Using Hyperspectral Imagery and Spectral Analysis to Identify Mineralogical Composition Associated with Acid Mine Drainage in Shasta County, CA
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Environmental Science - Geology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Haluk Cetin
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Shasta County’s Iron Mountain mines hold the record for the most acidic water on Earth with a pH of -3.6. Iron Mountain mines main products were gold, silver, iron, zinc, and sulfide-containing minerals. The primary source mineral of acid mine drainage (AMD) is pyrite (FeS2); a sulfide-containing mineral. AMD pollution occurs when the iron and sulfur in pyrite oxidizes, generating sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and ferric iron (Fe3+). The massive Devonian age iron-sulfide deposits present in Shasta Country created the ideal environment for AMD formation. Reformation of Shasta County’s watershed has been led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Bureau of Reclamation since 1986. These efforts included capping waste rock collections, transporting mine tailing, an AMD collection and treatment plant, clean water diversion, and damming Spring Creek to prevent additional pollution of the Sacramento River. Ground-level monitoring has been performed for years in this area but that technique has its limitations. Remote sensing would allow for mineralogy analysis of a broader area and of remote locations. This research uses L2A and L2B data sets from NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Identification (EMIT) imaging spectrometer to analyze how mineralogy reveals the persistent presence of AMD in Shasta County. A spectral analysis using NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory AMD assessment model was conducted on the EMIT data. The results of the spectral analysis were then mapped with ArcGIS Pro for better visualization. The data reveals the presence of iron-sulfide minerals associated with AMD including pyrite, hematite, jarosite, and goethite. The mineralogy of Shasta County’s AMD pollution is dominated first by goethite followed by jarosite. The mapped minerals were found in concentrations on the banks of creeks, rivers, and lakes. The highest concentrations were observed on the shores of Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake. Going forward this process can be applied to track AMD mineral transportation, identify AMD hotspots, and follow the changes of mineralogy during the reformation process. This would provide insight into where reformation efforts are needed and the ability to follow reformation success remotely.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Using Hyperspectral Imagery and Spectral Analysis to Identify Mineralogical Composition Associated with Acid Mine Drainage in Shasta County, CA
Shasta County’s Iron Mountain mines hold the record for the most acidic water on Earth with a pH of -3.6. Iron Mountain mines main products were gold, silver, iron, zinc, and sulfide-containing minerals. The primary source mineral of acid mine drainage (AMD) is pyrite (FeS2); a sulfide-containing mineral. AMD pollution occurs when the iron and sulfur in pyrite oxidizes, generating sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and ferric iron (Fe3+). The massive Devonian age iron-sulfide deposits present in Shasta Country created the ideal environment for AMD formation. Reformation of Shasta County’s watershed has been led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Bureau of Reclamation since 1986. These efforts included capping waste rock collections, transporting mine tailing, an AMD collection and treatment plant, clean water diversion, and damming Spring Creek to prevent additional pollution of the Sacramento River. Ground-level monitoring has been performed for years in this area but that technique has its limitations. Remote sensing would allow for mineralogy analysis of a broader area and of remote locations. This research uses L2A and L2B data sets from NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Identification (EMIT) imaging spectrometer to analyze how mineralogy reveals the persistent presence of AMD in Shasta County. A spectral analysis using NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory AMD assessment model was conducted on the EMIT data. The results of the spectral analysis were then mapped with ArcGIS Pro for better visualization. The data reveals the presence of iron-sulfide minerals associated with AMD including pyrite, hematite, jarosite, and goethite. The mineralogy of Shasta County’s AMD pollution is dominated first by goethite followed by jarosite. The mapped minerals were found in concentrations on the banks of creeks, rivers, and lakes. The highest concentrations were observed on the shores of Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake. Going forward this process can be applied to track AMD mineral transportation, identify AMD hotspots, and follow the changes of mineralogy during the reformation process. This would provide insight into where reformation efforts are needed and the ability to follow reformation success remotely.