physical loss. An alternate lithium concentration was therefore developed for the August 22 

synoptic campaign by considering the observed bromide dilution on August 24: 

alt alt BrD Li = Li --------- (2) D U BrU

where Li alt is the alternate lithium concentration on August 22, 

Br is the observed bromide concentration on August 24, D and 

U subscripts denote quantities at upstream and downstream 

sites, and all concentrations are in milligrams per liter.7 Calculation of alternate lithium concentrations by equation 2 results 

in a spatial profile that is generally similar to the observed lithium data, while being free from the spatial increases that 

appear in both the dissolved and total-recoverable lithium concentrations (table 8). Streamflow estimates based on Li alt 

(August 22, 2005) and observed plateau bromide concentrations (August 24, 2005) are presented in tables 8 and 15, 

respectively. 

Tracer-dilution streamflow estimates for the August 22 

and August 24 synoptic sampling campaigns are consistently 

higher than current meter measurements made on August 22 at 

several stream sites (fig. 2). Shallow depths, narrow cross sections, and irregular streambed surfaces led to current meter 

measurements that are rated either “poor” or “fair” (Jeff Foster, 

USGS, written commun., 2005).8 The consistent difference 

between the tracer-dilution estimates and current meter measurements of streamflow may be attributed to two factors. 

7

The development of alternative lithium concentrations using equation 2 is 

predicated on two assumptions: (1) the relative increase in flow (amount of 

dilution) from one site to the next was the same on August 22 and 24, 2005; 

this assumption is based on the relatively steady streamflow conditions 

observed at low flow and the absence of any large rainfall events from August 

22 to August 24, and (2) the bromide tracer was transported conservatively on 

August 24; this assumption is supported by theory (Br is conservative at elevated pH) and a lithium/bromide molar ratio that is close to unity (average 

value on August 24 of 1.02). 

8

Current meter measurements were made using the six-tenths method and a 

pygmy meter (Rantz and others, 1982). An additional current meter measurement, rated “very poor,” is not included in fig. 2. 

First, tracer-dilution estimates of streamflow account for subsurface (hyporheic) components of streamflow that are not part 

of the current meter measurement. Second, current meter measurements are known to under report stream velocity when 

stream depths are less than 0.75 feet (Rantz and others, 1982). 

Although these factors explain the differences shown in figure 

2, two additional checks on the tracer-dilution profile of 

streamflow were implemented. First, visual estimates of 

streamflow were made by several experienced stream gagers 

using a photograph of stream site 2041 (fig. 1) taken during the August 

22 synoptic campaign. Each visual estimate was made without 

knowledge of the tracer-dilution estimate or the other visual 

estimates. The median visual estimate is remarkably close to 

the tracer-dilution estimate (table 21, fig. 2), lending credence 

to the tracer-dilution estimates for the downstream portion of 

the study reach. Second, measured discharges from the Junction mine and Koehler tunnel on August 12, 2005 contribute 

approximately 0.04 cubic feet per second of streamflow to the 

head of the study reach (William Simon, Animas River Stakeholders Group, written commun., 2008), a quantity that compares favorably with the tracer-dilution estimates at stream site 

295 (fig. 1, tables 8 and 15).9 This second check lends credence 

to the tracer-dilution estimates for the upstream portion of the 

study reach. 

Table 21. Comparison of tracer-dilution streamflow estimate 

and visual estimates provided by experienced stream gagers, for 

stream site 2041, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. 

Estimate provided by: Streamflow estimate 

(cubic feet per second) 

Jon Evans 3.1 

Greg O’Neill 2.9 

Jeff Deacon 3.0 

Richard Kiah 2.3–3.0 

Median of visual estimates 3.0 

Tracer-dilution estimate 3.1 

9

The 0.04 cubic feet per second discharge from the Junction mine and Koehler tunnel is lower than the tracer-dilution estimates of 0.075 and 0.063 cubic 

feet per second for stream site 295 on August 22, and August 24, 2005, 

respectively. The difference is attributable to other sources of water in the 

subwatershed upgradient from stream site 295 (fig. 1). These other sources of 

water were observed during a September 2008 site visit and found to be of 

similar magnitude to the combined mine/tunnel discharge. 
 Acknowledgments 7 

0.1 

1 

Streamflow by tracer-dilution, August 22 

Streamflow by tracer dilution, August 24 

Current meter measurements rated “poor” 

Current meter measurements rated “fair” 

Median visual estimate 

309349410694836850940

1,1561,3381,9411,991 

309

Denotes location of sampled inflow

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

EXPLANATION 

500 1,000 1,500 2,000 

DISTANCE, IN METERS 

Figure 2. Spatial profile of streamflow estimates from the tracer-dilution method (August 22 and 24, 2005) 

and current meter measurements (August 22, 2005), Mineral Creek, Colorado. 

Acknowledgments 

John Pantano, Chuck Cravotta, Jenelle Stefanic Ortiz, and 

Timothy Tsukamoto provided information used to plan the 

sodium hydroxide addition. Field assistance was provided by 

Ken Bencala, Bob Broshears, Jeff Foster, Bryn Kimball, Josh 

Koch, Peter Miesler, Koren Nydick, and Philip Verplanck. 

Logistical support and additional information was provided by 

Bill Simon, Priscilla Lukens, Marcella Hutchinson, Paul von 

Guerard, and John Mayo. Synoptic samples were analyzed for 

inorganic cations at the University of Southern Mississippi 

under the direction of Alan Shiller; additional analyses were 

conducted by Judy Steiger (inorganic cations from temporal 

samples, anions from all samples, and iron speciation analyses). The authors appreciate the helpful review comments provided by Chris Arp and David Fey. Additional support was 

provided by the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program. 

References Cited 

Bencala, K.E., and McKnight, D.M., 1987, Identifying instream variability—Sampling iron in an acidic stream, in 

Averett, R.C., and McKnight, D.M., eds., Chemical quality 

of water and the hydrologic cycle: Chelsea, Mich., Lewis 

Publishers, Inc., p. 255–269. 

Bove, D.J., Yager, D.B., Mast, M.A., and Dalton, J.B., 2007, 

Alteration map showing major faults and veins and associated water-quality signatures of the Animas River watershed 

headwaters near Silverton, southwest Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2976, pamphlet

18 p., scale 1:24,000. 

Brown, E., Skougstad, M.W., and Fishman, M.J., 1970, Methods for collection and analysis of water samples for dissolved minerals and gases: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resource Investigations, book 5, chap. A1, 

103 p. 

Kilpatrick, F.A., and Cobb, E.D., 1985, Measurement of discharge using tracers: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of 

Water-Resource Investigations, book 3, chap. A16, 52 p. 

Kimball, B.A., Broshears, R.E., Bencala, K.E., and McKnight, 

D.M., 1994, Coupling of hydrologic transport and chemical 

reactions in a stream affected by acid mine drainage: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 28, no. 12, p. 2065– 

2073. 

Kimball, B.A., Nimick, D.A., Gerner, L.J., and Runkel, R.L., 

1999, Quantification of metal loading in Fisher Creek by 

tracer injection and synoptic sampling, Park County, Montana, August 1997: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 99–4119, 40 p. 
8 Geochemical Data for Upper Mineral Creek, Colorado 

Kimball, B.A., Runkel, R.L., Walton-Day, Katherine, and 

Bencala, K.E., 2002, Assessment of metal loads in watersheds affected by acid mine drainage by using tracer injection synoptic sampling—Cement Creek, Colorado, USA: 

Applied Geochemistry, v. 17, no. 9, p. 1183–1207. 

Kimball, B.A., Walton-Day, Katherine, and Runkel, R.L., 

2007, Quantification of metal loading by tracer injection and 

synoptic sampling, 1996–2000, Chapter E9 in Church, S.E., 

von Guerard, P., Finger, S.E., eds., Integrated investigations 

of environmental effects of historical mining in the Animas 

River Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1651, p. 417–495. 

Nimick, D.A., Gammons, C.H., Cleasby, T.E., Madison, J.P., 

Skaar, D., Brick, C.M., 2003, Diel cycles in dissolved metal 

concentrations in streams—Occurrence and possible causes: 

Water Resources Research, v. 39, 1247, doi:10.1029/ 

2002WR001571. 

Rantz, S.E., and others, 1982, Measurement and computation 

of streamflow—Volume 1. Measurement of stage and discharge: U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2175, 

284 p. 

Runkel, R.L., and Kimball, B.A., 2002, Evaluating remedial 

alternatives for an acid mine drainage stream—Application 

of a reactive transport model: Environmental Science and 

Technology, v. 36, no. 5, p. 1093–1101. 

Runkel, R.L., Kimball, B.A., Walton-Day, Katherine, and Verplanck, P.L., 2007, A simulation-based approach for estimating premining water quality—Red Mountain Creek, 

Colorado: Applied Geochemistry, v. 22, no. 9, p. 1899– 

1918. 

To, T.B., Nordstrom, D.K., Cunningham, K.M., Ball, J.W., and 

McCleskey, R.B., 1999, A new method for the direct determination of dissolved Fe(III) concentration in acid mine 

waters: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 33, no. 

5, p. 807–813. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, R.T., 1999, 

National field manual for the collection of water-quality 

data—Collection of water samples: Techniques of WaterResources Investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey, 

book 9, chap. A4, 156 p. 
Tables 1–19
 

The following tables include all of the relevant data from the upper Mineral Creek 

synoptic sampling campaigns, conducted August 21–24, 2005. 
10 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 1. Site descriptions and locations for all sites sampled on August 22 and August 24, 2005, Mineral Creek, Colorado. 

[Distance, distance downstream, in meters; Source, type of sample collected where S denotes stream sample from Mineral Creek, LBI denotes left bank inflow, 

and RBI denotes right bank inflow; Easting and Northing, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates in zone 13 S using the North American Datum of 

1983 (NAD83); Altitude, elevation provided by GPS unit, in meters; NS, not sampled in 1999; —, no data] 

Site 

(fig. 1) 1999 Site Distance Source Description Easting Northing Altitude 

MC-T0 NS 270 S Immediately upstream of injection (Transport 261472 4197716 — 

Site #0). 

MC-0295 NS 295 S First site downstream of injection, in newly 261417 4197707 — 

engineered channel. 

MC-0309 MIN3-131 309 RBI Ponded water near downstream end of culvert 261392 4197708 3,373 

that passes under San Juan County Road 14. 

MC-0349 NS 349 LBI Flowing to stream with algae 261379 4197672 3,376 

MC-0376 MIN3-200 376 S Stream upstream from culvert 261356 4197659 3,376 

MC-0410 MIN3-234 410 RBI Culvert under Highway 550 261342 4197624 3,373 

MC-0432 MIN3-206 432 S Downstream of culvert 261336 4197602 3,370 

MC-0512 MIN3-286 512 S At bedrock outcrop (Transport Site #1) 261309 4197530 3,361 

MC-0533 NS 533 S Part of intensive study reach 261333 4197564 3,362 

MC-0536 NS 536 S Part of intensive study reach 261332 4197560 3,362 

MC-0543 NS 543 S Part of intensive study reach 261329 4197555 3,362 

MC-0548 NS 548 S Part of intensive study reach 261329 4197551 3,362 

MC-0564 NS 564 S Part of intensive study reach 261317 4197537 3,360 

MC-0566 NS 566 S Part of intensive study reach 261316 4197635 3,359 

MC-0576 MIN3-350 576 S Transport site #2 261280 4197472 3,359 

MC-0656 MIN3-430 656 S Transport site #1 in 1999 261238 4197401 3,351 

MC-0694 NS 694 RBI Small inflow seeping from rocks along 261220 4197370 

Highway 550. 

