Ecotoxicology and Sediment Transport of the Big River and other Toxicological Investigations in Missouri's Lead Mining Districts

Moderator:  David E. Mosby, Environmental Contaminants Specialist Columbia Missouri Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite A, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 234-2132 Ext. 113. Dave_Mosby@fws.gov

Missouri has been one of the leading lead and zinc producing districts worldwide with two major districts in the southeast and southwest parts of the state. This session will focus mainly on recent aquatic toxicological studies related to heavy metal exposure in the Big River, part of the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District. Additional sediment toxicity studies in the Tri-State Mining District of southwest Missouri and adjacent areas of Kansas and Oklahoma and terrestrial studies in southwest and southeast Missouri and will also be discussed.

The Big River in St. Francois, Washington, and Jefferson Counties, Missouri has received sediment loads contaminated with lead, zinc, cadmium and other heavy metals for over 150 years. Studies have documented lead exposure to aquatic life and aquatic-dependent wildlife in the Big River (Neithammer 1985, Czarnezki et al. 1985, Czarnezki et al.1987, Schmitt et al. 1987, Gale et al. 2004, Missouri Department of Natural Resources 2004). Between 2007 and 2009, a series of coordinated studies was undertaken in the Big River to further quantify toxic effects of heavy metals on sediment-dependent aquatic life and to characterize longitudinal sediment contamination, storage, and transport.

Roberts, Mosby, Weber et al. characterized lead, zinc, cadmium, and barium concentrations within freshwater mussel habitat. Contamination of lead above Probable Effects Concentrations (PEC; MacDonald et al. 2000) in sediment < 0.25 mm in size occurs from the uppermost St. Francois County mine/mill input (Leadwood) to the confluence of the Meramec River, covering over 100 river miles (160 km). Zinc and cadmium contamination above PECs occurs from Leadwood to beyond Mammoth Access in Jefferson County, over 50 river miles (80 km).

Freshwater mussel communities, as measured by abundance (catch per unit effort) and species richness, are greatly reduced in a reach of the Big River extending downstream from the St. Francois County mining area, compared to reference sites. Both species richness and abundance were highly negatively correlated with sediment lead, zinc, and cadmium concentrations (Roberts et al.). Mussel populations remain robust at the one remaining mussel bed in the lowermost Big River that has historically been known as habitat for the federally-endangered scaleshell mussel (Leptodea leptodon) and pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta) and several state and federal species of concern. However, neither of the federally-endangered mussels was found during the 2008 survey. Comparisons to historic mussel surveys revealed that populations of mussels have declined in the lower Big River since 1978.

Laboratory toxicity testing was conducted with sediment collected from 20 sites, including 15 sites co-located with fieldmussel study sites. Toxicity tests were conducted with mussels (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) and amphipods (Hyalella azteca) (Besser et al.). Toxicity testing showed reduced survival and/or growth of juvenile mussels at most sites that had reduced mussel species richness in the field study. In contrast, none of the sediments that were toxic to mussels were toxic to amphipods. Toxic effects on mussels in laboratory tests corresponded closely to elevated concentrations of zinc and cadmium in the fine (<0.25 mm) sediment fraction.

Crayfish and riffle fish populations were also evaluated in the Big River at eight sites, some of which were co-located with mussel population and toxicity study locations (Allert et al., and McKee, Girondo, et al.) Crayfish and riffle fish populations were evaluated in three riffles along a given stream reach representing a site. In addition, in situ toxicity testing was conducted with crayfish, which were held in screened cages and fed fish and detritus collected on site, over 56 days. Both crayfish and riffle fish showed reduced densities in mine impacted sites and recovery with increasing distance downstream from mining. Caged crayfish at mining-impacted sites had decreased survival that was correlated with increasing heavy metal concentrations in crayfish, fish, and detritus. Population impacts were apparently less severe in crayfish than for mussels and less severe for riffle fish than for crayfish, perhaps reflecting successively lesser degrees of exposure to metal-contaminated sediment.

