INVESTIGATION OF THE HEAVY-METAL CONTENT OF THE WATER AND SEDIMENTS IN A RESERVOIR SUPPLYING DRINKING-WATER TO A MAJOR MINING CENTER

Water and sediment samples were collected from a reservoir that supplies 30% of the domestic water use of a major lead-silver-zinc mining region. The samples were analyzed for cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper. Samples showed varying degrees of contamination by these elements, although measured levels in the water were below the World Health Organization limits for drinking water. Solution-sediment interactions in the catchment and reservoir were examined and showed a marked tendency for metals to be removed from solution into the underlying sediment. The relative effects of iron and manganese hydrous oxides, organic material, and clays on the distributions of each metal were examined. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.