Reservoir sedimentation and storage increases availability of potentially toxic elements from historic Pb-Zn-F mining contamination

Reservoir sedimentation and storage increase the availability of potentially toxic elements from historic Pb-Zn-F mining contamination, with little natural attenuation observed over three decades since mining ceased. The Derwent drinking water reservoir acts as a partially effective trap for lead (Pb), but elevated zinc (Zn) concentrations persist throughout, while manganese (Mn) is concentrated distally in deeper sediments near abstraction and discharge points. A significant portion of cadmium (Cd), Mn, and Zn in the reservoir sediments exists in an exchangeable fraction, making them chemically and biologically available and vulnerable to redispersion through operational or meteorological disturbances, potentially exacerbated by future climate change.

Obolo, E. I., Lord, R. A., Nunn, B., Cavoura, O., & Davidson, C. M. (2026). Reservoir sedimentation and storage increases availability of potentially toxic elements from historic Pb-Zn-F mining contamination. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 22, 101227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101227