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Two types of modeling approaches are illustrated for describing inorganic contaminant adsorption in aqueous environments: (a) the component additivity approach and (b) the generalized composite approach. Each approach is applied to simulate Zn 2+ adsorption by a well-characterized sediment collected from an aquifer at Cape Cod, MA. Zn 2+ adsorption by the sediment was studied in laboratory batch experiments with a range of pH and Zn(II) concentrations selected to encompass conditions observed in the aquifer. In the generalized composite approach, one-and two-site surface complexation model parameters were calibrated with the experimental data using FITEQL. The pH dependence of Zn 2+ adsorption was simulated without explicit representation of electrostatic energy terms. Surface acidity constants and ion pair formation by major electrolyte ions were also not required in the model, thereby minimizing the number of fitted parameters. Predictions of Zn 2+ adsorption with the component additivity modeling approach did not simulate the experimental data adequately without manipulation of surface area or site density parameter values. To apply the component additivity approach to environmental sorbents, further research is needed to better characterize the composition of sediment surface coatings. The generalized composite modeling approach requires less information and can be viewed as more practical for application within solute transport models. With only three adjustable parameters, this approach could simulate Zn 2+ adsorption over a range of chemical conditions that would cause several orders of magnitude variation in the distribution coefficient (K d ) for Zn 2+ within the aquifer.

Abstract. We determined the role of the hyporheic zone (the subsurface zone where stream water and shallow groundwater mix) in enhancing microbially mediated oxidation of dissolved manganese (to form manganese precipitates) in a drainage basin contaminated by copper mining. The fate of manganese is of overall importance to water quality in Pinal Creek Basin, Arizona, because manganese reactions affect the transport of trace metals. The basin-scale role of the hyporheic zone is difficult to quantify because stream-tracer studies do not always reliably characterize the cumulative effects of the hyporheic zone. This study determined cumulative effects of hyporheic reactions in Pinal Creek basin by characterizing manganese uptake at several spatial scales (stream-reach scale, hyporheicflow-path scale, and sediment-grain scale). At the stream-reach scale a one-dimensional stream-transport model (including storage zones to represent hyporheic flow paths) was used to determine a reach-averaged time constant for manganese uptake in hyporheic zones, 1/As, of 1.3 hours, which was somewhat faster but still similar to manganese uptake time constants that were measured directly in centimeter-scale hyporheic flow paths (1/X h '-2.6 hours), and in laboratory batch experiments using streambed sediment (1/X = 2.

The speciation of U(VI) sorbed to synthetic hydroxyapatite was investigated using a combination of U LIII-edge XAS, synchrotron XRD, batch uptake measurements, and SEM-EDS. The mechanisms of U(VI) removal by apatite were determined in order to evaluate the feasibility of apatite-based in-situ permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). In batch U(VI) uptake experiments with synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA), near complete removal of dissolved uranium (>99.5%) to <0.05 microM was observed over a range of total U(VI) concentrations up to equimolar of the total P in the suspension. XRD and XAS analyses of U(VI)-reacted HA at sorbed concentrations < or = 4,700 ppm U(VI) suggested that uranium(VI) phosphate, hydroxide, and carbonate solids were not present at these concentrations. Fits to EXAFS spectra indicate the presence of Ca neighbors at 3.81 A. U-Ca separation, suggesting that U(VI) adsorbs to the HA surfaces as an inner-sphere complex. Uranium(VI) phosphate solid phases were not detected in HA with 4700 ppm sorbed U(VI) by backscatter SEM or EDS, in agreement with the surface complexation process. In contrast, U(VI) speciation in samples that exceeded 7000 ppm sorbed U(VI) included a crystalline uranium(VI) phosphate solid phase, identified as chernikovite by XRD. At these higher concentrations, a secondary, uranium(VI) phosphate solid was detected by SEM-EDS, consistent with chernikovite precipitation. Autunite formation occurred at total U:P molar ratios > or = 0.2. Our findings provide a basis for evaluating U(VI) sorption mechanisms by commercially available natural apatites for use in development of PRBs for groundwater U(VI) remediation.