Physico-chemical speciation of selected metals in the treated effluent of a lead-acid battery manufacturer and in the receiving river

A scheme for the speciation of metals in freshwaters has been applied to the metals Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe and Mn in the treated effluent of a lead-acid battery manufacturer and the receiving river upstream and downstream of the effluent outfall. The speciation is inferred from measurements of the size-associations of the metals, the lability with respect to anodic stripping voltammetry and Chelex resin and by u.v. irradiation to destroy organic complexing agents. The results are related to chemical and physical interactions within the waters and are discussed in terms of the impact of the effluent discharge upon the receiving river.