USING X-RAY FLUORESCENCE TO DETERMINE THE INFLUENCE OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE FLOODING IN FLOODPLAIN SEDIMENTS ALONG SHAMOKIN CREEK, PA

Two floodplain soils located along Shamokin Creek near the cities of Shamokin (upstream) and Sunbury (downstream), PA were examined to determine the influence of acid mine drainage (AMD) from flooding in the riparian buffer. The upstream site was located with the Llewellyn Fm. (Pennsylvania age), while the downstream site was located on the Sherman Ridge Member of the Mahantango Fm. (M. Devonian).

Seven surficial sediment samples were collected every 2 m, beginning within Shamokin Creek, and traversing along the floodplain at each of the two site locations. Samples were dried, pulverized and pressed into pellets for analysis using Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WDXRF). Samples were also examined using XRD.

It was anticipated that metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn, would be greatest in concentration near the AMD source area in Shamokin and proximal to the stream bank. It was also expected the Fe and Mn, which are closely monitored at water treatment plants along the creek, would be elevated. From this analysis, only Fe appears to exceed normal values in soil. Values for Fe in Shamokin floodplain deposits were 9 to 35 wt % versus the Fe in comparison to downstream sediments (4 to 11 wt %). Mn and Cu appear to be within the range of acceptable values for soils, while Zn is slightly elevated in the downstream soil. Overall, neither of the study locations exhibited chemical trends from the bank throughout the floodplain.