Simulated Effects of Acidic Solutions on Element Dynamics in Monsoon Evergreen Broad-leaved Forest at Dinghushan,China - Part 1: Dynamics of K,Na, Ca,Mg and P (7 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope Acid deposition has become a concern in south China in recent years. This phenomenon has increased to a dramatic extent with the large use of cars and coal- fueled power plants. As a consequence, soils are becoming acidified and their element dynamics will change. A decrease in the nutrient availability will lead to slower plant growth and maybe to a change in the forest type with current species being replaced by new ones with less nutrient requirements. Because of these reasons, it is important to understand how the dynamics of elements will change and what mechanism is part of the process. This knowledge is important for modeling the acidification process and either finding ways to counter it or to predict its consequences. The primary purpose of this study was to provide information about how the dynamics of K, Na, Ca, Mg and P are affected by acid deposition in a typical forest in southern China. Materials and Methods: Experimental soils and saplings were collected directly from the monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan. All saplings were transplanted individually into ceramic pots in August 2000 and placed in an open area near their origin site. Pot soils were treated weekly from October, 2000 to July, 2002 with an acidic solution at pH 3.05, pH 3.52, pH 4.00 or pH 4.40, or with tap water as a control. The concentrations of SO42-, NO3-, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and available P and the pH were measured in soil and leachate samples taken at different times. The sapling leaves were collected and their element concentrations were measured at the end of the experiment. Results: Concentrations of soil exchangeable Ca and Mg decreased quickly over time, although only Ca showed changes with the acidic solution treatment and soil exchangeable K was stable because of soil weathering. Leaching of K, Mg and Ca was dependent upon the treatment acidity. Soil available P decreased slowly without any correlation with the acidity of the treatment. All the NO3- added by the treatment was taken up by the plants, but the SO42- added accumulated in the soil. Discussion: Amongst the plant species, Schima superba was little affected by the treatment, the leaf P content was affected in Acmena acuminatissima plants and Cryptocarya concinna was the most susceptible species to soil acidification, with a marked decrease of the leaf K, Ca and Mg concentrations when the treatment acidity increased. Conclusions: Simulated acid deposition affected the dynamics of K, Ca and Mg in the monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest. The dynamics of Ca in the soil and of K, Mg and Ca in the soil leachates were affected by the acidic solution treatment. If such a soil acidification occurs, Cryptocarya concinna will be amongst the first affected species, but Schima superba will be able to sustain a good growth and mineral nutrition. Recommendations and Perspectives: Acid deposition will lead to imbalance the nutrient elements in the evergreen broad-leaved forest because of accelerated leaching losses of soil exchangeable Ca and Mg. Measures should be developed to slow down soil acidification or nutrient decrease.     

Influence of solution acidity and CaCl2 concentration on the removal of heavy metals from metal-contaminated rice soils

Soil washing is considered a useful technique for remediating metal-contaminated soils. This study examined the release edges of Cd, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu or Pb in two contaminated rice soils from central Taiwan. The concentrations exceeding the trigger levels established by the regulatory agency of Taiwan were Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr for the Ho-Mei soil and Pb for the Nan-Tou soil. Successive extractions with HCl ranging from 0 to 0.2 M showed increased release of the heavy metals with declining pH, and the threshold pH value below which a sharp increase in the releases of the heavy metals was highest for Cd, Zn, and Ni (pH 4.6 to 4.9), intermediate for Pb and Cu (3.1 to 3.8) and lowest for Fe (2.1), Al (2.2) and Cr (1.7) for the soils. The low response slope of Ni and Cr particularly for the rice soils make soil washing with the acid up to the highest concentration used ineffective to reduce their concentrations to below trigger levels. Although soil washing with 0.1 M HCl was moderately effective in reducing Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd, which brought pH of the soils to 1.1+/-0.1 (S.D.), the concurrent release of large quantities of Fe and Al make this remediation technique undesirable for the rice soils containing high clay. Successive washings with 0.01 M HCl could be considered an alternative as the dissolution of Fe and Al was minimal, and between 46 to 64% of Cd, Zn, and Cu for the Ho-Mei soil and 45% of Pb in the Na-Tou soil were extracted after four successive extractions with this dilute acid solution. The efficacy of Cd extraction improved if CaCl2 was added to the acid solution. The correlation analysis revealed that Cr extracted was highly correlated (P < 0.001) with Fe extracted, whereas the Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd or Pb extracted was better correlated (P < 0.001) with Al than with Fe extracted. It is possible that the past seasonal soil flooding and drainage in the soils for rice production was conducive to incorporating Cr within the structure of Fe oxide, thereby making them extremely insoluble even in 0.2 M HCl solution. The formation of solid solution of Ni with Al oxide was also possible, making it far less extractable than Cd, Zn, Cu, or Pb with the acid concentrations used.     

