Iron cycling in a littoral freshwater beach: Implications for floc trace metal dynamics

Abstract

This field-based study demonstrates that highly dynamic trace metal (Ag, Co, Cu and Pb) behavior in suspended floc and the sediment surface fine-grained lamina (SFGL) is linked specifically to Fe mineral cycling between these two compartments driven by rapidly fluctuating energy regimes in a shallow, littoral beach of Lake Ontario. Results reveal distinct, Fe mineral controls on trace metal sequestration patterns under quiescent conditions. Higher metal sequestration occurred in floc associated with amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides (FeOOH), while less reactive crystalline Fe oxides (FeOx) dominated bed metal sequestration. Spatial shifts in energy regime governing floc settling and sediment erosion controlled the mixing of FeOOH and FeOx, resulting in discernible, hydrodynamic-dependent floc and SFGL trace metal associations. Low turbulence offshore limited compartment mixing, resulting in enrichment of FeOOH and metals in floc and SFGL over bulk bed sediments. In contrast, higher turbulence nearshore increased bed erosion resulting in less distinct floc and SFGL-FeOOH/metal abundances and partitioning. Diurnal shifts in energy regime impacting floc and SFGL geochemistry were observed nearshore. Accumulation of FeOOH and trace metals occurred in the SFGL under calm morning conditions, while diurnal wind-induced waves rapidly re-cycled the SFGL back into the overlying water-column. Post mixing, re-suspended FeOOH and smaller floc particulates entrained within a higher photosynthetically-induced pH water-column increased overall floc trace metal uptake. Taken together, these findings demonstrate highly dynamic linkages between energy regime and physico-chemistry impacted Fe mineral cycling resulting in observable compartment-specific trace metal partitioning patterns for littoral floc and surficial sediments in beach environments.