Aluminum and water quality

Aluminum: Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements in the earth's crust and occurs in many rocks and ores, but never as a pure metal. The presence of aluminum ions in streams may result from industrial wastes but is more likely to come from the wash water of drinking water treatment plants. Many aluminum salts are readily soluble; however, there are some that are very insoluble. Those that are insoluble will not exist long in surface water, but will precipitate and settle. Waters containing high concentrations of aluminum can become toxic to aquatic life if the pH is lowered (as in acid rain).

Criteria: No criteria exist for this metal.

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