TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE ROXBURY QUARRY, ROXBURY CONNECTICUT

The Roxbury Land Trust contains an iron quarry that once boomed economically. Since its closure in the late 1800’s, the remnants of the mine lay stagnant on the site, and the question of possible contamination emerges. The extent of trace element contamination from abandoned mine is often dependent on the degree of physical remobilization through erosion of material, which in turn depends on soil properties, weathering processes, and the type and amount of gangue materials left at mining sites. This study is focused on examining the impact of historical mining activities on the concentration and transportation of fourteen chemical elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, and Zn) within the downstream segments of the Shepaug River fluvial system which run closely to the mine. A total of twenty-five (25) top soil and stream sediment samples were collected and analyzed for both acid and soluble extractable elements, and basic soil characteristics such as organic matter content and particle size distribution using hydrometer method. Using JMP statistical software, the geochemical data from soil, and sediment samples were evaluated. Calculation of Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation Indices (GI) provide information about the degree on environmental contamination as well as overall fate and transport of trace elements released from the mine site.