MC-0709 MIN3-483 709 S — 261207 4197352 3,344 

MC-0776 MIN3-550 776 S — 261181 4197310 3,337 

MC-0826 MIN3-600 826 S Transport Site #3 261158 4197272 3,331 

MC-0836 MIN3-610 836 LBI Wet grassy area ≈15 meters long, starting at 261153 4197261 3,332 

826 meters. 

MC-0850 MIN3-624 850 RBI Inflow from Mineral Creek headwaters 261146 4197246 3,329 

MC-0888 MIN3-662 888 S Downstream from Mineral Creek inflow 261126 4197215 3,318 

MC-0940 MIN3-714 940 RBI — 261102 4197170 3,318 

MC-0976 MIN3-750 976 S — 261091 4197139 3,317 

MC-1076 MIN3-850 1,076 S Through long reach with cascades 261051 4197057 3,311 

MC-1151 MIN3-925 1,151 S Upstream from Carbon Lake inflow 261044 4196994 3,312 
Tables 1–19 11 

Table 1. Site descriptions and locations for all sites sampled on August 22 and August 24, 2005, Mineral Creek, Colorado.—Continued 

[Distance, distance downstream, in meters; Source, type of sample collected where S denotes stream sample from Mineral Creek, LBI denotes left bank inflow, 

and RBI denotes right bank inflow; Easting and Northing, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates in zone 13 S using the North American Datum of 

1983 (NAD83); Altitude, elevation provided by GPS unit, in meters; NS, not sampled in 1999; —, no data] 

Site 

(fig. 1) 1999 Site Distance Source Description Easting Northing Altitude 

MC-1156 MIN3-930 1,156 LBI Inflow from Carbon Lake mining area 261046 4196992 3,307 

MC-1231 NS 1,231 S Downstream from water fall 261031 4196929 3,300 

MC-1330 MIN3-1104 1,330 S At cabin up right-bank hill 260979 4196825 3,292 

MC-1338 NS 1,338 LBI Inflow with moss 260972 4196824 3,293 

MC-1439 MIN3-1213 1,439 S Stream in narrow canyon 260926 4196760 3,293 

MC-1526 MIN3-1300 1,526 S At old Ford 260907 4196709 3,279 

MC-1676 MIN3-1450 1,676 S Narrow, below cascade 260827 4196567 3,269 

MC-1776 MIN3-1550 1,776 S Upstream from right-bank adit/prospect pit 260764 4196487 3,258 

MC-1831 MIN3-1605 1,831 S Upstream from waste rocks of Silver Ledge 260732 4196436 3,258 

MC-1921 MIN3-1695 1,921 S Downstream from Silver Ledge head frame 260700 4196369 3,248 

MC-1941 MIN3-1715 1,941 RBI Substantial flow coming out of mine dump 260680 4196360 3,244 

MC-1989 MIN3-1763 1,989 S Upstream from Porphyry Gulch (Transport 260644 4196345 3,239 

Site #4). 

MC-1991 MIN3-1765 1,991 RBI Porphyry Gulch 260636 4196339 3,236 

MC-2041 MIN3-1815 2,041 S Downstream from Porphyry Gulch 260632 4196286 3,233 
12 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 2. Data for samples collected August 22, 2005, including pH, specific conductance, temperature, 

and alkalinity, Mineral Creek, Colorado. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; 

pH measured at central processing location, in standard units; Specific conductance, in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 

degrees Celsius; Temperature, water temperature measured onsite, in degrees Celsius; Alkalinity, in milligrams per liter as 

calcium carbonate; —, no data] 

Sample Time pH Specific 

conductance Temperature Alkalinity 

MC1-T0 14:50 2.96 — 14.0 — 

MC1-0295 13:55 2.98 2,430 13.0 — 

MC1-0376 14:45 2.94 2,430 15.0 — 

MC1-0410 13:40 5.79 228 11.0 12.0 

MC1-0432 14:35 3.10 — 14.0 — 

MC1-0512A 13:30 3.10 1,557 13.0 — 

MC1-0512B 14:30 3.11 1,410 15.0 — 

MC1-0533 13:25 3.10 1,524 13.0 — 

MC1-0536 13:20 3.09 1,530 13.5 — 

MC1-0543 13:15 3.09 1,548 13.0 — 

MC1-0548 13:00 3.10 1,526 13.0 — 

MC1-0564 12:56 3.11 1,481 13.0 — 

MC1-0566 12:53 3.11 1,436 13.0 — 

MC1-0576 12:45 3.14 1,368 13.0 — 

MC1-0656 12:40 3.11 1,342 14.5 — 

MC1-0709 12:30 3.10 1,162 13.0 — 

MC1-0776 12:25 3.10 1,256 12.5 — 

MC1-0826 12:15 3.09 1,286 11.5 — 

MC1-0836 12:00 7.02 66 7.0 20.4 

MC1-0850 11:55 7.04 89 9.0 31.0 

MC1-0888A 11:45 4.18 296 9.0 — 

MC1-0888B 11:50 4.17 263 9.0 — 

MC1-0940 11:40 7.11 309 8.0 42.4 

MC1-0976 11:30 4.02 296 9.5 — 

MC1-1076 11:25 3.97 310 9.0 — 

MC1-1151 11:20 3.93 324 9.5 — 

MC1-1156 11:15 5.39 140 10.0 3.1 

MC1-1231A 10:45 4.06 302 8.5 — 

MC1-1231B 10:50 4.03 288 8.5 — 
Tables 1–19 13 

Table 2. Data for samples collected August 22, 2005, including pH, specific conductance, temperature, 

and alkalinity, Mineral Creek, Colorado.—Continued 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; 

pH measured at central processing location, in standard units; Specific conductance, in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 

degrees Celsius; Temperature, water temperature measured onsite, in degrees Celsius; Alkalinity, in milligrams per liter as 

calcium carbonate; —, no data] 

Specific Sample Time pH Temperature Alkalinity conductance 

MC1-1330 10:35 4.14 282 7.5 — 

MC1-1338 10:30 7.40 259 6.0 38.1 

MC1-1439 10:15 4.30 266 6.0 — 

MC1-1526 10:05 4.26 255 5.5 — 

MC1-1676 09:55 4.24 258 5.5 — 

MC1-1776 09:45 4.21 263 5.5 — 

MC1-1831 09:40 4.22 252 5.5 — 

MC1-1921 09:35 4.22 261 5.5 — 

MC1-1941 09:30 3.50 366 5.5 — 

MC1-1989 09:25 4.19 269 5.5 — 

MC1-1991 09:20 6.58 93 6.5 11.2 

MC1-2041 09:10 4.75 180 6.0 0.0 
14 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 3. Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium 

(Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Sample Al 

(mg/L) 

As 

(mg/L) 

Ba 

(μg/L) 

Ca 

(mg/L) 

Cd 

(μg/L) 

Co 

(μg/L) 

Cr 

(μg/L) 

Cu 

(mg/L) 

Fe 

(mg/L) 

K 

(mg/L) 

Mg 

(mg/L) 

MC1-T0 39.88 3.479 18.5 220.4 254.6 187.3 19.0 13.63 227.2 1.756 40.38 

MC1-0295 38.85 3.270 20.6 216.8 245.4 181.5 17.9 13.22 217.8 1.748 39.32 

MC1-0376 38.44 2.872 18.5 212.8 244.3 180.9 17.2 13.15 205.3 1.678 37.53 

MC1-0410 1.551 0.001 42.4 25.93 9.59 8.56 0.61 0.448 1.397 0.493 3.207 

MC1-0432 20.37 1.364 30.8 120.8 133.6 96.4 9.42 6.658 99.91 1.085 21.90 

MC1-0512A 20.22 1.278 27.5 123.4 133.9 98.5 9.27 6.830 94.31 1.037 20.48 

MC1-0512B 20.10 1.372 29.6 128.7 133.6 98.7 9.48 7.582 95.37 1.079 20.57 

MC1-0533 19.51 1.171 30.6 116.3 124.9 93.1 8.63 6.404 86.30 1.011 20.72 

MC1-0536 19.90 1.213 29.4 122.3 131.1 97.9 8.77 6.923 89.63 1.099 20.21 

MC1-0543 20.00 1.245 30.6 119.3 130.7 96.3 8.85 6.668 91.13 1.089 20.99 

MC1-0548 19.56 1.145 30.5 114.5 124.4 92.2 8.46 6.252 85.00 1.058 21.32 

MC1-0564 17.70 0.927 28.7 112.1 116.6 87.8 7.61 5.997 74.25 0.957 18.67 

MC1-0566 17.31 0.780 28.2 114.2 110.0 84.9 7.78 6.201 69.73 0.964 18.59 

MC1-0576 15.24 0.575 27.1 101.6 95.3 75.2 6.19 4.691 58.03 0.901 17.18 

MC1-0656 14.56 0.611 27.9 103.5 90.7 72.1 5.72 4.467 56.72 0.979 16.78 

MC1-0709 12.89 0.573 28.7 87.12 80.4 64.5 4.92 3.980 51.30 0.947 14.95 

MC1-0776 12.83 0.562 29.0 88.35 80.0 64.6 5.04 4.009 48.61 0.906 14.92 

MC1-0826 13.53 0.594 28.8 91.06 85.6 67.1 5.29 4.289 49.93 0.895 15.34 

MC1-0836 0.135 0.001 38.6 9.499 <0.11 0.13 0.29 0.005 0.517 0.206 1.050 

MC1-0850 0.026 <0.0005 31.1 13.88 <0.11 <0.07 0.15 <0.003 <0.025 0.230 0.913 

MC1-0888A 2.138 0.109 31.2 25.83 14.1 10.5 1.12 0.774 8.672 0.300 3.015 

MC1-0888B 2.027 0.112 32.2 27.26 14.4 10.7 1.15 0.790 9.181 0.342 3.047 

MC1-0940 0.033 <0.0005 81.0 35.79 <0.11 <0.07 0.26 <0.003 <0.025 0.786 2.853 

MC1-0976 4.669 0.135 31.7 27.48 16.6 12.0 1.26 0.906 10.15 0.339 3.271 

MC1-1076 2.483 0.156 32.9 28.30 17.5 12.6 1.31 0.987 11.20 0.351 3.400 

MC1-1151 2.635 0.175 33.6 28.67 18.6 12.9 1.38 1.042 12.09 0.355 3.379 

MC1-1156 0.612 0.021 44.9 15.80 3.58 3.40 0.41 0.484 1.811 0.475 2.408 

MC1-1231A 2.493 0.166 34.4 27.48 17.3 12.1 1.33 1.004 11.51 0.346 3.332 

MC1-1231B 2.363 0.169 34.7 27.06 17.2 12.0 1.31 1.001 11.61 0.378 3.249 
Tables 1–19 15 

Table 3. Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium 

(Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 

2005.—Continued 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than] 

Sample Al 

(mg/L) 

As 

(mg/L) 

Ba 

(μg/L) 

Ca 

(mg/L) 

Cd 

(μg/L) 

Co 

(μg/L) 

Cr 

(μg/L) 

Cu 

(mg/L) 

Fe 

(mg/L) 

K 

(mg/L) 

Mg 

(mg/L) 

