Heavy metals uptake from aqueous solutions using marine algae (Colpomenia sinuosa): kinetics and isotherms

The adsorption of copper, zinc, cobalt, lead and cadmium ions onto Colpomenia sinuosa was studied as a function of contact time, initial metal ion concentration and initial pH. In addition, desorption studies were performed. Characterisation of this adsorbent was also confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Batch adsorption experimental data were analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Raduschkevich (D–R) adsorption isotherms. The results indicated that the biosorption equilibrium was well described by both the Freudlich and D–R isotherms. Moreover, sorption kinetics was performed and it was observed that equilibrium was reached in<60 min, which could be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for all heavy metals. The sorption of heavy metals onto the biomass was largely dependent on the initial solution pH. The elution efficiency for heavy metal ions desorption from C. sinuosa was determined for 0.1 M HCl, 1.0 M HCl and 1.0 M HNO₃. Desorption efficiency and also adsorption capacity were highest for Pb(II). The results indicate that C. sinuosa has great potential for the removal of heavy metals in an ecofriendly process.     

Sorption and leaching behavior of hexaconazole as influenced bysoilproperties

Sorption and leaching behavior of hexaconazole in four different soils (alluvial, red, laterite, and black) was studied using a batch equilibration technique. The values of the Freundlich adsorption constant 1/n_ads ranged from 0.75 to 0.85 for all four soils, showing strong non-linear behavior. Upon stepwise desorption with CaCl₂ solution (10 mmol·L^?1), release of hexaconazole was maximum with the first elution, the amount decreasing with each subsequent one. The leaching behavior under saturated flow conditions was also studied with soil columns packed in polythene tubes. The mobility of hexaconazole was maximum in sandy loam and minimum in black soil.     

Competitive adsorption and desorption of copper and lead in some soil of North China

The competitive adsorption and desorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions in the soil of three sites in North China were investigated using single and binary metal solutions with 0.01 mol·L^-1 CaCl₂ as background electrolyte. The desorption isotherms of Pb(II) and Cu(II) were similar to the adsorption isotherms, which can be fitted well by Freundlich equation (R₂>0.96). The soil in the three sites had greater sorption capacities for Pb(II) than Cu(II), which was affected strongly by the soil characteristics. In the binary metal solution containing 1∶1 molar ratio of Pb(II) and Cu(II), the total amount of Pb(II) and Cu(II) adsorption was affected by the simultaneous presence of the two metal ions, indicating the existence of adsorption competition between the two metal ions. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the interaction between soil and metal ions, and the results revealed that the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the soil were the main binding sites of metal ions.     

Mobility and adsorption of the triketone herbicide mesotrione in the soil of corn crops

The triketone herbicide mesotrione has been applied pre‐emergence at the dose of 150 g a.i. ha^?1 on corn fields grown within the same period of time at different sites on clay, loam, sandy loam or sandy soils. During the crops and one month after the corn harvest, the mobility of mesotrione has been measured in the 0–20 cm surface soil layer, soil samples being taken in the 0–2,2–4,4–6,6–8, 8–10, 10–15 and 15–20 cm surface soil layers. During the first month after the treatment, mesotrione remained in the 0–2 cm surface soil layer. Thereafter, mesotrione was at a higher concentration in a 2 cm‐thick soil layer which progressively moved down in the clay, loam and sandy loam soils. In the sand soil, mesotrione moved down as a uniform diffusion, its concentration being similar in all the 2 cm‐thick layers of the 0–10 cm soil surface layer. Low mesotrione residues (6–10 ug kg^?1 dry soil) attained the 10–15 cm layer faster in the clay and sand soils than in the loam and sandy loam soils. Mesotrione was not detected in the 15–20 cm soil layer of the loam and sandy loam soils, but well in the sand and clay soils. In the soils of the corn crops mesotrione thus mainly remained in the 0–10 cm surface soil layer. This low mobility and depth of penetration conjugated to the rate of mesotrione soil degradation explain why there was no movement of mesotrione toward the deeper soil layers. The adsorption of mesotrione was greatest on the soils recently treated with organic fertilizers, and having a loam or sandy loam texture. The adsorption coefficients explained the lower mobility and the greatest persistence of mesotrione in these soils.     

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.     

