Effect of fulvic acid on the kinetics of aluminum fluoride complexation in acidic waters

Journal Article · Wed Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1988 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00177a011· OSTI ID:6102820

Plankey, B J; Patterson, H H

Both fluoride ion and fulvic acid are important aluminum binding ligands present in soil and surface waters. As such they play a role in the speciation and toxicity of natural waters that have increased aluminum concentration due to acid precipitation. We report here a kinetic study of aluminum complexation in the presence of both of these naturally occurring ligands. An overall mechanism has been identified and rate constants have been obtained for several of the reactions involved. We find that an a priori model of the two ligands in competition for aluminum is incorrect. In fact, the rate of fluoride ion consumption is increased by the presence of fulvic acid. Evidence is presented that this effect is due to several equilibria, some of which involve mixed-ligand species. The important equilibria in this three-component system are identified and discussed, as are aluminum speciation and toxicity in acidic waters.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Maine, Orono (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6102820
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 22:12; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ALUMINIUM
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMISTRY
COMPLEXES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FULVIC ACIDS
LIGANDS
METALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RAIN
TOXICITY
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION