Journal
BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
Volume 103, Issue 1, Pages 175-180Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00128-018-2397-2
Keywords
Mercury; Biochar; Dissolved organic matter; Complexes; PHREEQC
Categories
Funding
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Previous studies show mercury (Hg) can be effectively removed from solution by biochar, but limited attention was paid on the complexation between Hg and components released from biochars, e.g. dissolved organic matter (DOM). Here, aqueous data from batch-style experiments were modeled using PHREEQC, incorporating thermodynamic constants between Hg and DOM, which was assumed to be composed of thiol, carboxylic, and phenolic functional groups. Modelling results suggest that >99% Hg complexed with thiol groups in DOM. The modelled concentrations of Hg-DOM complexes from low-T (low-temperature, 300 degrees C) biochars were greater than from high-T (600 degrees C) biochars. The concentrations of Hg-DOM complexes were lower in wood-based than in agricultural residue- and manure-based biochars. Hg-DOM complexes may affect Hg speciation, bioavailability, transport, and methylation processes. This research describes a method to evaluateHg-DOM interactions, and the results indicate extra caution regarding Hg-DOM complex formation is required in the selection of biochar for Hg remediation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available