Seasonal varability of metals transport through a wetland impacted by mine drainage in the Rocky Mountains.

An annual study of a natural wetland receiving drainage with high concentrations of iron, zinc, and manganese from an abandoned mine tunnel was conducted. During summer, the wetland reduced the mass flow from the tunnel to a receiving stream by more than 90% for iron, by 65% for zinc, and by 25% for manganese. Plant uptake accounted for less than 1% of the total retention.