Interaction of organic acids with carbonate mineral surfaces in seawater and related solutions: I. Fatty acid adsorption

Abstract

The adsorption of C 4 to C 18 fatty acid anion homologs from seawater and related solutions was examined on calcite, aragonite, dolomite and magnesite surfaces. Butyrate, octanoate and laurate did not adsorb, while myristate, palmitate and stearate adsorbed on all carbonate surfaces. An increasing affinity for carbonate surfaces was found with increasing alkyl chain length for these fatty acids. Adsorption at low concentrations typical of marine waters is controlled by surface adsorption sites. At high concentration adsorption is governed by solution composition and limited by aqueous solubility. Adsorption-desorption reactions were characterized by a large resistant component that resulted in nonsingular isotherms. Myristate adsorption was enhanced in the presence of stearate cosorption. Orthophosphate in trace quantities was capable of displacing fatty acids from carbonate surfaces, but contrary to earlier studies, we found no major influence from magnesium ion on adsorption. The results of this study are interpreted in terms of a model based on the different types of forces which contribute to adsorption of these organic compounds. This model emphasizes the importance of organic aqueous solubility and the acid function as criteria controlling the adsorption of natural hydrophobic organics with carbonate mineral surfaces in aqueous fluids.