Effects of β-cyclodextrin on adsorption and desorption of carbofuran in soils of divergent texture

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the adsorption/desorption equilibrium of carbofuran between four divergently textured soils and distilled water and an aqueous solution of 0.01?mol?L^?1 β-cyclodextrin using a batch equilibrium technique. The determined adsorption isotherms for silt loam soils were of L-shaped, for sandy loam soil S-shaped, in agreement with a Freundlich isotherm. In the presence of β-cyclodextrin, the adsorption of carbofuran to the four soils was lower than with distilled water. Positive hysteresis was observed in all soils with distilled water, negative hysteresis when using a solution of β-cyclodextrin as desorbent. The results indicate the potential use of β-cyclodextrin for remediation of pesticide-contaminated soils.     

2种水稻土中Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸动力学

用一次平衡法研究了2种水稻土表面吸附态Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸动力学行为及柠檬酸和酒石酸对2种重金属离子解吸的影响。结果表明,虽然2种土壤对Pb(Ⅱ)的吸附量比Cu(Ⅱ)高得多,但无论在单一重金属体系还是Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)共存体系中,Cu(Ⅱ)的解吸量均大于Pb(Ⅱ),湖州水稻土Cu(Ⅱ)的解吸量大于嘉兴水稻土,说明土壤对重金属离子的吸附亲和力越大,吸附的重金属离子越不易解吸。用E lovich方程拟合动力学数据可以获得比较满意的结果。解吸速率与时间的关系曲线表明,Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸速率随时间的增加迅速减小。Cu(Ⅱ)的解吸速率大于Pb(Ⅱ),柠檬酸和酒石酸不仅使重金属的解吸量增加,而且使Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸速率大大提高。2种有机酸对Cu(Ⅱ)解吸的促进作用大于Pb(Ⅱ),柠檬酸的促进作用大于酒石酸。     

The effects of soil properties and temperature on the adsorption isotherms of lead on some temperate and semiarid surface soils of Iran

Sorption of metal ions by soil and clay minerals is a complex process involving different mechanisms, and controlled by different variables that can interact. The aim of this work was to study the retention mechanisms of Pb ions on different soil samples. Surface soils were sampled from Guilan and Hamadan provinces in north and northwest of Iran with temperate and semiarid climates. The adsorption isotherms of Pb on the soils have been studied at 15, 27 and 37°C. The adsorption data for different soils were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich models. Temperate soil samples had higher clay content, cation exchange capacity, dichromate (oxidable) organic carbon, total Kjeldahl-nitrogen, biological activity, amorphous and crystalline Fe and Al, but semiarid soil samples had higher sand content, pH, equivalent calcium carbonate, available P and K. Lead adsorption data obtained from semiarid soils against those obtained from temperate soils were better fitted in both Langmuir and Freundlich models. Langmuir constants Q ₀ for Pb adsorption in semiarid soils were considerably lower than those for Pb adsorption in temperate soils. However, the binding energy (K _L) of Pb and Freundlich constant n were higher for data of semiarid soils. The effect of temperature on the Pb adsorption was positive especially in temperate soils; however, soil properties had higher effects on Pb adsorption.     

Dissipation of the triketone mesotrione herbicide in the soil of corn crops grown on different soil types

The new triketone herbicide mesotrione corresponds to the older sulcotrione in which the 2‐chloro benzoyl substituent is replaced by a nitro group, generating an herbicide of greater efficiency and a broader spectrum of activity. Mesotrione has been applied within the same 15 days period pre‐emergence at the rate of 150gha^‐1 to four corn crops made at different sites located 40 km apart in Belgium and of soils of different textures, but similar pH and organic matter (old humus) contents. The mesotrione soil half‐life in the 0–10 cm surface soil layer (which contained more than 90% of the residue) was 50 days in loam soil (at Zarlardinge), 41 days in sandy loam soil (at Melle) and in clay soil (at Koksijde), and 34 days in sandy soil (at Zingem). The cumulative effects of the recent organic fertilizer treatments and of the soil texture could explain the differences between the soil half‐lives. The time for the 90% dissipation of mesotrione was between 3.6 (in the sandy soil) to 4.7 months (in the sandy loam, loam and clay soils). The low mesotrione soil residues remaining after the corn harvest should disappear with the usual heavy rains in autumn, and the tilling which precedes the following crop and dilutes the mesotrione soil residue. These low mesotrione soil residues thus should have no phytotoxicity toward the following crop, especially at the lower application dose of 100 g mesotrione ha^‐1 used in practice.     

