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ADSORPTION OF TRACE METALS BY HYDROUS FERRIC OXIDE IN SEAWATER
Citation:
Morel, F. AND K. Swallow. ADSORPTION OF TRACE METALS BY HYDROUS FERRIC OXIDE IN SEAWATER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-80/011.
Description:
The adsorption of trace metals by amorphous hydrous ferric oxide in seawater is studied with reference to simple model systems designed to isolate the factors which may have an effect on the isotherms. Results show that the complex system behaves in a remarkably simple way and that the data obtained under various conditions of total metal concentration and total oxide concentration can be reduced to an apparent reaction constant, K, which is a function of pH only. The high capacity of the oxide for trace metals renders the concept of a surface reaction useless to explain the uptake of metals. A physical picture of the oxide as a swollen hydrous gel permeable to hydrated ions is presented.