Fish consumption advisories have been issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for the Big River from the upstream extent of major lead mining below Leadwood to the confluence of the Meramec River. Lead in the tissues of long-eared sunfish, and bottom-feeding fish such as suckers and carp above standards set by the World Health Organization are the basis for the health advisory. Mike McKee will discuss trends in this data.

Lead contaminated sediment storage of in-channel and floodplain deposits of the Big River was measured using a variety of surveying, auguring, and geophysical techniques (Pavlowsky et al.) The highest volumes of in-channel contaminated sediment storage were found in St. Francois County at 2,500 +/- 25% m³/100 m reach length with average reach depths ranging from 0.5 to 1 m. Historical overbank floodplains were contaminated to depths <1 to 5 m from Leadwood to the confluence with the Meramec River. System-wide estimates of contaminated sediment volume are 4 million m³ in the channel and 87 million m³ within floodplain soils. Thus, the Big River is one of the most extensively lead-contaminated river systems world-wide.

Sediment transport processes were evaluated in the Big River by measuring how bar and channel morphology responds to floods of varying stages (Martin et al.). Channel morphology and sediment storage was monitored at two reaches where mining sediment (i.e. chat) was excavated (about 500 yd³ each) from the channel for land disposal. Channel form and deposition patterns are evaluated using GPS, repeat total station surveys, and GIS topographic models. The bed site is located behind a low-water bridge and has almost fully recovered to pre-excavation condition after several floods over a 1 month period. This study is still in progress and monitoring after bed mobilizing floods will continue.

Paul Blanchard will discuss sediment transport processes in natural and mining-impacted streams in both southeast and southwest Missouri and how those processes can be used to aid in river restoration. The applicability of gravel bar mining as prescribed by recently developed restoration and other restoration techniques will be discussed.

Historic lead and zinc mining in the Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) has resulted in contamination of surface water, groundwater, and sediments in portions of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Ingersoll et al. (2009) evaluated relationships between sediment chemistry and laboratory sediment toxicity tests conducted with midge (Chironomus dilutus), amphipods (Hyalella azteca) and mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea, fatmucket) in the Spring and Neosho River systems in the Tri-State Mining District of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. Sediment toxicity to amphipods and mussels was observed across a wide area and corresponded with lead, zinc and cadmium concentrations in sediment and in pore water associated with sediment.

A variety of terrestrial toxicity investigations have been undertaken in Missouri’s lead mining districts. Mosby will provide an overview of terrestrial toxicological investigations on migratory birds, soil invertebrates, plants, small mammals and other components of the terrestrial ecosystem.

Struckhoff et al. (2009) assessed the floristic quality of vegetation growing in native soils adjacent to lead mine waste, near a lead smelter, and in relatively undisturbed reference sites in southeast Missouri. Floristic quality was assessed using two standard measures: Mean C and FQI. This study quantified relations between floristic quality measures and soil concentrations of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). Multiple lines of analysis demonstrate a negative effect of metals, especially soil zinc concentrations, on plant communities. Means tests show that plots on native soils with Pb and Zn concentrations above the EPA Ecological Soil Screening Levels have significantly lower floristic quality than plots with Pb and Zn concentrations below those levels. Finally, univariate regression demonstrates significant negative relations between metals concentrations and floristic quality measures.

Authors within this workshop and other experts in the field of lead toxicology will hold a panel discussion addressing lead toxicology and lead mining impacts in Missouri. Panel topics will include further toxicological data needs, prospects for remediation, opportunities for habitat restoration in lead-mine impacted land, and response to further audience questions.

