Water quality as related to possible heavy metal additions in surface and ground water in the Springfield and Joplin areas, Missouri
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Abstract
Some 165 seasonal water samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metals from surface and subsurface sources in a one hundred mile area around Springfield and Joplin, Missouri, respectively. Joplin is in a former large zinc mining district. Springfield is 72 miles east. Locally, cadmium, lead, zinc and iron exceed acceptable PHS standards for drinking water, but the majority of water samples are well within the established limits. Yet, ten percent of the water wells sampled in the Springfield area and twenty-five percent of those sampled in the Joplin area approached or exceeded the PHS limits of the one or more heavy metals for drinking water. High zinc values are related to known zinc-lead mineralization in both areas. Average cadmium values are slightly higher in Joplin, copper content is similar for both areas, and lead content is slightly higher near Joplin. Surface waters in Joplin are 17 times higher in average zinc content than in Springfield, though shallow wells for both areas are similar in zinc content. Iron is higher and more variable in Joplin. Mercury, in very low quantity in both areas, is somewhat higher in the Springfield area. Some seasonal variation occurs in the heavy metal content in both areas. Alternate sources of water are suggested or those areas having heavy metal content in excess of PHS standards. Effects on living systems within areas containing anomalous heavy metal content are unknown.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Missouri Water Center under the Grant/Cooperative Agreement.
The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey or Missouri Water Center. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey or Missouri Water Center.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Missouri Water Center under the Grant/Cooperative Agreement.
The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey or Missouri Water Center. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey or Missouri Water Center.