The Geochemical Behavior of Aluminum in Acidified Surface Waters

• DOI: 10.1126/science.232.4746.54
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T20:28:52Z
• Authors: Darrell Kirk Nord...; James W. Ball
• Keywords: Gibbsite; Solubility equilibrium

Speciation calculations for aluminum, in water samples taken from a drainage basin containing acid mine waters, demonstrate distinct transition conservative behavior pH below 4.6 to nonconservative above 4.9. This corresponds the pK first hydrolysis constant of aqueous aluminum ion and appears be consistent phenomenon independent field location, ionic strength, sulfate concentration. Nonconservative is closely correlated with equilibrium solubility microcrystalline gibbsite or amorphous hydroxide.