title: Floodwater metal contaminants in an Australian dryland river: a baseline for assessing change downstream of a major lead-zinc-silver and copper mine.
abstract: The variations in the quality of floodwaters from the upper Leichhardt River catchment (1113 km), Mount Isa, in northwest Queensland, Australia, were examined to better understand the impact of urban, mining, and industrial activity on receiving waters. Water sampling was conducted during the 2006-2007 wet season and captured during rainfall and runoff events. Samples were analyzed for total and dissolved (0.45-μm filter) metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and water quality indicators (pH, electrical conductivity, and total suspended solids). The results show that tributaries draining the large Cu and Pb-Zn-Ag mines and smelters complex located at Mount Isa contained the highest concentrations of dissolved (780 μg L Cu, 61 μg L Pb, and 1500 μg L Zn) and total (3600 μg L Cu, 3600 μg L Pb, and 4900 μg L Zn) metals. The results indicate that total and dissolved Cu, Pb, and Zn are well correlated (Pearson correlation ≥ 0.343; < 0.05) and that floodwater metals are primarily particulate bound. Water management and remediation strategies should target the mine-side tributaries and should include improvements to stormwater retention infrastructure, bank stabilization works, and installation of appropriate signage along the upper Leichhardt River indicating the potential environmental and human health hazards of floodwaters.
authors.forename: Alana K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003300:Copper; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D008906:Mining; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc