Cadmium in soil solutions from a transect of soils away from a fertiliser bin

The effects of high inputs of phosphate fertiliser on Cd concentrations were studied in soil solutions extracted from topsoils. Soils were sampled along a transect at distances of 1-100 m away from a fertiliser bin. The transect was sampled four times during 1 year. Soil solutions were analysed for Cd, pH, major cations and anions, and other heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Pb). For one of the transect samplings, soil total Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and P were also measured. Cd speciation in the soil solutions was calculated by the GEO-CHEM-PC computer program. Chemical composition varied substantially along the transect, and also between samplings, indicative of seasonal effects and the influence of a fresh application of superphosphate fertiliser during the year. Application of fertiliser decreased soil solution pH and increased the levels of heavy metals in soil solution. Generally, soil total Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and P decreased with increasing distance from the fertiliser bin. Correlations between P and the four heavy metals were: P and Cd (R2 = 0.978), P and Cr (R2 = 0.712), P and Pb (R2 = 0.538), P and Cu (R2 = 0.267). Less than 1% of the total Cd in the soil samples was found in the soil solution. The free metal ion Cd2+ accounted for 55-90% of solution Cd. Of the complexed species of Cd, the chloride and sulphate complexes were usually the most important, even when nitrate and phosphate concentrations were relatively high. The presence of As, Cr, Cu and Pb had no effect on Cd speciation.     

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.     

Trace metal speciation and bioavailability in urban soils

Urban soils often contain concentrations of trace metals that exceed regulatory levels. However, the threat posed by trace metals to human health and the environment is thought to be dependent on their speciation in the soil solution rather than the total concentration. Three inactive railway yards in Montréal, Québec, were sampled to investigate the speciation and bioavailability of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Soil solutions were obtained by centrifuging saturated soil pastes. In the soil solutions, up to 59% of the dissolved Cd was in its free ionic form. For Cu, Pb and Zn, organic complexes were the predominant species. Over 40% of Ni was present as inorganic complexes if the solution pH exceeded 8.1. Multiple regression analyses showed that pH and total metals in soil were significantly correlated with the activities of free metal ions, except for Cd(2+), which only had a weak correlation with soil pH. Free, dissolved and total soil metals were tested for their ability to predict metal uptake by plants in the field. However, none of these metal pools were satisfactory predictors. The results indicated that in these urban soils, trace metals were mainly in stable forms and bioavailability was extremely low.     

Effects of EDTA and low molecular weight organic acids on soil solution properties of a heavy metal polluted soil

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of EDTA and low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOA) on the pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and heavy metals in the soil solution in the rhizosphere of Brassica juncea grown in a paddy soil contaminated with Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd. The results show that EDTA and LMWOA have no effect on the soil solution pH. EDTA addition significantly increased the TOC concentrations in the soil solution. The TOC concentrations in treatments with EDTA were significantly higher than those in treatments with LMWOA. Adding 3 mmol kg(-1) EDTA to the soil markedly increased the total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in the soil solution. Compared to EDTA, LMWOA had a very small effect on the metal concentrations. Total concentrations in the soil solution followed the sequence: EDTA > citric acid (CA) approximately oxalic acid (OA) approximately malic acid (MA) for Cu and Pb; EDTA > MA > CA approximately OA for Zn; and EDTA > MA > CA > OA for Cd. The labile concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd showed similar trends to the total concentrations.     

Relation between heavy metal concentrations in salt marsh plants and soil

The aim of the research reported here was to investigate the relation between heavy metal concentrations in salt marsh plants, extractability of the metals from soil and some soil characteristics. In April 1987, Spartina anglica and Aster tripolium plants and soil were collected from four salt marshes along the Dutch coast. The redox potential of the soil between the roots of the plants and at bare sites was measured. Soil samples were oven-dried and analyzed for chloride concentration, pH, fraction of soil particles smaller than 63 microm (f < 63 microm), loss on ignition (LOI) and ammonium acetate and hydrochloric acid extractable Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations. The roots and shoots of the plants were analyzed for Cd, Cu and Zn. Because drying of the soil prior to chemical analysis might have changed the chemical speciation of the metals, and therefore the outcome of the ammonium acetate extraction, a second survey was performed in October 1990. In this survey A. tripolium plants and soil were collected from two salt marshes. Fresh and matched oven-dried soil samples were analyzed for water, ammonium acetate and diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations. The soil samples were also analyzed for f < 63 microm, LOI and total (HNO(3)/HCl digestion) metal concentrations. Soil metal concentrations were correlated with LOI. Drying prior to analysis of the soil had a significant effect on the extractability of the metals with water, ammonium acetate or DTPA. Plant metal concentrations significantly correlated only with some extractable metal concentrations determined in dried soil samples. However, these correlations were not consistently better than with total metal concentrations in the soil. It was concluded that extractions of metals from soil with water, ammonium acetate or DTPA are not better predictors for metal concentrations in salt marsh plants than total metal concentrations, and that a major part of the variation in metal concentrations in the plants cannot be explained by variation in soil composition.     

