Strong Chelators in Natural Waters

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This is an award to support research on the occurrence of chelating agents in surface waters and the role they play in determining the quality of natural surface waters. The investigator plans to obtain direct experimental data on the role played by phytochelatins, newly discovered, water soluble, metal sequestering compounds, naturally occurring in phytoplankton that may provide the dominant source of strong chelating agents in natural waters that in turn influence water quality. Following development and application of the analytical techniques, the project will involve field studies of sources and sinks of chelating agents, and systematic determination of their thermodynamic and kinetic properties. Results of this project are expected to provide a basis for determining the role of natural chelating agents in affecting the fate and biological effects of trace metals such as copper, zinc and cadmium in natural waters. Knowledge of this may have a significant effect on engineering design and location of wastewater treatment facilities to minimize their undesirable impact on water quality such as initiation of algal blooms.