『Abstract
Diel variations in the concentrations of a number of constituents
have the potential to substantially affect the appropriate sampling
regimen in acidic streams. Samples taken once during the course
of the day cannot adequately reflect diel variations in water
quality and may result in an inaccurate understanding of biogeochemical
processes, ecological conditions, and of the threat posed by the
water to human health and the associated wildlife. Surface water
and groundwater affected by acid drainage were sampled every 60
to 90 min over a 48-hour period at a former zinc smelter known
as the Hegeler Zinc Superfund Site, near Hegeler, Illinois. Diel
variations related to water quality in the aquifer were not observed
in groundwater.
Diel variations were observed in the temperature, pH, and concentration
of dissolved oxygen, nitrite, barium, iron, lead, vanadium, and
possibly uranium in surface water. Temperature, dissolved oxygen,
nitrite, barium, lead, and uranium generally attained maximum
values during the afternoon and minimum values during the night.
Iron, vanadium, and pH generally attained minimum values during
the afternoon and maximum values during the night. Concentrations
of dissolved oxygen were affected by the intensity of photosynthetic
activity and respiration, which are dependent upon insolation.
Nitrite, an intermediary in many nitrogen reactions, may have
been formed by the oxidation of ammonium by dissolved oxygen and
converted to other nitrogen species as part of the decomposition
of organic matter. The timing of the pH cycles was distinctly
different from the cycles found in Midwestern alkaline streams
and likely was the result of the photoreduction of Fe3+
to Fe2+ and variations in the intensity of precipitation
of hydrous ferric oxide minerals. Diel cycles of iron and vanadium
also were primarily the result of variations in the intensity
of precipitation of hydrous ferric oxide minerals. The diel variation
in the concentrations of lead, uranium, and barium may have been
affected by competition with Fe+2 for sorption sites
on hydrous ferric oxide minerals.
Keywords: Diel variation; Acid drainage; Nitrite; Trace metals』
1. Introduction
1.1. Description of the Hegeler Zinc site
2. Approach and methods of investigation
2.1. Sample collection
2.2. Climate data
2.3. Analytical methods
2.4. Geochemical modelling
3. Results
3.1. Analysis of quality-assurance and quality-control data
3.2. Groundwater quality
3.3. Surface-water quality
3.3.1. Field parameters
3.3.2. Nitrogen compounds
3.3.3. Major ions
3.3.4. Trace elements
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
References