Field Studies on 32P Movement and P Leaching from Flooded Paddy Soils in the Region of Taihu Lake, China

Field experiments were done in two sites, Yixing and Changshu, Jiangsu province, China, to study P movement and leaching in flooded paddy soils. P movement in soil was investigated by using the KH₂ ³²PO₄ tracker method, and the amount of P leached from the soil layer in different depths was estimated by measuring P concentrations in the soil solution and saturated hydraulic conductivities in field. Determination was done about one month after P application. There was 46% and 42% of total ³²P retained in the 0–5cm layer of soil in the Yixing site and in the Changshu site respectively. The ³²P retained in the 25–30 cm layer was only about 1–2% of the total ³²P added. Furthermore, 8.01% of ³²P in the soil of Yixing site and 16.8% of ³²P in the soil of Changshu site was lost from the layer 0–30cm soil. The seasonal amounts of P leached from the top soil layer and from bottom layer are about 4.5–5.8% and 1.6–2.1% of the total P application, respectively. Changes of total P concentrations in soil solutions during rice growth showed that the fertilizer P applied before flooding of the paddy fields suffered a flash leaching loss and a slow leaching loss. We concluded that the fertilizer P could quickly move in the flooded paddy rice field and parts of it can enter into surface water and ground water. Unless the P application is well managed the risk of P loss and consequently environmental pollution exist.     

A Critical Appraisal of Field Evidence From A Regional Survey for Acid Deposition Effects On Scottish Moorland Podzols

Samples have been collected from major horizons of 34 podzol profiles distributed throughout Scotland, all developed from granite or granitic tills and under Calluna moorland. the pH in water and calcium chloride pastes, exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity, and extractable aluminium of the soils collected have been measured, and the results studied in relation to reported atmospheric deposition of H⁺, non-marine sulphur and nitrate. for all horizons, significant positive correlations were found between soil pH and rainfall mean pH, as might be expected when the critical load of H⁺ deposition is exceeded. Acidifying pollutant deposition also apparently increased soil extractable aluminium concentrations in the B and C horizons. However, exchangeable base cation concentrations tended to increase, rather than decrease, with increasing precipitation acidity. This effect was attributed to increases in biogeochemical cycling of base cations, increases in leaching inputs of base cations from overlying A/E horizon soils, and increases in the inputs of base cations leached from upslope. the results suggest that the simple steady state mass approach to the quantification of critical loads, as often applied, may be an oversimplification.     

The metabolism and distribution of [14C‐phenyl]‐ethyl parathion in a tropical soil under field conditions

The persistence, distribution and metabolism of [^l4C‐phenyl]‐ethyl parathion applied to soil columns in an agricultural farm were investigated under tropical field conditions. Volatilization, soil microbial activity, moisture levels and pH were found to influence the persistence, distribution and metabolism of this pesticide in the soil. There was rapid distribution of the pesticide in the soil matrix with time resulting in high levels of bound residues which reduced the overall rate of disappearance of parathion residues from the soil. The soil was slightly acidic but the metabolites, paraoxon, p‐nitrophenol and p‐aminophenol were detected in the soil extracts 7 days after pesticide application. After 72 days, 43.7% of the applied pesticide remained in soil composed of 18.9% extractable and 24.8% bound residues. A mechanism for the metabolism of ethyl parathion in this soil is given.     

Impact of nitrogen fertilizer source on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from three different agricultural soils during freezing conditions

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen (N) application is the main agricultural management that increases nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentration in the atmosphere. Freezing conditions are common phenomenon in the northern China that significantly affect soil N₂O emissions through alterations in nutrients availability and microbial population. To develop a comprehensive understanding of how N fertilizer managements affect soil N₂O emissions during the freezing process, a lab incubation was conducted in three typical cultivated soils (black soil, fluvo-aquic soil, or loess soil) by adding different N fertilizer sources, including ammonium chloride, sodium nitrate, or urea at different N levels (0, 80, 200, or 500 mg N/kg) at the start of freezing. The N₂O emissions in the fluvo-aquic soil were significantly higher than in other soils. The application of nitrate in the fluvo-aquic soil promoted N₂O emissions by five- and seven-fold higher compared to ammonium chloride and urea, whereas N₂O emissions in black soil were enhanced by application of ammonium chloride. Data indicate that denitrification is the major pathway for N₂O production in the fluvo-aquic soil during the freezing process, while ammonia oxidation responses accounts for elevated N₂O production in black soil. No significant influence of N fertilizer levels on N₂O emissions were found during soil freezing. These results suggest that agricultural practices that focus on mitigation of N₂O emissions need to avoid selection of nitrate as N fertilizer source in fluvo-aquic soil prior to the freezing season. Future studies need to focus on how the expression of enzymes and/or shifts in microbial communities respond to different N fertilizers during freezing conditions.     

