Barium and heavy metals in the waters and aquatic invertebrates of the catchment of bleaberry gill, North Yorkshire

Abstract

A preliminary survey of Bleaberry Gill, the main stream draining the mining area west of Langthwaite, Arkengarthdale, N. Yorks., gave information on its aqueous metal concentrations and those of associated tributaries. From this, sites were chosen for a more detailed survey of the water chemistry and fauna. Bleaberry Gill was polluted by barium and lead, and, to a lesser extent, zinc. The fauna was similar to that, of other 'unstable' upland streams. Low abundance or absence of some groups may have been due to metal pollution, but probably involved other physical and chemical factors. Metal concentrations in Baetis sp(p). were determined for a wide range of aqueous metal concentrations. Positive linear relationships were found between the barium concentration in Baetis sp(p). and 'total’ water from all sites, and from Bleaberry Gill alone. No relationship was found between the concentration of zinc and lead in Baetis sp(p). and 'total' water. It was concluded that Baetis sp(p). are unsuitable for use in monitoring aqueous zinc and lead but may be of some use in monitoring barium. Gammarus pulex was transplanted from a low barium stream ‘Mossy Thorn Gill' (0.33 - Q.43mg l(^-1) Ba) to a laboratory tank with 6mg 1(^-1) aqueous barium (with no change in other stream characteristics) and to ‘Moor intake Gill', a stream with high aqueous barium (28mg 1(^-1) ). G. pulex took up barium to a concentration significantly above the initial concentration after 4 hours in 28mg 1(^-1) Ba and 36 hours in 6mg 1(^-1) Ba. An equilibrium was reached after three days, the concentration being higher in animals exposed to 28mg l(^-1). The rate of uptake appeared to be related to the aqueous barium concentration. It was concluded that G. pulex may be suitable for use in the detection of high aqueous barium pollution, or lower level contamination of more than one day duration.