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Distribution of boron in the environment

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Abstract

The findings of a study to identify and quantify the orders of magnitude for major reservoirs and flows of boron (B) in the environment are outlined. The orders of magnitude for B reservoirs and flows arising through natural processes, such as the hydrological cycle and volcanism, are compared with those arising from anthropogenic activities, such as coal combustion and the extraction and use of borates for commercial purposes.

The major stores and reservoirs for B have been identified, in order of magnitude, as the continental and oceanic crusts (1018 kg B), the oceans (1015 kg B), groundwater (1011 kg B), ice (1011 kg B), coal deposits (1010 kg B), commercial borate deposits (1010 kg B), biomass (1010 kg B), and surface waters (108 kg B). The largest flows of B in the environment arise from the movement of B into the atmosphere from oceans, at between 1.3 * 109 kg and 4.5 * 109 kg B per annum. Other hydrological flows are also important. Drainage from soil systems into groundwaters and surface waters accounts for between 4.3 * 108 kg and 1.3 * 109 kg B per annum. B mining and volcanic eruptions represent the next most significant B flows, accounting for approx 4.0 * 108 kg and 3.0 * 108 kg B, respectively.

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  1. Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey, GU2 5RQ, Surrey, UK

    Peter Argust

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Argust, P. Distribution of boron in the environment. Biol Trace Elem Res 66, 131–143 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02783133

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