Iron Particles in Freshwater

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Abstract
Most freshwaters receive a plentiful supply of iron, as it is one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust. Its perceived importance is attributable to its early use as a flocculant in water treatment, and to its biogeochemical interactions, which have so intrigued scientists that it must be a contender for the most studied inorganic element in freshwaters. Fe(III), which is stable in the presence of oxygen, is hydrolyzed to insoluble oxyhydroxides, whereas Fe(II), which is stable in the absence of oxygen, is soluble and relatively free from complexation. This ready interchange between these two oxidation states of iron leads to the production and removal of particles in various freshwater environments. These processes of interconversion, which are highly dependent on pH, are influenced or controlled by microorganisms. This link with the biota is compounded by the interaction of both Fe(III) and Fe(II) with phosphate, and hence the mediation of the iron cycle in the biological productivity of a water. Moreover, iron is an essential element for most living organisms and is involved in many important metabolic processes. Naturally occurring iron particles are by no means simple. They are often present in association with bacteria and other mineral particles, and their surface properties are affected by the adsorption of humic substances.

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