A Procedure for the Fractionation of Aqueous Aluminum in Dilute Acidic Waters

Abstract

A procedure was developed for the fractionation of aqueous aluminum. This procedure results in the determination of acid-soluble aluminum, non-labile monomeric aluminum and labile monomeric aluminum. Acid-soluble aluminum is thought to include colloidal aluminum and extremely non-labile organic complexes. Non-labile monomeric aluminum is thought to include monomeric alumino-organic complexes. Labile monomeric is comprised of aquo aluminum as well as inorganic complexes of aluminum. The inorganic speciation of aluminum may be calculated by using labile monomeric aluminum, pH, fluoride and sulfate data with a chemical equilibrium model. This procedure was evaluated using synthetic and natural water solutions. In natural waters, levels of labile monomeric aluminum increased exponentially with decreases in solution pH, while non-labile monomeric aluminum was strongly correlated with organic carbon concentration. Non-labile monomeric aluminum was observed to be relatively insensitive to changes in solution pH. Results of the aluminum fractionation procedure were in relative agreement with an independent evaluation using the fluoride ion selective electrode.