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Results of chemical and stable isotopic analyses of water samples collected in the Patagonia Mountains, southern Arizona

January 1, 2001

Water samples were collected in the Patagonia Mountains in February, 1997. Most of the samples were collected from portals of abandoned mines, or from stream drainages immediately downstream from abandoned mines. Most of the samples have low pH (<4) and high total dissolved solids (> 1000 mg/L). Anion composition of the water samples is dominated by sulfate, while cation compositions range from calcium-dominated to mixed calcium-magnesium or calcium-sodium-dominated waters. Metals such as iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and aluminum contribute a significant portion (>10%) of the cation content to the water samples. Because of the low pH?s, protons contribute up to several percent of the cation character of the waters in some of the samples. The data are presented in tabular and graphical formats, with descriptions of data quality and brief descriptions of results.

Publication Year 2001
Title Results of chemical and stable isotopic analyses of water samples collected in the Patagonia Mountains, southern Arizona
DOI 10.3133/ofr01463
Authors Richard B. Wanty, Wayne C. Shanks, Paul Lamothe, A. L. Meier, Fred Lichte, Paul H. Briggs, Byron R. Berger
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2001-463
Index ID ofr01463
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse