Formation and sorption behavior of the palladium thiosulfate complexes under natural conditions (model experiments)

Abstract

The formation of significant amounts of thiosulfate ion (up to 42 mg/L) was established in experiments on the interaction of sulfide-bearing rocks with water. The possibility of the formation of palladium compounds with thiosulfate ion [Pd(S₂O₃)₂]^2– was demonstrated. The stability constant of the complex is 3.7 × 10⁹, which may provide intense migration of this palladium species in ecosystem. The study of the behavior of palladium thiosulfates during interaction with inorganic and organic components of geochemical barriers showed that around 50–55% of thiosulfate-bound palladium is extracted by humic acid in the pH range typical of natural waters. Under these conditions, ferrihydrite sorbes palladium quantitatively, and may serve as efficient barrier to the interaction of palladium compounds with particulate matters of waters and bottom sediments.