The Geochemical Partitioning and Bioavailability of Trace Metals in Marine Sediments

摘要

Trace metals in the aquatic environment are generally concentrated on solid geochemical phases which eventually become incorporated into estuarine and marine sediments. The mechanism of trace metal concentration is believed to be adsorption with various geochemical phases such as hydrous metal oxides, clays, and organic matter. Metals in estuarine of marine sediments can thus be expected to be partitioned between different phases, depending on the concentration of the phase and the strength of the adsorption bond. The bioavailability of sediment-bound metals to deposit-feeding organisms will depend on trace metal partitioning and the kinetics of biological metal uptake from each geochemical phase. The present study was undertaken to develop models for trace metal partitioning and bioavailability in marine sediments.