Metal flux and dynamic speciation at (bio)interfaces. Part V: The roles of simple, fulvic and aggregate complexes on Pb flux in freshwater ligand mixtures, computed at planar consuming interfaces

The computations of metal flux in aquatic systems, at consuming interfaces like oganism membranes are of major importance in ecotoxicology and dynamic risk assessment. In this paper, the flux of Pb(II), at a planar consuming interface in natural waters, is studied. The system includes (a) simple ligands (OH−, CO32-); (b) fulvics and (c) aggregates, as complexants, i.e. those which may play the major roles in controlling the metal flux in aquatic media. The effects of various physico-chemical factors, in particular, the diffusion layer thickness, the stability constants of fulvic and aggregate complexes, the complexing site distribution of fulvics and the size distribution of aggregates, are studied in details.