Factors controlling nitrogen release from two forested catchments with contrasting hydrochemical responses

Quantifying biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen (N) and the associated fluxes to surface waters remains challenging, given the need to deal with spatial and temporal variability and to characterize complex and heterogeneous landscapes. We focused our study on catchments S14 and S15 located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA, which have similar topographic and hydrologic characteristics but contrasting stream nitrate ( ) concentrations. We characterized the mechanisms by which reaches the streams during hydrological events in these catchments, aiming to reconcile our field data with our conceptual model of factors that regulate nutrient exports from forested catchments. Combined hydrometric, chemical and isotopic (δ ) data showed that the relative contributions of both soil and ground water sources were similar between the two catchments. Temporal patterns of stream chemistry were markedly different between S14 and S15, however, because the water sources in the two catchments have different solute concentrations. During late summer/fall, the largest source of in S14 was till groundwater, whereas shallow soil was the largest source in S15. concentrations in surface water decreased in S14, whereas they increased in S15 because an increasing proportion of stream flow was derived from shallow soil sources. During snowmelt, the largest sources of were in the near‐surface soil in both catchments. Concentrations of increased as stream discharge increased and usually peaked before peak discharge, when shallow soil water sources made the largest contribution to stream discharge. The timing of peaks in stream concentrations was affected by antecedent moisture conditions. By elucidating the factors that affect sources and transport of N, including differences in the soil nutrient cycling and hydrological characteristics of S14 and S15, this study contributes to the overall conceptualization of release from temperate forested catchments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Average sand particle trajectory examined by the Raindrop Detachment and Wind‐driven Transport (RD‐WDT) process

Recent studies of soil loss by the integrated action of raindrop impact and wind transport have demonstrated the significance of this mechanism. This paper presents data obtained during wind‐tunnel experiments examining the ‘Raindrop Detachment and Wind‐driven Transport’ (RD‐WDT) process to investigate average sand particle trajectory and the spatial extent at which the process operates. In the experimental design, at the same time as the horizontal wind velocities of 6·4, 10, and 12 m s^–1 passed through the tunnel, rainfall was simulated falling on very well sorted dune sand. The aspect and slope of the sand bed was varied to reproduce both windward (Ww) and leeward (Lw) slopes of 4º and 9º with respect to the prevailing wind direction. The average sand particle trajectories by the RD‐WDT process ( ) were estimated by a mass‐distribution function, which was integrated over a 7‐m uniform slope segment. The results showed that depended statistically upon the wind shear velocity (u*), and the effect of the slope gradient (θ) was insignificant on . This was different from that of the windless rain process ( ), ‘Raindrop Detachment and Splash‐driven Transport’ (RD‐ST), the spatial range of which relies strongly on θ. Additionally, was approximately 2·27 ± 2·2 times greater than the average path of a typical saltating sand particle of the rainless wind ( ), ‘Wind Erosion Saltation Transport’ (WE‐ST). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial and temporal variations in summer precipitation in Japanese mountain areas

We examined spatial and temporal variations in precipitation measured during summer season between 1976 and 2007 for 28 stations located in mountain areas across Japan using the amount of precipitation (Pr), the mean depth of precipitation events (η), and the inverse of the mean interval times (λ). We obtained positive correlations between the period mean Pr (Pr ) and the period mean η ( ) and between Pr and the period mean λ ( ) for the 28 stations. Pr was more strongly related to than to , indicating the spatial variations in Pr that are primarily related to the variations in . In addition, Pr was more strongly related to η than to λ for most stations on the basis of data for 1976–2007, indicating that the year‐to‐year variations in Pr are primarily related to η. We also examined temporal trends in Pr, η and λ for 1976–2007 and found no systematic trends for 23 of the 28 stations, suggesting long‐term trends that are not common in mountain areas of Japan. The relationships between Pr and and between Pr and η presented in this study enable us to generate a temporal precipitation distribution pattern based on only Pr and Pr data, respectively. Furthermore, probabilistic stochastic hydrological models require precipitation characteristics as input; thus, this study contributes to the determination of hydrological cycles and their possible future changes in Japanese mountain areas and therefore to water resource management. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Capturing temporal variability for estimates of annual hydrochemical export from a first‐order agricultural catchment in southern Ontario,Canada

