STUDY OF REMOVAL MECHANISMS OF METAL ELEMENTS FROM SEAWATER USING RADIOACTIVE MULTITRACERS

Abstract

The adsorption of metal elements on hydrated ferric oxide, clay minerals, and marine sediments from artificial seawater is studied using radioactive multitracers produced by RIKEN Ring Cyclotron. The distribution coefficients (Kd) of Co, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Re and Hg were determined. The order of Kd for each element is summarized as follows: hydrated ferric oxide>deep-sea sediment>montmorillonite≥nearshore sediment≥kaolinite. It is inferred from the observation that hydrated ferric oxide plays an important role in removing metal elements from seawater.