Natural Organic Matter, Heavy Metals, and Goethite

Dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) and heavy
metals are abundant in aqueous and terrestrial
systems. Goethite is a ubiquitous iron oxide mineral
found in sediments and aquifers. Sorption processes
involving mineral surfaces largely control the fate,
transport, and environmental impacts of NOM and heavy
metals. An understanding of NOM and metal sorptive
behaviors is therefore helpful in the development of
predictive models. To better understand the
interactions between NOM, heavy metals, and mineral
surfaces, this research (1) implemented a bulk
property approach to study NOM and potential aqueous
complexation between NOM and heavy metals, (2)
studied the mutual effects of NOM and cadmium on
their sorption to goethite, and (3) began to develop
a web-based computer simulator to model NOM sorption
at the mineral-water interface.

Autorentext

Leilani Arthurs earned degrees from the University of Californiaat Berkeley and the University of Hawaii at Hilo in Peace &Conflict Studies and Geology, respectively. From the Universityof Notre Dame, she earned her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering &Geological Sciences with a specialty in environmental aqueousgeochemistry.

Klappentext

Dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) and heavymetals are abundant in aqueous and terrestrialsystems. Goethite is a ubiquitous iron oxide mineralfound in sediments and aquifers. Sorption processesinvolving mineral surfaces largely control the fate,transport, and environmental impacts of NOM and heavymetals. An understanding of NOM and metal sorptivebehaviors is therefore helpful in the development ofpredictive models. To better understand theinteractions between NOM, heavy metals, and mineralsurfaces, this research (1) implemented a bulkproperty approach to study NOM and potential aqueouscomplexation between NOM and heavy metals, (2)studied the mutual effects of NOM and cadmium ontheir sorption to goethite, and (3) began to developa web-based computer simulator to model NOM sorptionat the mineral-water interface.