western USA and New Zealand (McLaren and Kim, 1995; Nimick et al., 1998; Robinson et al.,
1995) . Higher concentrations, up to 370 mgL— have been reported in the Madison River in Wyoming and Montana as a result of inputs from the Yellowstone geothermal system. Wilkie and Hering (1998) also found concentrations in the range 85-153 mgL—1 in Hot Creek, a tributary of the Owens River, California. Some river waters affected by geothermal activity show distinct seasonal variations in arsenic concen¬tration. Concentrations in the Madison River are highest during low-flow conditions, reflecting the increased proportion of geothermal water (Nimick et al., 1998). In the Waikato river system of New Zealand, arsenic maxima occur in the summer months, reflecting temperature-controlled microbial reduction of As(V) to the more mobile As(III) species (McLaren and Kim, 1995).
Increased arsenic concentrations are also found in some river waters dominated by base flow in arid areas. Such waters often have a high pH and alkalinity. For example, surface waters from the Loa River Basin of northern Chile (Atacama desert) contain naturally occurring arsenic in the range 190-21,800 mgL—1 (Caceres et al.,
1992) . The high arsenic concentrations correlate with high salinity. While geothermal inputs of arsenic are likely to be important, evaporative concentration of the base-flow-dominated river
đang được dịch, vui lòng đợi..
