Chemical elements in water
Explore how selected chemical elements occur and behave in water, and why they matter for water quality and treatment.
This directory brings together articles on occurrence, chemical forms, solubility, reactions, environmental and health effects, and treatment options. It covers a selection of elements rather than the entire periodic table.
Element names and chemical forms
An element name does not describe every form in which that element can occur in water. Dissolved ions, compounds, gases and particles can behave differently. An element being present in water does not necessarily mean that the pure element reacts with water.
Interpret solubility and treatment information in the context of the chemical form and water conditions.
Browse elements and water
Choose an article below. The directory includes the element-and-water article for arsenic.
Aluminium in water (AL + H2O)
1 technical topic
Argon in water (Ar + H2O)
Arsenic in water (As + H2O)
Boron in water (B + H2O)
1 technical topic
Calcium in water (Ca + H2O)
1 technical topic
Chromium in water (Cr + H2O)
1 technical topic
Helium in water (He + H2O)
Iodine in water (I + H2O)
Iron in water (Fe + H2O)
1 technical topic
Lead in water (Pb + H2O)
Lithium in water (Li + H2O)
1 technical topic
Magnesium in water (Mg + H2O)
1 technical topic
Nickel in water (Ni + H2O)
1 technical topic
Nitrogen in water (N + H2O)
1 technical topic
Oxygen in water (O2 + H2O)
1 technical topic
Potassium in water (K + H2O)
1 technical topic
Silicon in water (Si + H2O)
1 technical topic
Silver in water (Ag + H2O)
Sodium in water (Na + H2O)
1 technical topic
Strontium in water (Sr + H2O)
1 technical topic
Tin in water (Sn + H2O)
Titanium in water (Ti + H2O)
Zinc in water (Zn + H2O)
1 technical topic
Barium in water (Ba + H2O)
1 technical topic
Chlorine in water (Cl₂ + H₂O)
1 technical topic
Fluoride in water (F⁻)
1 technical topic
Manganese in water (Mn)
1 technical topic
Copper in water (Cu)
1 technical topic
Sulfur in water (S)
1 technical topic
Mercury in water (Hg)
Cadmium in water (Cd)
1 technical topic
Uranium in water (U)
1 technical topic
Radium in water (Ra)
Rhenium in water (Re)
1 technical topic
Neodymium in water (Nd)
1 technical topic
Praseodymium in water (Pr)
Yttrium in water (Y)
Cerium in water (Ce)
Gadolinium in water (Gd)
Dysprosium in water (Dy)
1 technical topic
Indium in water (In)
Gallium in water (Ga)
1 technical topic
Selenium in water
1 technical topic
Tellurium in water
Cobalt in water (Co + H2O)
1 technical topic
Carbon in water (C)
1 technical topic
Phosphorus in water (P)
1 technical topic
Bromine in water
1 technical topic
Vanadium in water
1 technical topic
Molybdenum in water
1 technical topic
Tungsten in water
1 technical topic
Antimony in water
1 technical topic
Germanium in water
1 technical topic
Rhodium in water
1 technical topic
Rubidium
1 technical topic
Ruthenium in water (Ru)
1 technical topic
Scandium in water
1 technical topic
Common beryllium salts in water
What to look for in an article
- Occurrence: how an element enters water and which forms may be present.
- Water chemistry: solubility, reactions and important compounds.
- Effects: the relevance of chemical form and concentration to health and the environment.
- Treatment: technologies discussed for removing or controlling particular forms.
For a broader overview of the elements, visit the periodic table. You can also try the environmental quiz.