Survey of heavy metal pollution and assessment of agricultural soil in Yangzhong district, Jiangsu Province, China

We investigated concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, As, Ni, and Cr in samples of soil, cereal, and vegetables from Yangzhong district, China. Compared to subsoils, the sampled topsoils are enriched in Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As. High levels of Cd and Hg are observed in most agricultural soils. Concentrations of Cr and Ni show little spatial variation, and high Cu, Pb, and Zn contents correspond well to areas of urban development. High As contents are primarily recorded at the two ends of the sampled alluvion. The contents of Cd, Hg, and total organic carbon (TOC) increase gradually to maximum values in the upper parts of soil profiles, while Cr and Ni occur in low concentrations within sampled profiles. As, Pb, Cu, and Zn show patterns of slight enrichment within the surface layer. Compared to data obtained in 1990, Cd and Hg show increased concentrations in 2005; this is attributed to the long-term use of agrochemicals. Cr and Ni contents remained steady over this interval because they are derived from the weathering of parent material and subsequent pedogenesis. The measured As, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents show slight increases over time due to atmospheric deposition of material sourced from urban anthropogenic activity. Low concentrations of heavy metals are recorded in vegetables and cereals because the subalkaline environment of the soil limits their mobility. Although the heavy metal concentrations measured in this study do not pose a serious health risk, they do affect the quality of agricultural products.     

Evolution of heavy metal speciation during the aerobic composting process of sewage sludge

The contents of heavy metals and their bioavailability to the soil-plant system were the major limitation to the application of sewage sludge compost in soil. This study was conducted to determine the evolution of heavy metal speciation in the course of an aerobic composting, and investigate the influence of changes of composting process parameters including pH, temperature and organic matter (OM) content on distribution of heavy metal speciation in composted sludge. The sequential extraction procedure developed by Tessier et al. was used in sludge compost to determine the heavy metal speciation. Results showed that, during composting, (1) the contents of the residue fraction for Pb, Zn and Cd were decreased but those for Ni and Cr were increased; the Cu residue fraction was almost constant; (2) the contents of the total mobile fractions (including fractions 1-4) for Zn and Pb were significantly increased, but the increase of those for Cu and Ni were not so remarkable; (3) there were significant degrees of correlation between heavy metal fractions and changes of some selected parameters (for example, pH, composting temperature, and OM content). Only the content of the total mobile fractions for Cu could be predictable from its total content. For the prediction of the total mobile fractions of Zn, Ni, Cd and Cr, the R(2) value was significantly increased by the inclusion of other variables such as pH, temperature and OM content.     

浮游球衣菌对Pb2+、Cu2+、Zn2+、Cd2+的吸附性能研究

研究了浮游球衣菌（Sphaerotilus natans）在不同吸附条件下对溶液中Pb^2＋、Cu^2＋、Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋的吸附规律。结果表明,Sphaerotilus natans对这4种重金属离子均有一定的吸附作用,并在20min内达到吸附平衡,pH对吸附过程影响较大,pH为5.5时Sphaerotilus natans对这4种金属离子的吸附效果最好,Sphaerotilus natans对它们的吸附选择性为Pb^2＋〉Cu^2＋〉Zn^2＋〉Cd^2＋,Pb^2＋、Cu^2＋能部分置换出已被菌体吸附的Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋。HCI和EDTA溶液可有效地将金属离子从菌体上解吸下来,解吸后的菌体可重复使用。     

