Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Urban Lakes: Preliminary Results

Abstract

A preliminary survey of several urban lakes in the Phoenix metropolitan area was undertaken to assess the degree of accumulation of priority pollutant metals and petroleum -based hydrocarbons in these impoundments. Three sediment samples were collected from each lake along a transect (from a probable point of stormwater addition to the opposite shore), and were composited on an equal weight basis prior to analysis. Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations ranged from 30 to 8000 mg /kg dry weight. The concentration ranges (mg /kg dry weight) of total metals were: arsenic 7-26, copper 25-2800, chromium 14-55, nickel 5-40, lead < 1-138, selenium < 0.5-1.1, and zinc 33-239. Silver and cadmium were undetectable (< 5.0 and < 0.5 mg /kg, respectively). Factors that may be associated with the magnitude of accumulation in urban lakes include lake age, primary source of influent, reception of stormwater runoff, mechanical aeration of the water, and direct chemical addition.