"Davis Mine in Rowe, Massachusetts: An Opportunity for Environmental Education"
Richard Yuretich, Dept. of Geosciences,
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Davis Mine in Rowe, MA operated from 1882 until 1911, producing pyrite from a mineralized zone in the bedrock of this part of the Berkshire Mountains. Since the time of the mine collapse in 1911, the shafts have filled with water and produced very acidic (pH =2 to 3) effluent that contains very high concentrations of sulfate, iron, and trace metals from the exposed tailings piles in surface runoff and groundwater. This effluent flows into Davis Mine Brook, which is a subwatershed of the Deerfield River basin. Fish are absent from the entire length of Davis Mine Brook, more than 2 km downstream from the mine. In areas peripheral to the site of acid mine-drainage generation, there is evidence of an active microbial community that reduces the dissolved sulfate, and possibly iron, to remediate the acidic drainage. The project is exploring ways to enhance the activity of these organisms to help mitigate the effect of the mine drainage. As part of this research project, funded by the National Science Foundation, we have included K12 teachers in the research team. These teachers have undertaken summer research projects in the laboratory and at the field site, and they have produced results that are fundamental to the progress of the research. Each teacher is developing a plan to integrate aspects of his or her research into their curriculum. In addition, the Davis Mine site is proving to be an excellent locus for environmental education of undergraduates and the general public.