Geochemical and mineralogical controls on metal(loid) dispersion in streams and stream sediments in the Prairie Creek district, NWT

Zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) serve as the most effective pathfinder elements for detecting metal(loid) dispersion in streams and sediments of the Prairie Creek district, within Nahanni National Park Reserve. Unlike other mineralized areas, this region exhibits a weak geochemical signal, yet Zn and Pb show anomalous concentrations downstream from Mississippi Valley-type mineralization and quartz-carbonate-sulphide vein deposits, respectively. While Zn is more mobile than Pb, neither element persists significantly beyond the metal source. Microanalytical studies reveal that Zn and Pb are associated with iron oxides like goethite and hematite, indicating active chemical weathering in this subarctic alpine environment. The study sampled stream waters and sediments to investigate mineral hosting of elements (Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Sb, Se) and their mobility controls.

Skeries, K., Jamieson, H., Falck, H., Paradis, S., & Day, S. (2017). Geochemical and mineralogical controls on metal(loid) dispersion in streams and stream sediments in the Prairie Creek district, NWT. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 17(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2015-375