Variations in heavy metal concentrations and speciation in two mining‐polluted streams in central Norway

Abstract

The dissolved (dialysis in situ), colloidal (filtered minus dissolved), and total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Al were determined and compared with pH, Ca concentrations, and alkalinities through seasonal variations in water levels in two streams, Rugla and Naustebekken, in the Røros area of central Norway. The main objective was to monitor the dissolved fraction of the metals during the seasons and to establish the extent to which chemical parameters influencing metal toxicity were unfavorable during episodes of high total metal concentrations. The average dissolved fractions of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Al were lower in Rugla (55, 69, 64, and 17%, respectively) compared with Naustebekken (59, 82, 82, and 30%, respectively). This is probably due to sedimentation of metal particles in a small lake located in the path of Naustebekken. Alkalinity and Ca concentrations were generally low during the flood episodes, when the highest metal concentrations occurred. This is unfavorable since these parameters are assumed to counteract toxic effects of metals. On the other hand, the results indicate that toxic stress during metal concentration peaks was moderated by adsorption of dissolved metal species on colloids and/or particles.