This 2‐year study (2000, 2001) reports annual nutrient (phosphorus, nitrate) export from a first‐order agricultural watershed in southern Ontario based on an intensive monitoring programme. The importance of storm and melt events in annual export estimates is demonstrated and the temporal variability in nutrient loading during events is related to processes occurring within the catchment. The feasibility of predicting event‐related nutrient export from hydrometric data is explored. The importance of sampling frequency throughout events is also shown. Export of total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and nitrate ( ) for 2000 and 2001 averaged 0·35 kg ha^?1 year^?1, 0·09 kg ha^?1 year^?1, and 35 kg ha^?1 year^?1 (as N) respectively. Approximately 75% of annual TP export, 80% of annual SRP export and 70% of annual export occurred during 28 events per year. A small number of large‐magnitude events (>34 mm) accounted for 18–42% of annual TP export, 0–61% of annual SRP export and 13–33% of annual NO export. Our results show that temporal variability in nutrient export is largely governed by discharge in this basin, and export can be predicted from discharge. SRP and TP export can also be predicted from discharge, but only for events that are not large in magnitude. The sampling interval throughout events is important in obtaining precise estimates of nutrient export, as infrequent sampling intervals may over‐ or under‐estimate nutrient export by ± 45% per event for P. This study improves our understanding of and P export patterns and our ability to predict or model them by relating temporal variability in event nutrient export to discharge and processes occurring within the basin, and also by exploring the significance of sampling interval in the context of the importance of individual events, season and temporal variability during events. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of burning and sheep grazing on soil water composition in a blanket bog: evidence for soil structural changes?

This study considers the impact of managed rotational burning of vegetation and sheep grazing upon the composition of soil waters within an upland peat soil. The study has considered soil water compositions from a complete factorial design of treatment plots where three different burning treatments were considered in replication with grazing and no grazing. All plots were sampled across a complete year with three dipwells in each plot. The study included aluminium (Al), iron, calcium, sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium, sulphate, chloride (Cl^?), bromide, fluoride, phosphate (PO )and nitrate; and in order to clarify the nature of the results, the pH, conductivity and dissolved organic carbon were also considered, but the major results for these are reported elsewhere. The study finds: (1) Ca, Na, Mg and PO concentrations are significantly lower on all burnt plots, with only Al concentration being significantly higher on burnt plots. (2) Only Cl^? showed any significant changes (a decrease) with the presence of sheep grazing, and then only when plots were also burnt. (3) A principal component analysis shows that the composition of most soil waters can be described by rainwater and soil water components, but in unburnt plots a base‐rich, high ionic strength water is sometimes present. The study suggests that burning, but not grazing, caused significant changes in soil water composition leading to increased interaction between incoming rainwaters and the peat soil but led to loss of interaction with deeper waters. However, no evidence was found for structural change in the soils even after long term (50 years) grazing and burning management. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors controlling groundwater chemistry in an agricultural area with complex topographic and land use patterns in mid‐western South Korea

Shallow and bedrock groundwater from granitic aquifers were investigated for the hydrogeochemistry of major and minor constituents in an agricultural area. Nitrate concentrations were observed up to 49 mg/l as NO₃‐N, with 22% of samples exceeding the drinking water standard, which could pose a significant threat because most residents rely on groundwater as their drinking water source. Principal component analysis revealed three principal components (PCs): (1) nitrate contamination, contributed by major cations, Cl^?, SO and NO , (2) reduction processes positively involving Fe, Mn and B, and negatively involving dissolved oxygen and NO and (3) natural mineralization, involving HCO and F^?. Cluster analysis, performed on the PC scores, resulted in seven sample groups, which were successfully identified by total depth, elevation and land use. The nitrate‐contaminated groups had mixed land uses, with locally concentrated residential areas. Uncontaminated groundwater groups were found in the natural environment, including high‐altitude spring water and bedrock groundwater with a higher degree of natural mineralization. Shallow groundwater groups in paddy fields in lowlands were affected by reducing environments, of which one group was characterized by high Fe, Mn and B, and negligible nitrate. Groundwater with intermediate nitrate and lower Cl^? and SO was found primarily in hilly terrains with orchards and vegetable gardens, indicating lower contaminant loadings than lowland areas. Higher concentrations of F^? and nitrate were observed in the nitrate‐contaminated water, which seemed unlikely to be explained by groundwater mixing. The strong acidity generated from nitrification may infiltrate deeper into the aquifer, induce accelerated weathering of bedrock and result in the coexistence of F^? and nitrate, which may be an evidence of intense nitrate loading, leading to soil acidification. Multivariate statistical analysis successfully delineated hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater attained by natural and anthropogenic processes in an agriculturally stressed area with complex topographic land use patterns. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mineral Content of Bottled and Desalinated Household Drinking Water in Kuwait