Distribution of Al-, Fe- and Mn-pools and their correlation in soils from two acid deposition small catchments in Hunan, China

Distribution of Al-, Fe- and Mn-pools was investigated in five forest soil profiles (consisting of four horizons) in each of two Hunan catchments (BLT and LKS) where acid deposition has been considered critical. Al- and Fe-pools were higher in BLT than those in LKS, but Mn-pools much lower in BLT. Mn-pools vary from topsoils to bottom soils, but there are different trends for different Mn speciation. Al- and Fe-pools, except amorphous Fe_ox, were positively correlated to contents of soil organic matter (OM) showed by the loss on ignition in the two catchments. Accumulation of Al- and Fe-pools may occur in the area where soil organic matter was enriched (e.g. in top soil and rhizosphere soil). However, no direct correlation is observed between Mn and OM. Acidic atmospheric deposition may affect transforming among speciations of Al-, Fe- and Mn-pools and leaching of soil Al, Fe and Mn through formation of soluble organo-metal dissolved Al which was potentially toxic, increased. There were significant correlations between Al-pools complexes or change of oxidation–reduction conditions. Mn_ex (exchangeable Mn) and Mn_ox (amorphous and organic Mn) were highly linearly correlation with soil pH values at LKS but at BLT. Under acid deposition, the availability of the nutrient Fe increased with the amount of dissolved Al, which was potentially toxic, in the two catchments. There are no significant correlations between Al_ex (exchangeable Al) and Mn_ex, Fe_ex (exchangeable Fe) and Mn_ex in this work, indicating potentially toxic Mn increase seldom accompanying with Al increase in the two catchments.     

Residual metal concentrations in soils and leaf accumulations in tobacco a decade following farmland application of municipal sludge

The objectives of this investigation were to examine the long-term residual effects of metal loading through sewage sludge applications on the total vs. diethylene triamine pentacetic acid (DTPA) extractable metal concentrations in soil and leaf accumulations in tobacco. Maryland tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), cv. 'MD 609', was grown in 1983 and 1984 at two sites in Maryland that had been amended in 1972 with dewatered, digested sewage sludge from washington, DC, at rates equal to 0, 56, 112 and 224 mg ha(-1). The metal concentrations in the sludge, in mg kg(-1) dry weight, were: 1300 Zn, 570 Cu, 280 Pb, 45 Ni and 13 Cd. Soil samples collected from the surface horizon and composite leaf samples of cured tobacco were analyzed for total Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cd concentrations. The soil samples were also examined for soil pH and DTPA extractable metals. Equations were generated using polynomic and stepwise regression analyses which described the relationships between total vs. DTPA extractable soil metals, and between DTPA soil and soil pH vs. plant metal concentrations, respectively. Significant increases were observed for both total and DTPA extractable metal concentrations for all metals, with all but total Mn and Ni being significant for linear and quadratic effects regarding sludge rates. However, linear relationships were found between DTPA extractable vs. total soil concentrations for all elements except Pb and Ni which were quadratic. Significant increases in plant Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni and Cd and decreases in Fe were observed with increased sludge rates. Plant Pb levels were unaffected by sludge applied Pb. Linear relationships were observed between plant Zn and Cd and DTPA soil metal levels: however, Mn and Cu levels were described by quadratic and cubic relationship, respectively. Relationships between plant Fe and Pb and DTPA extractable concentrations were nonsignificant. Additional safeguards to protect crop contamination from heavy metals such as Cd were discussed.     

Adsorption of arsenate on soils. Part 2: modeling the relationship between adsorption capacity and soil physiochemical properties using 16 Chinese soils

An attempt has been made to elucidate the effects of soil properties on arsenate adsorption by modeling the relationships between adsorption capacity and the properties of 16 Chinese soils. The model produced was validated against three Australian and three American soils. The results showed that nearly 93.8% of the variability in arsenate adsorption on the low-energy surface could be described by citrate-dithionite extractable Fe (Fe(CD)), clay content, organic matter content (OM) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC); nearly 87.6% of the variability in arsenate adsorption on the high-energy surface could be described by Fe(CD), DOC and total arsenic in soils. Fe(CD) exhibited the most important positive influence on arsenate adsorption. Oxalate extractable Al (Al(OX)), citrate-dithionite extractable Al (Al(CD)), extractable P and soil pH appeared relatively unimportant for adsorption of arsenate by soils.     

Thirty-year amendment of horse manure and chemical fertilizer on the availability of micronutrients at the aggregate scale in black soil

Purpose

This study evaluates manure and chemical fertilizer effects on micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) content and availability in crops.

Methods

Seven treatments were selected, including three conventional fertilization treatments (NP, horse manure (M), and NP plus M (NPM)), three corresponding double rate fertilization (N2P2, M2, and N2P2M2), and a CK. Soil samples were collected and separated into four aggregates by wet-sieving in September 2009. Corn samples were collected and analyzed simultaneously.

Results

Treatment N2P2 increased DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, and Cu in soil by 732%, 388%, and 42%, whereas M2 decreased the corresponding values by 26%, 22%, and 10%, respectively, compared to CK. DTPA extractable Zn in soil and Zn in corn grain were higher in the M and M2 treatments than in the other treatments, and DTPA Zn was significantly correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC) in large macroaggregate, microaggregate, and silt + clay fractions. The Mn concentrations in corn stalks and grain were significantly correlated with DTPA extractable Mn in bulk soil and microaggregates, and Zn in stalks were significantly correlated with DTPA Zn in bulk soil, microaggregates, and large macroaggregates.

Conclusions

Long-term application of horse manure could increase soil Zn availability and uptake by corn, possibly due to its activation by SOC. In contrast, chemical fertilizer application increased DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, and Cu in soil by reducing soil pH. Our results also suggest that Mn uptake by corn originated mainly in microaggregates, whereas Zn in crops was primarily sourced from large macroaggregates and microaggregates.     

Copper amendments and soil ph affect distribution of different chemical forms of metals and their uptake by Swingle citrumelo seedlings

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various rates of Copper (Cu) amendments (as CuSO₄.5H₂O at either 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg Cu kg^‐1) to soils with different pH values on the distribution of various chemical forms of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Aluminum (Al) in soils and their uptake by Swingle citrumelo citrus rootstock seedlings. The soils included Myakka fine sand (pH 5.70), Candler fine sand (pH 6.45), and Oldsmar fine sand (pH 8.16). The chemical forms of metals evaluated in this study included exchangeable, sorbed, organically bound, precipitated, and residual forms. An increase in Cu rates, lowered the pH in the Myakka and Candler fine sands, but not in the Oldsmar fine sand. This, in turn, resulted in an increase in the proportion of the readily soluble forms (the exchangeable + sorbed forms) of Zn and Mn, and decreased that of Fe in the Myakka and Candler fine sands. In those two soils, the organically bound forms of Zn, Fe, and Mn decreased with an increase in Cu rates. However, the proportion of readily soluble forms was not significantly influenced by increasing Cu rates in the Oldsmar fine sand. The total content of Zn, Fe, and Mn in citrus roots and that of Zn and Fe in the leaves, significantly decreased with an increase in Cu rates in the Myakka and Candler fine sands. In the Oldsmar fine sand, Cu rates through the entire range had no significant effects on the total contents of Zn, Fe, and Mn in the leaves or in the roots of Swingle citrumelo rootstock seedlings.     

Potentially toxic metals in ombrotrophic peat along a 400 km English-Scottish transect

Four samples of ombrotrophic peat were collected from each of 10 upland locations in a transect from the southern Pennines to the Highland Boundary Fault, a total distance of ca. 400 km. Bulk compositions and other properties were determined. Total contents of Al and heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) were determined following digestion with hydrofluoric acid, and concentrations of metals extractable with dilute nitric acid were also measured. Supernatants obtained from aqueous extractions of the peat samples were analysed for pH, major cations and anions, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved metals, and concentrations of free metal ions (Al(3+), Ni(2+), etc.) were estimated by applying a chemical speciation model. Both total and HNO(3)-extractable metal concentrations varied along the transect, the highest values being found at locations close to industrial and former mining areas. The HNO(3)-extractable soil metal contents of Ni, Cu and Cd were appreciably lower than lowest-observed-effect-concentrations (LOEC) for toxicity towards microorganisms in acid, organic rich soils. However, the contents of Zn at two locations, and of Pb at five locations exceeded LOECs, suggesting that they may be exerting toxic effects in the peats. Soil solution concentrations of free heavy metal ions (Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+)) were substantially lower than LOECs for toxicity towards vascular plants, whereas concentrations of Al(3+) were near to toxic levels at two locations.     

Assessing heavy metal pollution in the surface soils of a region that had undergone three decades of intense industrialization and urbanization

Heavy metals in the surface soils from lands of six different use types in one of the world’s most densely populated regions, which is also a major global manufacturing base, were analyzed to assess the impact of urbanization and industrialization on soil pollution. A total of 227 surface soil samples were collected and analyzed for major heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) by using microwave-assisted acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Multivariate analysis combined with enrichment factors showed that surface soils from the region (>7.2?×?10⁴ km²) had mean Cd, Cu, Zn, and As concentrations that were over two times higher than the background values, with Cd, Cu, and Zn clearly contributed by anthropogenic sources. Soil pollution by Pb was more widespread than the other heavy metals, which was contributed mostly by anthropogenic sources. The results also indicate that Mn, Co, Fe, Cr, and Ni in the surface soils were primarily derived from lithogenic sources, while Hg and As contents in the surface soils were controlled by both natural and anthropogenic sources. The pollution level and potential ecological risk of the surface soils both decreased in the order of: urban areas?>?waste disposal/treatment sites?～?industrial areas?>?agricultural lands?～?forest lands?>?water source protection areas. These results indicate the significant need for the development of pollution prevention and reduction strategies to reduce heavy metal pollution for regions undergoing fast industrialization and urbanization.     

The variations of aluminium species in mountainous forest soils and its implications to soil acidification

Aluminium (Al) speciation is a characteristic that can be used as a tool for describing the soil acidification process. The question that was answered is how tree species (beech vs spruce) and type of soil horizon affect Al speciation. Our hypotesis is that spruce and beech forest vegetation are able to modify the chemical characteristics of organic horizon, hence the content of Al species. Moreover, these characteristics are seasonally dependent. To answer these questions, a detailed chromatographic speciation of Al in forest soils under contrasting tree species was performed. The Jizera Mountains area (Czech Republic) was chosen as a representative mountainous soil ecosystem. A basic forestry survey was performed on the investigated area. Soil and precipitation samples (throughfall, stemflow) were collected under both beech and spruce stands at monthly intervals from April to November during the years 2008–2011. Total aluminium content and Al speciation, pH, and dissolved organic carbon were determined in aqueous soil extracts and in precipitation samples. We found that the most important factors affecting the chemistry of soils, hence content of the Al species, are soil horizons and vegetation cover. pH strongly affects the amount of Al species under both forests. Fermentation (F) and humified (H) organic horizons contain a higher content of water extractable Al and Al³⁺ compared to organo-mineral (A) and mineral horizons (B). With increasing soil profile depth, the amount of water extractable Al, Al³⁺ and moisture decreases. The prevailing water-extractable species of Al in all studied soils and profiles under both spruce and beech forests were organically bound monovalent Al species. Distinct seasonal variations in organic and mineral soil horizons were found under both spruce and beech forests. Maximum concentrations of water-extractable Al and Al³⁺ were determined in the summer, and the lowest in spring.     