Evaluation of porous cup soil‐water samplers under laboratory conditions: Comparison of ceramic and PTFE cups

Three different types of soil solution samplers (two ceramic cups and PTFE) were tested in the laboratory to validate their use for collecting soil‐water samples and for monitoring the chemical composition of soil solutions. Interactions between porous materials and chemical solutions were examined under different experimental conditions for several major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and anions (HCO^‐ ₃, NO^‐ ₃, SO₄ ^2‐ and Cl^‐) and for several minor ions (NH⁺ ₄, NO^‐ ₄, PO₄ ^3‐and B).

The results show that ceramic cups are not inert for bicarbonate, calcium and phosphate ions. Their use is only valid for a limited number of ions such as chloride and nitrate which, however, are the most studied ions in field experiments. PTFE cups have less restrictions although their use in measuring sulphates, phosphates and ammonium presents some problems.

Choosing the appropriate type of cup depends on the objectives. In any case, laboratory experiments must be performed before installation.     

A Forest Nutrient Cycling and Biomass Model (ForNBM) based on year-round,monthly weather conditions: Part II: Calibration,verification, and application

The ForNBM was applied to the Nashwaak Experimental Watershed Project in central New Brunswick, Canada. The data represented a mixed hardwood site and included information about nutrient leaching, foliage and wood biomass, leaf fall, and ancillary information required for model initialization. Ancillary information included forest cover type, stand density, forest floor depth, soil rooting depth, soil texture, soil substrate type, initial amounts of biomass and N, S, Ca, Mg, and K content in foliage, wood, and roots, and mineral soil nutrient contents in soil solution, on ion-exchange sites, and in the soil.The authors were able to calibrate the model with existing data. The model simulated observed monthly leaching reasonably well. The r²-values of model simulations compared with field observations of monthly leaching of NO₃⁻_N, NH₄⁺_N, Ca, Mg, and K were 0.78, 0.7, 0.78, 0.84, and 0.75, respectively. Modeled multi-year cumulative leaching of NO₃⁻_N, NH₄⁺_N, Ca, Mg, and K compared with actual values gave r²-values close to one for all cases considered.The results also showed that soil nutrient leaching had increased approximately five-fold for NO₃⁻_N, 80% for NH₄⁺_N, 71% for K, 20% for Ca, and 14% for Mg during the 3 years following a stem-only harvest operation applied watershed-wide. However, the model simulation showed that increased nutrient leaching during the 11 years following the stem-only harvest was small compared with the amounts removed in the biomass during the harvest. Increased nutrient leaching following harvesting did not appear to impact site productivity over the long term.     

Variation of salts and available nutrients in salt-affected soil during leaching process under the influence of organic ameliorators

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the potential influence of three organic ameliorators (peat, biochar and leonardite) on salts and nutrients in salt-affected soils during intermittent leaching. Results showed that nearly 90% of salt was removed from columns in the leaching process and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of the soil after leaching was reduced by 67.3% (control, CK), 62.9% (peat), 70.1% (biochar) and 55.0% (leonardite). Total N loss declined by 26.2% (peat), 11.7% (biochar) and 55.5% (leonardite) compared with CK in the process of leaching. The maintaining N (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^?) of soil after leaching was 8.25, 7.31, 11.31 and 14.48?mg/kg for CK, peat, biochar and leonardite treatments. Final P loss was 0.47, 0.31, 0.54, 0.27?mg/column in leaching for CK, peat, biochar and leonardite treatments. Soluble P of soil after leaching was measured as 6.95 (CK), 5.62 (peat), 8.52 (biochar) and 3.33 (leonardite) mg/kg. Leaching could remove the salt effectively but with nutrient loss in the process. The findings of this study suggest that organic ameliorators (biochar, peat or leonardite) play an important role in retaining nutrients during leaching as well as supplying nutrients after leaching to offer practical assistance for the amendment of salt-affected soil in the Yellow River Delta.     

Natural and synthesised iron-rich amendments for As and Pb immobilisation in agricultural soil

The immobilisation of heavy metals in contaminated soils is a promising alternative to conventional remediation techniques. Very few studies have focused on the use of iron-rich nanomaterials and natural materials for the adsorption of toxic metals in soils. Synthesised iron-rich nanomaterials (Fe and Zr–Fe oxides) and natural iron-rich materials (natural red earth; NRE) were used to immobilise As and Pb in contaminated agricultural soil. Total concentrations of As and Pb in the initial soil (as control) were 170.76 and 1945.11 mg kg^?1, respectively. Amendments were applied into the soil at 1, 2.5 and 5% (w/w) in triplicate and incubated for 150 days. Except for the NRE-amended soil, soil pH decreased from 5.6 to 4.9 with increasing application rates of Fe and Zr–Fe oxides. With addition of Fe and Zr–Fe oxides at 5%, the ammonium acetate (NHO₄Ac)-extractable Pb was greatly decreased by 83 and 65% compared with NRE addition (43%). All subjected amendments also led to a decrease in NHO₄Ac-extractable As in the soils, indicating the high capacity of As immobilisation. Soil amended with NRE showed a lower ratio of cy19:0 to 18:1ω7c, indicating decreased microbial stress. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure produced results similar to the NHO₄Ac extraction for As and Pb. The NRE addition is recommended for immobilising heavy metals and maintaining biological soil properties.     

Soil microbial diversity and C turnover modified by tillage and cropping in Laos tropical grassland

Agricultural practices should modify the diversity of soil microbes. However, the precise relationships between soil properties and microbial diversity are poorly known. Here, we study the effect of agricultural management on soil microbial diversity and C turnover in tropical grassland of north-eastern Laos. Three years after native grassland conversion into agricultural land, we compared soils from five land use management systems: one till versus two no-till rotational cropping systems, one no-till improved pasture and the natural grassland. Soils were incubated in microcosms during 64 days at optimum temperature and humidity. Bacterial and fungal diversity were evaluated by metagenomic 454-pyrosequencing of 16S and 18SrRNA genes, respectively. Changes in soil respiration patterns were evaluated by monitoring ¹²C- and ¹³C-CO₂ release after soil amendment with 13C-labelled wheat residues. Results show that residue mineralization increased with bacterial richness and diversity in the tilled treatment 7 days after soil amendment. Native soil organic C mineralization and priming effect increased with fungal richness and diversity in improved pasture and natural grassland. No-till cropping systems represented intermediate situations between tillage and pasture systems. Our findings evidence the potential of controlling soil microbial diversity by agricultural practices to improve soil biological properties. We suggest the promotion of no-till systems as a fair compromise between the need for agriculture intensification and soil ecological processes preservation.     

模拟降水对碱性盐化土壤中镉的淋滤及形态变化的影响

采用人工模拟方式,试验研究了不同pH值的降水对碱性盐化土壤中镉的连续淋滤效果,分析了淋洗后土壤中镉的形态变化特征。结果表明,在不同pH值降水对土壤中镉的淋滤过程中,12h内基本上达到高峰,12h后镉的淋滤量较低,随着时间的延续镉的淋洗量基本保持不变;降水有利于土壤中的镉释放,且pH值越低,镉的释放量越高。土壤盐化对降水淋洗镉的效果有一定影响,氯化物的存在,有利于镉的淋滤,淋滤量增加值在18%～94%之间,随着淋洗液pH值的增加,镉的淋滤量增加幅度减少;与对照组土壤样品相比,淋洗液pH降低利于增大硫酸盐型盐化土壤中镉的淋滤量,当pH值为中性时,镉的淋滤量减少;苏打型盐化土壤镉的淋洗效果与硫酸盐型土壤相似。模拟降水淋洗后,土壤中镉的形态发生明显变化,与淋洗前相比,土壤中镉的可交换态、碳酸盐结合态、有机结合态的质量分数降低,随着淋洗液酸性的增加,降低幅度增大;镉的铁锰氧化态相对质量分数在淋洗后有所增加。     

