Lixiviación selectiva de arsénico y otros elementos de material sedimentario arrastrado por aguas subterráneas en Zimapán, Hidalgo, México

the physical and chemical characterization of the sediments of the drinking water general distributor of the city of zimapan, hidalgo, mexico, was performed so as to verify their relation with the origin of the supply. the analysis carried out during ten months, showed high contents of sio2, fe, al, as, ca and mn. due to the absence of a specific normative to determine dangerous levels of these elements, the studies were performed with the tessier and bcr schemes. the results demonstrate that the most toxic components are easily lixiviated in the first portions of the system. the comparison with the results from water samples indicates the existence of lixiviation processes. this is particularly dangerous in the case of as, as this element can reach levels of 11%.