Stability constants for the complexes of transition-metal ions with fulvic and humic acids in sediments measured by gel filtration

The molecular-weight distributions of fulvic and humic acids in sediments and their complexes with metal ions (Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+)) were investigated by gel filtration. In all cases, metal complexes were found in the fulvic and humic acids. In the complexes the metals were bound to the high molecular-weight fulvic and humic polymers. By use of gel filtration, stability constants for the complexes of copper, zinc and manganese with fulvic acids have been measured. Scatchard plots indicate the presence of two classes of binding site with stability constants of 2.3 x 10(7) and 1.4 x 10(6) for copper, 2.1 x 10(6) and 6.6 x 10(4) for zinc and 1.8 x 10(5) and 7.3 x 10(3) for manganese, respectively.