We are just beginning to understand the metabolism of heavy metals and to use their metabolic functions in biotechnology, although heavy metals comprise the major part of the elements in the periodic table. Because they can form complex compounds, some heavy metal ions are essential trace elements, but, essential or not, most heavy metals are toxic at higher concentrations. This review describes the workings of known metal-resistance systems in microorganisms. After an account of the basic principles of homoeostasis for all heavy-metal ions, the transport of the 17 most important (heavy metal) elements is compared.

Microbial heavy-metal resistance

Biogeochemistry of the Human Environment.- The Biosphere.- Soils.- Waters.- Air.- Plants.- Humans.- Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements.- Trace Elements of Group 1 (Previously Group Ia).- Trace Elements of Group 2 (Previously Group IIa).- Trace Elements of Group 3 (Previously Group IIIb).- Trace Elements of Group 4 (Previously Group IVb).- Trace Elements of Group 5 (Previously Group Vb).- Trace Elements of Group 6 (Previously Group VIb).- Trace Elements of Group 7 (Previously Group VIIb).- Trace Elements of Group 8 (Previously Part of Group VIII).- Trace Elements of Group 9 (Previously Part of Group VIII).- Trace Elements of Group 10 (Previously Part of Group VIII).- Trace Elements of Group 11 (Previously Group Ib).- Trace Elements of Group 12 (Previously Group IIb).- Trace Elements of Group 13 (Previously Group IIIa).- Trace Elements of Group 14 (Previously Group IVa).- Trace Elements of Group 15 (Previously Group Va).- Trace Elements of Group 16 (Previously Group VIa).- Trace Elements of Group 17 (Previously Group VIIa).

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Trace Elements From Soil to Human

The article focuses on adsorption of heavy metal ions on soils and soils constituents such as clay minerals, metal (hydr)oxides, and soil organic matter. Empirical and mechanistic model approaches for heavy metal adsorption and parameter determination in such models have been reviewed. Sorption mechanisms in soils, the influence of surface functional groups and surface complexation as well as parameters influencing adsorption are discussed. The individual adsorption behavior of Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Mn, Zn and Co on soils and soil constituents is reviewed.

Adsorption of heavy metal ions on soils and soils constituents

Chromium occurrence in the environment and methods of its speciation.

Influence of limestone on the hydration of Portland cements

The remediation of chromium-contaminated sites requires knowledge of the processes that control the migration and transformation of chromium. Advection, dispersion, and diffusion are physical processes affecting the rate at which contaminants can migrate in the subsurface. Heterogeneity is an important factor that affects the contribution of each of these mechanisms to the migration of chromium-laden waters. Redox reactions, chemical speciation, adsorption/desorption phenomena, and precipitation/dissolution reactions control the transformation and mobility of chromium. The reduction of CrVI to CrIII can occur in the presence of ferrous iron in solution or in mineral phases, reduced sulfur compounds, or soil organic matter. At neutral to alkaline pH, the CrIII precipitates as amorphous hydroxides or forms complexes with organic matter. CrIII is oxidized by manganese dioxide, a common mineral found in many soils. Solid-phase precipitates of hexavalent chromium such as barium chromate can serve either as sources or sinks for CrVI. Adsorption of CrVI in soils increases with decreasing chromium concentration, making it more difficult to remove the chromium as the concentration decreases during pump-and-treat remediation. Knowledge of these chemical and physical processes is important in developing and selecting effective, cost-efficient remediation designs for chromium-contaminated sites.

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Processes affecting the remediation of chromium-contaminated sites.

The rate of hexavalent chromium reduction by a soil fulvic acid (SFA) was measured in aqueous solutions where concentrations of Cr(VI), H + , and SFA were independently varied Rates of reduction increase strongly with decreasing pH Typical Cr(VI)-SFA reactions display a nonlinear reduction of Cr(VI) with timethat cannotadequately be modeled by either firstorder or second-order rate equations An empirical rate equation that treats the SFA as a continuum of reactive groups which reduce Cr(VI) at varying rates adequately describes the effects of solution parameters on the rates of Cr(VI) reduction The rate equation is R=k r [HCrO 4 - ][SFA][Cr(VI)] 0 P[H + ] q where [Cr(VI)] 0 is the initial Cr(VI) concentration

Reduction of Cr(VI) in the Presence of Excess Soil Fulvic Acid.

https://www.csub.edu/~dbaron/Baron_and_Palmer_1996a.pdf

Solubility of jarosite at 4-35°C

Solubility of ettringite (Ca6[Al(OH)6]2(SO4)3 · 26H2O) at 5–75°C

The rate of hexavalent chromium reduction by soil humic substances (SHSs) was investigated in aqueous solutions where the temperature, ionic strength, background electrolyte, [Fe(III)], and [Cr(III)] were independently varied. Rate experiments were conducted with an excess of SHS over Cr(VI). An Arrenhius plot for the reduction of Cr(VI) by a soil fulvic acid and a soil humic acid indicates that the activation enthalpies for oxidation of these substances are nearly the same (63 ± 1 and 61 ± 3 kJ mol-1, respectively) and the activation entropies are significantly different (−160 ± 5 and −203 ± 9 J mol-1 K-1, respectively). Rates of reduction are not significantly altered due to changes in either background electrolyte or ionic strength. The presence of Cr(III) slightly inhibits the rate of reduction by soil humic acid, but not that of soil fulvic acid. Ferric iron increases the rate of Cr(VI) reduction, even when only a small amount of Fe(III) is added to the system. Fe may enhance the reduction of Cr(VI) ...

Carl D. Palmer

Papers

Processes affecting the remediation of chromium-contaminated sites.

Reduction of Cr(VI) in the Presence of Excess Soil Fulvic Acid.

Solubility of jarosite at 4-35°C

Solubility of ettringite (Ca6[Al(OH)6]2(SO4)3 · 26H2O) at 5–75°C

Effect of Temperature, Ionic Strength, Background Electrolytes, and Fe(III) on the Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium by Soil Humic Substances