Mississippi River transport phases

Metal Transport Phases in the Upper Mississippi River... 

Total copper and cadmium concentrations increased from Sites 1-4, ranging from 1.2 to 6.8 /xg/L for copper, and 0.2 to 1.0 /xg/L for cadmium. Copper transported in the dissolved phase ranged from 56% at Site 4 to 68% at Sites 1 and 3, and 80% at Site 2. Dissolved cadmium accounted for more than 50% of the total concentrations at all sites. Thus, copper and cadmium transport in the Mississippi River was dominated by apparent solution-phase transport. Total mean lead concentrations ranged from 2.3 to 5.7 /xg/L at Sites 1-4, with dissolved metal accounting for 16 to 38% of the total. The unexpectedly large contribution of dissolved lead indicates the potential role played by organic matter in maintaining lead in solution. 

Figure 10. Iron transport phases in the upper Mississippi River, 1977-...

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