Three hundred and twenty‐two samples of desalinated household water were collected from 99 sampling locations that covered 95% of Kuwaiti's residential areas. Seventy‐one brands of bottled water were collected from Kuwaiti markets. The water quality parameters that were studied included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, , , , , , , , and the major macronutrients Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. The analysis yielded a large range of results for most of these parameters, with differences in some cases exceeding 10‐fold. With a few exceptions, the results were found to comply with US‐EPA and WHO standards. Only the water in two brands of bottled water was acidic (pH < 6.5). The TDS was found to be higher than the US‐EPA regulated value in 4 and 3% of the household samples and bottled water brands, respectively. The fluoride levels were generally higher in bottled water than in household water. However, the household water that was produced by the Doha desalination plant and some of the European brands of bottled water were the best samples studied in terms of their quantity of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Na⁺ compared with the DRI values for those substances. EC and TDS were positively correlated with , , Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ for household water but only with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ for bottled water.     

When does bedload transport begin in steep boulder‐bed streams?

The paper presents the results of field measurements of critical conditions for bedload motion conducted in the Rio Cordon, a steep boulder‐bed stream in the Italian Alps, under conditions of high Reynolds numbers and low relative submergence poorly explored before. Two methods have been used to determine threshold of motion: the displacement of marked clasts and the flow competence approach, which uses the largest grain size diameter transported by each flood event. The high values of confirm the great relevance of non‐bedload effective shear stresses in step–pool streams given by the additional form drag associated with this morphology. Relative submergence effects on the dimensionless critical shear stress have been quantified by considering the relative submergence ratio R_h/D₈₄, and the major effect of relative size on the mobility of each particle in steep, widely graded bed mixtures has been evaluated. Finally, the dimensionless critical unit discharge has also been adopted in the regression equations as the critical hydraulic parameter, because it may represent an easier parameter to use than the critical shear stress for steep, rough mountain rivers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemistry of meteoric diagenesis in carbonate islands of the northern Bahamas: 1. Evidence from field studies

Processes driving carbonate diagenesis in islands of the northern Bahamas are investigated using major ion, dissolved oxygen and dissolved organic carbon analyses of water samples from surface and ground waters, and measurements of soil gas P. Meteoric waters equilibrate with aragonite, but reactions are water controlled rather than mineral‐controlled and drive dissolution rather than concurrent precipitation of calcite. Surface runoff waters equilibrate with atmospheric P and rapidly recharge the vadose zone, limiting subaerial bedrock dissolution to only 6·6–15 mg l^?1 Ca. P of soil gas measured in the summer wet season ((7·4 ± 3·7) × 10^?3 atm) is elevated compared with that of the atmosphere, despite the thin skeletal organic nature of the soil and the discontinuous soil cover. Soil waters retained in surface pockets are equilibrated with respect to aragonite and have dissolved 51 ± 19 mg l^?1 Ca. This is substantially less than the 93 ± 18 mg l^?1 Ca in samples from pumping boreholes that sample meteoric waters from the freshwater lens. The high P of the freshwater lens ((16 ± 8·3) × 10^?3 atm for pumping boreholes) suggests that significant additional CO₂ may be derived by oxidation of soil‐ and surface‐derived organic carbon within the lens. The suboxic nature of the majority of the freshwater lens and the observed depletion in sulphate support this suggestion, and indicate that both aerobic and anaerobic oxidation may take place. Shallow lens samples from observation boreholes are calcite supersaturated and have a lower P than deeper lens waters, indicating that CO₂ degasses from the water table, driving precipitation of calcite cements. We suggest that the geochemical evolution of waters in the vadose zone and upper part of the freshwater lens may be determined by the presence of a body of ground air with P controlled by production in the freshwater lens and soil and by degassing to the atmosphere. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Annual Characteristics of Rainwater HCHO in Guiyang City,Southwest of China

