Determination of Heavy Metals on the Rock River through the Analysis of Sediments

Landsberger, Sheldon; Hopke, P.K.; Golchert, Brian

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/25568 Copy

Description

Title

Determination of Heavy Metals on the Rock River through the Analysis of Sediments

Author(s)

• Landsberger, Sheldon
• Hopke, P.K.
• Golchert, Brian

Issue Date

1990-01

Keyword(s)

• Heavy metals -- Analysis
• River sediments -- Illinois -- Rock River -- Analysis
• Winnebago County (IL)
• Heavy metals -- Environmental aspects -- Illinois

Abstract

Neutron activation analysis has been used to analyze sediment cores from the Rock River and two branches of Kent Creek, one of its tributaries, to determine the concentrations of thirteen heavy metals (Ti, Cu, V, Mn, As, Sb, Se, Cr, Ni, Sc, Fe, Zn, and Co) and two rare earths (Sm and La). The downstream sites of both the Rock River and the two branches of Kent Creek have elevated concentrations of several heavy metals including arsenic, antimony, and zinc. In addition, hundreds of parts per million of copper have been found in samples from the downstream site of the North Fork of Kent Creek. Toxicity tests of the sediments also indicate that the downstream sites are detrimental to lifeforms. Analyses of the data from the two branches of Kent Creek clearly indicate that heavy metal concentrations increase as the distance from the center of industrial activity (Rockford) decreases.

Publisher

Champaign, IL : Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center

Series/Report Name or Number

RR Series (Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center) ; 040

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/25568

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center ; Project Number 88-043

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