Study of metal sorption/desorption processes on competing sediment components with a multichamber device

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02587766· OSTI ID:5968349

Calmano, W; Ahlf, W; Foerstner, U ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Technology Hamburg-Harburg (West Germany)

A new multichamber device was developed to study sorption/desorption reactions of metals on different competing sediment components and the influence of environmental factors on these reactions. The system consists of a central chamber connected with six external chambers and separated by 0.45-{mu}m-diameter membranes. The diffusion kinetics of metals between the single chambers were determined. Equilibrium was attained within 24 h. Algal cell walls (Scenedesmus quadricauda), bentonite, aluminum oxide, manganese oxide, quartz powder, and goethite were used as model sediment components. Determination of metal sorption on the solid phases resulted in a significant enrichment on the algal cell walls, particularly for Cu and Cd. it was concluded that sorption depends not only on ion exchange but also on complexing reactions which lead to relatively stable surface binding. A second series of experiments investigated the effect of seawater on sediment components and dredged mud. Cadmium was remobilized from all solid components, but Cu was not remobilized from algal cell walls and bentonite. The dominant role of organic substrates in the binding of metals such as Cd and Cu is of particular relevance for the transfer of these elements into biological systems. Even relatively small percentages of organic substrates, if involved in metabolic processes, may constitute a major pathway by which metals are transferred within the food chain.

• OSTI ID: 5968349
• Journal Information: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States), Vol. 11:1; ISSN 0177-5146
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
DESORPTION
SORPTION
UPTAKE
COPPER
SEDIMENTS
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
ALGAE
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHELATING AGENTS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EQUILIBRIUM
FOOD CHAINS
GEOCHEMISTRY
SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACES
SURFACE WATERS
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY
CHEMISTRY
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INTERFACES
KINETICS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
REACTION KINETICS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)