Impact of natural and calcined starfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Asterina pectinifera</Emphasis>) on the stabilization of Pb,Zn and As in contaminated agricultural soil

Metal stabilization using soil amendments is an extensively applied, economically viable and environmentally friendly remediation technique. The stabilization of Pb, Zn and As in contaminated soils was evaluated using natural starfish (NSF) and calcined starfish (CSF) wastes at different application rates (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 wt%). An incubation study was conducted over 14 months, and the efficiency of stabilization for Pb, Zn and As in soil was evaluated by the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test. The TCLP-extractable Pb was reduced by 76.3–100 and 91.2–100 % in soil treated with NSF and CSF, respectively. The TCLP-extractable Zn was also reduced by 89.8–100 and 93.2–100 % in soil treated with NSF and CSF, respectively. These reductions could be associated with the increased metal adsorption and the formation of insoluble metal precipitates due to increased soil pH following application of the amendments. However, the TCLP-extractable As was increased in the soil treated with NSF, possibly due to the competitive adsorption of phosphorous. In contrast, the TCLP-extractable As in the 10 % CSF treatment was not detectable because insoluble Ca–As compounds might be formed at high pH values. Thermodynamic modeling by visual MINTEQ predicted the formation of ettringite (Ca₆Al₂(SO₄)₃(OH)₁₂·26H₂O) and portlandite (Ca(OH)₂) in the 10 % CSF-treated soil, while SEM–EDS analysis confirmed the needle-like structure of ettringite in which Pb was incorporated and stabilized in the 10 % CSF treatment.     

Effective removal of Cobalt(II) ions from aqueous solutions and nuclear industry wastewater using sulfhydryl and carboxyl functionalised magnetite nanocellulose composite: batch adsorption studies

A new adsorbent sulfhydryl and carboxyl functionalized magnetite nanocellulose composite [(MB-IA)-g-MNCC] was synthesized by graft co-polymerization of itaconic acid onto magnetite nanocellulose (MNCC) using EGDMA as cross linking agent and K₂S₂O₈ as free radical initiator. The adsorption occurs maximum in the pH 6.5. The best fitted kinetic model was found to be pseudo-second-order kinetics. Therefore the mechanism of Co(II) adsorption onto (MB-IA)-g-MNCC follows ion exchange followed by complexation. The Langmuir model was the best fitted isotherm model for the adsorption of Co(II) onto the (MB-IA)-g-MNCC. Simulated nuclear power plant coolant water samples were also treated with (MB-IA)-g-MNCC to demonstrate its efficiency for the removal of Co(II) from aqueous solutions in the presence of other metal ions. To recover the adsorbed Co(II) ions and also to regenerate the adsorbent to its original state 0.1?M HCl was used as suitable desorbing agent. Six cycles of adsorption-desorption experiments were conducted and was found that adsorption capacity of (MB-IA)-g-MNCC has been decreased from 97.5% in the first cycle to 84.7% in the sixth cycle. Recovery of Co(II) using 0.1?M HCl decreased from 93.2% in the first cycle to 79.3% in the sixth cycle.

Abbreviations: T: absolute temperature; q_e: amount adsorbed at equilibrium; q_t: amount adsorbed at time t; CELL: cellulose; Co: cobalt; C_e: concentration at equilibrium; C_HCl: concentration of HCl; C_NaOH: concentration of NaOH; C_A: concentrations of acid; C_B: concentrations of base; W_g: dry weight of composite; W_i: dry weight of MNCC; DS: energy dispersive spectra; EGDMA: ethylene glycol dimethacrylate; Ce: equilibrium concentration; K_L: equilibrium constant; F: Faradays constant; FTIR: Fourier transform infrared spectra; ΔG^o: free energy change; K_F: Freundlich adsorption capacity; 1/n: Freundlich constant; R: gas constant; D: grafting density; EC_o: initial concentration; IA: itaconic acid; IA-g-MNCC: itaconic acid-grafted-magnetite nanocellulose composite; b: Langmuir constant; MNCC: magnetite nanocellulose composite; Q⁰: Maximum adsorption capacity; (MB-IA)-g-MNCC: 2-mercaptobenzamide modified itaconic acid-grafted-magnetite nanocellulose composite; NC: nanocellulose; pH_pzc: Point of zero charge; K₂S₂O₈: potassium peroxy sulphate; k₁: pseudo-first-order rate constant; k₂: pseudo-second-order rate constant; SEM: scanning Electron Microscope; b_s: Sips adsorption capacity; Q_s: Sips maximum adsorption capacity; ΔH°: standard enthalpy change; ΔS°: standard entropy change; A: surface area; σ₀: surface charge density; 1/n_s: surface heterogeneity factor; VSM: vibrating sample magnetometer; V: volume of solution; W: weight of (MB-IA)-g-MNCC; M_composite: weight of the composite; XRD: X-ray diffraction     

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.     

