On the basis of selected thermodynamic data, the standard electrode potentials of pos­sible half reactions in the Ru-H2O and Ru-Cl--H2O systems have been calculated. Using the thermodynamic approach developed by the authors, the potential - pH and potential - pCl diagrams for the considered system have been built.

The forms of occurrence of vanadium metal are determined by the major chemical reactions in the aquatic environment such as hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, and precipitation. Depending on pH, potential and total concentration of inorganic ions and organic ligands, vanadium compounds may undergo various transformations to produce a whole range of chemical forms in aqueous systems. In this paper, a novel approach has been applied for calculating potential-pH (Pourbaix) diagrams, based on the developed thermodynamic analysis of chemical equilibria in the V–H2O system. On the basis of currently revised thermodynamic data for V(III), V(IV) and V(V) hydrolysis and original thermodynamic and graphical approach used, the repartition of their soluble and insoluble chemical species has been investigated. By means of ΔG–pH diagrams, the areas of thermodynamic stability of V(IV) and V(V) hydroxides have been established for a number of analytical concentrations of vanadium in heterogeneous mixtures. The obtained results, based on the thermodynamic analysis and graphic design of calculated data, are in good agreement with available experimental data.

On the basis of the selected thermodynamic data for Ru(III) and Ru(IV) compounds in addition to original thermodynamic and graphical approach used in this paper, the thermodynamic stability areas of sparingly soluble hydroxides as well as the repartition of their soluble and insoluble chemical species towards the solution pH and initial concentrations of ruthenium in heterogeneous mixture solid phase–saturated solution have been investigated. By means of the ΔG–pH diagrams, the areas of thermodynamic stability of Ru(III) and Ru(IV) hydroxides have been established for a number of analytical concentrations in heterogeneous mixtures. The diagrams of heterogeneous and homogeneous chemical equilibria have been used for graphical representation of complex equilibria in aqueous solutions containing Ru(III) and Ru(IV). The obtained results, based on the thermodynamic analysis and graphic design of the calculated data in the form of the diagrams of heterogeneous chemical equilibria, are in good agre­ement with the available experimental data.

A thermodynamic approach for the complex chemical equilibria investigation of two-phase systems containing hydroxy aluminium sulfate (HAS) minerals in soils has been developed. This approach utilizes thermodynamic relationships combined with original mass balance constraints, where the HAS mineral phases are explicitly expressed. The factors influencing the distribution and concentrations of various soluble aluminium species have been taken into account. The new type of diagrams, based on thermodynamic, graphical and computerized methods, which quantitatively describe the distribution of soluble and insoluble inorganic, and organic, monomeric and polymeric aluminium species in acidic soil solutions in a large range of pH values has been used. The thermodynamics of equilibria of different natural HAS in soils, the conditions under which solids involving common ions can coexist at equilibrium, the acid-base and mineral equilibria and complex formation have been examined. It has been proved that the presence of sulfate ion dramatically alters the HAS mineral solubility under acidic conditions. The obtained data regarding the factors influencing Al speciation, based on the constructed diagrams of heterogeneous chemical equilibria, are in good agreement with the current experimental and theoretical evidence. The proposed approach is intended to determine the dominant processes that are responsible for the Al³⁺ concentration levels and its speciation in acidic soils.

The copper content in natural waters usually range from 0.2 to 30 μg/L. The higher concentrations are habitually found in industrial effluents and other contaminated waters.