Some Chemical Characteristics of Submerged and Reclaimed Sediments of the San Francisco Bay System

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Abstract
Samples of water, and of sediments deposited under the influence of sea water, were taken from the San Francisco Bay system. Samples of both reclaimed and unreclaimed sediments were taken from areas immediately adjacent to the bay for comparative purposes. Total sulfur and organic matter were determined and the saturation extracts analyzed for Ca, Mg, Na, and K.These analyses show that the submerged sediments were in equilibrium with the water from which they were collected. The relative concentrations of cations in the water were: Ca, 3.8%; Mg, 20%; Na, 75%; and K, 1.2%. The total cation concentration was 470 me. per liter. Increased accumulation of sulfur during the emergence of the sediments from the water and the oxidation of reduced sulfur to H2SO4 accounts for the reduction in pH in reclaimed sediments. A curve was developed for use in predicting ultimate pH from sulfur analyses of the sediments.

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