Adsorption of pesticides by salorthids and camborthids of Punjab,Pakistan

This study was conducted to examine adsorption of pesticides bifenthrin, carbosulfan, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, endosulfan, parathion methyl, monocrotophos and 4-nitrophenol by sandy clay loam (S.C.L) and sandy loam (S.L) soils (with varying organic content). There was no significant difference between the observed soil water partitioning coefficient values (K _d) derived from linear and nonlinear Freundlich isotherms. Adsorption of pesticides on S.C.L soils was higher than those on S.L soils. K _d values showed significant correlations (r ²?=?0.8???0.99 and 0.65???0.97) with soil organic carbon content (OC) and weak correlations (r ²?=?0.2???0.29 and 0.1???0.18) with clay contents of S.C.L and S.L soil at p?≤?0.05, respectively for all pesticides (except monocrotophos). Observed K _oc values (soil-water partitioning constants based on the organic C fraction of the soil) were in accordance with the literature values of Wauchope and Tomlin with a maximum deviation of less than 0.5 log units. Ten Quantitative Property-Property Relationships (QPPR) among water solubility, n-octanol water coefficient (K _ow) and K _oc were proposed for studied pesticides except monocrotophos. The models were considered acceptable when predicted-observed difference for log?K _ow and log?K _oc were ≤?0.3 and ≤?0.5?log units, respectively, during the validation procedure. This work indicates that the log?K _oc derived from the log K_ow, from some of existing relationships, may be a fair predictor where observed values (i.e., K _d and K _oc) are not available. Furthermore, predicted leaching potential by groundwater ubiquity scores (GUS) equation was solved by using observed K _oc values and literature reported half lives of pesticides. GUS ranked the mobility of nonvolatile compounds i.e., bifenthrin, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and endosulfan extremely low; methyl parathion very low; 4-nitrophenol low; carbofuran and monocrotophos very high in S.C.L and S.L soils, respectively. Results discussed in this paper provide background to prioritize pesticides or chemical groups that should be evaluated under field conditions with regard to their leaching potential to groundwater in arid climates.     

表面活性剂对柴油在土壤中吸附的影响

通过静态吸附实验,研究土壤对十二烷基苯磺酸钠(LAS)和十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)的吸附行为,探讨表面活性剂对柴油吸附的影响.结果表明,土壤对LAS和CTAB的吸附等温线均为非线性,其吸附能力的大小顺序为:轻壤土>轻粘土>中壤土>砂壤土>重壤土>紧砂土.同一土壤中,CTAB的吸附量大于LAS的吸附量.LAS和CTAB均利于柴油在土壤表面的解吸,且LAS的解吸效果更好.柴油的吸附量随LAS浓度的升高而降低.当CTAB的浓度小于临界胶束浓度CMC时,吸附量随CTAB浓度的升高而升高,当CTAB的浓度等于或大于临界胶束浓度(CMC)时,吸附量随CTAB浓度的升高而降低.     

Application of eggshell waste for the immobilization of cadmium and lead in a contaminated soil

Liming materials have been used to immobilize heavy metals in contaminated soils. However, no studies have evaluated the use of eggshell waste as a source of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) to immobilize both cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of eggshell waste on the immobilization of Cd and Pb and to determine the metal availability following various single extraction techniques. Incubation experiments were conducted by mixing 0–5% powdered eggshell waste and curing the soil (1,246 mg Pb kg^?1 soil and 17 mg Cd kg^?1 soil) for 30 days. Five extractants, 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂), 1 M CaCl₂, 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), 0.43 M acetic acid (CH₃COOH), and 0.05 M ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were used to determine the extractability of Cd and Pb following treatments with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste. Generally, the extractability of Cd and Pb in the soils decreased in response to treatments with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste, regardless of extractant. Using CaCl₂ extraction, the lowest Cd concentration was achieved upon both CaCO₃ and eggshell waste treatments, while the lowest Pb concentration was observed using HCl extraction. The highest amount of immobilized Cd and Pb was extracted by CH₃COOH or EDTA in soils treated with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste, indicating that remobilization of Cd and Pb may occur under acidic conditions. Based on the findings obtained, eggshell waste can be used as an alternative to CaCO₃ for the immobilization of heavy metals in soils.     