MC1-1330 2.239 0.145 35.2 26.82 16.0 11.2 1.18 0.914 10.32 0.327 3.190 

MC1-1338 0.485 <0.0005 39.6 22.84 <0.11 0.61 0.44 0.003 1.218 0.816 1.996 

MC1-1439 2.033 0.117 33.6 25.87 14.2 10.4 1.03 0.821 8.945 0.334 3.092 

MC1-1526 1.980 0.113 33.6 26.33 14.1 10.1 1.05 0.823 8.793 0.350 3.056 

MC1-1676 1.918 0.112 34.6 25.79 13.9 10.1 1.01 0.820 8.711 0.338 3.003 

MC1-1776 2.007 0.111 34.5 25.96 13.8 10.2 1.00 0.818 8.392 0.365 3.013 

MC1-1831 1.953 0.110 35.3 25.97 14.1 10.1 1.06 0.821 8.404 0.350 2.997 

MC1-1921 2.004 0.113 34.8 26.18 14.5 10.2 1.04 0.838 8.525 0.352 3.016 

MC1-1941 1.096 0.002 19.3 23.15 31.2 5.91 0.34 0.325 1.516 0.697 2.344 

MC1-1989 2.036 0.106 34.2 25.76 14.8 10.1 0.99 0.807 8.038 0.366 3.041 

MC1-1991 0.062 <0.0005 23.4 13.84 0.54 <0.07 0.26 <0.003 <0.025 0.213 0.892 

MC1-2041 1.152 0.057 30.2 20.87 8.15 5.31 0.60 0.431 4.467 0.320 2.031 
16 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 4. Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), 

lead (Pb), sulfate (SO4), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Sample Mn 

(mg/L) 

Mo 

(μg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

Ni 

(μg/L) 

Pb 

(μg/L) 

SO4 

1 

(mg/L) 

Si 

(mg/L) 

Sr 

(mg/L) 

U 

(μg/L) 

V 

(μg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

MC1-T0 32.11 0.89 24.72 218.0 194.6 1672 17.63 7.188 23.1 34.1 89.64 

MC1-0295 31.06 0.84 24.24 209.7 198.2 1606 17.77 6.929 22.1 31.3 84.58 

MC1-0376 30.76 0.65 23.86 210.1 190.6 1585 17.72 6.954 22.2 26.4 85.49 

MC1-0410 1.538 <0.13 8.958 10.3 1.32 83.92 3.710 0.670 0.66 0.13 3.417 

MC1-0432 16.88 0.20 15.90 114.3 104.8 830.3 10.54 3.796 11.7 12.6 45.19 

MC1-0512A 16.82 0.35 16.57 117.0 102.9 823.1 11.43 3.855 12.1 11.4 44.46 

MC1-0512B 16.80 0.41 15.84 117.3 110.7 837.6 11.65 3.797 11.8 12.6 44.54 

MC1-0533 16.12 0.30 15.80 108.7 105.6 792.9 10.79 3.698 11.0 10.6 42.66 

MC1-0536 16.41 0.31 16.56 114.4 108.9 795.0 11.20 3.783 11.7 10.5 43.58 

MC1-0543 16.17 0.19 16.24 112.2 106.1 820.2 10.65 3.767 11.6 11.0 44.15 

MC1-0548 15.54 0.15 15.79 107.6 106.5 780.5 10.35 3.639 11.0 10.1 42.05 

MC1-0564 14.57 0.27 14.82 101.3 111.6 704.9 11.07 3.442 10.9 8.24 37.89 

MC1-0566 14.40 0.33 14.31 99.5 103.2 717.5 11.42 3.364 9.89 6.92 36.51 

MC1-0576 12.58 0.21 13.63 86.5 103.7 632.0 10.45 3.026 8.60 5.13 31.42 

MC1-0656 11.77 0.17 12.93 81.6 115.3 623.1 10.45 2.951 8.10 5.21 29.69 

MC1-0709 9.960 0.16 12.47 71.5 129.0 539.3 9.771 2.666 7.51 4.99 25.25 

MC1-0776 9.966 0.14 12.32 69.5 120.5 534.7 9.732 2.679 7.52 4.92 25.54 

MC1-0826 10.68 0.15 12.81 75.8 108.7 558.7 10.06 2.775 7.94 5.22 27.42 

MC1-0836 0.039 <0.13 1.764 <0.14 2.10 11.07 2.473 0.379 0.01 0.44 <0.014 

MC1-0850 <0.006 <0.13 0.776 <0.14 0.12 24.58 1.304 0.253 <0.01 0.03 <0.014 

MC1-0888A 1.648 <0.13 2.542 11.8 12.9 110.0 2.437 0.664 1.30 1.02 5.001 

MC1-0888B 1.695 <0.13 2.564 12.4 12.7 113.8 2.701 0.664 1.30 1.05 4.999 

MC1-0940 0.007 <0.13 20.08 <0.14 0.81 29.02 2.352 0.758 <0.01 0.05 <0.014 

MC1-0976 1.928 <0.13 2.875 13.8 11.8 123.2 2.580 0.711 1.47 1.24 5.826 

MC1-1076 2.067 <0.13 3.044 14.9 11.9 129.2 2.617 0.739 1.59 1.43 6.321 

MC1-1151 2.109 <0.13 2.986 15.3 12.4 132.0 2.630 0.747 1.65 1.68 6.655 

MC1-1156 0.224 <0.13 3.115 2.56 42.9 58.00 3.798 0.402 0.17 0.63 0.984 

MC1-1231A 2.015 <0.13 3.365 14.2 14.2 126.5 2.730 0.724 1.55 1.63 6.196 

MC1-1231B 1.904 <0.13 3.082 14.3 13.9 123.8 2.715 0.705 1.51 1.70 6.101 
Tables 1–19 17 

Table 4. Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), 

lead (Pb), sulfate (SO4), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 

2005.—Continued 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than] 

Sample Mn 

(mg/L) 

Mo 

(μg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

Ni 

(μg/L) 

Pb 

(μg/L) 

SO4 

1 

(mg/L) 

Si 

(mg/L) 

Sr 

(mg/L) 

U 

(μg/L) 

V 

(μg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

MC1-1330 1.792 <0.13 3.101 13.3 14.1 117.3 2.753 0.688 1.45 1.48 5.594 

MC1-1338 0.071 0.70 26.33 0.31 2.27 88.93 3.112 1.159 0.05 0.92 <0.014 

MC1-1439 1.583 <0.13 2.907 12.1 12.4 111.8 2.646 0.663 1.25 1.16 5.073 

MC1-1526 1.609 <0.13 2.999 11.8 12.1 111.2 2.769 0.649 1.19 1.14 4.890 

MC1-1676 1.614 <0.13 3.049 11.6 11.9 111.4 2.740 0.648 1.18 1.16 4.929 

MC1-1776 1.587 <0.13 2.793 12.0 21.8 110.7 2.717 0.642 1.16 1.09 4.984 

MC1-1831 1.617 <0.13 2.739 12.2 22.1 109.4 2.692 0.644 1.19 1.14 4.986 

MC1-1921 1.667 <0.13 2.948 12.1 27.8 112.7 2.877 0.648 1.21 1.16 5.006 

MC1-1941 1.851 <0.13 4.359 5.26 3837 114.8 3.492 0.734 3.06 0.05 10.05 

MC1-1989 1.660 <0.13 3.077 11.6 245.1 110.6 2.722 0.662 1.31 1.08 5.278 

MC1-1991 0.015 <0.13 0.689 0.17 3.08 33.85 1.413 0.169 0.03 0.02 0.221 

MC1-2041 0.896 <0.13 1.887 6.17 167.8 75.14 2.260 0.427 0.70 0.63 2.838 

1

SO4 concentrations were calculated using the sulfur (S) results obtained by ICP-MS, under the assumption that all S was in the form of SO4. 
18 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 5. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), 

cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Sample Al 

(mg/L) 

As 

(mg/L) 

Ba 

(μg/L) 

Ca 

(mg/L) 

Cd 

(μg/L) 

Co 

(μg/L) 

Cr 

(μg/L) 

Cu 

(mg/L) 

Fe 

(mg/L) 

K 

(mg/L) 

Mg 

(mg/L) 

MC1-T0 39.75 3.195 17.5 217.6 256.0 184.6 18.8 13.86 224.8 1.710 39.23 

MC1-0295 38.33 2.983 18.6 211.5 244.4 178.4 18.0 13.29 212.9 1.775 38.04 

MC1-0376 38.44 2.707 17.9 217.8 241.2 179.8 17.2 13.11 201.7 1.712 38.72 

MC1-0410 0.340 0.001 42.6 25.68 9.43 8.38 0.21 0.389 0.391 0.465 3.178 

MC1-0432 20.21 1.161 29.4 120.8 134.0 97.1 9.31 6.780 97.10 1.076 20.12 

MC1-0512A 19.63 1.025 29.2 118.7 131.8 97.0 9.03 6.824 89.01 1.044 19.74 

MC1-0512B 20.07 0.942 29.1 118.1 127.5 97.2 8.80 6.799 88.62 0.973 18.99 

MC1-0533 19.22 0.923 29.3 118.8 123.5 93.5 8.41 6.398 83.09 1.062 20.14 

MC1-0536 19.42 0.973 29.0 118.3 127.6 94.6 8.38 6.998 85.74 1.082 21.43 

MC1-0543 20.64 1.044 29.7 120.2 130.1 97.1 8.79 6.728 91.04 1.067 22.19 

MC1-0548 19.47 0.936 28.9 114.8 124.2 92.8 8.26 6.312 84.01 1.035 21.26 

MC1-0564 17.96 0.709 28.6 110.9 112.5 87.0 7.24 5.812 72.23 0.979 20.66 

MC1-0566 17.41 0.635 28.4 107.8 108.7 83.7 7.00 5.537 67.39 0.935 20.36 

MC1-0576 15.16 0.447 28.3 100.7 93.9 74.6 6.02 4.765 55.15 0.916 18.82 

MC1-0656 14.49 0.464 29.2 96.57 87.1 70.4 5.57 4.402 53.53 0.991 17.84 

MC1-0709 12.97 0.381 28.3 88.02 76.8 63.0 4.77 3.837 47.37 0.885 13.54 

MC1-0776 13.19 0.356 28.1 88.85 78.3 63.0 4.74 3.981 46.04 0.843 13.76 

MC1-0826 13.43 0.405 26.3 91.26 83.1 65.3 4.81 4.205 47.32 0.847 15.38 

MC1-0836 0.015 0.001 35.2 8.996 <0.11 <0.07 0.14 0.003 0.111 0.180 0.989 

MC1-0850 0.028 <0.0005 31.7 13.42 <0.11 <0.07 0.12 <0.003 <0.025 0.253 0.928 

MC1-0888A 1.924 0.018 33.4 24.63 13.6 10.0 0.41 0.749 3.126 0.358 2.976 

MC1-0888B 1.911 0.018 31.2 24.63 13.3 10.0 0.47 0.752 3.133 0.355 3.006 

MC1-0940 0.013 <0.0005 85.0 33.78 <0.11 <0.07 0.22 0.003 <0.025 0.710 2.747 

MC1-0976 2.318 0.023 32.3 25.68 15.3 11.5 0.62 0.871 3.822 0.364 3.212 

MC1-1076 2.448 0.025 34.0 27.19 16.8 12.0 0.62 0.933 4.428 0.372 3.328 

MC1-1151 2.623 0.026 33.9 27.51 17.6 12.3 0.74 0.989 4.984 0.376 3.378 

MC1-1156 0.084 <0.0005 41.4 15.30 3.37 3.21 0.16 0.367 0.282 0.338 2.319 

MC1-1231A 2.382 0.027 34.8 25.96 16.7 11.8 0.63 0.985 4.898 0.344 3.288 

MC1-1231B 2.418 0.027 34.8 26.13 16.8 12.0 0.64 0.969 5.068 0.337 3.335 
Tables 1–19 19 

Table 5. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), 

cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005.—Continued 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than] 

Sample Al 

(mg/L) 

As 

(mg/L) 

Ba 

(μg/L) 

Ca 

(mg/L) 

Cd 

(μg/L) 

Co 

(μg/L) 

Cr 

(μg/L) 

Cu 

(mg/L) 

Fe 

(mg/L) 

K 

(mg/L) 

Mg 

(mg/L) 

