Sediment fractionation of Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Mn, and Fe in one experimental and three natural marshes

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1982.00472425001100030041x· OSTI ID:5745402

Lindau, C W ^[1]; Hossner, L R

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1. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln

Dredged sediments from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway near Galveston, Tex., were used as a substrate material in the construction of an experimental intertidal salt marsh. Selected substrate properties were compared with those of established marshes. Clay mineralogical properties of the experimental marsh were compared with those of three nearby natural marshes. A sequential chemical extraction procedure was used to obtain data on the partitioning of micronutrients and heavy metals among selected marsh substrate fractions. Clay minerals found in the sediments of the experimental marsh were equivalent to those identified in the natural marshes. Total elemental substrate concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Mn, and Fe averaged 7.9, 8.6, 25.5, 25.2, 123, and 12,200 ..mu..g/g, respectively, over the four marsh sites. Copper, nickel, zinc, and chromium displayed only minor variations in substrate partitioning between the experimental and natural marsh samples. Micronutrients and heavy metal concentrations in the exchangeable and water-soluble fraction were low compared with other fractions. Approximately 30% of the total substrate Cu, Ni, and Zn was associated with the organic matter fraction. Metals fixed within the lattice structures of clay and silicate minerals ranged from 20% Mn for experimental marsh samples to 90% Cr for one of the natural marshes. Major differences in Mn and Fe substrate partitioning were observed when the experimental marsh samples were compared with those of the natural marshes.

• OSTI ID: 5745402
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 11:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHROMIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
COPPER
IRON
MANGANESE
NICKEL
ZINC
DREDGE SPOIL
FRACTIONATION
MARSHES
MINERALOGY
SEDIMENTS
TEXAS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION VI
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
WETLANDS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)