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Sorption and desorption of trace elements bySpartina alterniflora detritus

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Abstract

Element and extractant-specific desorption of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn fromSpartina alterniflora detritus was observed. Desorption of a substantial fraction of the total detrital Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn occured rapidly when the detritus was treated with 0.1N HCl or 1 MgCl2. This treatment removed precipitated/coprecipitated and adsorbed trace elements, respectively, suggesting that a large fraction of detritus-bound trace elements are in readily exchangeable, surface reaction sites. The carboxylic acid functional group cation exchange capacity of the detritus also suggests an important role of surface exchange reactions in the dynamics of trace elements during decomposition. The rate and magnitude of changes in the trace element content of detritus has important implications for estuarine biogeochemical cycling of these elements including the potential for biological uptake of trace elements by detritus-consuming fauna.

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Author notes

  1. F. A. Cross

    Present address: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 22903, Charlottesville, VA

  2. J. C. Zieman

    Present address: Southeast Fisheries Center, Beaufort Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, 28516, Beaufort, NC

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 22903, Charlottesville, VA

    J. E. Drifmeyer

  2. Southeast Fisheries Center, Beaufort Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, 28516, Beaufort, NC

    J. E. Drifmeyer

  3. Preventive Medicine Activity, Letterman Army Medical Center, Presidio of San Francisco, 94129, CA

    J. E. Drifmeyer

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  1. J. E. Drifmeyer
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  2. F. A. Cross
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  3. J. C. Zieman
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Additional information

This research was supported by a cooperative agreement between the National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Department of Energy. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed or reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense. Special thanks to Dr. W. L. Johnson who provided the proximate analyses, Southeast Fisheries Center Contribution No. 82-10B.

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Drifmeyer, J.E., Cross, F.A. & Zieman, J.C. Sorption and desorption of trace elements bySpartina alterniflora detritus. Plant Soil 66, 69–80 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02203404

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