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Trace metal concentrations in shallow ground water.
L M Zelewski1, D P Krabbenhoft, D E Armstrong
1Water Chemistry Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 660 N. Park St., Madison, WI 53706, USA. zelewski@facstaff.wisc.edu
Ground Water
|July 13, 2001
Summary
Groundwater trace metal concentrations, including mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), were high enough to significantly impact river metal levels. No seasonal patterns were observed in groundwater or river metal concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Hydrology
Background:
- Trace metals like mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are critical environmental contaminants.
- Understanding their transport between groundwater and surface water is essential for water quality management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate temporal patterns of Hg, Cu, and Zn in shallow groundwater.
- To determine the relationship between groundwater and riverine metal concentrations.
- To assess the contribution of groundwater to riverine trace metal loads.
Main Methods:
- Employed trace metal-clean sampling and analysis techniques.
- Collected and analyzed shallow groundwater and river water samples.
- Measured metal concentrations in soil and calculated distribution coefficients (KD).
Main Results:
- Groundwater Hg, Cu, and Zn concentrations ranged from 0.07-4.6 ng L-1, 0.07-3.10 µg L-1, and 0.17-2.18 µg L-1, respectively.
- No significant seasonal variations were found in groundwater or river metal concentrations.
- Groundwater metal levels were substantial enough to account for a significant portion of riverine metal concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Groundwater serves as a significant source of trace metals (Hg, Cu, Zn) to the connected river.
- Distribution coefficients (KD) in the aquifer were lower than those in the river, suggesting different metal-binding mechanisms.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions governing metal transport in this system.