Dynamic And Origin Of Trace Elements In A Mediterranean River (La Peyne) - Relations To Lithology, Discharge, And Agricultural Practices

The variations of dissolved major and trace element concentrations reveal that the Peyne River is affected by lithology and by anthropogenic activity. The influence of evaporites is clearly reflected by the increase of SO(4)(2-), Li and Sr downstream of the Triassic formations. During the rising stage of a flood event the decreasing trend of NO(3)(-) reflects the dilution of sewage treatment plant inputs, whereas the increase of Cu, As, Pb, K, and to a lesser extent Zn, attests to their release from soil. At the peak discharge, the high concentrations of Cu and As (reaching 12.7, 6.8 and 0.699 mug l(-1), respectively) indicate a significant impact of the fungicides used for vine treatment. In base flow conditions and in groundwater it seems that the impact of vine treatment is negligible.