HCHO is ubiquitous and important chemical constitutes in the troposphere. The concentrations of the HCHO (aq) in the rainwater were measured in the Guiyang city, southeastern of China from May 2006 to April 2007 and 153 discrete samples were collected. Rainwater (N = 151) HCHO (aq) concentrations ranged from lower than method detection limit (MDL) to 40.2 µmol/L with a volume weighted mean value of 7.4 ± 8.8 µmol/L. The strong correlations between HCHO (aq) and HCOO^? (r = 0.69, n = 137), HCHO (aq) and nss‐ (r = 0.74, n = 137), HCHO (aq) and (r = 0.67, n = 137), HCHO (aq) and (r = 0.74, n = 133) suggest the significant influence of the anthropogenic input for the HCHO (aq) levels. The concentration levels of rainwater HCHO (aq) was inversely proportional to the amount of rainfall, indicating the below‐cloud process is the most important mechanism for rainwater HCHO (aq) scavenging processes. More than 70% of the HCHO (aq) wet deposition took place during the early stage of the rainfall. According to the air mass back‐trajectory analysis, the rainwater with industrial back‐trajectories coming from the north had the highest levels of HCHO (aq) while the rainwater with the green‐covered or marine back‐trajectories from the southeast had the lowest concentrations, and this indicate the HCHO (aq) originated from urban or industrial regions served as an important source of the rainwater. The annual HCHO (aq) wet deposition flux was calculated as 6.96 mmol/m² per year and the total deposition flux was estimated as 24.35 mmol/m² per year, 71.4% of which was dominated by dry deposition.     

Temporal and spatial behaviour of rip channels in a multiple‐barred coastal system

A 15‐month data set of daily time‐averaged video images (Argus) has been analyzed to describe the spatial and temporal variability of the rip channels on a multiple‐barred coast at Noordwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands. The landward boundary of the intertidal bars and a proxy of the subtidal bar crest, defined as the intertidal and subtidal bar lines respectively, were derived from the Argus images. Local seaward‐directed deviations of the bar lines represent the cross‐shore and alongshore locations of the rip channels. The average intertidal rip spacing ( ) was 243 m, but the rips were not spaced regularly (σ_λ/ = 0.47). Some intertidal rips were observed to fill up during falling tide, but the majority remained open. The filled intertidal rip channels had more landward positions and migrated more slowly (2.4 versus 4.6 m/day) in the alongshore direction than the open intertidal rip channels. The number and the alongshore migration rate of open intertidal rip channels increased with the preceding wave heights (r = 0.26, p < 0.01) and alongshore component of the offshore wave power (r = 0.25, p < 0.01), respectively. The shape of the intertidal bar lines was similar to the subtidal bar line shape, suggesting that the intertidal morphology is coupled to the subtidal alongshore variability. The phase of two bar lines could vary from in phase (0°) to out of phase (180°). The phase changes gradually, due to different alongshore migration rates of the intertidal and subtidal bar lines. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Groundwater quality in Mesogea basin in eastern Attica (Greece)

