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- Title
Lead contamination of groundwater in an industrial complex
- Authors
Alam, I.; Sadiq, M.
- Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate Pb contamination ofa shallow groundwater aquifer underneath an industrial complex and Pb chemical forms that may be found in the study area. Concentrations of Pb in the groundwater samples ranged between 0.04 to 1570.12 mu g L -1 (10 -9.4 to 10 - 5.1 mole L -1), with an average of 88.2 mu g L -1 (10 -6.4 mole L - 1). The results of analysis of variance showed that sampling locations had significantly (p <0.05) affected Pb concentrations in the groundwater samples. Contour map of Pb concentrations and Pb/Cl ratios indicated that Pb contamination of groundwater could be associated to the seepage of irrigation water, corrosion of buried metallic structure (largely of iron), and leachate from the industrial dust pile. Thermodynamic modeling approach was used to speciate total Pb concentrations in the groundwater samples. The results of these computations revealed that, in the very dilute groundwater (salinity < 1 parts per thousand, i.e., ppt), Pb 2+ and Pb-OH complexes were the most significant chemical forms. Groundwater salinities between 1 to 5 ppt, Pb 2+, Pb-OH, Pb-Cl, Pb-HCO 3, and Pb-SO 4 were present in appreciableconcentrations, depending on their respective anionic concentrations. Over 80% of the total Pb in water was present in Pb-Cl complexes ingroundwater samples with salinities >40 ppt. A comparison of the calculated activities of Pb2+ and the thermodynamic solubility isotherms of Pb minerals suggested that mineral Pb(OH) 2 (c) was too soluble to precipitate in these water samples. The distribution trend in Pb2+ activities do not support equilibrium with Pb 3(PO 4 ) 2 (c). Formation of PbCO 3(c) and Pb 2 CO 3Cl 2 (c) in the groundwater samples appeared to be the most logical opt
- Subjects
GROUNDWATER pollution; LEAD
- Publication
Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 1997, Vol 98, Issue 1-2, p167
- ISSN
0049-6979
- Publication type
Article