Fractionation of heavy metals and distribution of organic carbon in two contaminated soils amended with humic acids

The effects of humic acids (HAs) extracted from two different organic materials on the distribution of heavy metals and on organic-C mineralisation in two contaminated soils were studied in incubation experiments. Humic acids isolated from a mature compost (HAC) and a commercial Spaghnum peat (HAP) were added to an acid soil (pH 3.4; 966 mg kg(-1) Zn and 9,229 mg kg(-1) Pb as main contaminants) and to a calcareous soil (pH 7.7; 2,602 mg kg(-1) Zn and 1,572 mg kg(-1) Pb as main contaminants) at a rate of 1.1g organic-C added per 100g soil. The mineralisation of organic-C was determined by the CO(2) released during the experiment. After 2, 8 and 28 weeks of incubation the heavy metals of the soils were fractionated by a sequential extraction procedure. After 28 weeks of incubation, the mineralisation of the organic-C added was rather low in the soils studied (<8% of TOC in the acid soil; <10% of TOC in the calcareous soil). Both humic acids caused significant Zn and Pb immobilisation (increased proportion of the residual fraction, extractable only with aqua regia) in the acid soil, while Cu and Fe were slightly mobilised (increased concentrations extractable with 0.1M CaCl(2) and/or 0.5M NaOH). In the calcareous soil there were lesser effects, and at the end of the experiment only the fraction mainly related to carbonates (EDTA-extractable) was significantly increased for Zn and decreased for Fe in the humic acids treated samples. However, HA-metal interactions provoked the flocculation of these substances, as suggested by the association of the humic acids with the sand fraction of the soil. These results indicate that humic acid-rich materials can be useful amendments for soil remediation involving stabilisation, although a concomitant slight mobilisation of Zn, Pb and Cu can be provoked in acid soils.     

Aerobic dehalogenation potentials of four bacterial species isolated from soil and sewage sludge

In Polar regions subject to acid precipitation, the spring flood period is swift and can be divided into three phases. In phase one, dilution and anion substitution by SO4 controls episodic acidification. Phase two is characterized by interaction of snowmelt water with the catchment. A combination of several factors contributes to declines in pH and ANC. In forest and wetland ecosystems, organic acids greatly contribute to the pH depression in the streams. In the coastal tundra and forest-tundra zones, "salt-effect" acidification predominantes. The increase in toxic forms of trace (Ni, Cu) and rare (Fe, Al, Mn) elements during pH depressions may create stress conditions for the fauna of polar fresh waters during a flood period.     

Obtaining a Part B Permit for Hazardous Waste Incineration

The objectives of this study were to compare changes in atmospheric deposition rates for water soluble Zn, Cu and Mn associated with a doubling of the generating capacity of a fossilfuel power plant located in southern Maryland with concentrations of extractable metals in soils and In corn and soybean foliage.

Three atmospheric deposition samples were collected monthly during each summer from 12 research and monitoring sites located 1.6, 4.8 and 9.6 km distances from the Chalk Point Generating Station for two years before and after the June 1975 expansion of generation capacity from 660 to 1320 MW. Crop leaf samples were collected at flowering, and 0-15 cm depth soil samples were collected from research plots each May.

Averaged over monitoring sites and plant operational periods, respectively, significant decreases were found in atmospheric deposition rates for Zn and Mn from pre- to post-plant expansion and with increased distances. The Cu deposition rates remained unchanged from pre- to post-expansion; however, a trend for decreased rates with distance was observed.

Significant differences were found in the levels of soil extractable Zn, Cu and Mn among the 12 sites and with distance from the power plant. Also, combined over sites, significantly higher levels of extractable Zn and Mn were found during post-expansion which were attributed to general increases in soil acidity found in all soil research sites.

Significant increases in foliar Cu and significant decreases in foliar Mn concentrations were found in both crops from pre- to post-expansion. Leaf Zn concentrations declined in soybeans but remained unchanged in corn after plant expansion. Leaf Mn levels were highest in both crops at 1.6 km compared to more distance sites; however, foliar Zn and Cu concentrations In both crops were similar across distances from the power plant.