Studies on the hydrogeological conditions of the Mesogea basin in east Attica reveal that the aquifers developed on the post‐alpine formations at the inner part of the coastal brackish zone exhibit positive hydraulic head. These Neogene and Quaternary deposits present high salt concentrations. Selected points were sampled (total 85: 51 wells and 34 boreholes) in order to obtain hydrogeological and hydrochemical data for a better understanding of the structure, operation and dynamics of the aquifer of the area. Statistical methods, R‐mode factor analysis and scatter‐plot diagrams were used for the hydrochemical analysis and presentation of the data. The groundwater resources are relatively weak and there is significant quality degradation due to the geological structure of the greater area, as well as the bad management of the aquifer and anthropogenic activities. Groundwater is characterized by high salt concentrations. Electrical conductivity values range between 260 and 6970 µS cm^?1. High salt concentrations at the coastal aquifers are due to sea intrusion, whereas they are attributed to the dissolution of minerals of the geological environment in the inland area. The groundwaters of the study area can be classified into five water types: Ca–HCO₃, Mg–HCO₃, Na–HCO₃, Na–Cl and Mg–Cl. They are saturated in dolomite and calcite, whereas they are unsaturated in anhydrite. High ion concentrations, e.g. ] (0‐221 mg l^?1), ] (0·01‐1·88 mg l^?1), ] (0·01‐6·75 mg l^?1), as well as high heavy metals concentrations are attributed to anthropogenic impacts. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicting Diel,Diurnal and Nocturnal Dynamics of Dissolved Oxygen and Chlorophyll‐a Using Regression Models and Neural Networks

Human‐induced and natural interruptions with continuous streams of observational data necessitate the development of gap‐filling and prediction strategies towards better understanding, monitoring and management of aquatic systems. This study quantified the efficacy of multiple non‐linear regression (MNLR) versus artificial neural network (ANN) models as well as the temporal partitioning of diurnal versus nocturnal data for the predictions of chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) and dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics. The temporal partitioning increased the predictive performances of the best MNLR models of diurnal DO by 45% and nocturnal DO by 4%, relative to the best diel MNLR model of diel DO ($r_{{\rm adj}}^{2} = 68.8\%$ ). The ANN‐based predictions had a higher predictive power than the MNLR‐based predictions for both chl‐a and DO except for diurnal DO dynamics. The best ANNs based on independent validations were multilayer perceptron (MLP) for diel chl‐a, generalized feedforward (GFF) for diurnal and nocturnal chl‐a, MLP for diel DO, GFF for diurnal DO, and MLP for nocturnal DO.     

Floodplain catastrophes in the UK Holocene: messages for managing climate change

Floodplains may be transformed when environmental changes or human activity causes alluvial systems to cross channel pattern thresholds. Thresholds between pattern states based on occurrence fields are only available for some pattern distinctions, and these may not encompass the alluvial contexts and range of dynamic factors involved. Pattern changes now known from the UK Holocene are reviewed as a basis for appreciating the potential for future transformations in a changing environment. These involved episodic boulder and gravel spreads in upland environments, and braiding meandering, anastomosing → meandering and active inactive transformations in more lowland contexts. Concern for possible impacts of climatic change need to be grounded in an appreciation of the nature and scale of these past changes. Some potential future changes may be relatively predictable in location (braiding meandering); others are more difficult given both present knowledge and the varying, modified and inheritance‐rich ‘contexts of vulnerability’ that floodplains now represent. Implications for management are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental Designs Applied to Desorption of Dichromate Ions after Separation and Preconcentration from Natural and Industrial Water by Modified Nano‐Alumina

Nano‐alumina modified by 9‐aminoacridine was used as a sorbent for separation and determination of dichromate ions from water. Statistical method, based on surface response design, has been used for the optimization of dichromate ions elution from 9‐aminoacridine nano‐alumina. The adsorbed dichromate ions were found to be eluted quantitatively with 0.8 mol L^?1 KCl in 1.6 mol L^?1 NaOH which optimized by response surface design. Under optimum conditions, the accuracy, precision (relative standard deviation, RSD%) and R‐square of the method were calculated as >98, <3, and >94%, respectively. Remarkable agreement between experimental and theoretical data was confirmed the predicted assumption. The method was applied to the simultaneous determination of dichromate in natural and industrial water samples. We also examined the retention of dichromate anions in the presence of Cl^?, , and anions at pH 3.     

