Kinetic analysis of strontium and potassium sorption onto sands and gravels in a natural channel

A kinetic, first‐order mass transfer model was used to describe the sorption of strontium onto sand‐ and gravel‐sized streambed sediments. Rate parameters, empirically determined for strontium, allowed for the prediction of potassium sorption with moderate success. The model parameters varied significantly with particle size. The sorption data were collected during an experimental injection of several elements into a small mountain pool‐and‐riffle stream. The sorption process onto sand‐ and gravel‐sized sediment was relatively slow compared to changes in the dissolved concentrations.