Abstract
Experimental data for sorption of Hg, Cd, Cu, and Pb by sand, silt, and organic-rich sediments from the Ottawa River, Canada show significant conformity to Langmuir's equation. Values of the bonding energy constant and the sorption maximum correlate directly with organic content and mean grain size (φ). Desorption experiments indicate that the heavy metals form stable complexes in nitrilotriacetate (NTA) and NaCl Solutions, with the following desorption ratios: Hg, 1:1 (Cl−:NTA); Pb, 1:10; Cd, 1:2. Serial and batch desorption studies under various conditions show that the cation-exchange order in the sediments is Hg>Pb>Cu>Cd. For a given heavy metal the partition coefficient between sediment and solution is not greatly changed by the presence of another cation, provided the latter has the same order of concentration. If, the concentration of one cation exceeds another by more than 10, however, significant desorption of the less concentrated ion takes place on a mass action basis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahrland, S., 1966, Reports on hard and soft acids and bases—Factors contributing to (b) behaviour in acceptors; Struct. Bonding, v. 1, pp. 207–220.
Banat, K., U. Forstner, and G. Muller, 1974, Experimental mobilization of metals from aquatic sediments by nitrilotriacetic acid: Chem. Geol., v. 14, pp. 199–207.
Bothner, M. H., and R. Carpenter, 1973, Sorption-desorption reactions of mercury with suspended matter in the Columbia river: Vienna, Austria, Radioactive Contamin. Mar. Environ. Proc. Symp. 1972, I.A.E.A., pp. 73–87.
Cheremisinoff, P. N., and Y. H. Habib, 1972, Cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury: A plenary account for water pollution—part 1—Occurrence, toxicity and detection: Water and Sewage Works, v. 119, no. 7, pp. 73–86.
D'Itri, F. M., 1972, The environmental mercury problem: Ohio, C.R.C. Press, Chemical Rubber Co., 124 p.
Fishbein, L., 1972, Natural non-nutrient substances in the food chain: Sci. Total. Environ., v. 1, no. 3, pp. 211–244.
Gibbs, R. J., 1973, Mechanisms of trace metal transport in rivers: Science, v. 180, pp. 71–73.
Gregor, C. D., 1972, Solubilization of lead in lake and reservior sediments by NTA: Environ. Sci. Technol., v. 6, no. 3, p. 278–279.
Hahne, H. C. H., and W. Kroontje, 1973, Significance of pH and chloride concentrations on behavior of heavy metal pollutants: Mercury (II), cadmium (II), zinc (II) and lead (II): J. Environ. Qual., v. 2, no. 4, pp. 444–450.
Hart, J. S., 1972, Overview and synopsis of programme,in Distribution and transport of persistent chemicals in flowing water ecosystems: University of Ottawa—National Research Council of Canada, Interim Report No. 1.
Jonasson, I. R., 1970, Mercury in the natural environment: A review of recent work: Geol. Survey Canada, paper 70-57.
Jonasson, I. R., and R. W. Boyle, 1972, Geochemistry of mercury and origins of natural contamination of the environment: Can. Inst. Mining Bull., v. 65, pp. 8–15.
Loring, D. H., 1975, Mercury in the sediments of the gulf of St. Lawrence. Can. J. Earth Sci., v. 12, p. 1219–1237.
Miller, D. R., 1974, Distribution and transport of pollutants in flowing water ecosystems: University of Ottawa—National Research Council of Canada, Report No. 2.
-- 1976, Distribution and transport of pollutants in flowing water ecosystems, University of Ottawa—National Research Council of Canada. Report No. 3.
Mottola, H. A., 1974, Nitrilotriacetic acid as a chelating agent: applications, toxicology and bio-environmental impact: Toxicol. Environ. Chem. Revs., v. 2, pp. 99–161.
Nelson, N., T. C. Byerly, A. C. Kolbye, L. T. Kurland, R. E. Shapiro, S. I. Shibko, W. H. Stickel, J. E. Thompson, L. A. Van Der Berg, and A. Weissler, 1971, Hazards of mercury: Environ. Res., v. 4. pp. 1–69.
Ramamoorthy, S., and D. J. Kushner, 1975a, Binding of mercuric and other heavy metal ions by microbial growth media: Microb. Ecol., v. 2, pp. 162–176.
—— 1975b, Heavy metal binding components of river water: J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., v. 32, no. 10, pp. 1755–1766.
Ramamoorthy, S., and B. R. Rust, 1976, Mercury sorption and desorption characteristics of some Ottawa river sediments: Can. J. Earth Sci., v. 13, no. 4, pp. 530–536.
Rust, B. R., and D. G. Waslenchuk, 1976, Mercury and bed sediment in the Ottawa river, Canada: J. Sed. Petrol., v. 46, no. 3, pp. 563–578.
Sears, W. P., 1971, Mercury in base metal and gold ores of the Province of Quebec,in Geochemical exploration: Canadian Inst. Min. Metallurgy, spec. vol. 11, pp. 384–390.
Sillen, L. G., and A. E. Martell, 1971, Stability constants of metal-ion complexes, supplement no. 1.: London, The Chemical Society, Spec. Publ. no. 25,
Thom, N. S., 1971, Nitrilotriacetic acid: A literature survey: Water Res., v. 5, pp. 391–399.
Zitko, V., and W. V. Carson, 1972, Release of heavy metals from sediments by nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA): Chemosphere, v. 3, pp. 113–118.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ramamoorthy, S., Rust, B.R. Heavy metal exchange processes in sediment-water systems. Geo 2, 165–172 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02430670
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02430670