Exchange of heavy metals between sediment components and water

Abstract

(...) The composition of interstitial waters in sediments is perhaps the most sensitive indicator of the types and the extent of reactions that take place between pollutant-loaded sediment particles and the aqueous phase that contacts them. The large surface area of fine-grained sediment in relation to the small volume of its trapped interstitial water ensures that minor reactions with the solid phases will be shown by major changes in the composition of the aqueous phase.