VARIATIONS IN ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER1

Abstract

The seasonal changes in concentration of several elements in the Columbia River at Hanford, Washington, were measured during 1962. An annual spring increase in the concentration of arsenic, manganese, copper, and lanthanum was related to the introduction of water from the Spokane River to the Columbia River system, while other elemental concentration changes were ascribed to the relative contribution of the Pend Oreille and Spokane rivers to the Columbia River. Data are presented on the concentration of several elements at various points on the Columbia River upstream from the Hanford project.