Effect of metallic cations on the sorption of pesticides on soil

We studied the adsorption and desorption of two pesticides, namely isoproturon and dimetomorph, onto a model soil sample. We first show that the adsorption of isoproturon depends on pH, from 1 mg g⁻¹ at pH 4 to 2 mg g⁻¹ at pH 10, contrary to the adsorption of dimetomorph (5.8 mg g⁻¹). We also studied the influence of metallic cations, copper(II), iron(III), manganese(II), and chromium(III), on the sorption of isoproturon and dimetomorph. We found that in the case of isoproturon, the presence of metallic cations does influence the retention capacity of the soil sample. The sorption becomes very weak in the presence of copper and chromium, whereas in the case of iron and manganese the sorption properties are slightly modified.     

Effects of sulphur deposition on trace metal solubility in soils

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd in soil solutions taken in the vicinity of a sulphur mine range from 354 to 9080 μM L⁻¹, and exceeded the concentrations measured in solutions from light acid arable soils. The content of each metal was a negative function of either the solution pH or of Ca concentration. Reclamation of S-contaminated soil by an application of 2000 tonnes of limestone per hectare did not significantly affect the solubility of trace metals, whereas equilibration of soil samples with CaCO₃ in the laboratory decreased solubility of metals, especially in the soil under moist conditions. Sulphur deposition may modify the natural cycling of metals in soils.     

土壤中铅的吸附-解吸行为研究进展

铅是重要的土壤重金属污染元素之一，了解铅在土壤中的物理化学行为，有利于预防和修复土壤的铅污染。土壤中铅的吸附-解吸行为，依吸附机理的不同，分为专性吸附和非专性吸附。土壤铅吸附的机理还存在不同的观点，如水解吸附／非水解吸附机理，单分子吸附／双分子吸附机理等。影响土壤中铅吸附-解吸行为的主要因素，有土壤矿物组成、土壤有机质、pH、温度、竞争离子等。文章最后对描述土壤铅吸附过程的主要数学方程(Langmuir方程、Freundlich方程和Temkin方程)作了论述。     

Adsorption‐desorption hysteresis of α‐endosulfan in tropical soils using isotopic techniques

This study was designed to evaluate the adsorption‐desorption hysteresis of endosulfan (1,2,3,4, 7,7‐hexachlorobicyclo[2,2,1]‐2‐heptene‐5,6‐bisoxymethylene sulfite) in selected tropical soils. Two major tropical soils from Thailand were selected, Rangsit lowland soils (Rangsit series) and Phrabat upland soils (Pakchong series). The soil types were sub‐divided into plow soils, 0–20cm depth from the surface, and subsoils, 20–40cm depth. Adsorption was determined in 24h batch equilibrium, with five different concentrations of ¹⁴C endosulfan ranging from 1.04 to 16.64 ng/mg soils. Four successive desorption studies were performed continuously after three adsorption concentrations, 24h for each successive. Adsorption coefficient values (K _ads) as determined by Freundlich model ranged from 0.02 to 0.14 and found to be higher in Rangsit soils as expected when compared with Phrabat soils. Desorption was hysteresis in every desorption study. Desorption coefficient values (K _des) were higher than adsorption (K _des).     

Adsorption and desorption of tetraalkyllead and dibutyltin compounds on contaminated soils

Adsorption and desorption of di-n-butyltin (IV) (DBT), tetramethyllead (TML), and tetraethyllead (TEL) on four types of soil were studied. Although, all K _d values for desorption are higher than the K _d values for adsorptions, which shows that the adsorption process is reversible, the lower percentages of desorption indicate that very low concentration of these organometallic compounds can be more easily leached from the soil. The adsorption ranging between 48.8% and 88.3% for DBT, between 9.1% and 38.3% for TEL, and between 24.9% and 44.2% for TML was measured. The desorption was obtained between 9.4% and 23.7% for DBT, between 19.3% and 38.9% for TEL, and between 21.5% and 32.7% for TML. These results show that the nonpolar (TML, TEL) organometallic compounds can be easier leached than the ionic forms (DBT). Adsorption kinetics and adsorption as a function of pH were also evaluated. DBT and tetraalkyllead adsorption equilibrium were reached after 12 and 24 h, respectively. The tetraalkyllead is strongly adsorbed at pH 7–8 and DBT at pH 6.