Chemistry of lead in water

The physico-chemical forms in which lead is found in water will exert a powerful control on its dispersal from the point of discharge, as well as on its subsequent mobility and ultimate distribution in different receiving waters. The form of the lead prior to its discharge will also play a part in estabHshing the effectiveness of particular effluent control strategies (Chapter 6). Once in the receiving water the toxic effects of the lead to aquatic life will be intimately related to the chemical form(s). However, despite its importance, the chemistry of lead in 

It is only possible, in a short space, to outline the importance of the different forms of lead and to look at the principal controls that determine which form(s) might exist in a particular water. It is, furthermore, necessary to draw largely on the more theoretical evidence, as there is a lack of data on the forms of lead in polluted waters, and only sparse information, largely contradictory, relating to more natural waters [12]. 

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Concentrations of lead in water are presented either in terms of total metal or separately as soluble and particulate metal. The latter distinction is arbitrarily based upon sample filtration, usually with a 0.45 nm membrane filter. As a general rule, it can be assumed that the higher the total lead concentration, the higher will be the ratio of particulate to soluble lead. The reasons for this will become apparent during the discussion of the chemistry of lead in water (Section 3.4). 

There is clearly no easy solution to the problem of lead in drinking water. Treatment may eventually prove to be the best option but a better understanding of the chemistry of lead in water will be necessary before success can be reasonably guaranteed. 

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