Chloride and atrazine transport through saturated soil columns

A possible contamination of water resources by the application of pesticides is a problem confronting many irrigated areas in arid and semi-arid areas. The best management practices have to be adopted to minimize pesticide transport and leaching under irrigated conditions. Atrazine dissipation in loam and sandy loam soils has been tested in the laboratory using disturbed soil columns under saturated flooding conditions. All the experiments were performed in replicates. The chloride transport was also studied to test its behavior as an inert tracer in both the soils. Atrazine and chloride breakthrough curves were analyzed with the parameter optimization program CXTFIT to determine transport parameters including pore-water velocity (v), retardation coefficient (R), hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient (D), and pulse duration (t _o ). The pore-water velocity and pulse duration of the solute were estimated from the experimental conditions and kept constant during the optimization procedure. The results indicated that the R of chloride was not significantly different from 1, indicating that chloride is an inert tracer for the types of soil tested in this study. The average R of atrazine was 4.56 and 3.15 for sandy loam and loam soils, respectively. Results also showed that the hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient was much higher in the case of sandy loam soil compared to the loam soil for the two solutes, thus indicating non-equilibrium transport conditions. In the case of chloride, D increased from 0.4 for the loam soil to 16.2?cm²/min for the sandy loam soil. Similar results were observed in the case of atrazine in which D for the sandy loam soil was 60% higher than that for the loam soil. More atrazine leaching is expected under field conditions due to the presence of soil cracks and macropores.     

Vertical infiltration of fuel oil hydrocarbons in an agricultural soil

The influence of rainfall, air temperature and soil moisture on the vertical mobility in the soil of fuel oil hydrocarbons (HC) was investigated in a field experiment. A controlled spreading of fuel oil (nC10‐nC25) was performed at a rate of 5 L HCm^‐2 on an agricultural soil in summer and in winter. Concentration, chemical composition of HC and soil moisture were regularly determined at different soil depths between 0 and 140 cm, 1 h, 3, 8and 15 days (d) after the spreading of oil. Sorption of hydrocarbons onto the organo‐mineral matrix of the soil was studied in laboratory experiments. The results showed that in summer, with an air temperature of 24°C and without water leaching in the soil profile, 65% of the initial HC remained trapped in the 0–140 cm soil layer, about 20% of the HC volatilized and around 15% migrated deeper. A vertical selective migration of the lightest (nC10‐nC15) HC (naphthas) was shown lSd after the spreading of fuel oil. Naphthas progressively reached the 120–140 cm soil layers whereas the heavy fractions of oil (nC17‐nC25) migrated and concentrated in the 0–60 cm soil layers. In winter, when soil was regularly watered by rainfalls and at low air temperatures, only 47% of the initial HC remained in the 0–140 cm profile after 15 d. A fast vertical infiltration of naphthas occurred within the first 3 d. After 15 d, all HC were detected in the same relative amounts as in the initial oil in the whole profile. Volatilization was negligible in winter and an increase in the migration of total oil at depth in the soil profile was shown. As inferred from the laboratory experiments, the high soil moisture led to the decrease in HC sorption on the organo‐mineral matter of the soil.     

Evaluation of groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking,domestic, and agricultural uses in the Banana Plain (Mbanga,Njombe, Penja) of the Cameroon Volcanic Line

Groundwater quality of the Banana Plain (Mbanga, Njombe, Penja—Cameroon) was assessed for its suitability for drinking, domestic, and agricultural uses. A total of 67 groundwater samples were collected from open wells, springs, and boreholes. Samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties, major ions, and dissolved silica. In 95% of groundwater samples, calcium is the dominant cation, while sodium dominates in 5% of the samples. Eighty percent of the samples have HCO₃ as major anion, and in 20%, NO₃ is the major anion. Main water types in the study area are CaHCO₃, CaMgHCO₃, CaNaHCO₃, and CaNaNO₃ClHCO₃. CO₂-driven weathering of silicate minerals followed by cation exchange seemingly controls largely the concentrations of major ions in the groundwaters of this area. Nitrate, sulfate, and chloride concentrations strongly express the impact of anthropogenic activities (agriculture and domestic activities) on groundwater quality. Sixty-four percent of the waters have nitrate concentrations higher than the drinking water limit. Also limiting groundwater use for potable and domestic purposes are contents of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and HCO₃ ⁻ and total hardness (TH) that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Irrigational suitability of groundwaters in the study area was also evaluated, and results show that all the samples are fit for irrigation. Groundwater quality in the Banana Plain is impeded by natural geology and anthropogenic activities, and proper groundwater management strategies are necessary to protect sustainably this valuable resource.     

