Distribution and Mobilization of Arsenic and Antimony Species in the Coeur d'Alene River System

The mining industry along the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho is a major producer of silver, lead, and zinc in the United States. Mining operations in the past have discharged huge amounts of mining wastes into the South Fork of the river causing a serious pollution problem for the Coeur d'Alene River system. Sediments in the South Fork and the Main Stem of the river are contaminated with arsenic(As), antimony(Sb), cadmium(Cd), Lead(Pb), Zinc(Zn), and other metals. The North Fork water was found relatively uncontaminated and showed very low concentrations of As ( <0.26 ng/mL) and Sb (