Geophysical investigation of lead and zinc mine tailings at Saint Joe State Park, Park Hills, Missouri

Author

Anthony David Buccellato

Keywords and Phrases

Bedrock mapping

Abstract

"St. Joe State Park, approximately 65 miles south of St. Louis, Missouri, was the site of lead and zinc mining operations for over 100 years. Operations at the mine by the St. Joe Minerals Corporation included pumping mine tailings in a slurry up the nearby river valley. The site was donated to The State of Missouri by St. Joe Minerals Corporation when mining operations ceased in 1972. After taking possession The State converted the milling house into a museum and the surrounding areas into off-road vehicle tracks and campgrounds.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is currently conducting a hydrogeologic investigation of the site to characterize potential environmental impacts the lead and zinc tailings could have on the health and safety of visitors and surrounding residents. In an attempt to aid the USGS in this task, a geophysical study was undertaken using electromagnetic induction, 2-D resistivity and multi-channel analysis of surface waves to map the water table and the original bedrock surface of the valley.

The resistivity and multi-channel analysis of surface waves data complement one another showing consistent depths to bedrock of 0 to 30 meters. The data collected by these two methods are also consistent with the boring log data that the USGS has collected onsite. The EM data was able to detect and map changes in the watertable in areas of the site where the watertable was shallower than 5 meters"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Atekwana, Estella A.

Committee Member(s)

Anderson, Neil L. (Neil Lennart), 1954-
Rogers, J. David

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geology and Geophysics

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Summer 2006

Pagination

viii, 44 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-43).

Geographic Coverage

St. Joe State Park, Missouri

Rights

© 2006 Anthony David Buccellato, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Electric resistanceLead ores -- Missouri -- St. Joe State ParkTailings (Metallurgy)Zinc ores -- Missouri -- St. Joe State Park

Thesis Number

T 8923

Print OCLC #

79842369

Recommended Citation

Buccellato, Anthony David, "Geophysical investigation of lead and zinc mine tailings at Saint Joe State Park, Park Hills, Missouri" (2006). Masters Theses. 3838.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/3838