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Relationships Between Geochemical Parameters (pH, DOC, SPM, EDTA Concentrations) and Trace Metal (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) Concentrations in River Waters of Texas (USA)

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Abstract

Water samples from eight major Texas rivers were collected at different times during 1997–1998 to determine the dissolved and particulate trace metal concentrations, expected to show differences in climate patterns, river discharge and other hydrochemical conditions, and human activities along the different rivers. Specifically, two eastern Texas rivers (Sabine, Neches) lie in a region with high vegetation, flat topography, and high rainfall rates, while four Central Texas rivers (Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, and San Antonio) flow through large population centers. Relatively high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in the eastern Texas rivers and lower pH led to higher Fe and Mn concentrations in river waters. The rivers that flow through large population centers showed elevated trace metal (e.g., Cd, Pb, Zn) concentrations partly due to anthropogenically produced organic ligands such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) present in these rivers. Trace metal levels were reduced below dams/reservoirs along several Texas rivers. Statistical analysis revealed four major factors (suspended particulate matter [SPM], EDTA, pH, and DOC) that can explain most of the observed variability of trace metal concentrations in these rivers. SPM concentrations directly controlled particulate metal contents. Variation in pH correlated with changes of dissolved Co, Fe, Mn, and Ni, and particulate Mn concentrations, while DOC concentrations were significantly related to dissolved Fe concentrations. Most importantly, it was found that, more than pH, EDTA concentrations exerted a major control on dissolved concentrations of Cd and Zn, and, to a lesser extent, Cu, Ni, and Pb.

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Acknowledgments

Assistance in sample collection by Mike Metcalf was greatly appreciated. Drs. Robert Taylor and Paul Boothe, and Mr. Bryan Brattin assisted in some phases of the laboratory work. Dr. James JT Liu is appreciated for his input in statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Geology and Chemistry, National Sun Yat-sen University, 804 Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Kuo-Tung Jiann

  2. Department of Oceanography and Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX, 77553, USA

    Peter H. Santschi

  3. Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3146, USA

    Bobby J. Presley

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  1. Kuo-Tung Jiann
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Correspondence to Kuo-Tung Jiann.

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Jiann, KT., Santschi, P.H. & Presley, B.J. Relationships Between Geochemical Parameters (pH, DOC, SPM, EDTA Concentrations) and Trace Metal (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) Concentrations in River Waters of Texas (USA). Aquat Geochem 19, 173–193 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-013-9187-6

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