Skip to main content

Heavy metal concentrations in sediments of streams affected by a sanitary landfill: A comparison of metal enrichment in two size sediment fractions

Environmental Geology volume 24, pages 287–292 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if metal concentrations are enriched in two size sediment fractions of streams that receive landfill effluent and, if so, whether there is a greater extent of metal enrichment in one of the fractions. Sediment samples were collected from three streams adjacent to a sanitary landfill. Sediments representing control for the study were also collected from a stream not influenced by the landfill. All samples were sieved and the <0.0625-mm and <0.25-mm to >0.149-mm size fractions from each sample were used in this study. The concentrations of acid-extractable Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr for all samples were determined by atomic absorption techniques. Mean concentrations, coefficient of variation values, at test, and the variation of metal concentrations along the stream were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr concentrations were enriched in both size sediment fractions from the stream whose channel originated at the base of the landfill. Copper, Zn, and Pb concentrations were enriched in the <0.0625-mm size sediments of the stream whose channel did not intersect the landfill. Copper, Zn, Pb, and Cr concentrations appear enriched in both size sediment fractions of the third stream, which formed from the confluence of the other two streams. The extent of metal enrichment was greater in the <0.0625-mm size sediments. A decreasing trend of metal concentrations in a downstream direction was not present in the enriched sediments. This was true for each metal in both size sediment fractions.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (Canada)

References

  • Axtmann EV and Luoma SN (1991) Large-scale distribution of metal contamination in the fine-grained sediments of the Clark Fork River, Montana, USA. Appl Geochem 6(1):75–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley SB and Cox JJ (1987) Heavy metals in the Hamps and Manifold Valleys, North Staffordshire, UK: Partitioning of metals in flood-plain soils. Sci Total Environ 65:135–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Castaing P, Assor R, Jouanneau JM, and Weber O (1986) Heavy metal origin and concentration in the sediments of the Point à Pitre Bay (Gaudeloupe-Lesser Antilles). Environ Geol 8(4):174–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman BM, Jones DR, and Jung RF (1983) Processes controlling metal ion attenuation in acid mine drainage streams. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47:1957–1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Compest KB (1991) Trace metals in sediment: Spatial trends and sorption processes. Water Resour Bull 27(1):19–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding SC and Brown HS (1978) Distribution of selected trace elements in sediments of Pamlico River Estuary, North Carolina. Environ Geol 1(2):181–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Havel JE and Talbott BL (1994) Life history characteristics of fresh-water ostracod,Cyprinotus incongruens and their application to sediment toxicity tests. Ecotoxicology (in press)

  • Horowitz AJ and Elrick KA (1987) The relation of stream sediment surface area, grain size and composition of trace element chemistry. Appl Geochem 2(4):437–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Koontz KS (1992) Effects of landfill leachate on the behavior, feeding rate and growth rate of the freshwater prosobranch snail,Elimia potosiensis. Unpublished Masters thesis. Department of Biology, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri. 80 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Leenaers H, Schouten CJ, and Rang MC (1988) Variability of the metal content of flood deposits. Environ Geol Water Sci 11:95–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Luoma SN, Axtmann EV, and Cain DJ (1989) Fate of mine wastes in the Clark Fork River, Montana, USA. In: Metals and metalloids in the hydrosphere: Impact through mining and industry, and prevention in tropical environments. International Hydrologic Programme, Paris, France UNESCO. pp 63–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann AW and Lintern M (1983) Heavy metal dispersion patterns from tailings dumps, Northampton District, Western Australia. Environ Pollut Ser (B6):33–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Mantei EJ and Coonrod DD (1989) Heavy metal content in the stream sediments adjacent to a sanitary landfill. Environ Geol Water Sci 13(1):51–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Mantei EJ and Foster MV (1991) Heavy metals in stream sediments: Effects of human activities. Environ Geol Water Sci 18(2):95–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore JN (1985) Source of metal contamination in Milltown Reservoir, Montana: An interpretation based on the Clark Fork bank sediment. Report to US Environmental Protection Agency District 7, Helena, Montana. 15 pp

  • Moore JN, Brook EJ and Johns C (1989) Grain size partitioning of metals in contaminated, coarse-grained floodplain sediment, Clark Fork River, Montana. Environ Geol Water Res 14:107–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore JW and Ramamoorthy S (1984) Heavy metals in natural waters-applied monitoring and impact assessment. New York: Springer-Verlag, pp 1–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramamoorthy S and Rust BR (1978) Heavy metal exchange processes in sediment water systems. Environ Geol 2(3):165–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Reece DE, Felkey JR, and Wai CM (1978) Heavy metal pollution in the sediments of the Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho. Environ Geol 2(5):289–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Rule J (1986) Assessment of trace element geochemistry of Hampton Roads Harbor and Lower Chesapeake Bay area sediments. Environ Geol 8(4):209–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Rybicka EH and Kyziol J (1987) Soil pollution with lead in the region of the domestic glassware plant “Irena” in Inowroclaw, Poland. Environ Technol Lett 8:43–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinex SA and Helz GR (1981) Regional geochemistry of trace elements in Chesapeake Bay sediments. Environ Geol 3:315–323

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomons W and Forstner U (1984) Metals in the Hydrocycle. New York: Springer-Verlag, 312 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitney PR (1975) Relationship of manganese-iron oxides and associated heavy metals to grain size in stream sediments. Geochem Explor 4:251–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfenden PJ and Lewin J (1978) Distribution of metal pollutants in active stream sediments. Catena 5:67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Yim, WW (1981) Geochemical investigations on fluvial sediments contaminated by tin mine tailings, Cornwall England. Environ Geol 3(5):245–256

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Geology & Planning, Southwest Missouri State University, 65804, Springfield, Missouri, USA

    E. J. Mantei

  2. State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 176, 65102-0176, Jefferson City, Missouri, USA

    E. J. Sappington

Authors
  1. E. J. Mantei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. J. Sappington
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mantei, E.J., Sappington, E.J. Heavy metal concentrations in sediments of streams affected by a sanitary landfill: A comparison of metal enrichment in two size sediment fractions. Geo 24, 287–292 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00767090

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00767090

Key words

  • Metal enrichment
  • Acid-extractable metals
  • Landfill emission plume