A kinetic approach to describe trace-element distribution between particles and solution in natural aquatic systems Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The partitioning of radioactive trace elements between seawater and particulate matter from surface sediments and sediment traps was investigated in laboratory experiments. For the elements Na, Zn, Se, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Th and Pa (group I) constant distribution coefficients (Kd) were found after a few days of equilibration, whereas the elements Be, Mn, Co and Fe (group II) showed an increasing Kd over the whole time of observation of 108 days. The time dependence of Kd is described by an adsorption-desorption equilibrium (group I elements), followed by a lattice transport reaction step (group II elements). The reaction rate constants are compared to Mn oxidation rates and to adsorption rate constants derived from in situ measurements of the U Th disequilibrium as available from literature. © 1984.

published proceedings

  • Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

altmetric score

  • 3

author list (cited authors)

  • Nyffeler, U. P., Li, Y., & Santschi, P. H

citation count

  • 318

complete list of authors

  • Nyffeler, Urs P||Li, Yuan-Hui||Santschi, Peter H

publication date

  • July 1984