Effects of pH on the release of aluminum, cadmium and lead from littoral and profundal sediments of Lakes Clara and McGrath, Northern Wisconsin

Abstract

The effects of acidification on release of Al, Cd, and Pb from sediments into pore waters was studied in profundal and littoral sediments of two northern Wisconsin lakes. Except for Cd in littoral sediments, pore water concentrations of all three metals and color decreased as pH of the sediments was decreased to approximately 4.5. Cadmium concentrations in littoral pore waters increased as pH of the natural sediment was decreased.