The increase in soil extractable Zn and Mn associated with the decreases in soil pH were typically 100X larger than the recorded decreases in water soluble Zn and Mn deposition associated with power plant expansion. The observed changes in rates of metal deposition would be expected to have only minimal effects on the metal nutrition of the crops; however, the quantities of Zn and Cu being deposited would likely prevent deficiencies from occurring on the Atlantic Coastal Plain soils.     

Copper uptake by Elsholtzia splendens and Silene vulgaris and assessment of copper phytoavailability in contaminated soils

Tolerance and metal uptake are two essential characteristics required for phytoextraction of metals from contaminated soils. We compared tolerance and Cu uptake of Elsholtzia splendens (reported previously to be a Cu hyperaccumulator) with Silene vulgaris (the Imsbach population, a well-known Cu-tolerant excluder species), using 30 soils varying widely in total Cu concentration (19-8645 mg kg(-1)). We further investigated the effectiveness of different soil testing methods for predicting plant metal uptake. The results showed that both Elsholtzia splendens and Silene vulgaris were tolerant to Cu, especially Silene vulgaris. However, Elsholtzia splendens did not hyperaccumulate Cu, but behaved as a typical Cu excluder like Silene vulgaris. The concentrations of Cu in both plants correlated more closely with 1 M NH4NO3 extractable Cu, soil solution Cu, or effective Cu concentration determined using DGT, than with soil total Cu, EDTA extractable Cu or free Cu2+ activity. The relationships between soil solution properties and root Cu concentrations were further investigated using multiple regression. The results showed that increasing soil solution pH increased root Cu concentration when free Cu2+ activity was held constant, suggesting a higher phytoavailability of free Cu2+ at a higher pH. Soil solution DOC appeared to play two contrasting roles on the phytoavailability of Cu: (1) reducing Cu availability by complexing Cu; and (2) increasing Cu availability at the same level of free Cu2+ activity by providing a strong buffer for free Cu2+. The results are consistent with the intensity/capacity concept for phytoavailability of metals in soils.     

Copper extraction effectiveness and soil dissolution issues of EDTA-flushing of artificially contaminated soils

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was used as a reference chelating agent in column experiments to investigate the effectiveness of chelant-enhanced flushing of soils artificially contaminated under various conditions (low/high Cu loading, and aging). The associated soil dissolution issues were of particular concern. Dissolution of indigenous Fe/Al oxides, Ca carbonates and organic matter was monitored over the course of flushing. Regardless of contamination condition, above 85% extraction efficiency could be accomplished by 10(-2) and 10(-3)M EDTA-flushing, but not 10(-4)M. The Cu extraction kinetics positively correlated to EDTA concentration but inversely to Cu loading in soils. In addition to extraction from weakly sorbed fractions, a large portion of Cu was extracted from oxide, organic matter and residual fractions, which appears to derive from soil dissolution. Cumulative dissolved amounts of Fe, Al, and Ca were found to reach as high as hundreds of mgkg(-1), which were comparable to Cu contamination. Soil organic matter, which is known to strongly interact with Fe and Al oxides, was also mobilized. The rate and extent of these soil dissolutions were also positively correlated to EDTA concentration. Therefore, the co-extraction of soil minerals and organic matter during chelant-enhanced flushing, which would alter both physical structure and chemical properties of the soils, is detrimental to future land use and deserves greater attention. The concentration of chelating agent is the most crucial factor for an effective soil flushing with minimal damage.     

Distribution coefficients of potentially toxic elements in soils from the eastern Amazon

The solid-solution distribution or partition coefficient (Kd) is a measure of affinity of potentially toxic elements (PTE) for soil colloids. Kd plays a key role in several models for defining PTE guideline values in soils and for assessing environmental risks, and its value depends on edaphic and climatic conditions of the sites where the soils occur. This study quantified Kd values for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn from representative soil samples from Brazil’s eastern Amazon region, which measures 1.2 million km². The Kd values obtained were lower than those set by both international and Brazilian environmental agencies and were correlated with the pH, Fe and Mn oxide content, and cationic exchange capacity of the soils. The following order of decreasing affinity was observed: Pb?>?Cu?>?Hg?>?Cr?>?Cd?≈?Co?>?Ni?>?Zn.     

