SVIBOR - Project code: 1-07-011

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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Project code: 1-07-011


PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF TRACE METALS IN AQUATIC SYSTEMS


Main researcher: BRANICA, MARKO (5200)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/96.
Papers on project (total): 217
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 72
Institution name: Institut "Ruđer Bošković", Zagreb (98)
Department/Institute: Center for Marine Research Zagreb
Address: Bijenička c. 54,
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 01 434 465, 4561111
Fax: 385 01 434 465
E-mail: branica@olimp.irb.hr
Summary: Physico-chemical properties of trace metals in aquatic systems will be investigated in natural and model solutions using newly-developed experimental equipment and procedures for electrochemical measurements at the concentration level of natural waters (1e-7 - 1e-10 M/L). Different processes, such as hydration, hydrolysis, complex formation and dissociation, adsorption/desorption kinetics, redox states and reactions, as well as ionic forms distribution in the presence of naturally occuring ligands, will be analysed. The objective is to elucidate biogeochemical cycle of trace metals in natural and polluted waters and its role in the life-cycle on the Earth. Interactions of metal ions with macro- and microconstituents of natural waters, sediments and biota will be investigated. Kinetic and thermodynamic constants of these processess will be measured and calculated. The reactivity of different ions under natural conditions will be estimated. Influence of pollution on these mechanisms will be analysed. The capability of the aquatic environment to compensate anthropogenic influences will be assessed. Pollution of various aquatic sub-areas, such as marine bays, rivers, or lakes, will be monitored.

Keywords: physical chemistry, electrochemistry, aqueous systems, trace metals, low concentration levels, speciation, chemical species, ecotoxic metals

Research goals: Investigation of thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the most important interactions between trace metals and different micro- and macroconstituents of natural aquatic systems in a wide range of reactants concentrations. Development and application of exact and precise methods for the determination of total concentrations of chosen metal ions in natural and polluted water systems and for the detection of the distribution of their chemical forms. Measurements of reactivity of particular ionic species and estimation of the dominant series of chemical reactions in the anthropo-bio-geo-chemical cycle of toxic and biogenic metal in natural waters. An improvement of experimental and theoretical physico-chemical methods and their application to the natural model systems, such as the Krka River Estuary, is expected. Precise, reliable, and reproducible methods for the kinetic measurements of the reactions of metal ions and micro redox couples in micromolar and nanomolar concentrations, will be developed. Newly-developed methods will be used for the characterization of ionic forms of metal ions and for the measurements of their distribution into different fractions, such as hydrated, free ions, labile inorganic complexes, inert organic complexes and ions adsorbed to the surface of solid mineral particles, or colloid organic particles. Efforts will be directed towards the determination of those physico-chemical forms of metal ions which are the most reactive species in adsorption-desorption reactions, or which are biologically the most reactive species.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS


  1. Name of project: Environmental Research in Aquatic Systems
    Name of institution: Institute fur Angewandte Physikalische Chemie (IPC/KFA)
    City: 52425 - Juelich, Njemačka

  2. Name of project: EU 493 Development of Electroanalytical Instrumentation for Physico-chemical Characterization of Trace Metals in Marine Environment, EUROMAR/ELANI
    Name of institution: EUROMAR Office, GKSS Research Centre Geestacht GmbH, Max-Planck-Strasse
    City: 21502 - Geesthacht, Njemačka

  3. Name of project: JF 927 Electrochemical measurements of trace heavy metals in the aquatic environment
    Name of institution: National Institute of Standards and Technology, (NIST), USA
    City: MD 20899 - Gaithersburg, SAD

  4. Name of project: Electrochemistry of redox state of microconstituents in natural waters
    Name of institution: Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, FB Chemie, Institut fur Angewandte Analytik und Umweltchemie
    City: 10115 - Berlin, Njemačka

  5. Name of project: YUG/108 Uptake, release and transformation of mercury species by the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
    Name of institution: Co-ordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan, United Nations Environment Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
    City: Athens, Greece

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Institute fur Angewandte Physikalische Chemie, IPC, Forschungszentrum, KFA Juelich
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    City: 52425 - Juelich, Njemačka

  2. Name of institution: The University of Liverpool, Oceanography Laboratory
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    City: L69 3BX - Liverpool, Velika Britanija

  3. Name of institution: ECO-Chemie, B.V.
    Type of institution: State institute
    City: 3508 - Utrecht, Nizozemska

  4. Name of institution: Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, FB Chemie, Institut fur Angewandte Analytik und Umweltchemie
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    City: 10115 - Berlin, Njemačka

  5. Name of institution: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    City: MD 20899 - Gaithersburg, SAD

  6. Name of institution: Co-ordinating Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan, United Nations Environment Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
    Type of institution: State administration
    City: Athens, Greece
Other information about the project.
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