Contents Notes |
Section 4.3 of this report documents the results of an effort to model the geochemistry of copper in urban streams. Using water quality data from Alameda Creek, a geochemical equilibrium model (MINTEAQ2) was used to rank major water quality parameters (pH, total suspended solids, dissolved organic carbon, amorphous iron, carbonate, and salinity) for their importance with respect to their effect on heavy metal speciation. Because the model proved to be capable of simulating the distribution between dissolved and adsorbed (particulate) copper species, the authors conclude that the model provides the opportunity to predict the chemical fate and speciation of copper from water quality data measured during storm events. |