MC1-1330 2.208 0.024 34.6 26.03 15.3 11.0 0.54 0.903 4.283 0.367 3.208 

MC1-1338 0.018 <0.0005 30.4 21.89 <0.11 <0.07 0.20 <0.003 <0.025 0.687 1.829 

MC1-1439 1.956 0.021 34.3 24.95 13.4 9.72 0.44 0.786 3.490 0.351 3.019 

MC1-1526 1.963 0.020 35.4 25.10 13.1 9.66 0.37 0.790 3.432 0.363 3.070 

MC1-1676 1.965 0.021 34.9 25.07 13.5 9.78 0.41 0.782 3.440 0.351 3.048 

MC1-1776 1.967 0.020 35.6 25.05 13.3 9.88 0.43 0.801 3.440 0.357 3.056 

MC1-1831 1.910 0.020 34.5 25.04 13.6 10.1 0.41 0.815 3.468 0.377 3.064 

MC1-1921 1.950 0.020 35.2 24.91 13.9 10.0 0.36 0.801 3.408 0.356 3.017 

MC1-1941 1.068 0.002 20.2 21.36 29.2 5.61 0.29 0.319 1.445 0.655 2.310 

MC1-1989 1.894 0.018 35.2 24.66 14.4 9.66 0.42 0.790 3.265 0.335 3.025 

MC1-1991 0.012 <0.0005 23.5 13.29 0.47 <0.07 0.17 <0.003 <0.025 0.222 0.871 

MC1-2041 0.949 0.009 29.7 19.24 7.84 5.18 0.25 0.412 1.572 0.328 1.986 
20 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 6. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), 

sulfate (SO4), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Sample Mn 

(mg/L) 

Mo 

(μg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

Ni 

(μg/L) 

Pb 

(μg/L) 

SO4 

1 

(mg/L) 

Si 

(mg/L) 

Sr 

(mg/L) 

U 

(μg/L) 

V 

(μg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

MC1-T0 31.97 0.80 24.42 215.6 182.7 1681 17.37 7.166 23.1 33.2 88.15 

MC1-0295 30.52 0.63 24.46 207.8 180.1 1567 17.06 6.920 22.2 29.3 86.43 

MC1-0376 30.90 0.62 24.32 209.5 175.4 1595 17.66 6.847 21.9 26.0 83.78 

MC1-0410 1.546 <0.13 8.400 10.2 0.23 82.02 3.368 0.648 0.33 <0.008 3.326 

MC1-0432 16.42 0.15 15.59 113.6 98.1 829.0 10.57 3.780 12.0 9.78 45.21 

MC1-0512A 16.32 0.19 16.03 112.8 92.6 809.3 10.95 3.747 11.8 8.55 43.82 

MC1-0512B 16.45 <0.13 16.15 114.1 86.6 786.0 10.33 3.655 11.0 8.45 43.31 

MC1-0533 15.63 <0.13 16.09 108.1 95.9 785.0 10.50 3.658 11.0 7.57 42.03 

MC1-0536 16.13 0.13 15.76 110.2 99.0 805.4 10.79 3.687 11.3 8.01 43.25 

MC1-0543 16.42 0.26 16.59 113.5 99.4 821.0 10.63 3.828 11.4 8.75 45.05 

MC1-0548 15.82 0.27 15.85 108.4 98.8 791.6 10.52 3.685 11.1 7.60 42.71 

MC1-0564 14.85 <0.13 15.11 101.1 97.3 728.6 10.58 3.463 10.0 5.69 39.00 

MC1-0566 14.06 0.32 14.32 96.8 96.8 706.6 10.32 3.333 9.62 5.18 36.74 

MC1-0576 12.35 <0.13 13.30 84.3 97.9 634.9 9.948 3.004 8.37 3.69 31.26 

MC1-0656 11.47 <0.13 13.10 79.3 110.5 610.6 9.691 2.876 7.72 3.81 29.51 

MC1-0709 9.826 0.17 12.93 68.0 110.6 545.9 8.998 2.643 6.62 3.25 25.53 

MC1-0776 10.08 0.16 13.03 69.5 102.5 547.5 9.447 2.669 6.77 3.16 25.65 

MC1-0826 10.52 0.15 13.07 75.5 91.8 568.7 9.421 2.774 7.39 3.24 27.15 

MC1-0836 0.028 <0.13 1.471 <0.14 <0.11 10.87 2.678 0.355 <0.01 0.03 <0.014 

MC1-0850 0.007 <0.13 0.858 <0.14 <0.11 24.47 1.296 0.239 0.01 <0.008 <0.014 

MC1-0888A 1.621 <0.13 2.559 11.6 8.45 105.7 2.450 0.606 1.16 <0.008 4.653 

MC1-0888B 1.629 <0.13 2.442 11.9 8.40 107.3 2.446 0.612 1.15 <0.008 4.685 

MC1-0940 <0.006 <0.13 20.54 <0.14 <0.11 28.42 2.168 0.727 0.01 0.02 <0.014 

MC1-0976 1.883 <0.13 2.712 13.5 8.27 115.3 2.537 0.650 1.32 <0.008 5.444 

MC1-1076 2.050 0.16 2.911 14.0 8.52 123.2 2.547 0.680 1.43 <0.008 5.913 

MC1-1151 2.154 <0.13 3.057 14.7 8.98 127.9 2.613 0.699 1.53 <0.008 6.251 

MC1-1156 0.213 <0.13 2.936 2.24 6.33 55.43 3.922 0.374 0.05 <0.008 0.916 

MC1-1231A 1.956 1.50 3.021 13.7 9.40 119.4 2.657 0.672 1.42 <0.008 5.809 

MC1-1231B 1.979 0.31 3.133 14.0 9.41 122.0 2.747 0.675 1.41 <0.008 5.917 

MC1-1330 1.829 <0.13 2.918 13.0 8.39 113.9 2.756 0.648 1.30 <0.008 5.472 
Tables 1–19 21 

Table 6. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), 

sulfate (SO4), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005.—Continued 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than] 

Sample Mn 

(mg/L) 

Mo 

(μg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

Ni 

(μg/L) 

Pb 

(μg/L) 

SO4 

1 

(mg/L) 

Si 

(mg/L) 

Sr 

(mg/L) 

U 

(μg/L) 

V 

(μg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

MC1-1338 <0.006 0.37 27.36 <0.14 0.14 82.42 2.415 1.107 0.02 0.02 <0.014 

MC1-1439 1.604 <0.13 2.840 11.3 7.20 106.6 2.599 0.606 1.09 <0.008 4.723 

MC1-1526 1.600 <0.13 3.035 11.3 6.95 105.9 2.795 0.614 1.05 <0.008 4.688 

MC1-1676 1.611 <0.13 2.945 11.4 7.17 107.6 2.716 0.609 1.10 <0.008 4.818 

MC1-1776 1.632 0.13 2.871 11.6 19.6 106.5 2.850 0.614 1.09 <0.008 4.752 

MC1-1831 1.646 <0.13 2.924 12.0 15.7 107.6 2.762 0.614 1.11 <0.008 4.869 

MC1-1921 1.634 <0.13 2.867 11.9 19.8 106.2 2.682 0.604 1.10 <0.008 4.792 

MC1-1941 1.806 0.58 4.403 5.07 3595 111.4 3.640 0.685 2.82 0.04 9.617 

MC1-1989 1.642 <0.13 2.962 11.5 201.6 107.0 2.793 0.613 1.16 <0.008 5.029 

MC1-1991 0.013 <0.13 0.664 0.15 1.71 32.48 1.451 0.156 0.01 <0.008 0.206 

MC1-2041 0.825 <0.13 1.777 6.21 114.8 71.89 2.048 0.400 0.53 <0.008 2.788 

1

SO4 concentrations were calculated using the sulfur (S) results obtained by ICP-MS, under the assumption that all S was in the form of SO4. 
22 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 7. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for chloride (Cl), 

ferrous iron [Fe(II)], and ferrous plus ferric iron [Fe(II+III)], Mineral Creek, 

Colorado, August 22, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote 

samples that are part of a field replicate; mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Cl Fe(II) Fe(II+III) Sample (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

MC1-T0 0.660 — — 

MC1-0295 0.352 — — 

MC1-0376 0.547 — — 

MC1-0410 10.98 0.36 0.36 

MC1-0432 3.881 — — 

MC1-0512A 6.372 — — 

MC1-0512B 6.686 — — 

MC1-0533 7.445 — — 

MC1-0536 6.891 — — 

MC1-0543 7.072 — — 

MC1-0548 7.012 — — 

MC1-0564 7.047 — — 

MC1-0566 7.477 — — 

MC1-0576 7.118 — — 

MC1-0656 7.067 — — 

MC1-0709 7.219 — — 

MC1-0776 7.220 — — 

MC1-0826 8.232 — — 

MC1-0836 0.356 0.17 0.10 

MC1-0850 0.315 0.05 <0.05 

MC1-0888A 2.344 2.68 3.15 

MC1-0888B 2.260 2.68 3.13 

MC1-0940 52.11 0.13 <0.05 

MC1-0976 1.628 3.18 3.80 

MC1-1076 1.981 3.50 3.69 

MC1-1151 1.918 3.61 3.79 

MC1-1156 0.336 0.32 0.32 

MC1-1231A 1.823 3.58 3.74 

MC1-1231B 1.697 3.65 3.85 
Tables 1–19 23 

Table 7. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for chloride (Cl), 

ferrous iron [Fe(II)], and ferrous plus ferric iron [Fe(II+III)], Mineral Creek, 

Colorado, August 22, 2005.—Continued 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote 

samples that are part of a field replicate; mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Cl Fe(II) Fe(II+III) Sample (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

MC1-1330 1.660 3.68 3.89 

MC1-1338 0.647 0.06 <0.05 

MC1-1439 1.667 2.89 3.21 

MC1-1526 1.995 2.89 3.41 

MC1-1676 1.719 2.92 3.41 

MC1-1776 1.746 2.90 3.38 

MC1-1831 2.019 2.84 3.36 

MC1-1921 1.997 2.93 3.47 

MC1-1941 4.688 0.68 1.53 

MC1-1989 1.770 2.80 3.42 

MC1-1991 0.502 0.05 <0.05 

MC1-2041 1.318 1.39 1.61 
24 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 8. Data used to estimate streamflow using the tracer-dilution method, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; Plateau Br concentration, 

bromide concentration from synoptic sample, in milligrams per liter; Plateau Li concentration, lithium concentration from synoptic sample, in milligrams per liter; Alternate Li concentration, lithium concentration used in equation 1 in lieu of plateau values, in milligrams per liter; Streamflow 

estimate, tracer-dilution estimate of streamflow, in cubic feet per second; —, no data/not applicable] 

Sample 

Plateau Br 

concentration 

(dissolved) 

Plateau Li 

concentration 

(dissolved) 

Plateau Li 

concentration 

(total recoverable) 