Individual Presentations and Contacts

8:00-8:10 am	Introduction to Southeast Missouri lead mining and the Big River Dave Mosby, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
8:10-8:20 am	Big River mussel habitat sediment data John Weber, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
8:20-8:40 am	An assessment of freshwater mussel populations and heavy metal sediment contamination in the Big River, Missouri. Andrew D. Roberts1, John S. Weber1, David E. Mosby1, John Besser2, Josh Hundley1, Steve McMurray3, and Scott Faiman3 1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia Missouri Ecological Services (573) 234-2132 2U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia Missouri 3Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science Center, Columbia Missouri
8:40-9:00 am	Assessment of metal-contaminated sediments from the Southeast Missouri (SEMO) mining district using sediment toxicity tests with amphipods and freshwater mussels. John M. Besser, William G. Brumbaugh, Douglas K. Hardesty, James P. Hughes, and Christopher G. Ingersoll. U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 East New Haven Road, Columbia MO 65201 (573) 876-1818.
9:00-9:20 am	Impacts of mining-derived metals on riffle-dwelling crayfish and in-situ toxicity to juvenile Orconectes hylas and Orconectes luteus in the Big River of southeast Missouri, USA. A.L. Allert1, R.J. DiStefano2, J.F. Fairchild1, C.J. Schmitt1, W.G. Brumbaugh1 1 U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO 65201 2 Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: 573-876-1903 / Fax: 573-876-1896 / E-mail: aallert@usgs.gov.
9:20-9:40 am	Effects of lead-zinc mining on benthic fish density in riffle areas of the Big River (southeast Missouri). MDC Final Report.. McKee, M.J., J Girondo, K. Meneau, M. Reed, D. Brown, S. Kluesner, I. Vining and S. Sheriff. Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211 (573) 882-9909 Ext. 3255
9:40-10:00 am	Fish consumption advisories related to metal contamination in Big River (southeast Missouri). McKee, M.J.1, C. J. Schmitt2 and J. Wenzel3. 1 Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211, Phone: 573-882-9909 E-mail: mckeem@mdc.mo.gov 2 U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO 65201 3 Mo, Department of Health and Senior Services, Jefferson City, MO
10:00-10:20 am	Break
10:20-10:40 am	Preliminary report on contaminated sediment concentrations, distribution, and volume in channel and floodplain deposits of the Big River in St. Francois, Washington, and Jefferson Counties, Missouri. Robert T. Pavlowsky1,2, Scott A. Lecce3, Derek J. Martin1, Marc R. Owen1 1Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute, Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65897. 417-836-8473 bobpavlowsky@missouristate.edu 2 Department of Geography, Geology, and Planning, Missouri State University 3 Department of Geography, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
10:40-11:00 am	Short-term variations in channel transport and bed and bar storage of mining sediment in the Big River. Derek J. Martin1, Robert T. Pavlowsky1,2, Patrick Dryer3 1Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute, Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65897. 417-836-8473 bobpavlowsky@missouristate.edu 2 Department of Geography, Geology, and Planning, Missouri State University 3 Graduate program in Geospatial Science, Missouri State University
11:00-11:20 am	River sediment transport processes and prospects for restoration in Missouri’s lead mining districts. Paul Blanchard. Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65211. (573)882-9909 Ext. 3307
11:20-11:40 am	Sediment chemistry, toxicity, and bioaccumulation data report for the US Environmental Protection Agency – Department of the Interior sampling of metal-contaminated sediment in the Tri-state Mining District in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Christopher G. Ingersoll1, Donald D. MacDonald, John M. Besser1, William G. Brumbaugh1, Chris D. Ivey1, Nile E. Kemble1, James L. Kunz1, Tom W. May1, Ning Wang1, Dawn E. Smorong 1Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), 4200 New Haven Road, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Columbia, MO 65201 2MacDonald Environmental Sciences Ltd., #24 – 4800 Island Highway North, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9T 1W6
11:40 am -12:00 noon	Effects of Mining-Derived Metals Contamination on Native Floristic Quality Struckhoff, Matthew A., Esther D. Stroh and Keith W. Grabner. USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. 4200 New Haven Rd., Columbia, MO 65201. 573-875-5399
12:00-12:20 pm	Panel Discussion on Lead Mining Toxicology in Missouri