PARENT SESSION
4G Ecological risk assessment and quality criteria for contaminated soils
9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday, 07 May 2001

(M/MF173) The Influence of Typha latifolia on Cadmium Sulfide Stability.

Fernandes, Danilo¹, Klaine, Stephen¹, ¹

ABSTRACT- The absence of toxicity of divalent metals in anoxic sediments can be successfully predicted by the SEM/AVS ratio. One question about the AVS approach is the stability of the metal sulfide complex in the presence of aquatic plant roots. Plants may significantly oxygenate the rootzone leading to breaking of the metal sulfide complex and subsequent mobilization of divalent metals. Our research investigated the influence of Typha latifolia. on AVS rich sediments by measuring pore water cadmium concentration in sediment over time with the aid of peepers. Early results indicated that T. latifolia may disrupt the SEM/AVS complex increasing pore water cadmium concentration. However, after more than 100 days there was no significant difference between the planted and non-planted groups.

Key words: Typha, Cadmium, Sediments, Sulfide