Alternate Li 

concentration 

Streamflow 

estimate 

MC1-T0 — 0.11 0.10 — — 

MC1-0295 124.21 11.31 11.71 11.31 0.075 

MC1-0376 121.39 11.59 11.31 10.85 0.078 

MC1-0410 — 0.015 0.021 — — 

MC1-0432 65.89 5.44 5.29 6.59 0.129 

MC1-0512A 68.3 6.42 5.62 6.20 0.137 

MC1-0512B 61.33 5.45 4.92 6.20 0.137 

MC1-0533 66.93 5.63 5.52 6.17 0.137 

MC1-0536 66.77 5.70 6.43 6.14 0.138 

MC1-0543 66.01 5.62 5.58 6.14 0.138 

MC1-0548 65.26 5.39 5.30 6.14 0.138 

MC1-0564 64.46 5.35 6.02 6.05 0.140 

MC1-0566 65.58 5.53 5.59 6.04 0.140 

MC1-0576 65.85 5.52 5.86 5.98 0.142 

MC1-0656 64.74 5.42 5.58 5.88 0.144 

MC1-0709 62.54 5.08 5.85 5.73 0.148 

MC1-0776 60.96 4.88 5.68 5.53 0.153 

MC1-0826 60.25 4.84 5.58 5.39 0.157 

MC1-0836 — <0.015 <0.015 — — 

MC1-0850 — <0.015 <0.015 — — 

MC1-0888A 8.36 0.59 0.70 0.71 1.200 

MC1-0888B 8.29 0.65 0.70 0.71 1.200 

MC1-0940 — <0.015 <0.015 — — 

MC1-0976 8.11 0.64 0.71 0.71 1.202 

MC1-1076 7.96 0.57 0.71 0.69 1.224 

MC1-1151 7.81 0.58 0.67 0.69 1.235 

MC1-1156 — <0.015 0.017 — — 

MC1-1231A 6.89 0.52 0.60 0.62 1.362 

MC1-1231B 6.87 0.51 0.58 0.62 1.362 
Tables 1–19 25 

Table 8. Data used to estimate streamflow using the tracer-dilution method, Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 22, 2005.—Continued 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; Plateau Br concentration, 

bromide concentration from synoptic sample, in milligrams per liter; Plateau Li concentration, lithium concentration from synoptic sample, in milligrams per liter; Alternate Li concentration, lithium concentration used in equation 1 in lieu of plateau values, in milligrams per liter; Streamflow 

estimate, tracer-dilution estimate of streamflow, in cubic feet per second; —, no data/not applicable] 

Sample 

Plateau Br 

concentration 

(dissolved) 

Plateau Li 

concentration 

(dissolved) 

Plateau Li 

concentration 

(total recoverable) 

Alternate Li 

concentration 

Streamflow 

estimate 

MC1-1330 6.76 0.56 0.60 0.61 1.379 

MC1-1338 — 0.07 0.09 — — 

MC1-1439 6.7 0.49 0.59 0.60 1.414 

MC1-1526 6.86 0.54 0.57 0.58 1.458 

MC1-1676 6.56 0.50 0.55 0.57 1.486 

MC1-1776 6.34 0.53 0.54 0.55 1.543 

MC1-1831 6.57 0.50 0.53 0.55 1.554 

MC1-1921 6.59 0.48 0.52 0.54 1.559 

MC1-1941 0.05 0.02 0.03 — — 

MC1-1989 5.94 0.48 0.54 0.51 1.655 

MC1-1991 — <0.015 <0.015 — — 

MC1-2041 3.14 0.24 0.27 0.27 3.110 
26 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 9. Data for samples collected August 24, 2005, including pH, specific conductance, temperature, and alkalinity, 

Mineral Creek, Colorado. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; pH (field), pH 

measured in field immediately after sample collection, in standard units; pH (processing), pH measured at central processing location, in 

standard units; Specific conductance, in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; Temperature, water temperature measured onsite, 

in degrees Celsius; Alkalinity, in milligrams per liter as calcium carbonate; —, no data] 

Sample Time pH 

(field) 

pH 

(processing) 

Specific 

conductance Temperature Alkalinity 

MC2-T0 13:15 3.10 3.00 2,050 14.0 — 

MC2-0295 13:05 11.50 11.76 3,390 15.0 137.7 

MC2-0309 10:31 — 8.13 333 9.0 126.7 

MC2-0349 10:37 — 2.97 1,458 9.0 — 

MC2-0376 14:00 11.15 11.64 3,140 — 164.5 

MC2-0432 12:50 10.15 10.46 1,975 14.5 43.8 

MC2-0512 12:45 8.36 7.56 2,210 15.0 25.9 

MC2-0576 12:35 9.03 9.01 2,060 14.5 21.1 

MC2-0656 12:30 9.48 9.51 1,841 15.5 38.1 

MC2-0694 15:00 — — — — — 

MC2-0709 12:15 9.07 9.31 1,715 15.0 36.0 

MC2-0776 12:10 8.57 8.44 1,725 14.5 29.7 

MC2-0826 12:00 — 7.98 1,752 12.0 25.4 

MC2-0850 11:45 — 7.46 90 11.0 32.6 

MC2-0888A 11:35 7.76 7.28 351 11.0 20.6 

MC2-0888B 11:36 7.76 8.46 353 11.0 37.1 

MC2-0976 11:25 7.56 7.29 358 10.5 32.8 

MC2-1076 11:15 7.62 6.96 353 9.5 31.1 

MC2-1151 11:05 7.45 6.78 358 9.0 35.2 

MC2-1156 11:02 — 6.21 140 9.5 1.4 

MC2-1231A 10:50 7.23 6.81 345 8.0 26.7 

MC2-1231B 10:53 7.23 6.90 339 8.0 27.0 

MC2-1330 10:45 7.19 6.70 343 7.0 29.1 

MC2-1439 10:40 7.21 6.51 334 6.0 16.8 

MC2-1526 10:35 7.04 6.40 323 5.5 13.6 

MC2-1676 10:25 7.12 6.39 315 5.0 11.1 

MC2-1776 10:20 6.75 6.36 320 4.5 8.2 

MC2-1831 10:15 7.00 6.37 321 4.5 8.0 

MC2-1921 10:10 7.01 6.23 313 4.0 7.9 

MC2-1989 10:04 7.19 6.24 303 4.0 7.3 

MC2-1991 09:55 — 6.48 93 6.5 12.9 

MC2-2041 10:00 7.17 6.07 213 5.5 9.6 
Tables 1–19 27 

Table 10. Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), 

cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), Mineral Creek, Colorado, 

August 24, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Al As Ba Ca Cd Co Cr Cu Fe K Mg Sample (mg/L) (mg/L) (μg/L) (mg/L) (μg/L) (μg/L) (μg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

MC2-T0 32.91 2.174 14.1 199.1 209.3 159.2 16.3 11.09 174.7 1.396 33.98 

MC2-0295 40.14 3.176 16.2 230.5 250.1 191.4 15.7 13.01 219.6 2.495 38.75 

MC2-0376 34.87 2.253 14.2 200.6 218.5 174.1 17.1 11.32 183.3 2.073 37.00 

MC2-0432 21.95 1.547 22.7 124.5 150.3 116.6 11.1 7.680 118.5 1.341 24.39 

MC2-0512 32.82 3.462 28.6 172.8 206.3 149.1 13.0 11.23 195.5 2.002 24.27 

MC2-0576 28.29 2.567 28.0 154.3 193.0 139.8 14.4 9.794 160.0 1.560 25.42 

MC2-0656 20.96 1.989 26.3 122.4 154.7 117.3 8.69 7.643 127.8 1.625 23.57 

MC2-0694 6.947 0.049 44.0 78.77 46.26 39.3 0.92 1.523 3.768 1.152 11.70 

MC2-0709 16.07 1.532 24.0 103.2 123.4 96.4 9.10 5.881 105.9 1.566 20.28 

MC2-0776 17.68 1.679 24.1 108.7 135.0 103.9 9.11 5.893 109.3 1.601 22.79 

MC2-0826 17.58 1.705 25.3 118.3 135.4 100.0 9.37 5.739 104.2 1.556 22.56 

MC2-0850 0.033 <0.0005 31.7 14.04 <0.11 0.07 0.21 0.004 0.113 0.287 0.913 

MC2-0888A 2.671 0.271 32.8 29.52 20.81 14.9 1.43 1.107 16.37 0.431 3.743 

MC2-0888B 2.856 0.275 31.2 29.58 21.35 15.7 1.68 1.168 17.13 0.426 3.843 

MC2-0976 2.817 0.280 31.9 31.93 21.69 15.8 1.40 1.163 17.02 0.444 4.021 

MC2-1076 2.931 0.285 32.6 29.21 21.71 16.1 1.81 1.175 17.51 0.417 3.893 

MC2-1151 2.559 0.248 33.0 29.55 19.96 14.9 1.58 1.057 15.42 0.400 3.766 

MC2-1156 0.463 0.010 42.8 15.81 3.70 3.46 0.33 0.525 1.464 0.412 2.381 

MC2-1231A 2.656 0.256 34.9 29.26 20.98 14.8 1.42 1.097 15.86 0.454 3.747 

MC2-1231B 2.621 0.250 35.5 29.43 20.17 14.4 1.46 1.034 15.30 0.474 3.673 

MC2-1330 3.289 0.312 33.7 30.84 22.70 16.4 1.91 1.265 18.59 0.424 4.007 

MC2-1439 3.161 0.296 34.4 29.92 20.75 14.8 1.43 1.262 17.19 0.454 3.737 

MC2-1526 3.070 0.274 34.0 29.21 19.09 13.8 1.72 1.213 16.37 0.411 3.596 

MC2-1676 3.148 0.298 34.7 29.02 18.89 14.0 1.83 1.271 17.92 0.375 3.645 

MC2-1776 3.768 0.367 36.7 31.63 20.96 15.8 1.95 1.435 20.09 0.447 4.033 

MC2-1831 3.251 0.330 33.9 29.50 18.84 13.9 1.81 1.250 17.44 0.478 3.586 

MC2-1921 3.269 0.320 34.1 29.71 18.89 14.1 1.75 1.273 18.03 0.413 3.631 

MC2-1989 3.256 0.320 35.2 27.67 18.85 13.5 1.90 1.240 17.67 0.434 3.523 

MC2-1991 0.050 <0.0005 24.1 14.04 0.53 <0.07 0.25 <0.003 <0.025 0.290 0.901 

MC2-2041 1.734 0.157 29.2 21.79 10.49 7.08 1.01 0.654 8.761 0.360 2.281 
28 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 11. Total-recoverable concentrations from unfiltered samples for manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), 

lead (Pb), sulfate (SO4), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Sample Mn 

(mg/L) 

Mo 

(μg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

Ni 

(μg/L) 

Pb 

(μg/L) 

SO4 

1 

(mg/L) 

Si 

(mg/L) 

Sr 

(mg/L) 

U 

(μg/L) 

