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SOLID PHASE SPECIATION OF METAL AND METALLOID PARTITIONING TO IRON- AND SULFUR-RICH SEDIMENTS.
Citation:
FORD, R. G., R. T. WILKIN, R. KUKKADAPU, AND J. ZACHARA. SOLID PHASE SPECIATION OF METAL AND METALLOID PARTITIONING TO IRON- AND SULFUR-RICH SEDIMENTS. Presented at 231st American Chemical Society National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 26 - 30, 2006.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
Field- and laboratory-based studies have been conducted to evaluate the mechanisms that control arsenic, lead and zinc partitioning to iron- and sulfur-rich sediments. These sediments play a critical role in limiting the migration of arsenic, lead and zinc following discharge of a ground-water plume into a shallow surface water system. The spatial distribution of contaminant speciation was mapped at the field scale with reference to the predominant redox conditions and sediment mineralogy. This field study was supplemented with laboratory microcosms that utilized field-derived sediments and their native microbial consortia. These incubation studies were conducted using oxic, iron-rich sediments that serve as a continual source of reactive iron to suboxic/anoxic sediments in the surface water system. Changes in mineralogy were measured along with concomitant changes in contaminant speciation. The results were compared with field observations to ascertain the extent that microcosm experiments represented field conditions.