Use of Pb, 18O, and 2H Isotopes in Mining-related Environmental Studies

An isotopic and geochemical study of surface water and groundwater was undertaken at the Sullivan Mine, a sediment-hosted Pb-Zn massive sulphide deposit with a well-defined homogeneous Pb isotopic composition. The Pb isotopic composition of surface water and groundwater samples from near the mine site define a mixing line between Sullivan Pb and at least one other end member. The δ18O and δD isotopic results fall along an evaporation line that shows mixing between water from evaporative sources with water from meteoric sources.