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Dynamics of arsenic speciation in surface waters: As(III) production by algae
Author(s) -
Hellweger Ferdi L.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
applied organometallic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1099-0739
pISSN - 0268-2605
DOI - 10.1002/aoc.894
Subject(s) - algae , algal bloom , arsenic , bloom , chemistry , estuary , environmental chemistry , oceanography , phytoplankton , ecology , biology , nutrient , geology , organic chemistry
Algae reduce and methylate arsenate [As(V)]. The end product of the overall transformation reaction can be arsenite [As(III)] or methylated arsenic. Field and laboratory data suggest a strong correlation between the end product of the reaction and the growth rate of the algae, with As(III) only produced during log (exponential, fast) growth. The result is a peak in As(III) concentration preceding or coincident with the algal bloom. This paper analyzes data from 18 different water bodies (five lakes, one river, six estuary/marine sites, six experimental sites). Algal blooms, As(III) peaks and algal blooms with preceding or coincident As(III) peaks were identified. In total, 80 algal blooms were identified, 49 (61%) of which were associated with As(III) peaks. In 78% of water bodies algal blooms were typically (>50%) associated with As(III) peaks. The average time lag between As(III) peaks and algal blooms was 20 days (standard deviation 18 days). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.