Skip to main content

The Role of pH and Oxidation-Reduction Potentials in the Mobilization of Heavy Metals

  • Chapter
Polluted Rain

Part of the book series: Environmental Science Research ((ESRH))

Abstract

The effect of pH and standard reduction potential (E°) is discussed in terms of the kinetics and mechanisms for the bio-methylation of a number of toxic metals. In the aerobic environment, conditions have been delineated to explain the methylation of HgII, PbIV and SeVI compounds.

The methylation and mobilization of mercury is especially important in lakes which are susceptible to acid precipitation. The accumulation of methylmercury in fish taken from acid-sensitive oligotrophic lakes is rationalized in terms of the chemistry and biochemistry of mercury compounds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. B. Gosio, An unusual gas formed from arsenical wallpaper, Arch. Ital. Biol. 35: 201 (1901).

    Google Scholar 

  2. F. Challenger, C. Higginbottom, L.J. Ellis, The synthesis of trimethylarsine by the bread mold Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, J. Chem. Soc., p. 95 (1933).

    Google Scholar 

  3. F. Challenger, Biological methylation of arsenic and selenium salts, Chem. Reviews 36: 326.

    Google Scholar 

  4. F. Challenger, Biosynthesis of organometallic and organometalloidal compounds, Organometals and Organometalloids, Occurrence and Fate in the Environment, ACS Symposium Series 82, eds., F.E. Brinckman and J.M. Bellama, p. 1–23 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  5. A. Jernelöv, Heavy Metals, Metalloids and Synthetic Organics, The Sea, ed., E. Goldberg, Wiley Interscience, N.Y. 5:799 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  6. J.M. Wood, F.S. Kennedy and C.G. Rosen, Methylmercury synthesis by extracts of a methanogenic bacterium, Nature (London) 220: 173 (1968).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. J.M. Wood and Y.-T. Fanchiang, Mechanisms for B12-dependent methylation, Third European Symposium on Vitamin B12 and Intrinsic Factor, ed., B. Zagalak, Zurich, Switzerland (1979)(in press).

    Google Scholar 

  8. R.E. DeSimone, M.W. Penley, L. Charbonneau, S.G. Smith, J.M. Wood, H.A.O. Hill, J.M. Pratt, S. Ridsdale and R.J.P. Williams, The kinetics and mechanism of methyl and ethyl transfer to mercuric ion, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 304: 851 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. J.M. Wood, Y.-T. Fanchiang and W.P. Ridley, The biochemistry of toxic elements, Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics 9:2000 (1979)(in press).

    Google Scholar 

  10. G. Agnes, H.A.O. Hill, J.M. Ridsdale, F.S. Kennedy and R.J.P. Williams, B12-dependent methyl-transfer to metals, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 252: 207 (1971).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. W.H. Scovell, The mechanism for B12-dependent methyl-transfer to palladium, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 96: 3541 (1974).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Y.-T. Fanchiang, W.P. Ridley and J.M. Wood, Kinetic and mechanistic studies on B12-dependent methyl-transfer to certain toxic metal ions, Organometals and Organometalloids, ACS Symposium Series 82, eds., F.E. Brinckman and J.M. Bellama, p. 54–64 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  13. L.J. Dizikes, W.P. Ridley and J.M. Wood, A mechanism for the biomethylation of tin by reductive Co-C bond cleavage in alkylcobalamins, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 100: 1010 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. R.L. Rich and H. Taube, Aqueous ion chemistry of gold salts, J. Phys. Chem. 58: 1, 6 (1954).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. J.M. Wood, A. Cheh, L.J. Dizikes, W.P. Ridley, S. Rakow and J.R. Lakowicz, Biomethylation of toxic elements, Fed. Proc. 37:No. 1, 16 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  16. P.J. Craig, Metals and biological methylation, Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, ed., O. Hutzinger, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg (1979)(in press).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1980 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wood, J.M. (1980). The Role of pH and Oxidation-Reduction Potentials in the Mobilization of Heavy Metals. In: Toribara, T.Y., Miller, M.W., Morrow, P.E. (eds) Polluted Rain. Environmental Science Research. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3060-8_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3060-8_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-3062-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-3060-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics