North-Central Section (36th) and Southeastern Section (51st), GSA Joint Annual Meeting (April 3–5, 2002)

Paper No. 0
Presentation Time: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

A GEOCHEMICAL SURVEY OF THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER, ALABAMA


JONES, Tracy, Physics and Earth Science, Univ of North Alabama, UNA Box 5135, Florence, AL 35632-0001, GRAHAM, E. Y., Geological Sciences, Univ of Alabama, Box 870338, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0338 and LYONS, W. Berry, Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State Univ, 108 Scott Hall, 1090 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1002, tjones2@unanov.una.edu

The Black Warrior River is one of the largest basins in the Mobile/Alabama River System (MARS). This study was initiated to determine the influence of anthropogenic activities on water quality in the Black Warrior River. On three occasions from 1997 to 1999 samples were collected at ten locations throughout the Black Warrior basin and two on the Tombigbee River. Dissolved concentrations of eight major elements (Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, F, Cl, Br), alkalinity (as HCO3), three nutrients (NO3, SO4, and PO4), and eleven trace metals (V, Mn, Co, Cu, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Ba, and U) were determined. In general, major elements showed enrichment in areas influenced by anthropogenic activities. This is seen in the high concentrations of SO4 and Cl. Within the areas influenced by anthropogenic activities, mining areas had the highest average SO4 but relatively low Cl concentrations while agricultural areas showed a relatively low average SO4 and high Cl concentrations. The increased Cl in the agricultural areas could be entering the river through groundwater discharge from the Eutaw aquifer. Although only Mn, Co, Mo, and Sb concentrations were above the world river averages in anthropogenically active areas, all trace metals except U were higher in these areas when compared to local pristine locations. As with some of the major elements, areas influenced by mining and those influenced by agriculture could be distinguished using certain trace metals. For example, concentrations of Mn, Mo, and Rb were higher and Ba lower in mining areas when compared to agricultural areas. It appears that there are discernable anthropogenic inputs for most of the elements in this study.