Heavy metal content and speciation in groundwater of the Guadiamar river basin

Abstract

This work presents the conclusions of a speciation study concerning Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in groundwater from ten wells in the alluvial aquifers of the Guadiamar river, affected by Aznalcollar mine tailing spill (April 1998). The sampling campaign took place in January 2000, almost two years after the mining accident. Four metal fractions were determined: labile metal forms, H + exchangeable metal forms, strongly inert forms (associated with organic and inorganic matter in solution), and forms associated with suspended matter. Total metal concentration in groundwater followed the trend Cd<Pb<Cu<Zn. The speciation study showed that Zn and Cd were present to a great extent in available forms (labile and H + exchangeable), while Pb and Cu were found mostly in the less available forms (strongly inert). These results can illustrate the potential value of the speciation tool for the follow-up of spill-induced pollution in the area.