Determination of cation exchange capacities and adsorption isotherms of selected near surface alluvial materials, Fredericton, N. B.

Abstract

During the past decade, groundwater contamination has become a major problem in many communities in Canada. The adsorption of certain compounds is related to the cation exchange capacity of the porous media and the partitioning coefficient of the compound in that media. Laboratory tests related to cation exchange capacity and adsorption isotherms were performed for soil obtained from a shallow alluvial deposit above the main Fredericton Aquifer. The objectives of the work are to determine how the cation exchange capacity varies with grain size and to determine adsorption isotherms for manganese ions for the selected alluvial material. The results of the work provide some of the first known information of this type to be directed toward groundwater contamination problems in the Fredericton area.