The use of 210 Pb as a heavy metal tracer in the Susquehanna River system

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

6

Scientific paper

Analysis of soil profiles and shallow ground water in the Susquehanna River basin, northeastern U.S.A., indicates that the atmospheric flux of 210 Pb is efficiently scavenged by the organic-rich horizons of the soils. This atmospherically supplied 210 Pb in soil profiles can only be lost from the system by soil erosion. Based on the annual sediment yield of the Susquehanna River and the excess 210 Pb concentration in particulate matter, a mean residence time of 2000 yr is calculated for metals similar to Pb in soil profiles. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River (WBSR) is strongly affected by acid mine drainage and is low in pH and high in dissolved ( <0.4 m) 210 Pb, Fe and Mn. Along its course iron hydroxide is precipitating at a pH of between 4 and 4.5 and the 210 Pb supplied by the acid mine water is diminished by about 25% as a result of dilution. As the WBSR enters the Valley and Ridge Province of the Appalachians it has a 210 Pb concentration of ~ 0.2 dpm/l. At this juncture it receives a considerable influx of alkalinity from tributaries draining carbonate terranes, resulting in neutralization of the sulfuric acid and increase of the river pH to around 6.5-7. This pH adjustment is accompanied by the precipitation of Fe and Mn. Due to the slow rate of Mn removal from solution, the Mn precipitation extends a considerable distance down river from the point of acid neutralization. Analyses for 210 Pb in the river at points in or below the region of Mn precipitation show that 210 Pb is rapidly scavenged from solution onto suspended particles. From the data it is possible to calculate the removal rate of Pb from water in the presence of Fe and Mn hydroxides and other particles. At a pH of 4-4.5 Pb removal is nonexistent relative to the river flow rate, but at a pH of 6.5-7 the 210 Pb data indicate a residence time of <0.7 day for dissolved Pb.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The use of 210 Pb as a heavy metal tracer in the Susquehanna River system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The use of 210 Pb as a heavy metal tracer in the Susquehanna River system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The use of 210 Pb as a heavy metal tracer in the Susquehanna River system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1131180

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.