Predicting molybdenum toxicity to higher plants: Influence of soil properties

The effect of soil properties on the toxicity of molybdenum (Mo) to four plant species was investigated. Soil organic carbon or ammonium-oxalate extractable Fe oxides were found to be the best predictors of the 50% effective dose (ED₅₀) of Mo in different soils, explaining > 65% of the variance in ED₅₀ for four species except for ryegrass (26-38%). Molybdenum concentrations in soil solution and consequently plant uptake were increased when soil pH was artificially raised because sorption of Mo to amorphous oxides is greatly reduced at high pH. The addition of sulphate significantly decreased Mo uptake by oilseed rape. For risk assessment, we suggest that Mo toxicity values for plants should be normalised using soil amorphous iron oxide concentrations.     

Clay charge reversal effects on aqueous polymer sorption on lateritic soils

The effects of charge reversal about the measured point of zero charge (pH(0) approximately 5.2) of untreated and treated Sete Lagoas lateritic soil of Brazil on aqueous polymer sorption was investigated. The polymers are anionic sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCA), nonionic polyethylene oxide (PEO), and cationic polyacrylamide (PAM). They were prepared at aqueous concentrations and pH ranges of 0.1-2.0 g l(-1) and 2-9, respectively. Soil treatment involved the removal of iron oxides by treatment with dithionate-bicarbonate-citrate. Batch sorption test results show that the presence of iron oxides in lateritic soil tends to suppress sorption of CMCA (especially at pH=pH(0)) and PEO (for the whole pH range) but has uncertain effects on cationic PAM sorption. CMCA sorption on the untreated soil improves on either side of pH(0), in direct proportionality to solution concentration, except at pH<4.0, where disassociation of the polymer molecules may decrease sorption energy. Increase in the sorption of non-cationic polymers (CMCA and PEO) at pH>pH(0) is attributable to dispersion of clay, cation bridging and polymer molecular reconfiguration. For cationic PAM, electrostatic bonding to negatively charged soil particle surfaces accounts for the sorption increase. For treated soil samples, polymer sorption pattern is similar to those expected for the montmorillonitic clayey soils of temperate zones. These results indicate that the pH(0) of lateritic soils, within the regime that exists in the field, should be considered in assessing the potential effectiveness of polymer dust suppressants for tropical lateritic soils.     

Estimates of ambient background concentrations of trace metals in soils for risk assessment

Site-specific or soil type-specific ambient background concentrations (ABCs) of trace metals in soils are needed for risk assessment. We investigated three different methods for estimating ABCs in soils using a dataset of 5691 soil samples from England and Wales. The concentrations of Co, Cr and Ni were strongly associated with Al and Fe, and multiple regressions explained 62-85% of their variation, and Al and Fe can therefore be used to predict ABCs for these metals. Soil texture had a major influence on the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn, and the medians were 3-5 fold higher in clayey than in sandy soils. This was used to predict texture-specific ABCs. Lead concentration was higher in acidic peaty soils than in other soils. A probability graph method was used to estimate ABC for Pb in a population of relatively uncontaminated soils. Potential applications of ABCs are discussed.     

Source characterisation of road dust based on chemical and mineralogical composition

Road dust contain potentially toxic pollutants originating from a range of anthropogenic sources common to urban land uses and soil inputs from surrounding areas. The research study analysed the mineralogy and morphology of dust samples from road surfaces from different land uses and background soil samples to characterise the relative source contributions to road dust. The road dust consist primarily of soil derived minerals (60%) with quartz averaging 40-50% and remainder being clay forming minerals of albite, microcline, chlorite and muscovite originating from surrounding soils. About 2% was organic matter primarily originating from plant matter. Potentially toxic pollutants represented about 30% of the build-up. These pollutants consist of brake and tire wear, combustion emissions and fly ash from asphalt. Heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd primarily originate from vehicular traffic while Fe, Al and Mn primarily originate from surrounding soils. The research study confirmed the significant contribution of vehicular traffic to dust deposited on urban road surfaces.