Vanadium cycle

The global vanadium cycle is controlled by physical and chemical processes that drive the exchange of vanadium between its two main reservoirs: the upper continental crust and the ocean.^[1] Anthropogenic processes such as coal and petroleum production release vanadium to the atmosphere.

Sources

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Related topics Biogeochemistry geochemical cycle chemical cycling environmental chemistry Biosequestration Deep biosphere Ocean acidification acid rain Biogeochemical planetary boundaries
Research groups DAAC GEOTRACES IMBER NOBM SOLAS
Category
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Natural sources

Vanadium is a trace metal that is relatively abundant in the Earth (~100 part per million in the upper crust).^[1] Vanadium is mobilized from minerals through weathering and transported to the ocean. Vanadium can enter the atmosphere through wind erosion and volcanic emissions^[1] and will remain there until it is removed by precipitation.^[1]

Anthropogenic sources

Human activity has increased the amount of vanadium emissions to the atmosphere.^[2] Vanadium is abundant in fossil fuels because it is incorporated in porphyrins during organic matter degradation.^[3] Coal and petroleum factory pollution release significant vanadium to the atmosphere.^[1] Vanadium is also mined and using for industrial purposes including for steel reinforcement, electronics, and batteries.^[1]

Sink

Vanadium is removed from the ocean by burial marine sediments and incorporation into iron oxides at hydrothermal vents.^[1][4]

Biological processes

Biological processes play a relatively minor role in the global vanadium cycle. Vanadium bromoperoxidase is present in some marine bacteria and algae.^[5] Vanadium can also takes the place of molybdenum in alternative nitrogenases.^[6]

References

1. ^
   PMID 29229856
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2. S2CID 93183351
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3. ISBN 978-3-319-32321-3
4. S2CID 4351410
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5. PMID 9667930
   .
6. PMID 11848850
   .