Distribution and transportation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid in lake water and sediment

The concentrations of EDTA and DTPA were measured by gas chromatography in Finnish lake waters and sediments influenced by pulp and paper industry. Concentrations of EDTA in lake water ranged from <1.0 to 11.4 μ/1. Elevated concentrations of EDTA were observed downstream of the mills. The decline in the use of EDTA in total-chlorine-free (TCF) processes is clearly shown by decreased waste water and lake water concentrations of EDTA. Sediment concentrations of EDTA varied between 80 and 310 μg/kg. In contrast to EDTA, DTPA was not found in lake waters and sediments.