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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
11:10
Atomic Layer Deposition of Vanadium Dioxide and a Temperature-dependent Optical Model
Published on: May 23, 2018
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Global biogeochemical cycle of vanadium.
William H Schlesinger1, Emily M Klein2, Avner Vengosh2
1Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708 schlesingerw@caryinstitute.org.
Summary
Human activities, primarily mining and fossil fuel combustion, dominate the global vanadium (V) biogeochemical cycle. These activities significantly increase atmospheric and riverine V fluxes, with potential health impacts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- The global biogeochemical cycle of vanadium (V) is influenced by both natural processes and human activities.
- Understanding these fluxes is crucial for assessing environmental impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively summarize the global biogeochemical cycle of vanadium.
- To differentiate between natural and human-derived fluxes of vanadium.
- To assess the impact of human activities on vanadium's geochemical cycle.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of published data on vanadium fluxes.
- Quantitative analysis of global biogeochemical cycles.
- Estimation of human-derived versus natural contributions to vanadium cycling.
Main Results:
- Human activities, including mining and fossil fuel combustion, are the predominant forces in the surface Earth's vanadium cycle.
- Atmospheric vanadium emissions due to human activities likely exceed background levels by 1.7 times.
- Riverine flux of vanadium has increased by approximately 15% due to human activities.
- Oceanic dissolved vanadium budget is balanced, with a long residence time.
Conclusions:
- Human activities significantly alter global vanadium biogeochemical cycles.
- Increased vanadium emissions from fossil fuel combustion, especially unconventional sources, pose future environmental concerns.
- Potential health consequences of elevated vanadium in air and water require further investigation.
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