Environmental trace metal distribution

R. Frache, F. Baffi, B. Cosma, A. Mazzucotelli, C. Bottinelli, F. Sena, F. Soggia, Trace metals distribution in water, particulate matter and sediments in the Ross Sea and inland lakes (Antarctica), Proceedings of the Meeting Environmental Impact in Antarctica, Rome, June 8-9, 1990, 37-46. 

R. Frache, Trace metal distribution in particulate matter and sediments in Ross Sea (Antarctica), Proceedings of the 2nd Meeting on Environmental Impact - Chemical Methodologies, Venice, May 26-28, 1992, 60-61. 

Finally, a recent approach to the study of trace metal distribution in sediment depth profiles deserves mention. This is a factor-analysis technique which is used to determine the main environmental condition prevailing at the place and time when the sediment was deposited, or the main process responsible for modification of the sediment after deposition (Buckley et al, 1995). The study in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, (Buckley et al, 1995), established the following groups ... 

Chen, T.B., Wong, J.W.C., Zhou, H.Y., Wong, M.H., 1997. Assessment of trace metal distribution and contamination in surface soils of Hong Kong. Environmental Pollution 96, 61-68. 

The book focuses on the biogeochemistry of trace elements in arid and semiarid zone soils and includes an introductory chapter on the nature and properties of arid zone soils. It presents an updated overview and a comprehensive coverage of the major aspects of trace elements and heavy metals that are of most concern in the world s arid and semi-arid soils. These include the content and distribution of trace elements in arid soils, their solution chemistry, their solid-phase chemistry, selective sequential dissolution techniques for trace elements in arid soils, the bioavailability of trace elements, and the pollution and remediation of contaminated arid soils. A comprehensive and focused case study on transfer fluxes of trace elements in Israeli arid and semi-arid soils is presented. The book concludes with a discussion of a quantitative global perspective on anthropogenic interferences in the natural trace elements distributions. The elements discussed in this book include Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, As, Se, Co, B, Mo and others. This book is an excellent reference for students and professionals in the environmental, ecological, agricultural and geological sciences. 

By coupling flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF) to ICP-MS it is possible to investigate trace metals bound to various size fractions of colloidal and particulate materials.55 This technique is employed for environmental applications,55-57 for example to study trace metals associated with sediments. FFF-ICP-MS is an ideal technique for obtaining information on particle size distribution and depth profiles in sediment cores in addition to the metal concentrations (e.g., of Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, Ti and Zn with core depths ranging from 0-40 cm).55 Contaminated river sediments at various depths have been investigated by a combination of selective extraction and FFF-ICP-MS as described by Siripinyanond et al,55... 

Klassen, R.A. (2004) Geological factors affecting the distribution of trace metals in glacial sediments of central Newfoundland. Environmental Geology, 33(2-3), 154-69. 

Recent reviews on chemical speciation are published by e.g. Stumm and Brauner (1975), Florence and Batley (1980) and Leppard (1983) sometimes, with special reference to metal-organic interactions (Mantoura, 1982) or complexation in natural waters (Kramer and Duinker, 1984b). Bruland (1983) summarized the distribution and behaviour of trace elements in ocean waters. The occurrence of certain species is largely dependent on the environmental conditions. There exists a strong competition of trace metals with H+ or major cations like Ca2+ and Mg2+ in seawater, but also with other trace metals which might form more stable complexes with the ligand in question on the other side, many potential ligands or chelators compete for one trace element. 

The distribution pattern of heavy metals in surface marine sediments is regulated not only by their concentrations, but also by their physical-chemical characteristics, mineralogical composition, grain size distribution, organic matter contents, etc. Several environmental conditions such as marine currents, wind, and continental runoff must also be considered (38). Some data on trace metals in Antarctic sediments have been published, but the information available for Potter Cove is limited (27, 39- 2). 

Levy DB, Barbarick KA, Siemer EG, et al. 1992. Distribution and partitioning of trace metals in contaminated soils near Leadville, Colorado. Journal of Environmental Quality 21 185-195. 

Mackey, A.P. Hodgkinson, M.C. 1995. Concentrations and spatial distribution of trace metals in mangrove sediments from the Brisbane River, Australia. Environmental Pollution 90(2) 181-186. 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST is the source of many of the standards used in chemical and physical analyses in the United States and throughout the world. The standards prepared and distributed by the NIST are used to caUbrate measurement systems and to provide a central basis for uniformity and accuracy of measurement. At present, over 1200 Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) are available and are described by the NIST (15). Included are many steels, nonferrous alloys, high purity metals, primary standards for use in volumetric analysis, microchemical standards, clinical laboratory standards, biological material certified for trace elements, environmental standards, trace element standards, ion-activity standards (for pH and ion-selective electrodes), freezing and melting point standards, colorimetry standards, optical standards, radioactivity standards, particle-size standards, and density standards. Certificates are issued with the standard reference materials showing values for the parameters that have been determined. 

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