Complexation Reactions Between Trace Metals and Specific Functional Groups in Natural Organic Matter from Estuarine Waters

Abstract

Abstract : LONG-TERM GOALS. To gain a better understanding of the role of colloidal organic macromolecules and inorganic colloidal microparticles in the cycling, speciation and bioavailability of trace elements in coastal waters. SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES. 1) Concentration determination and isolation of purified fractions of natural thiols and natural acid polysaccharides for trace metal complexation and structural experiments. 2) Determination of conditional stability constants for the complexation of selected B metal ions (such as Ag, Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb) to specific thiolic functional groups in estuarine organic matter, and of A (e.g., Cs, Ba, Th) and transition metal (e.g., Fe, Cr, Zn, Co) ions to fibrillar acid polysaccharides (PS). 3) Determination of the physical form and chemical structure of these biopolymers. 4) Determination of stability of these complexes towards light, oxygen and microbial degradation.