Speciation of mercury in South African coals

Total mercury (Hg_TOT) concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) for South African Highveld coals. The distribution of Hg in coals was investigated using a four-stage sequential leaching protocol and isotope dilution/gas chromatography coupled to ICP MS (ID-GC-ICP MS). The results show that Hg_TOT ranged from 144 to 303?µg?kg^?1 with a mean of 199?±?26?µg?kg^?1, while Hg_TOT leached from coals using different solvents ranged between 103 and 310?µg?kg^?1 (mean: 218?±?60?µg?kg^?1). Hg leaching rates of 53–78% were achieved in crushed coals. Hg⁰, Hg²⁺, and CH₃Hg⁺ were identified in all coals. CH₃Hg⁺ in studied coals ranged between 0.1 and 0.4 (mean: 0.2) µg?kg^?1. GC ICP MS chromatograms also showed unknown Hg peaks which were identified as other organomercury species such as ethylmercury. Modes of occurrence of Hg in coals were variable with the organic-bound (37–40%) and the sulfide-bound (37–39%) being the dominant mercury forms. Increasing the HCl concentration in the used protocol increased the amount of Hg leached (16%) during this step.     

Leaching characteristics of bisphenol A from epoxy-resin pavement materials

We investigated the leaching characteristics of bisphenol A (BPA) from two kinds of epoxy-resin pavement materials, one containing epoxy resins (EPs) and the other containing epoxy-acrylate resins (EPAs). Both samples contained residual BPA monomer, at levels of 9.0?µg?g^?1 for the EP resin sample and 4.4?µg?g^?1 for the EPA resin sample. These amounts were larger than amounts previously measured for polycarbonate samples. The amount of BPA leached from the samples increased with temperature. The leaching of BPA from EP was more strongly affected by temperature than the leaching from EPA. The pH also affected the amount of leached BPA. The maximum leached amount was observed under alkaline conditions (pH 10.8) for both sample types. The amounts of BPA that might leach from pavement materials during 1?h of heavy rain were estimated to be 0.9?µg?m^?2 for EP and 3.5?µg?m^?2 for EPA. Our results indicate that EPs disposed of in waste landfills without any treatment may be a source of BPA in leachate at landfill sites.     

Effect of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide on microbial communities and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O from an arable soil fertilized with ammonium sulphate

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) affects climate change as a greenhouse gas and indirectly contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion. The main source of N₂O in soils is denitrification which requires high soil moisture, carbon and nitrate. Nitrification inhibitors can be used to mitigate emissions of N₂O from soils. In Portugal, fertilisers are often applied when soils are still relatively warm and moist conditions conducive to denitrification. A Portuguese arable soil was inhibited with dicyandiamide, a nitrification inhibitor and the effect on soil microbiological activity and composition was determined after 46 days. Soils were then incubated and received carbon and ammonium under high soil water conditions and mineral N and N₂O fluxes were measured during 22 days. We found that dicyandiamide decreased microbial populations and activity, but did not alter composition. Pre-conditioning of the soil with dicyandiamide was 80% more effective in reducing fluxes of N₂O than simultaneous application with fertiliser.     

Environmental fate of pesticides used in Australian viticulture V. Behaviour of atrazine in the soils of the south Australian Riverland

The transport of the s‐triazine herbicide, atrazine, through the red, calcareous earth soils of the South Australian Riverland was investigated. Small, undisturbed soil cores were extracted from the inter‐row topsoil of a vineyard adjacent to the River Murray, approximately 10 km south‐west of Overland Corner, South Australia. The vines were grown in a deep (1–4 m) reddish brown, strongly alkaline, sandy loam with a low organic carbon content (<2%). Atrazine concentrations in the leachate were dependent on application rate and soil type. High application rates on subsoil gave high rates of leaching for a longer time compared to the same application rate on topsoil and/or lower application rates on either topsoil or subsoil. Overall, 37–65% of the applied atrazine was detected in the leachate from subsoil cores, 14–25% in topsoil core leachates. Small amounts of atrazine (< 10% of applied dose) were found only in the top 2 cm of the core profiles. The results suggest that this herbicide is somewhat mobile in such strongly alkaline, sandy loam soils and that the irrigated soils of this region are likely to be prone to leaching of atrazine, and therefore that groundwater supplies in this area may be at risk of contamination through use of triazine herbicides.     

