Geochemical partitioning of Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn across the sediment-water interface in large lakes

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0380-1330(89)71461-1· OSTI ID:6032662

McKee, J D; Wilson, T P; Long, D T; Owen, R M

The early diagenetic remobilization of Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Pb was evaluated by studying the geochemical partitioning of the metals among hydromorphic phases in interfacial sediment and in the sediment column, at a site in the Caribou sub-basin, Lake Superior. The sediment was collected with a vacuum/filtration system developed for the submersible Johnson Sea-Link II and the sediment column by gravity coring. The results show that: (1) Pb, Cu, and Zn exhibit sediment profiles in which their concentrations decrease with depth for total metal and some of the hydromorphic phases; (2) Mn and Fe profiles are the result of early diagenesis; (3) each of the metals is uniquely partitioned among the phases and the partitioning changes from the sediment to the sediment column and with depth; and (4) the concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Pb in the sediment are higher than those in the sediment column and, in some instances, appear to be an exponential extrapolations of the latter. The results are interpreted to indicate that the metals are remobilized during early diagenesis and that the sediment may be chemically unique compared to the sediment column, perhaps being similar to interfacial sediments identified in deep marine environments. In addition, it appears that studying the metal concentrations in the individual hydromorphic phases of the sediment is more useful in identifying diagenetic processes than is examination of either total hydromorphic or total metal concentrations of the sediment.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6032662
• Journal Information: J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Great Lakes Res.; (United States) Vol. 15:1; ISSN JGLRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMISTRY
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
DIAGENESIS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GREAT LAKES
INTERFACES
IRON
LAKE SUPERIOR
LAKES
LEAD
MANGANESE
METALS
MONITORING
POLLUTION
SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACES
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC