Sorption of Heavy Metal Cations in Sediments of the Central Depression of the Barents Sea

Abstract

This work presents data on the study of the sorption of heavy metal cations in sediments of the Central Depression of the Barents Sea. During experiments the naturally moistened sediments of different fractions and those after squeezing out the interstitial water were studied. The maximum values of the equilibrium exchange capacity of sediments containing interstitial water and those free of it are in close agreement with each other. The capacity increases in the series (Mn < Ni < Zn < Cd) < (Pb < Cu) and ranges from 0.30 Mn to 0.71 Cu mg-eqiv/g. According to the values obtained, the studied sediments can be classified as adsorbents. The influence of grain size and mineral composition of sediments and the concentration of solutions of metal salts on the absorption capacity of sediments was studied. It was concluded that sediments can be considered as both cleaners and pollutants of marine waters.