The PIs propose to link modeling with lab and field results on the transport and speciation of metals during episodic disruptions of sediments and in turbidity maxima in estuaries and bays. Central to these studies would be the use of a rotating annular flume (RALF) that the PIs would use to control the physical regime over incubated sediment cores, which had been collected in the field. A major emphasis would be on the redox cycling of Fe, Mn and associated elements. The field site chosen is the Columbia River estuary, a site where the physical and geochemical conditions are suitable to test the proposed hypotheses, and where these PIs have preliminary data and ongoing studies. Overall, the results of this interdisciplinary study would significantly advance our ability to quantitatively predict the transport, fate and bioavailability of elements in estuarine type systems.
This proposal was part of the Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry program. It will be jointly funded by the Division of Ocean Sciences, Division of Chemical and Transport Systems, and the Division of Earth Sciences. .
