Hyperspectral Analysis of Health
 Effects on Vegetation due to Mining of Gold and Sulfide Ores

Heavy metals such as Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, V, and Zn are present in modern soils, but only small amounts are required by organisms. The source of these heavy minerals is usually the bedrock underneath that gets incorporated into the soils above by weather and transport, or through atmospheric and biotic inputs as well. The abundance of these heavy minerals in soils in past studies has shown a reduction in vegetation growth, especially near mining and smelting facilities (Chibuike et al., 2014). The McLaughlin mine in Sacramento California is the second largest mine in the state and produced 7.5 tons of gold in 1995 by processing oxide and sulfide ores(Sehnke et al., 1995) . Our objective is to use AVIRIS imagery to determine whether or not the presence and mining of these heavy minerals has affected the vegetation health and growth in the surrounding area of the McLaughlin mine.