Laboratory Simulation Of Chemical Processes Induced By Estuarine Mixing - The Behavior Of Iron And Phosphate In Estuaries

A series of well stirred tank reactors has been shown to provide an adaptable laboratory analogue of a one-dimensional estuarine mixing profile which can be applied dynamically to the study of the chemistry of estuarine mixing. Simulations of the behaviour of iron and phosphate in the low salinity region of an estuary have been achieved with this system. The well documented general features of iron removal, involving rapid aggregation of river-borne colloids, were reproduced. Phosphate removal is attributable in part to the coagulation process, although specific adsorption of phosphate by colloids also appears to be significant.