Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water Interface
The increasing release of potentially toxic metals from industrial processes can lead to highly elevated concentrations of these metals in soil, and ground- and surface-waters. Today, metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems and thus, the development of effective remediation...
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doaj-b505ea0d50b2414abad85ecf2247a6212020-11-24T20:52:32ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2018-08-018834610.3390/min8080346min8080346Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water InterfaceJörn Hövelmann0Christine V. Putnis1Liane G. Benning2German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Interface Geochemistry, 14473 Potsdam, GermanyInstitut für Mineralogie, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, GermanyGerman Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Interface Geochemistry, 14473 Potsdam, GermanyThe increasing release of potentially toxic metals from industrial processes can lead to highly elevated concentrations of these metals in soil, and ground- and surface-waters. Today, metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems and thus, the development of effective remediation strategies is of paramount importance. In this context, it is critical to understand how dissolved metals interact with mineral surfaces in soil–water environments. Here, we assessed the processes that govern the interactions between six common metals (Zn, Cd, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb) with natural brucite (Mg(OH)2) surfaces. Using atomic force microscopy and a flow-through cell, we followed the coupled process of brucite dissolution and subsequent nucleation and growth of various metal bearing precipitates at a nanometer scale. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy allowed for the identification of the precipitates as metal hydroxide phases. Our observations and thermodynamic calculations indicate that this coupled dissolution–precipitation process is governed by a fluid boundary layer at the brucite–water interface. Importantly, this layer differs in composition and pH from the bulk solution. These results contribute to an improved mechanistic understanding of sorption reactions at mineral surfaces that control the mobility and fate of toxic metals in the environment.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/8/8/346dissolution–precipitationtoxic metalsbrucitemineral–water interface |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Jörn Hövelmann Christine V. Putnis Liane G. Benning |
spellingShingle |
Jörn Hövelmann Christine V. Putnis Liane G. Benning Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water Interface Minerals dissolution–precipitation toxic metals brucite mineral–water interface |
author_facet |
Jörn Hövelmann Christine V. Putnis Liane G. Benning |
author_sort |
Jörn Hövelmann |
title |
Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water Interface |
title_short |
Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water Interface |
title_full |
Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water Interface |
title_fullStr |
Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water Interface |
title_full_unstemmed |
Metal Sequestration through Coupled Dissolution–Precipitation at the Brucite–Water Interface |
title_sort |
metal sequestration through coupled dissolution–precipitation at the brucite–water interface |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Minerals |
issn |
2075-163X |
publishDate |
2018-08-01 |
description |
The increasing release of potentially toxic metals from industrial processes can lead to highly elevated concentrations of these metals in soil, and ground- and surface-waters. Today, metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems and thus, the development of effective remediation strategies is of paramount importance. In this context, it is critical to understand how dissolved metals interact with mineral surfaces in soil–water environments. Here, we assessed the processes that govern the interactions between six common metals (Zn, Cd, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb) with natural brucite (Mg(OH)2) surfaces. Using atomic force microscopy and a flow-through cell, we followed the coupled process of brucite dissolution and subsequent nucleation and growth of various metal bearing precipitates at a nanometer scale. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy allowed for the identification of the precipitates as metal hydroxide phases. Our observations and thermodynamic calculations indicate that this coupled dissolution–precipitation process is governed by a fluid boundary layer at the brucite–water interface. Importantly, this layer differs in composition and pH from the bulk solution. These results contribute to an improved mechanistic understanding of sorption reactions at mineral surfaces that control the mobility and fate of toxic metals in the environment. |
topic |
dissolution–precipitation toxic metals brucite mineral–water interface |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/8/8/346 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT jornhovelmann metalsequestrationthroughcoupleddissolutionprecipitationatthebrucitewaterinterface AT christinevputnis metalsequestrationthroughcoupleddissolutionprecipitationatthebrucitewaterinterface AT lianegbenning metalsequestrationthroughcoupleddissolutionprecipitationatthebrucitewaterinterface |
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1716799332585308160 |