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Occurrence and sorption properties of arsenicals in marine sediments

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Abstract

The content of total arsenic, the inorganic forms: arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)), the methylated forms: monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), trimethylarsenic oxide, tetramethylarsenonium ion and arsenobetaine was measured in 95 sediment samples and 11 pore water samples from the Baltic Sea near the island of Bornholm at depths of up to 100 m. As(III+V) and DMA were detected in the sediment and As(III+V) was detected in the sediment pore water. Average total As concentration of 10.6 ± 7.4 mg/kg dry matter (DM) in the sediment corresponds to previously reported values in the Baltic Sea and other parts of the world. Existing data for on-site measurements of sorption coefficients (Kd) of arsenicals in marine and freshwater sediments show large variability from <1 to >1,000 L/kg. In this work, calculated sorption coefficients (Kd and Koc) for As(III+V) showed significant correlation with depth, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity and sediment classification; for depths <70 m, salinity <11 %, DO >9 mg/L and sand/silt/clay sediments the Kd was 118 ± 76 L/kg DM and for depths >70 m, salinity >11 %, DO < 9 mg/L and muddy sediments the Kd was 513 ± 233 L/kg DM. The authors recommend using the found Kd value for arsenic in marine sediments when conditions are similar to the Baltic Sea. At locations with significant anthropogenic point sources or where the local geology contains volcanic rock and sulphide mineral deposits, there may be significantly elevated arsenic concentrations, and it is recommended to determine on-site Kd values.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Nord Stream AG for the use of data. Further information can be found at http://www.nord-stream.com/. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 266445 for the project Vectors of Change in Oceans and Seas Marine Life, Impact on Economic Sectors (VECTORS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark

    Patrik Fauser, Hans Sanderson, Teddy Krongaard & Rossana Bossi

  2. National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2860, Søborg, Denmark

    Rikke V. Hedegaard & Jens J. Sloth

  3. Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark

    Martin M. Larsen

  4. Ramboll Oil and Gas, 2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark

    Jørn B. Larsen

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  1. Patrik Fauser
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  3. Rikke V. Hedegaard
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Fauser, P., Sanderson, H., Hedegaard, R.V. et al. Occurrence and sorption properties of arsenicals in marine sediments. Environ Monit Assess 185, 4679–4691 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2896-2

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