V 

(μg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

MC2-T0 25.61 0.64 19.07 180.7 221.0 1,436 19.40 5.968 19.4 24.1 69.17 

MC2-0295 30.67 1.20 612.8 212.7 214.1 1,788 22.10 6.968 24.4 26.9 81.64 

MC2-0376 27.50 1.07 575.0 192.2 220.9 1,649 22.85 5.733 20.7 24.7 71.72 

MC2-0432 18.94 0.87 344.4 131.4 146.0 975.7 14.93 3.697 13.8 16.6 48.85 

MC2-0512 21.42 0.96 334.1 173.4 147.1 1,255 15.51 5.466 19.9 29.2 71.75 

MC2-0576 21.94 0.80 310.3 161.0 124.6 1,109 15.26 4.718 16.8 27.5 63.21 

MC2-0656 18.24 1.17 303.4 129.7 171.7 952.2 14.38 3.657 14.0 17.5 49.21 

MC2-0694 6.988 <0.13 18.42 43.6 14.5 348.4 9.968 2.044 1.40 1.97 16.49 

MC2-0709 14.82 1.00 254.7 106.0 198.2 841.7 13.29 3.025 11.1 17.3 38.76 

MC2-0776 16.23 0.68 275.4 114.0 178.9 904.9 13.24 3.240 12.0 17.0 42.69 

MC2-0826 16.02 0.38 258.3 113.3 146.3 926.5 12.65 3.498 12.0 17.7 41.36 

MC2-0850 0.019 <0.13 0.852 <0.14 0.14 25.56 1.376 0.250 0.01 0.04 0.020 

MC2-0888A 2.434 <0.13 32.31 17.7 18.2 140.9 3.090 0.716 1.82 2.60 7.054 

MC2-0888B 2.507 <0.13 35.36 18.3 18.0 144.7 3.084 0.739 1.78 2.84 7.448 

MC2-0976 2.627 <0.13 35.00 18.5 18.2 153.4 3.289 0.771 1.89 2.44 7.315 

MC2-1076 2.614 <0.13 30.06 18.6 15.4 148.1 3.121 0.746 1.81 3.16 7.375 

MC2-1151 2.494 <0.13 30.90 17.0 13.5 148.7 2.873 0.742 1.59 2.81 6.714 

MC2-1156 0.222 <0.13 3.114 2.6 18.3 59.54 3.992 0.386 0.15 0.15 0.985 

MC2-1231A 2.401 <0.13 30.45 17.1 15.9 144.4 3.188 0.729 1.63 2.52 7.014 

MC2-1231B 2.337 <0.13 29.40 16.2 18.0 144.1 3.163 0.718 1.61 2.55 6.624 

MC2-1330 2.552 <0.13 29.64 19.2 14.1 160.1 3.254 0.756 1.71 3.36 7.611 

MC2-1439 2.228 <0.13 26.50 17.8 15.8 146.7 3.383 0.740 1.84 2.64 7.529 

MC2-1526 2.140 <0.13 24.77 16.6 15.0 142.3 3.172 0.726 1.80 3.09 7.028 

MC2-1676 2.172 <0.13 24.28 16.8 15.7 142.7 3.161 0.746 1.83 3.44 7.184 

MC2-1776 2.407 <0.13 22.96 18.8 32.2 161.0 3.681 0.806 2.19 3.61 7.699 

MC2-1831 2.129 <0.13 22.11 17.1 28.0 144.3 3.362 0.714 1.91 3.40 6.782 

MC2-1921 2.153 0.41 22.82 16.8 30.4 145.9 3.336 0.730 1.92 3.35 6.891 

MC2-1989 2.122 <0.13 19.15 16.2 267.6 140.6 3.321 0.712 2.01 3.57 6.866 

MC2-1991 0.009 <0.13 0.724 0.16 3.53 34.94 1.492 0.165 0.03 0.02 0.225 

MC2-2041 1.137 <0.13 11.87 8.76 185.0 91.14 2.372 0.474 1.06 1.72 3.938 

1

SO4 concentrations were calculated using the sulfur (S) results obtained by ICP-MS, under the assumption that all S was in the form of SO4. 
Tables 1–19 29 

Table 12. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), 

cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Al As Ba Ca Cd Co Cr Cu Fe K Mg Sample (mg/L) (μg/L) (μg/L) (mg/L) (μg/L) (μg/L) (μg/L) (μg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

MC2-T0 32.35 2,063 14.7 193.2 202.3 157.1 15.2 11,187 169.8 1.405 31.19 

MC2-0295 14.73 22.1 6.99 147.9 <0.11 0.15 0.40 8.83 0.029 2.316 0.087 

MC2-0309 0.009 3.49 61.6 49.77 <0.11 0.32 0.17 7.30 <0.025 1.481 2.931 

MC2-0349 23.65 40.6 12.1 122.4 139.3 110.7 4.77 7,714 24.15 0.506 22.72 

MC2-0376 13.21 17.7 5.68 130.6 <0.11 0.19 0.36 7.35 <0.025 2.299 0.087 

MC2-0432 4.501 8.09 10.5 96.07 <0.11 0.39 0.37 4.64 <0.025 1.479 1.015 

MC2-0512 0.066 7.87 21.1 156.0 10.6 8.07 0.33 4.77 <0.025 1.836 17.64 

MC2-0576 0.454 5.46 16.8 136.9 1.32 1.21 0.38 3.93 <0.025 1.539 12.77 

MC2-0656 1.693 5.96 11.8 99.75 0.13 0.66 0.29 5.00 <0.025 1.729 6.777 

MC2-0694 6.291 0.52 30.7 75.78 47.3 39.6 0.33 1,549 0.221 0.874 11.69 

MC2-0709 1.509 5.10 10.0 84.63 <0.11 0.37 0.32 4.26 <0.025 1.647 7.089 

MC2-0776 0.807 4.81 12.0 91.97 0.30 0.55 0.32 3.27 <0.025 1.409 9.156 

MC2-0826 0.404 4.74 14.5 104.8 0.97 1.20 0.31 3.41 <0.025 1.349 11.56 

MC2-0850 0.016 1.85 31.5 14.20 <0.11 <0.07 0.16 <2.57 <0.025 0.248 0.913 

MC2-0888A 0.124 4.33 27.6 28.36 0.95 2.38 0.24 <2.57 <0.025 0.398 2.772 

MC2-0888B 0.119 4.10 27.6 27.97 0.99 1.79 0.21 <2.57 <0.025 0.377 2.762 

MC2-0976 0.088 4.14 28.6 28.76 1.56 2.50 0.23 <2.57 <0.025 0.410 2.911 

MC2-1076 0.048 5.35 30.2 27.04 3.76 5.29 0.21 3.05 <0.025 0.375 3.229 

MC2-1151 0.042 5.36 31.4 27.28 4.29 5.17 0.23 3.49 <0.025 0.453 3.221 

MC2-1156 0.139 0.56 41.3 15.45 3.63 3.39 0.19 419.5 0.345 0.380 2.315 

MC2-1231A 0.036 6.86 32.5 28.48 6.58 6.89 0.28 8.64 0.050 0.375 3.030 

MC2-1231B 0.024 5.13 32.9 28.29 6.62 6.53 0.26 4.17 <0.025 0.391 3.035 

MC2-1330 0.021 4.86 33.2 29.19 10.8 8.63 0.21 7.79 <0.025 0.382 3.183 

MC2-1439 0.021 5.03 34.7 28.85 12.7 8.92 0.25 12.1 <0.025 0.381 3.155 

MC2-1526 0.011 3.62 34.5 28.38 13.5 10.2 0.30 12.0 <0.025 0.392 3.195 

MC2-1676 0.012 3.63 34.3 28.82 14.7 10.5 0.27 16.8 <0.025 0.384 3.283 

MC2-1776 0.018 3.91 35.3 28.02 15.8 11.0 0.24 28.1 <0.025 0.380 3.276 

MC2-1831 0.019 3.67 35.5 28.28 16.0 11.1 0.18 29.1 <0.025 0.379 3.224 

MC2-1921 0.017 3.47 33.5 26.15 16.9 11.0 0.19 30.9 <0.025 0.396 3.439 

MC2-1989 0.033 3.50 34.1 26.23 18.0 10.9 0.20 57.6 <0.025 0.483 3.432 

MC2-1991 0.014 <0.45 24.3 14.08 0.51 <0.07 0.20 <2.57 <0.025 0.228 0.897 

MC2-2041 0.011 2.60 29.8 21.35 9.34 5.6 0.20 27.7 <0.025 0.344 2.138 
30 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 13. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), 

sulfate (SO4), silicon (Si), strontium (Sr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, 

milligrams per liter; <, less than; reported concentrations are unrounded values from the laboratory analysis—unrounded values are not meant to reflect accuracy

beyond three significant figures] 

Sample Mn 

(mg/L) 

Mo 

(μg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

Ni 

(μg/L) 

Pb 

(μg/L) 

SO4 

1 

(mg/L) 

Si 

(mg/L) 

Sr 

(mg/L) 

U 

(μg/L) 

V 

(μg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

MC2-T0 25.80 0.57 18.43 176.0 206.3 1,356 17.95 6.007 18.7 21.6 69.21 

MC2-0295 0.006 1.23 559.6 <0.14 <0.11 1,632 0.456 5.678 0.03 0.49 0.079 

MC2-0309 0.248 1.84 25.04 0.33 <0.11 42.69 2.272 0.305 0.25 0.05 <0.014 

MC2-0349 17.90 <0.13 14.49 124.6 23.5 767.0 21.29 3.559 11.4 0.57 44.56 

MC2-0376 <0.006 1.29 565.2 <0.14 <0.11 1,542 0.584 4.716 0.04 0.48 0.076 

MC2-0432 0.007 0.79 316.3 <0.14 <0.11 961.0 0.375 3.032 0.05 0.18 <0.014 

MC2-0512 10.83 0.48 297.7 4.17 <0.11 1,204 0.954 4.800 0.04 0.02 0.520 

MC2-0576 2.492 0.55 285.3 0.38 <0.11 1,069 0.342 4.147 0.12 0.02 0.025 

MC2-0656 0.147 1.08 301.4 <0.14 <0.11 945.9 0.236 3.147 0.25 0.06 <0.014 

MC2-0694 7.053 0.30 17.05 44.2 2.32 348.0 8.226 1.976 1.32 0.02 16.18 

MC2-0709 0.110 0.88 284.2 <0.14 <0.11 843.4 0.264 2.649 0.31 0.06 <0.014 

MC2-0776 0.460 0.57 259.4 <0.14 <0.11 843.6 0.313 2.815 0.31 0.03 <0.014 

MC2-0826 1.752 0.38 250.2 0.42 <0.11 885.4 0.387 3.229 0.26 0.02 0.030 

MC2-0850 <0.006 <0.13 0.99 <0.14 <0.11 25.11 1.319 0.253 0.01 0.03 <0.014 

MC2-0888A 1.138 <0.13 31.71 0.94 <0.11 138.2 0.823 0.705 0.01 0.01 0.064 

MC2-0888B 1.151 <0.13 31.49 0.91 <0.11 137.4 0.840 0.709 0.01 0.01 0.070 

MC2-0976 1.380 <0.13 32.75 1.31 <0.11 140.9 0.917 0.722 0.01 0.01 0.130 

MC2-1076 1.859 <0.13 31.77 3.17 <0.11 149.0 1.066 0.735 0.01 0.01 0.427 

MC2-1151 1.940 <0.13 33.74 3.52 <0.11 148.6 1.099 0.728 <0.01 0.01 0.552 

MC2-1156 0.217 <0.13 2.843 2.51 6.51 56.84 3.896 0.387 0.07 0.01 0.983 

MC2-1231A 1.891 <0.13 27.97 5.20 <0.11 139.7 1.465 0.712 0.01 0.02 1.126 

MC2-1231B 1.899 <0.13 28.04 5.01 <0.11 139.6 1.456 0.720 <0.01 0.01 1.122 

MC2-1330 2.063 <0.13 28.37 7.08 <0.11 145.4 1.644 0.754 <0.01 0.01 2.149 

MC2-1439 1.956 <0.13 24.64 8.43 <0.11 137.7 1.726 0.731 0.01 0.02 2.886 

MC2-1526 1.917 <0.13 22.87 9.20 <0.11 135.4 1.828 0.717 <0.01 0.01 3.342 

MC2-1676 1.996 <0.13 21.98 10.0 <0.11 138.1 1.921 0.729 0.01 <0.008 3.990 

MC2-1776 2.020 <0.13 20.97 10.5 <0.11 137.5 2.018 0.727 0.01 0.01 4.501 

MC2-1831 2.022 <0.13 21.57 10.8 <0.11 137.1 2.006 0.729 0.01 0.01 4.680 

MC2-1921 2.093 <0.13 21.65 11.2 <0.11 141.4 1.960 0.711 0.01 <0.008 4.705 

MC2-1989 2.070 <0.13 21.65 10.9 2.79 139.7 2.110 0.710 0.02 <0.008 5.235 

MC2-1991 0.008 <0.13 0.782 0.17 2.01 34.49 1.423 0.167 0.01 0.01 0.230 

MC2-2041 1.095 <0.13 10.75 5.81 2.23 87.38 1.779 0.463 <0.01 0.01 2.786 

1

SO4 concentrations were calculated using the sulfur (S) results obtained by ICP-MS, under the assumption that all S was in the form of SO4. 
Tables 1–19 31 

Table 14. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples for chloride 

(Cl), ferrous iron [Fe(II)], and ferrous plus ferric iron [Fe(II+III)], Mineral 

Creek, Colorado, August 24, 2005. 

