Heavy metal concentrations in the waters of the Springfield Area, Missouri

Water samples consisting of streams, springs, lakes, deep wells, and shallow wells were collected from various locations around the Springfield area. These were analysed for concentrations of the heavy metals of lead, copper, cadmium, zinc, mercury, and iron. Heavy metal contents in the waters occasionally show local concentrations. The zinc content can be related to known minor mineralized areas around Springfield. Some iron content in the surface waters and shallow aquifers is contributed by the iron-bearing clays and pyrites in the shallow formations. The ranges of heavy metal values in the Springfield area are in ppb: lead, 1 to 70; copper, 1 to 29; cadmium, less than 0.1 to 11; zinc, 1 to 8500; mercury, less than 0.1 to 0.8; iron, less than 1 to 455. Five water samples exceeded the PHS drinking water standards for heavy metal concentrations. Four samples from the central Wilson Creek area were collected and analysed in order to determine any possible heavy metal additions from the sewage treatment plant. Results indicated no heavy metal additions to the surface waters --Abstract, page ii