Pyritization of heavy metals in Lake Shihwa sediments, Korea

Abstract

The pyritization of heavy metals in Lake Shihwa sediments was investigated to determine sedimentary Pyrite-heavy metal associations influenced by various metal fractions, organic carbon, and total reduced sulfur. Parameters indicating the degree of heavy metal pyritization (DTMP) and degree of pyritization (DOP) were used to study the incorporation of heavy metals into the pyrite phase. The DOP levels ranged from 3.28-39.45%, showing wide differences among sampling stations. The levels were greater near the water gate and the center of the lake than near the industrial complex. The spatial pattern of the DOP levels was similar to the S/C ratio and also to the salinity. Based on the measured relationships between DOP and DTMP, heavy metals can be divided into three groups. In the first group was As, which showed a high affinity for pyrite. In the second group were Ni, Co and Cu, which showed a gradual increase in DTMP with increasing DOP. In the final group were Pb, Zn, Mn and Cr, which all showed a low DTMP with constant values with respect to DOP.