Factors affecting the formation and oxidation of sulphides in a polluted estuary

Factors affecting the formation and destruction of sulphide in the Thames Estuary have been discussed. Measurements of oxidation-reduction potentials show that the effect of oxygen in the water on conditions in deposits of mud is limited to the surface layer. The rate of formation of sulphide increa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hygiene 1954-06, Vol.52 (2), p.194-210
Main Author: Wheatland, A. B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bottles
Environmental Pollution
Estuaries
Hazardous Substances
Hydrogen
Mud
Old Medline
Oxidation
Oxidation-Reduction
Oxygen
River water
Sea water
Sewage
Sulfate reducing bacteria
Sulfides
Water Supply
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Factors affecting the formation and destruction of sulphide in the Thames Estuary have been discussed. Measurements of oxidation-reduction potentials show that the effect of oxygen in the water on conditions in deposits of mud is limited to the surface layer. The rate of formation of sulphide increases with temperature, doubling approximately for each 10° C. rise. Reduction of sulphate to sulphide will occur at temperatures as low as 5° C., but even at 25° C. is inhibited by traces of dissolved oxygen. Mud in suspension in the estuary can produce as much sulphide as compact layers of similar mud which might be more anaerobic. Oxidation of sulphide in the Thames Estuary is shown to be of a purely chemical nature; the rate of oxidation, when oxygen is present, is increased by the presence of suspended matter and iron. In the Thames Estuary, however, the rate is limited by the rate at which oxygen enters the water. Much of the experimental work described in this paper was carried out by Miss A. Laird, Mr A. E. Sutton and Mr R. B. Peel of this Laboratory. The paper is published by permission of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
ISSN:0022-1724
DOI:10.1017/S0022172400027406