Dry deposition and particle size distributions of nitrate and sulfate in ambient air

This study reports the dry deposition pollutants of anion species (NO₃ ^‐ and SO₄ ^‐2) in the Ping Tung City of Southern Taiwan. Several deposition properties are discussed in this paper. It included dry deposition flux, anion species size distribution and deposition velocities. Noll Rotary Impactor (NRI) and Microorifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) were used to collect ambient air coarse and fine particulate. Dry deposition plate was applied to collect particle deposition flux. Dionex 2000i/SP Ion Chromatography equipped with 4 mm AG4A‐SC and AS4A‐SC column was employed to analyze the anion species. The eluent solution is 1.8 mM sodium carbonate/1.7 mM sodium bicarbonate. The measured dry deposition flux of nitrate ranged from 0.63 to 3.96 mg/m²‐day and averaged 2.12 mg/m²‐day, while the measured dry deposition of sulfate ranged from 1.17 to 9.53 mg/m²‐day and averaged 3.92 mg/m²‐day. The particle size distribution of nitrate has bimodal particle size distributions. However, the sulfate displayed uniform particle size distribution for all four sampling sites. Mean cumulative fraction (F%) of nitrate in the particle size range below 1, 2.5, 10 and 25 μm, in sequence, were 34.6%, 60.9%, 91.0% and 97.6%, respectively. However, the mean F% of sulfate in the particle size range below 1, 2.5, 10 and 25 um, in sequence, were 57.3%, 82.6%, 90.3% and 98.0%, respectively. The sulfate has more F% in the submicron particles. The mean MMD _o of nitrate and sulfate are 2.35 and 0.87 μm, respectively. The mean dry deposition velocities of nitrate and sulfate are 0.45 and 0.38 cm/sec, respectively.     

The effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans</Emphasis> on the leaching of cobalt and strontium adsorbed onto soil particles

Bioleaching from soil artificially contaminated with analogues of radionuclides, Co and Sr, was carried out using a Fe-oxidizing bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Due to bacterial metabolism, the pH and dissolved Fe³⁺ concentration in a biotic slurry decreased and increased respectively, over time, but the concentrations of Co and Sr extracted from the soil showed no significant enhancement compared with those under abiotic control. In both cases, Co and Sr were leached from the soil during the initial period of the experiment, due to the initially low solution pH of 2.0, and the dissolved concentrations remained almost constant for the duration of the experiment (300 h). Since oxidation of Fe²⁺ by A. ferrooxidans led to the production of Fe precipitates and colloidal suspensions, the Co and Sr extracted into solution were most likely re-adsorbed onto the Fe solids. Also, A. ferrooxidans, without an external supply of Fe²⁺, extracted almost equal or greater amounts of Co and Sr from the soil than when Fe²⁺ was supplied. Under the same leaching conditions, the extent of Sr removal was much lower than that of Co. On the contrary to the high efficiency of microbial metal leaching in biohydrometallurgy for low-graded sulfide ores, which has been widely documented, conventional bioleaching techniques with A. ferrooxidans supplied with enough Fe²⁺ showed low efficiency for the removal of radionuclides loosely bound onto soil particle surfaces.     

Leaching of copper,chromium and arsenic in a soil of south west Victoria,Australia

The movement of copper, chromium and arsenic originating from samples of the wood preservative Tanalith® through mildly acidic, sandy loam soil was investigated. Small, undisturbed soil cores (of dimensions 15 × 15 × 15 cm) were removed from the topsoil of a paddock adjacent to the Glenelg River in the Western District of Victoria, Australia. The paddock soils were thin (<30cm) greyish brown, mildly acidic, sandy loams with a moderate organic carbon content (2–5%) overlying a limestone cap. Tanalith® was applied to the surface of the cores which were then irrigated with deionised water at approximately 30 mm day^‐1. Copper concentrations in all leachate remained at background levels throughout the experiment, and this element was found to be immobilised in the top 4 cm of the soil. Up to 29% of the applied dose of chromium was detected in the leachate, with breakthrough occurring within 20 days of Tanalith® application. Up to 13% ofthe applied dose ofarsenic was detected in the leachate, although in this case breakthrough was not observed until 25 days after Tanalith® application and leachate concentrations were still rising when the experiment came to a close. Significant concentrations of arsenic and chromium were found in the top 6 cm of the soil profile.