CONTROLLING MECHANISMS FOR THE TRACE METALS,(Cu,Zn, Cd, Fe, Co AND Ni) IN ANOXIC SEA WATER IN SAANICH INLET, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

A study was conducted on Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, Co and Ni levels in Saanich Inlet anoxic seawaler. Data on the concentrations of these trace metals and H2S, and other oceanographic parameters were obtained in four cruisesEquilibrium models are presented together with in situ data. The" results strongly support the assumption that the solubilities of Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, Co and Ni are controlled by bisulfide and /or polysulfide complexes. The species of Cu, Zn, Cd and Ni are shown to be Cu(S4)23- and Cu(S4S5)3-, Zn(HS)20 and ZnHS2-, Cd(HS)20 and Ni(HS)20 respectively. The solid species controlling Fe2 + and Co2+ are respectively the pyrohotites FeS and CoS. The data illustrates that thermodynamic equilibrium has been established in the H2S-controlled seawater of Saanich Inlet, and that equilibrium has not been established in the H2S-O2-coexisted seawater of Saanich Inlet. The lack of equilibrium in the H2S-O2-coexisted seawater is a result of the flushing or mixing of oxygenated seawater with anoxic water. The new s