Influence of physical processes on the concentration of heavy metals and organic carbon in the surface microlayer

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL006i003p00147· OSTI ID:6289940

Owen, R M; Meyers, P A; Mackin, J E

Particulate and dissolved phase concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Ni) and organic carbon were determined in surface microlayer and subsurface (1m) samples collected in the vicinity of a river plume. Observed variations in dissolved Ni and Mn concentrations are attributed to mixing between river and lake waters. Heavy metal concentrations in the particulate organic carbon show a progressive decrease between the river mouth, a down-plume station, and the open lake area outside the river plume. These trends are due to segregation between mineralized and organic particulates as well as differential transport of different mineralogical groups. The pronounced influence that these physical processes have on the composition of the surface microlayer raised a serious doubt concerning our ability to identify compositional variations due to strictly chemical processes within the microlayer.

• Research Organization: Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
• OSTI ID: 6289940
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 6:3; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COLLOIDS
COPPER
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
IRON
LAYERS
MANGANESE
METALS
MIXING
NICKEL
PLUMES
SOLS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS