Cadmium in Water occurs largely as the sulfide which is often an impurity in zinc ores. Cadmium is more likely to be precipitated at high pH values.
The toxicity of cadmium towards fish and other aquatic organisms indicates that the lethal concentration to fish varies from about 0.01 to 10 mg/L depending on the test animal, the type of water, temperature and time of exposure.
Concentrations of 0.03 mg/L of cadmium were not harmful to 1 and 2 year old tench, carp, rainbow trout and char, nor to the crustacea, worms and insect larvae on which they fed.
Cadmium acts synergistically with other substances to increase toxicity. Cadmium concentrations of 0.03 mg/L in combination with 0.15 mg/L of zinc from galvanized screens caused mortality of salmon fry.
Cadmium can form a complex with cyanide in plating baths, but in dilute solutions the complex is almost completely disassociated and highly toxic. Synergism of the toxic cadmium and cyanide ions liberated in the disassociation is indicated.
End of Cadmium in Water
Each of the heavy metals is discussed briefly.Chromium in Water
Copper in Water
Lead in Water
Nickel in Water
Zinc in Water
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Non-Metals in Water
Chemical Water Quality Parameters
Pesticides in Water
Oil in Water
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