Preliminary report on the quality of water in abandoned zinc mines in northeastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas

On-site measurements of pH, specific conductance, and water temperature show that water in seven mine shafts in northeastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas is stratified, with pH decreasing and specific conductance and water temperature increasing as sampling depth increases. Concentrations of chemical constituents in mine-shaft water, such as dissolved solids, total and dissolved metals, and dissolved sulfate also increase as sampling depth increases.
The water in the mine shafts was unsuited for most uses without treatment. The relative inability of current treatment practices to effectively remove high concentrations of toxic metals, such as Bcadmium and lead, precludes use of the water for public supply.