Transition metal contamination in the Qishon river system, Israel

Abstract

Seven transition metals—cadmium, cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel, lead and zinc—were measured in the waters and the sediments of the Qishon-Gadura river system, Israel's second largest. Biologically significant amounts of environmental contamination of Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn are being added to the Gadura tributary throughout its course. While the build-up is a potential biological threat, it is the high pH of several of the effluent waters that inhibits the metal mobility. Ironically, therefore, a sudden stoppage of the pollution (before other corrective measures are taken) appears to present a greater biological danger to the Qishon River and Haifa Bay than a continuance of the pumping of these wastes into the river.