Because the scale of impact along the Carson River is so large, natural
detoxification will occur over the eons by subsequent sedimentation, dilution
and diffusion. Man will have little or no effect to detoxifying the sediments
along the Carson River because the job would prove insurmountable. The
presence of toxic wastes will certainly be recorded in the accumulation
of sediments at the river's termination at the Carson Sink. Future geologists
100,000 years from now will find a curious sand and clay layer rich in gold
silver, mercury, arsenic and other elements which was derived from the Comstock.
This layer will have a sharp basal contact and will defuse upwards into normal
sedimentation sequences. Indeed, the Carson Sink is the ultimate tailings
pond for the Comstock. Ironically this is also the site of an amazing population
of both migrating and non-migrating water fowl.