Interactions Among Ligand Production, Chemical Complexation and Speciation, Algal Accumulation, and Sediment-Water Cycling of Toxic Metals in a Major US Naval Harbor (Elizabeth River, VA)
Abstract
LONG-TERM GOAL. Our long-term goal is to determine the processes controlling the concentrations, chemical complexation and speciation, biological uptake, and cycling of pollutant metals in the water column and sediments of anthropogenically-impacted harbors. OBJECTIVES. In conjunction with other investigators funded through the ONR Harbor Processes Program we are performing an integrated study of the biogeochemical cycling of three potentially toxic metals (Cu, Cd and Zn) and two micronutrient metals (Mn and Zn) in the water column and sediments of a major US Naval harbor, the Elizabeth River (VA). We are studying the interrelationships among: (1) concentrations and chemical complexation and speciation of toxic and micronutrient trace metals (Donat); (2) in situ production of Cu chelators by natural microbial populations in response to elevated Cu levels (in collaboration with A. Gordon/J. Donat [ODU]); (3) uptake of metals by phytoplankton and abiotic particles which transport metals to the bottom via particulate settling (in collaboration with W. Sunda/S. Huntsman [NOAA/NMFS]); and (4) fluxes of metals and chelators from the sediments back into the water column (Donat and Burdige). We are focusing on phytoplankton for the metal uptake studies because they are: (a) the principal primary producers, providing the entry point for metals into the food chain, (b) important particulate vectors for vertical metal transport, and (c) may be important in situ sources of chelators.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA629704
Entities
People
- David J. Burdige
- John R. Donat
Organizations
- Old Dominion University