| Abstract |
Data from monitoring by Environment have been toestimate the mass flows of chloride, boron, lithiumand total arsenic down the Waikato River, the mass inflowsof these elements from the riverÃs tributaries and by the mass inflows from unmeasured sources which are mostly direct inflows of geothermal fluids through the bed of the river. For two sections of the river, between Lake Taupo and the dam on Lake Ohakuri and the on Lakes and the total inflows of chloride, the major anion in most geothermal waters, were respectively, 2680 of which 15 was unmeasured 325 of which 40 was unmeasured. These estimates at the detail of individual tributaries, are the most reliable that have been done to date and are timely information, particularly for arsenic, not only because the World Health Organisationhas recently recommended reduced drinking water standards for both these metals but also because over the next few years the resource consents for the Wairakei geothermal power stationdischarges to the Waikato River will be reviewed and developmentof the geothermal fields at Mokai and Rotokawa is likely. |