Synonyms
Heavy metals
Definition
A metal is defined as an element that can form a salt by replacing the hydrogen (H+) in an acid and form a base when combined with the hydroxyl (−OH−) radical.
Description
A few metals rank among the most common elements on earth (Fe, Al, Ca, Mg), but most are less or much less abundant. These can be considered trace metals. Since these comprise most of the elements in the periodic table, we should define those of concern in estuaries as those that are deposited from natural and anthropogenic sources upriver. Typically, those of interest are of anthropogenic origin, since they tend to be more evident downstream of industrial outfalls or mine drainages.
Trace metals can be either essential for, or irrelevant to, living organisms (i.e., nonessential). In regard to living organisms, trace metals are typically defined as those that are essential (Murray et al., 2009). However, in estuaries both essential and nonessential metals should be included in the...
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Murray, R. K., Bender, D. A., Botham, K. M., Kennelly, P. J., Rodwell, V. W., Weil, P. A., and Mayes, P. A., 2009. Micronutrients: Vitamins & Minerals. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry (28th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
Reimer, K. J., Koch, I., and Cullen, W. R., 2010. Organoarsenicals. Distribution and transformation in the environment. Metal Ions in Life Sciences (Cambridge: RSC Publishing), 7, 165–229.
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© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Weis, P. (2016). Trace Metals in Estuaries. In: Kennish, M.J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Estuaries. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8801-4_27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8801-4_27
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Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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Online ISBN: 978-94-017-8801-4
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