Identifying the phosphate minerals that form on lead water pipes

What is it about?

This paper is about the minerals that are present on the inner walls of lead water pipes. Specifically it is focused on the lead phosphate minerals that belong to the apatite family. After identifying the minerals we show how they can be synthesised in the laboratory and determine their chemical formulae.

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Why is it important?

We show that the lead phosphate minerals that grow on lead water pipes contain both calcium and lead and we give their formulae. This is very important as it will enable us to determine the solubility properties of the minerals and make accurate predictions of the concentrations of lead in tap water. The work is new because previous studies on predicting lead levels assume that hydroxylpyromorphite is present, which contains no calcium. The work is important to Yorkshire Water and other U.K. Water utilities who use phosphate dosing to control lead in tap water.