[Sample, “Site” from table 1 with an optional letter suffix (“A” or “B”) to denote 

samples that are part of a field replicate; μg/L, micrograms per liter; mg/L, milligrams 

per liter; —, no data] 

Cl Fe(II) Fe(II+III) Sample (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

MC2-T0 0.690 — — 

MC2-0295 6.320 — — 

MC2-0309 28.84 — — 

MC2-0349 0.666 — — 

MC2-0376 5.977 0.002 0.002 

MC2-0432 7.894 0.011 — 

MC2-0512 8.801 — — 

MC2-0576 8.690 — — 

MC2-0656 8.509 — — 

MC2-0694 14.30 — — 

MC2-0709 8.550 — 0.033 

MC2-0776 8.642 0.002 — 

MC2-0826 8.522 — — 

MC2-0850 0.113 0.059 — 

MC2-0888A 1.222 — — 

MC2-0888B 1.218 — — 

MC2-0976 1.384 — — 

MC2-1076 1.469 0.020 0.028 

MC2-1151 1.466 — — 

MC2-1156 0.185 0.299 0.330 

MC2-1231A 1.386 — — 

MC2-1231B 1.344 0.011 — 

MC2-1330 1.356 0.017 — 

MC2-1439 1.452 — 0.072 

MC2-1526 1.386 — — 

MC2-1676 1.396 — — 

MC2-1776 1.413 — 0.051 

MC2-1831 1.409 0.033 — 

MC2-1921 1.427 — — 

MC2-1989 1.543 0.013 0.028 

MC2-1991 0.307 0.011 — 

MC2-2041 0.948 0.028 — 
32 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 15. Data used to estimate streamflow using the tracer-dilution method, Mineral Creek, Colorado, 

August 24, 2005. 

[Plateau Br concentration, bromide concentration from synoptic sample, in milligrams per liter; Plateau Li concentration, 

lithium concentration from synoptic sample, in milligrams per liter; Streamflow estimate, estimate of streamflow, in cubic 

feet per second; —, no data/not applicable] 

Sample 

Plateau Br 

concentration 

(dissolved) 

Plateau Li 

concentration 

(dissolved) 

Plateau Li 

concentration 

(total recoverable) 

Streamflow 

estimate 

MC2-T0 — 0.12 0.11 — 

MC2-0295 129.46 12.06 13.10 0.063 

MC2-0309 0.04 <0.01 <0.01 — 

MC2-0349 10.41 0.85 <0.01 — 

MC2-0376 124.20 12.10 12.58 0.065 

MC2-0432 75.42 6.34 6.76 0.107 

MC2-0512 70.98 5.59 6.35 0.114 

MC2-0576 68.53 5.54 6.35 0.118 

MC2-0656 67.44 6.10 6.01 0.120 

MC2-0694 3.20 0.29 0.28 — 

MC2-0709 65.66 6.04 5.47 0.123 

MC2-0776 63.40 5.80 4.97 0.128 

MC2-0826 61.75 5.84 5.10 0.131 

MC2-0850 — <0.01 <0.01 — 

MC2-0888A 8.10 0.73 0.70 0.999 

MC2-0888B 8.09 0.71 0.72 0.999 

MC2-0976 8.08 0.73 0.75 1.002 

MC2-1076 7.94 0.74 0.68 1.020 

MC2-1151 7.87 0.73 0.69 1.029 

MC2-1156 0.05 <0.01 0.01 — 

MC2-1231A 7.14 0.62 0.62 1.133 

MC2-1231B 7.12 0.61 0.62 1.133 

MC2-1330 7.04 0.62 0.63 1.149 

MC2-1439 6.87 0.60 0.60 1.179 

MC2-1526 6.66 0.59 0.57 1.215 

MC2-1676 6.54 0.56 0.58 1.238 

MC2-1776 6.30 0.54 0.59 1.286 

MC2-1831 6.25 0.54 0.53 1.295 

MC2-1921 6.23 0.56 0.54 1.299 

MC2-1989 5.87 0.54 0.50 1.379 

MC2-1991 0.02 <0.01 0.01 — 

MC2-2041 3.12 0.27 0.27 2.592 
Tables 1–19 33 

Table 16. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #1 (MC-0512) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), 

sodium (Na), sulfate (SO4), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005. 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Br1 Li1 Na SO4 Zn Date Time (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

08/21/05 14:01 — 0.07 19.73 970.9 54.85 

08/21/05 14:07 — 0.07 19.43 968.2 53.49 

08/21/05 14:10 — 0.07 20.50 968.1 57.26 

08/21/05 14:16 — 0.07 20.18 958.3 52.86 

08/21/05 14:21 — 0.08 17.51 952.1 50.17 

08/21/05 14:26 — 0.07 18.13 959.6 54.27 

08/21/05 14:30 — 0.06 17.61 951.2 52.65 

08/21/05 14:35 — 0.07 18.23 949.8 52.90 

08/21/05 14:40 — 0.07 18.98 944.7 54.66 

08/21/05 14:45 0.14 0.08 17.57 950.9 53.16 

08/21/05 14:50 5.27 0.34 18.37 954.8 52.84 

08/21/05 14:55 18.15 1.67 15.86 957.8 53.32 

08/21/05 15:00 35.55 3.31 20.14 977.3 55.65 

08/21/05 15:05 51.19 4.71 17.94 994.7 55.25 

08/21/05 15:10 58.20 5.69 20.70 1,012. 56.64 

08/21/05 15:15 66.59 6.10 20.86 1,025. 58.60 

08/21/05 15:20 67.12 6.23 19.23 1,005. 58.34 

08/21/05 15:35 71.48 6.41 19.75 978.3 54.66 

08/21/05 15:50 69.03 6.51 19.65 980.2 53.91 

08/21/05 16:01 72.44 6.44 17.71 950.0 51.10 

08/21/05 16:10 68.49 6.08 18.02 935.2 51.73 

08/21/05 16:20 67.99 6.29 18.71 926.3 49.48 

08/21/05 16:30 71.68 6.39 19.47 944.3 51.93 

08/21/05 16:35 71.72 6.46 19.71 948.0 52.44 

08/21/05 16:40 71.51 6.53 18.18 943.0 53.67 

08/21/05 16:45 72.45 6.63 17.56 956.6 53.88 

08/21/05 16:50 73.65 6.50 18.40 973.4 55.28 

08/21/05 17:00 69.32 6.42 19.43 960.3 56.47 

08/21/05 18:00 73.65 6.59 19.27 1,043. 58.91 

08/21/05 19:00 72.89 6.30 18.23 949.8 54.84 
34 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 16. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #1 (MC-0512) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), 

sodium (Na), sulfate (SO4), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005.—Continued 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Date Time Br1 

(mg/L) 

Li1 

(mg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

SO4 

(mg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

08/21/05 20:00 41.49 3.77 15.59 718.1 37.31 

08/21/05 21:00 53.56 4.66 15.89 797.3 43.51 

08/21/05 22:00 59.76 5.19 15.99 834.6 45.23 

08/21/05 23:00 61.83 5.72 18.69 900.2 49.15 

08/22/05 00:00 61.32 5.62 18.87 898.1 51.14 

08/22/05 01:00 61.71 5.54 18.92 900.1 50.55 

08/22/05 02:00 63.36 5.58 16.66 876.0 48.79 

08/22/05 03:00 62.96 5.68 18.88 877.6 44.90 

08/22/05 04:00 62.27 5.67 18.73 884.5 52.12 

08/22/05 05:00 63.12 5.60 17.61 815.9 44.92 

08/22/05 06:00 62.43 5.82 17.80 800.2 45.33 

08/22/05 07:00 63.61 5.81 17.47 821.6 46.91 

08/22/05 08:00 63.33 5.73 16.84 773.1 42.09 

08/22/05 09:00 64.17 5.77 18.76 913.1 53.12 

08/22/05 10:00 63.56 5.85 18.35 817.5 45.75 

08/22/05 11:00 63.23 5.85 14.63 616.1 29.99 

08/22/05 12:00 66.11 5.99 12.87 566.6 25.56 

08/22/05 13:00 65.07 5.91 16.88 774.3 42.22 

08/22/05 14:00 67.23 6.26 18.01 834.3 43.91 

08/22/05 15:00 63.51 5.77 17.44 815.7 44.50 

08/22/05 16:00 67.77 6.17 18.95 879.3 48.67 

08/22/05 16:30 69.58 6.54 19.05 876.4 48.81 

08/22/05 16:45 70.48 6.65 — 883.8 48.34 

08/22/05 17:00 70.24 6.57 19.88 884.8 51.18 

08/22/05 17:15 64.40 5.81 18.83 890.6 47.51 

08/22/05 17:30 23.46 2.04 18.95 898.7 50.03 

08/22/05 17:45 7.59 0.64 19.46 900.1 51.77 

08/22/05 18:00 4.53 0.45 20.49 959.1 55.32 

08/22/05 18:15 3.74 0.34 20.60 994.7 54.80 

08/22/05 18:30 3.53 0.29 22.45 960.9 53.93 

08/22/05 18:45 3.30 0.32 20.32 960.1 53.98 
Tables 1–19 35 

Table 16. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #1 (MC-0512) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), 

sodium (Na), sulfate (SO4), and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005.—Continued 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Br1 Li1 Na SO4 Zn Date Time (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

08/22/05 19:00 3.08 0.31 20.47 956.8 54.89 

08/22/05 19:15 2.90 0.27 20.09 951.4 54.70 

08/22/05 19:30 3.03 — 19.67 952.5 54.44 

08/22/05 19:45 2.60 0.28 20.82 959.6 55.17 

08/22/05 20:00 2.45 0.27 20.38 974.3 54.04 

08/22/05 20:15 2.30 0.28 21.56 987.1 56.07 

08/22/05 20:30 2.26 0.28 22.76 1,010. 58.03 

08/22/05 20:45 2.09 0.24 25.08 1,051. 58.33 

08/22/05 21:00 2.06 0.25 22.83 999.7 57.11 

08/22/05 21:15 2.02 0.26 22.63 1,001. 55.62 

08/22/05 21:30 2.06 0.26 22.41 1,000. 57.63 

08/22/05 21:45 1.97 0.23 22.43 988.7 55.96 

08/22/05 22:00 2.55 0.22 20.55 923.5 51.96 

08/22/05 22:15 2.17 0.26 21.07 935.4 52.70 

1

Br and Li concentrations are elevated relative to natural conditions due to the lithium-bromide tracer injection. 
36 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 17. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #2 (MC-0576) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), sodium 

(Na), sulfate (SO4) and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005. 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Date Time Br1 

(mg/L) 

