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Lead Distribution in the Cape Fear River Estuary¹

ABSTRACT

Water and mud samples collected during 1973 and 1974 from the Cape Fear River, the region of its plume, and adjacent slope waters were analyzed for lead (Pb) by anodic stripping voltammetry and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Partitioning among adsorbed, strongly complexed, and electroactive states of Pb in seawater was estimated by filtration and voltammetric analyses at two pH levels.

A significant fraction of the Pb present was found to be complexed in river water, but was dissociated upon mixing with shelf water. The concentration of Pb in offshore sediment decreased with increasing grain size. All concentrations of Pb found in the Cape Fear River estuary were well below recognized lethal values for aquatic life.

Key Words: lead • lead complexes • estuarine transport • sediments • anodic stripping voltammetry • protolysis

¹ The research was supported by Duke Univ. and the NSF under grant DES74-12831. Support for the R/V EASTWARD was made possible by grants CG00005 and GD32560 from the NSF.

² Assistant Professor, Dep. of Chemistry, Duke University Marine Lab., Beaufort, NC 28516.

Received for publication May 25, 1976.