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Radiotracers as a Tool to Elucidate Trace Element Behaviour in the Water–Sediment Interface

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Radionuclides in the Environment

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Abstract

Behavioural trends of trace elements in the water–sediment interface of diverse aquatic systems have been elucidated by using radiotracer experiments. These experimental data have improved: (1) the comprehension on the biogeochemical mechanisms, (2) estimations of amounts and kinetics of the transfers across the interface and (3) the characterisation of the role of sediments as sinks for the studied elements. Many efforts have been found in the scientific literature through the use of radiotracers to evaluate the role of biological activity (mainly by bioturbation) in determining trace element behaviour, evidencing that this activity can be a major factor of influence on trace element exchanges across water–sediment interfaces. Moreover, biogeochemical studies with radiotracers definitely help in elucidating mechanisms, pathways, bioavailability and uptake by aquatic organisms. Furthermore, radiotracer percolation experiments within upper layers of sediments are strongly recommended for intertidal ecosystems, since vertical tidal variability must be taken into account, besides conventional diffusion-based approach. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of data on the role of chemical speciation in such studies. Such behavioural aspects of chemical speciation deserve further attention in order to improve: predictions on environmental risk assessment for toxic elements, evaluations of the applicability and suitability of potential biological monitors for trace element contamination and predictions on trace element speciation and bioavailability sensitivity due to global environmental changes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. João A. Osso Jr. and IPEN-CNEN/SP for kindly providing radiotracers to this research and the Rio de Janeiro State Research Foundation for financial support (FAPERJ Proc. No. E-26/112.072/2012). K.N. Suzuki thanks the Brazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES) for her postdoctoral grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, 24020-007, Brazil

    Katia N. Suzuki, Wilson Machado & Alfredo V. B. Bellido

  2. Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Nilópolis, RJ, 26530-060, Brazil

    Edimar C. Machado

  3. Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria, CNEN, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22783-127, Brazil

    Luis F. Bellido

  4. Laboratório de Instrumentação Nuclear, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21945-970, Brazil

    Ricardo T. Lopes

Authors
  1. Katia N. Suzuki
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  2. Edimar C. Machado
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  3. Wilson Machado
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  4. Luis F. Bellido
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  5. Alfredo V. B. Bellido
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  6. Ricardo T. Lopes
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Correspondence to Katia N. Suzuki .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Radioökologie und Strahlens, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Ha, Hannover, Germany

    Clemens Walther

  2. Institut für Radioökologie und Strahlens, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Ha, Hannover, Germany

    Dharmendra K. Gupta

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Suzuki, K.N., Machado, E.C., Machado, W., Bellido, L.F., Bellido, A.V.B., Lopes, R.T. (2015). Radiotracers as a Tool to Elucidate Trace Element Behaviour in the Water–Sediment Interface. In: Walther, C., Gupta, D. (eds) Radionuclides in the Environment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22171-7_5

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