Metal partitioning studies, sampling

Sequential extraction experiments have been shown to provide a convenient means to determine the metals associated with the principal accumulative phases in sedimentary deposits, to elucidate the mechanisms of their diagenetic transformation, and to elucidate release processes upon changing environmental conditions (Kersten and Forstner, 1989). A general goal of all studies involving selective chemical extraction is the accurate determination of partitioning of elements of environmental concern among different discrete phases of a sample. 

The small number of samples taken under heavy shelling, a few km from the front line are only a preliminary test and necessitates continuation of the study. Chemical partitioning of the heavy metals through soil constituents and variable retention ability of the soils regarding different metal ions will change the geochemical pattern on the surface and in the depth of the soil horizon with time [12-14]. Any method of decontamination. 

Our knowledge of the distribution of Pd in the water column is based on a study by Fee in 1983, the first to report a full vertical profile of any PGE in sea water. Vertical profiles of filtered and unfiltered samples from two different stations in the Pacific both show a systematic increase in concentration with increasing depth in the water column. The pattern of depth variation closely mimics that of Ni in the same samples. This similarity in the vertical distribution of these two metals and their similar upper crustal partition co-efficients (Figure 1) have been rationalized in terms of similar outer electron configuration. Both metals are believed to be stable in their divalent form in sea water. Subsequent more detailed study of the marine chemistry of Ni demonstrates that organic complexation plays an important role in Ni speciation, and laboratory experiments show the same can be true for Pd. Thus it seems likely that complexation by organic ligands plays an important role in Pd speciation in sea water. 

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