You are here:
STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS OF METAL PARTITIONING TO MINERAL SURFACES
Citation:
Ford*, R G. STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS OF METAL PARTITIONING TO MINERAL SURFACES. Chapter 5, Natural Attenuation of Trace Element Availability in Soils. CRC Press - Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL, , 73-88, (2006).
Impact/Purpose:
To inform public
Description:
The conceptual understanding of surface complexation reactions that control trace element partitioning to mineral surfaces is limited by the assumption that the solid reactant possesses a finite, time-invariant population of surface functional groups. This assumption has limited application for subsurface systems where the soil mineral assemblage is subject to modifications over timescales comparable to the rate of fluid transport. An overview is provided of potential solid phase partitioning reactions that are linked to dissolution-precipitation reactions and crystal growth processes occurring during modification of the soil mineral assemblage. Relevant rates and/or reaction timescales are documented for both ion partitioning and solid-state transformations. Recommended areas for future research are identified for improving the reliability of reactive-transport models for predicting trace element fate and transport in subsurface systems.