SOME LAWS GOVERNING THE MIGRATION OF COPPER,LEAD, AND ZINC IN WATER,AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN PROSPECTING

The author attempts to explain some of the problems of hydrochemical prospecting by study of the migration of certain metals in water. In general the metal content of natural waters is lower than might be expected from their solubilities in pure water. In deposits of Kazakhstan there is a strong influence on the concentration of these elements by the chemical composition and pH of the water. Lead and copper contents are strongly dependent on pH (decreasing with greater pH) and zinc less so. The pH limit of indistinct and discontinuous hydrochemical anomalies is about 7 for copper, 7.2 for lead, and 7.5 for zinc. The predominantly alkaline or neutral waters of raremetal deposits precludes usage of copper, lead, and zinc as indicators. Careful studies are therefore necessary to adequately evaluate anomalies. Data from diverse, unmineralized rocks indicates that limestones and carbon-enriched bottom deposits, and acid intrusives and their tuffs, are most active in lead sorption. The structure of rocks and microorganisms influence metal content in associated waters.—J. A. Redden.