Effect of aeration of sediment on cadmium binding

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620130505· OSTI ID:7163181

Zhuang, Y; Allen, H E; Fu, G ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering

Acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) has been shown to be the dominant phase reacting with metals in anoxic sediments. The AVS in sediment decreases upon resuspension due to storm and dredging, and in winter when the rate of aeration processes exceeds that of the formation of sulfide. The authors conducted a series of lab aeration experiments in batch reactors to investigate the effects of aeration of sediment on the sulfide content of sediment and on the partitioning of cadmium, a model toxic metal, to the sediment. Aeration of sediment results in rapid decrease of the AVS. The authors studied the sediment characteristics for aeration periods of approximately a month. During this time, the concentrations of dissolved metals increased by 200 to 400% or more, relative to the concentrations present at the beginning of the test. The concentration of metal associated with AVS and with pyrite decreased. During the aeration, there are increases in the concentrations of hydrous iron and manganese oxides, and these materials become increasingly more important in the binding of cadmium. Following the aeration, > 50% of the cadmium was associated with the extractable iron and manganese components of the sediment. Overall, the binding capacity of the sediments for cadmium decreased after aeration.

• OSTI ID: 7163181
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; (United States) Vol. 13:5; ISSN ETOCDK; ISSN 0730-7268
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AERATION
CADMIUM
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
CONTAMINATION
ELEMENTS
METALS
POLLUTION
SEDIMENTS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION