Using diffusive gradients in thin films to probe the kinetics of metal interaction with algal exudates
Jacqueline Levy A C , Hao Zhang A , William Davison A and Rene Groben B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, LA1 4YQ, UK.
B Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster, Bailrigg, LA1 4AP, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: jacqui.levy@gmail.com
Environmental Chemistry 8(5) 517-524 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN11046
Submitted: 12 April 2011 Accepted: 21 June 2011 Published: 14 October 2011
Environmental context. Interaction of metals with dissolved organic matter is one of the key processes defining metal bioavailability in water. The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films was used to investigate the kinetics of the interaction between metals and dissolved organic matter released by algae. For most metals the rate at which they were released from the organic matter was fast, but release of iron was kinetically limited.
Abstract. The interaction of metals with organic matter is one of the key processes determining metal speciation and bioavailability in water. Fulvic acid tends to dominate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in freshwaters, but organic carbon produced in situ, e.g. exudates released by algae and bacteria, is also significant. The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) was used to investigate the lability of metal–exudate complexes using a kinetic signature approach. Exudates were harvested from three cultured freshwater alga (Chlorella vulgaris, Cryptomonas pyrenoidifera, Anabaena flos-aquae) and the filtered media supplemented with trace metals. DGT-labile metal concentrations and kinetic signatures were determined (24-h deployment). The relationship between Fe and DOC was a defining feature of the kinetic signatures. Iron was the most kinetically limited metal followed by Al and Cu, whereas Co, Ni and Pb were effectively completely labile. Exudates from Chlorella vulgaris produced the most DOC and the most marked kinetic limitation.
Additional keywords: DGT, dissociation, dissolved organic carbon, phytoplankton, trace metals.
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