The effect of particle size, chemistry and mineralogy of river sediments on phosphate adsorption

Abstract

Abstract Sediment samples were collected from two Lake Erie tributaries and separated into ten particle size fractions. The concentrations of major elements, organic and inorganic carbon, mineralogical composition and the capacity for adsorption/ desorption of inorganic P were determined for each particle size fraction. The results indicated that the chemical composition and mineralogy were parameters controlling adsorption of phosphates on sediment particles.