Sediments, cadmium concentrations

Researchers have found that bioavailability changes seasonally (Mendoza et al., 1996 Balras, 1999). In an assessment of various metals and their bioavailability, Mendoza et al. (1996) found that the bioavailabilty of cadmium and lead peaked in July, whereas cobalt peaked in early spring for organisms in their study area. Balras (1999) reported that fish tissue and sediment concentrations varied seasonally, with lead, cadmium and cobalt concentrations increasing in sediment samples in August-October samples. In general, it is believed that the seasonality of the bioavailable fractions is linked directly to increased temperature-influenced reaction kinetics and increased organism activity as temperature increases, whereas reduced temperatures typically reduce the bioavailability of a contaminant. 

The isolation of zinc, over 90% of which is from sulfide ores, depends on conventional physical concentration of the ore by sedimentation or flotation techniques. This is followed by roasting to produce the oxides the SO2 which is generated is used to produce sulfuric acid. The ZnO is then either treated electrolytically or smelted with coke. In the former case the zinc is leached from the crude ZnO with dil H2SO4, at which point cadmium is precipitated by the addition of zinc dust. The ZnS04 solution is then electrolysed and the metal deposited — in a state of 99.95% purity — on to aluminium cathodes. 

As is the case with assessments of the toxicity of dissolved trace metals, the development of sediment quality criteria (SQC) must be based on the fraction of sediment-associated metal that is bioavailable. Bulk sediments consist of a variety of phases including sediment solids in the silt and clay size fractions, and sediment pore water. Swartz et al. (1985) demonstrated that the bioavailable fraction of cadmium in sediments is correlated with interstitial water cadmium concentrations. More recent work (e.g., Di Toro et al, 1990 Allen et al., 1993 Hansen et al, 1996 Ankley et ai, 1996, and references therein) has demonstrated that the interstitial water concentrations of a suite of trace metals is regulated by an extractable fraction of iron sulfides. 

The pollutants of concern are the same as in wet basic oxygen furnaces, but the concentration of metals (primarily lead and zinc, but also arsenic, cadmium, copper, chromium, and selenium) in wastewater is higher because of the higher percentage of scrap charged. Wastewater treatment operations are similar to those for the wet basic oxygen furnaces, including sedimentation in clarifiers or thickeners and recycle of the water.14... 

Other studies use soil or sediment samples for a more accurate indication of microbial activity in natural environments. In these samples, organic matter and clay particles play a role in metal toxicity.76112113 Both organic material and clay particles in soil can bind metals and reduce their bioavailability. For example, Pardue et al.87 demonstrated that much less solution-phase cadmium was required to inhibit trichloroaniline (TCA) dechlorination in a mineral-based soil than in a soil containing a higher concentration of organic matter. Other studies have shown that adding clay minerals to a medium mitigates toxicity. Clay minerals, such as kaolinite, montmorillonite, bentonite, and vermiculite, can bind to metals to decrease the amount that is bioavailable.112 115... 

Bryan, G.W. and L.G. Hummerstone. 1973. Adaptation of the polychaete Nereis diversicolor to estuarine sediments containing high concentrations of zinc and cadmium. Jour. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK. 53 839-857. 

Chemical analysis of the Meza River and its tributaries revealed significant heavy metal pollution of the upper Meza River sediments with lead, zinc, and some molybdenum, cadmium and arsenic enrichments. The trend of Cd and As is similar to trend of Pb and Zn, which is in agreement with the fact that Cd and As are associated with Pb and Zn in ore minerals (Strucl, 1984 Fux Gosar, 2007). In the lower Meza valley, these heavy metal concentrations decreased somewhat. 

According to the vendor, Cement-Lock technology has successfully removed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PCBs, and tetrachlorodibenzo-1,4-dioxin (TCDD)/2,3,7,8-tetra-chlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) from soils and sediments in bench-scale tests. Metal concentrations were also reduced below detection limits in bench-scale tests. These metals included arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, mercury, and silver. 

For the nuclides studied (rubidium, cesium, strontium, bariun silver, cadmium, cerium, promethium, europium, and gadolinium) the distribution coefficients generally vary from about 10 ml/gm at solution-phase concentrations on the order of 10 mg-atom/ml to 10 and greater at concentrations on the order of 10 and less. These results are encouraging with regard to the sediment being able to provide a barrier to migration of nuclides away from a waste form and also appear to be reasonably consistent with related data for similar oceanic sediments and related clay minerals found within the continental United States. 

Warren, L.A., Tessier, A. and Hare, L. (1998) Modeling cadmium accumulation by benthic invertebrates in situ the relative contributions of sediment and overlying water reservoirs in organism cadmium concentrations, Limnology and Oceanography 43, 1442-1454. 

Although lead and cadmium sulfate are both soluble, a body of water contaminated with these toxicants in the presence of sulfate and biodegradable organic matter shows very low concentrations of dissolved lead and cadmium, although levels are relatively high in the sediments of the body of water. Explain. 

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