SREL Reprint #3747

Spatiotemporal changes in trace metal bioavailability in the sediment pore water of a constructed wetland using passive pore water samplers

Zeinah Elhaj Baddar1, Xiaoyu Xu1,2, and Breann Spencer1

1Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
2Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA

Abstract: Sediments in aquatic systems often act as a major sink for contaminants. Diffusive gradient in thin films (DGTs) and in situ equilibrium dialysis samplers (peepers) are two major in situ pore water sampling devices that overcome the problems associated with conventional pore water sampling methods. In the present study, DGTs and peepers were used to study the spatial and seasonal effects (cool months, October-February; warm months, May-September) on metal bioavailability in the H-02 constructed wetland and the sink versus source role of the sediments by calculating the metal resupply capacity. Data showed similar seasonal trends in metal concentrations using passive samplers, peepers, and DGTs. Pooled Cu and Zn concentrations measured using DGTs were lower in warm months (1.67 ± 1.50 and 2.62 ± 0.68 µg L-1, respectively, p < 0.001) versus in cool months (2.12 ± 0.65 and 5.58 ± 1.33 µg L-1, respectively, p < 0.001; mean ± 95% confidence interval). Sulfate (SO42-) concentrations were significantly (p = 0.0139) lower in warm months (averaged at 0.22 ± 0.05 mg L-1) compared to in cool months (0.16 ± 0.05mg L-1). The increase in SO42- concentration is an indicator of the lower activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria, which need SO42- during anaerobic respiration, in which SO42- is reduced to sulfide (S2-) that forms insoluble salts with Cu and Zn, which could partially explain the higher bioavailability of these metals in the cool season. Metal resupply capacity of the sediments was mostly <0.2 for Cu and Zn. Taken together, the H-02 wetland sediments mostly acted as a sink to both Cu and Zn over the course of the present study.

Keywords: Wetlands; Sediments; Pore water; Passive samplers; Spatiotemporal; Copper; Zinc

SREL Reprint #3747

Baddar, Z. E., X. Xu, and B. Spencer. 2023. Spatiotemporal changes in trace metal bioavailability in the sediment pore water of a constructed wetland using passive pore water samplers. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 42(12): 2726-2736.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).