Effects of bioturbation on cadmium transfer and distribution into freshwater sediments

To investigate bioturbation effects on cadmium (Cd) fluxes from overlying water to sediments, indoor microcosms were developed. The bioturbating organisms were freshwater tubificid worms. Three experimental conditions were studied during 56 d. The three conditions were contaminated water column ([Cd]: 20 μg/L) with or without worms and uncontaminated water column with worms. Cadmium vertical profiles were determined in the pore water and in the sediments, based on six layers (0–0.5, 0.5–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–5, 5–12 cm). Dissolved oxygen, manganese, sulfate, and particulate manganese were measured. Bioturbation was analyzed using conservative fluorescent particulate tracers. Bioturbation increased Cd flux into the sediments by close to a factor of two. Scavenging of Cd was more efficient in the bioturbated sediments because particles and adsorption sites for Cd were renewed at the sediment‐water interface. Tubificids also increased the thickness of the Cd‐enriched layer. Metals adsorbed on particles at the sediment surface were distributed by bioadvection, which predominated the mixing processes. Bioturbation also modified the vertical profiles of dissolved and particulate manganese and dissolved sulfate but not the profiles of dissolved oxygen. These results indicate that the advective transport of particles by bioturbation and their subsequent modification by redox reactions accelerates the trapping of metals in sediments.