ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the sorption of trace elements on natural suspended particles or bottom sediments or to some of the specific natural phases present in them. The partitioning of trace elements in oxic environments between solution and particles or their components is described in terms of both the distribution coefficient and surface complexation concepts. Similarities between binding of trace elements to sediments and adsorption of these elements to hydrous metal oxides have been noted in several studies. Oxidized sediments contain many components that can, in principle, sorb trace elements. Using a different approach, L. Lion et al. have examined trace metal adsorption on oxidized surficial estuarine sediments before and after removing, by chemical attack, various components from the sediments. Models based on the competitive sorption of trace metals by various components of the oxic sediments have been proposed. Distribution coefficients are often used to describe the solid-solution partitioning of trace elements.