Li1 

(mg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

SO4 

(mg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

08/21/05 14:00 — 0.09 19.85 979.7 59.03 

08/21/05 14:10 — 0.09 19.16 962.8 53.76 

08/21/05 14:20 — 0.08 19.20 956.5 44.68 

08/21/05 14:30 — 0.08 18.89 951.1 54.33 

08/21/05 14:40 — 0.08 18.75 942.6 52.86 

08/21/05 14:50 — 0.08 19.36 935.5 54.71 

08/21/05 14:56 — 0.09 19.07 933.4 52.16 

08/21/05 15:00 0.59 0.15 19.46 944.5 53.05 

08/21/05 15:05 5.88 0.65 18.66 952.2 53.23 

08/21/05 15:10 16.56 1.64 18.91 957.0 56.38 

08/21/05 15:15 31.94 3.04 19.33 979.2 49.52 

08/21/05 15:20 46.07 4.32 19.85 989.3 55.16 

08/21/05 15:25 54.43 5.18 20.15 995.3 56.65 

08/21/05 15:30 60.85 5.53 19.86 1,011. 56.67 

08/21/05 15:35 64.02 5.90 20.12 1,009. 48.50 

08/21/05 15:40 64.91 5.95 19.67 994.4 55.15 

08/21/05 15:45 65.80 6.06 18.98 986.6 58.16 

08/21/05 15:50 66.53 6.08 19.27 974.2 53.49 

08/21/05 16:00 67.14 6.11 18.93 967.2 55.57 

08/21/05 16:10 68.54 6.14 19.08 959.8 55.95 

08/21/05 16:20 67.90 6.09 18.79 934.7 51.28 

08/21/05 16:30 66.60 6.14 18.29 914.1 49.53 

08/21/05 16:40 67.02 6.16 18.52 928.6 40.72 

08/21/05 16:50 68.65 6.24 18.96 940.0 52.13 

08/21/05 17:00 69.41 6.36 18.93 950.5 58.28 

08/21/05 18:00 69.24 6.24 20.06 1,024. 61.43 

08/21/05 18:20 70.55 — — 1,049. — 

08/21/05 19:00 69.27 6.29 18.46 943.4 51.54 

08/21/05 20:00 43.80 4.05 15.37 743.7 39.56 

08/21/05 21:00 48.43 4.39 15.26 755.8 41.35 
Tables 1–19 37 

Table 17. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #2 (MC-0576) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), sodium 

(Na), sulfate (SO4) and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005.—Continued 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Br1 Li1 Na SO4 Zn Date Time (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

08/21/05 22:00 56.98 5.16 17.24 848.7 43.74 

08/21/05 23:00 59.15 5.42 18.30 901.1 50.22 

08/22/05 00:00 59.82 5.67 17.76 888.5 49.53 

08/22/05 01:00 60.27 5.77 18.82 899.5 50.35 

08/22/05 02:00 61.02 5.72 17.86 875.1 47.13 

08/22/05 03:00 61.79 5.75 17.82 871.4 46.59 

08/22/05 04:00 62.31 6.07 17.75 874.9 46.82 

08/22/05 05:00 61.73 5.84 16.47 823.6 45.22 

08/22/05 06:00 62.79 5.88 16.48 820.4 45.14 

08/22/05 07:00 62.53 5.77 16.63 817.1 44.95 

08/22/05 08:00 62.84 5.83 16.34 784.4 41.34 

08/22/05 09:00 62.94 5.78 17.68 886.2 48.73 

08/22/05 10:00 63.17 5.71 17.26 873.9 47.61 

08/22/05 10:32 62.94 — — 717.9 — 

08/22/05 11:00 62.65 5.83 15.11 718.7 36.71 

08/22/05 12:00 64.92 5.98 11.99 562.6 23.23 

08/22/05 13:00 64.80 6.02 14.81 720.6 36.01 

08/22/05 14:00 66.56 6.13 16.35 826.2 43.05 

08/22/05 15:00 61.77 5.61 16.39 824.8 43.39 

08/22/05 16:00 66.33 6.18 17.94 867.6 46.23 

08/22/05 16:30 67.31 6.16 17.70 868.1 — 

08/22/05 16:50 68.87 6.20 18.25 874.1 — 

08/22/05 17:10 69.39 6.37 17.78 884.7 — 

08/22/05 17:30 58.23 5.27 17.92 885.8 — 

08/22/05 17:50 13.89 1.23 18.13 893.2 — 

08/22/05 18:10 6.79 0.60 18.67 942.5 — 

08/22/05 18:30 5.04 0.50 19.30 1,001. — 

08/22/05 18:50 4.62 0.46 18.71 951.8 — 

08/22/05 19:10 4.32 0.42 18.96 957.5 — 

08/22/05 19:30 3.92 0.40 18.96 950.7 — 

08/22/05 19:50 3.55 0.38 18.71 955.7 — 
38 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 17. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #2 (MC-0576) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), sodium 

(Na), sulfate (SO4) and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005.—Continued 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Date Time Br1 

(mg/L) 

Li1 

(mg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

SO4 

(mg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

08/22/05 20:10 3.47 0.37 19.18 971.1 — 

08/22/05 20:30 3.53 0.34 20.11 1,009. — 

08/22/05 20:50 3.13 0.36 21.63 1,030. — 

08/22/05 21:10 3.12 0.34 21.38 1,006. — 

08/22/05 21:30 3.11 0.30 20.72 1,002. — 

08/22/05 21:50 3.18 0.33 20.80 998.7 — 

08/22/05 22:10 3.16 0.31 19.21 937.6 — 

08/22/05 22:30 3.19 0.32 19.51 959.1 — 

08/22/05 22:50 2.85 0.31 21.02 1,023. — 

08/22/05 23:10 2.51 0.31 20.94 1,045. — 

08/22/05 23:30 2.47 0.31 21.26 1,032. — 

08/22/05 23:50 2.76 0.30 20.38 1,004. — 

08/23/05 00:10 2.37 0.24 20.45 988.0 — 

1

Br and Li concentrations are elevated relative to natural conditions due to the lithium-bromide tracer injection. 
Tables 1–19 39 

Table 18. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #3 (MC-0826) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), sodium (Na), 

sulfate (SO4) and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005. 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Br1 Li1 Na SO4 Zn Date Time (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

08/21/05 14:00 — — 16.41 790.6 43.26 

08/21/05 14:10 — — 17.21 840.4 45.37 

08/21/05 14:20 — — 17.30 861.2 45.65 

08/21/05 14:30 — — 17.47 872.0 49.00 

08/21/05 14:40 — — 18.72 923.9 51.03 

08/21/05 14:50 — — 18.02 947.4 51.39 

08/21/05 15:00 — — 18.96 947.4 51.17 

08/21/05 15:10 — — 18.59 933.8 50.30 

08/21/05 15:20 — — 18.93 924.6 50.13 

08/21/05 15:30 — — 18.76 910.1 50.47 

08/21/05 15:40 — — 18.90 904.6 49.71 

08/21/05 15:50 0.26 — 18.51 906.5 49.04 

08/21/05 16:00 4.75 — 18.68 913.6 49.45 

08/21/05 16:10 18.66 — 18.38 930.8 49.86 

08/21/05 16:20 38.79 3.75 19.16 960.8 52.53 

08/21/05 16:30 51.86 4.74 19.54 969.3 52.51 

08/21/05 16:40 57.57 5.23 19.50 955.1 52.21 

08/21/05 16:50 60.45 5.39 18.62 945.1 50.74 

08/21/05 17:00 60.85 5.46 18.09 924.6 50.91 

08/21/05 18:00 65.46 5.73 18.40 925.3 50.35 

08/21/05 19:00 64.35 5.79 19.93 978.4 53.78 

08/21/05 20:00 62.59 5.66 18.02 887.9 48.00 

08/21/05 21:00 38.27 3.43 13.86 665.2 33.56 

08/21/05 22:00 48.33 4.35 15.73 784.7 41.44 

08/21/05 23:00 53.97 4.83 16.47 824.5 42.64 

08/22/05 00:00 55.81 4.99 17.95 949.4 47.06 

08/22/05 01:00 57.31 5.11 18.16 917.9 47.71 

08/22/05 02:00 57.26 5.08 18.01 866.1 47.06 

08/22/05 03:00 55.53 5.36 17.25 925.5 46.59 

08/22/05 04:00 58.06 5.19 17.36 870.7 46.42 
40 Geochemical data for upper Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 2005 

Table 18. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #3 (MC-0826) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), sodium (Na), 

sulfate (SO4) and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005.—Continued 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Date Time Br1 

(mg/L) 

Li1 

(mg/L) 

Na 

(mg/L) 

SO4 

(mg/L) 

Zn 

(mg/L) 

08/22/05 05:00 58.50 5.32 17.44 866.9 47.13 

08/22/05 06:00 59.02 5.37 16.60 867.0 42.97 

08/22/05 07:00 59.34 5.37 16.44 864.7 41.93 

08/22/05 08:00 59.33 5.31 16.66 813.9 41.89 

08/22/05 09:00 59.93 5.56 16.27 782.4 40.46 

08/22/05 10:00 58.06 5.47 17.93 960.2 47.30 

08/22/05 11:00 59.63 5.27 16.78 834.6 43.39 

08/22/05 12:00 60.01 5.46 14.37 669.4 31.10 

08/22/05 13:00 59.17 5.30 12.82 603.2 24.83 

08/22/05 14:00 59.47 5.32 15.28 760.3 36.47 

08/22/05 14:36 62.10 — — 825.5 — 

08/22/05 15:00 64.27 5.80 16.60 812.1 43.76 

08/22/05 16:00 59.42 5.49 16.50 828.5 42.44 

1

Br and Li concentrations are elevated relative to natural conditions due to the lithium-bromide tracer injection. 
Tables 1–19 41 

Table 19. Dissolved concentrations from filtered samples at Transport Site #4 (MC-1989) for bromide (Br), lithium (Li), sodium 

(Na), sulfate (SO4) and zinc (Zn), Mineral Creek, Colorado, August 21–22, 2005. 

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; —, no data] 

Br1 Li1 Na SO4 Zn Date Time (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) 

08/21/05 15:53 — 0.01 3.02 169.0 4.38 

08/21/05 16:00 — 0.01 3.06 163.7 4.69 

08/21/05 16:15 — 0.01 3.16 199.0 4.85 

08/21/05 16:30 — 0.01 3.21 220.4 5.15 

08/21/05 16:45 — 0.01 3.21 209.0 5.10 

08/21/05 17:00 — 0.01 3.25 227.2 5.28 

08/21/05 17:15 — 0.01 3.22 231.9 5.20 

08/21/05 17:30 — 0.01 3.22 171.6 5.08 

08/21/05 18:30 4.67 0.39 3.29 146.3 5.26 

08/21/05 19:30 5.00 0.45 3.00 155.9 4.89 

08/21/05 20:30 5.13 0.45 3.07 155.6 4.68 

08/21/05 21:30 7.83 0.66 3.56 200.7 6.22 

08/21/05 22:30 3.57 0.30 2.65 163.8 4.22 

08/21/05 23:30 4.23 0.36 2.73 156.4 4.22 

08/22/05 00:30 5.17 0.43 2.95 165.8 4.60 

08/22/05 01:30 5.42 0.46 3.09 194.7 5.89 

08/22/05 02:30 5.60 0.47 3.09 202.4 5.20 

08/22/05 03:30 5.90 0.48 3.15 159.2 5.12 

08/22/05 04:30 5.90 0.49 3.12 209.2 5.05 

08/22/05 05:30 5.67 0.49 3.12 192.9 5.05 

08/22/05 06:30 6.08 0.50 3.12 210.6 4.97 

08/22/05 07:30 5.84 0.51 3.11 121.7 4.86 

08/22/05 08:30 5.98 0.52 3.08 143.1 4.86 

08/22/05 09:30 6.04 0.52 3.14 131.0 4.88 

08/22/05 10:30 6.16 0.52 3.17 129.5 4.70 

08/22/05 11:30 6.53 0.53 3.23 210.0 5.08 

08/22/05 12:30 6.45 0.53 3.50 220.1 5.46 

08/22/05 13:30 6.24 0.53 3.09 120.2 4.42 

08/22/05 14:30 6.11 0.52 2.84 157.1 3.37 

08/22/05 15:30 6.33 0.54 2.99 119.4 4.29 

08/22/05 16:30 6.78 0.56 3.32 206.4 — 

1

Br and Li concentrations are elevated relative to natural conditions due to the lithium-bromide tracer injection. 
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