Factors Affecting UV/H2O2 Oxidation of 17α‐Ethynyestradiol in Water

In this study, bench‐scale experiments were conducted to examine the UV/H₂O₂ oxidation of 17α‐ethynyestradiol (EE2) in water in a batch operation mode. The EE2 degradation exhibited pseudo‐first‐order kinetics, and the removal was ascribed to the production of hydroxyl radicals (^?OH) by the UV/H₂O₂ system. Typically, the EE2 oxidation rate increased with increasing UV intensity and H₂O₂ dose, and with deceasing initial EE2 levels and solution pH. At EE2₀ = 650 µg/L, UV intensity = 154 µW/cm², H₂O₂ = 5 mg/L, and neutral pH, the UV/H₂O₂ treatment was able to remove 90% of the EE2 content within 30 min. Four anions commonly present in water were found to inhibit EE2 degradation to varying degrees: > > Cl^? > . Our results demonstrate that the described UV/H₂O₂ process is an effective method to control EE2 pollution in water.     

Dynamics of Stream Water Quality during Snowmelt and Rainfall – Runoff Events in a Small Agricultural Catchment

Surface water quality can vary a lot with fluctuating discharge during a Rainfall – runoff event. This paper uses a set of hydrological and hydrochemical variables to explain concentration–discharge loops and hysteresis of ${\rm NO}_{3}^{- } $ , ${\rm NH}_{4}^{ + } $ and total suspended solids in a brook dewatering a small upland agricultural catchment in the Czech Republic. Our study is based on data collected by a continuous monitoring approach provided by an automatic ISCO sampler both from snow thawing and rainfall – runoff events. Methods of correlation, regression and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to reveal possible relationships among the variables. For ${\rm NO}_{3}^{- } $ and ${\rm NH}_{4}^{ + } $ , we found several types of concentration–discharge loops due to the loop rotation direction and also the loop curvature shape, in mutual combinations, no matter which type of a hydrological event it was related to. PCA indicated that ${\rm NO}_{3}^{- } $ loops correlated mostly with the length of a rising hydrograph limb and with the slope of the initial phase of a falling hydrograph limb, 5‐day amount of precipitation and runoff coefficient. In case of ${\rm NH}_{4}^{ + } $ , the concentrations usually increased with elevated discharge, whereas PCA did not detect any closer linkages. For suspended solids, an unambiguous positive monotonic relationship was discovered. Although no definite pattern was found, this study showed the necessity of a continuous water quality monitoring system as an approach for capturing and understanding relationships between solute concentrations and runoff formation for tracing and modelling catchment pollution sources and describing transport processes.     

Spatial Variation of the Precipitation Chemistry in the Thrace Region of Turkey

Pollutants affect not only the environment in which they originate since they are also transported by air currents to other locations. For this reason, air pollution is a global problem for all countries and the air and water quality need to be monitored carefully. More information on precipitation chemistry is required to determine the source of pollution as well as its effects on the ecosystems. In this study, precipitation chemistry has been analyzed for the first time by using simple bulk collectors located at four different sites in Northwest Turkey for a period of two years. About 650 sequential rainwater samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, anions such as , , Cl^?, and cations such as Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and . The selected sites were under the effect of different environmental factors. Our results showed that the highest and concentrations were measured in the Northwest of the research area. Additionally, it has been found that Ca²⁺ ions are abundant within all rainwater samples.     

Adsorption–Reduction Behavior of Co(NH3) on Activated Carbon

A novel method has been put forward to retrofit the wet ammonia desulfurization process to realize the combined removal of sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide by introducing soluble cobalt(II) salt into aqueous ammonia solution. The active constituent of scrubbing NO from the flue gases is the produced by ammonia coordinating with Co²⁺. The regeneration of can be realized under the catalysis of activated carbon so as to sustain a high NO removal efficiency for a long time. In this paper, the adsorption–reduction behavior of on activated carbon has been researched using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A conclusion can be drawn from the results that cobalt ions in the aqueous solution are adsorbed by activated carbon and most of them are reduced to Co²⁺ ions, and some of the Co²⁺ ions are further reduced into metallic cobalt. The results also demonstrate that the functional groups on the surface of carbon take part in this redox reaction. The C? H groups on the carbon surface are oxidized into C? OH, and then some of the hydroxyl groups are further oxidized into carbonyl or carboxyl groups.