A comparative study on metal sorption by brown seaweed

This study compared the sorption of Ag, Cd, Co, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn by a Ca-treated Sargassum biomass at pH 5.0, under low and high ionic strength (IS) conditions. The sorption isotherms of As [As(V)] and Cr [Cr(III) and Cr(VI)] were also determined at low IS. The isotherm data for the eight cationic metals and Cr(III) were well fitted by Langmuir equations. Generally, the maximum metal uptake (Umax) followed: Cr(III) > Pb approximately Cu > Ag approximately Zn approximately Cd > Ni approximately Mn approximately Co > Cr(VI) > As(V) at low IS and Pb > Cu > Co > Mn approximately Cd > Zn approximately Ag > Ni at high IS. As(V) did not bind to the seaweed at pH 5.0. The results indicated that sorption of Pb was not affected by the increasing IS, though the percentage of free Pb ions in the water was greatly reduced as predicted by the speciation model. High IS lowered Umax by 10-36% (except Co and Pb), and lowered the affinity constant of the metal by 33-91% for all cationic metals, as compared to low IS. Moreover, the removal efficiency of the cationic metals and Cr decreased exponentially with initial metal concentrations and was lower at high IS. Ion-exchange was the mechanism responsible for the cationic metal sorption onto the seaweed, and Na ion interfered with the cationic metal binding through electrostatic interaction. In conclusion, this study showed the differential binding capacity of the Sargassm biomass for different metals and oxidation states and the differential effects of IS. According to the present results, Sargassum may be considered a good biosorbent for cationic metals (especially Pb) in both low and high-salt containing wastewater.     

Toxicological response of a bioluminescent microbial assay to Zn, Pb and Cu in an artificial soil solution: relationship with total metal concentrations and free ion activities.

The relationship between toxicological response and both total concentrations and free ion activities of Pb, Cu and Zn in an artificial soil solution has been investigated using lux-marked Escherichia coli HB101 (pUCD607) as a bioassay. SO4(2-) (as K2SO4) was added as an inorganic complexing agent up to 0.01 M representing the range of ionic strengths found in soil solutions and giving a wide range of free metal ion activities. EC50 values expressed in terms of concentration, varied significantly with K2SO4 molarity for all metals. However, when EC50 values were expressed in terms of free ion activity they were not significantly different for Pb and Zn, supporting the free ion activity model. Conversely, EC50 values expressed as free Cu activity did vary significantly with K2SO4 molarity, possibly due to a greater degree of adsorption of Cu onto inactive sites on the cell surfaces than for Zn and Pb. Linear regression analysis of bioluminescence on free ion activity revealed significant correlations for each metal above the toxicity threshold. In conclusion, lux-marked E. coli is suitable for investigating the toxicity of metal ions and complexes in non saline systems although cell surface adsorption effects could be important for some metals, e.g. Cu.     

Earthworms as biological monitors of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in metalliferous soils

Earthworms (Lumbricus rebellus and Dendrodrilus rubidus) were sampled from one uncontaminated and fifteen metal-contaminated sites. Significant positive correlations were found between the earthworm and 'total' (conc. nitric acid-extractable) soil Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations (data log1) transformed). The relationships were linear, and the accumulation patterns for both species were similar when a single metal was considered, even though there were species difference in mean metal concentrations. Generally, the earthworm Cd concentration exceeded that of the soil; by contrast, the worm Pb concentration was lower than the soil Pb concentration in all but one (acidic, low soil Ca) site. Our observations suggest that Cu and Zn accumulation may be physiologically regulated by both species. Total-soil Cd explained 82-86% of the variability (V2) in earthworm Cd concentration; 52-58% of worm Pb and worm Zn concentrations were explained by the total-soil concentrations of the respective metals. Total-soil Cu explained only 11-32% of the worm Cu concentration. The effect of soil pH, total Ca concentration, cation-exchange capacity (CEC) and organic carbon on metal accumulation by L. rubellus and D. rubidus was investigated by multiple regression analysis. Soil pH (coupled with CEC) and soil Ca had a major influence on Pb accumulation (V2 of worm Pb increased to 77-83%), and there was some evidence that Cd accumulation may be suppressed in extremely organic soils. The edaphic factors investigated had no effect on Cu or Zn accumulation by earthworms. In the context of biomonitoring, it is proposed that earthworms have a potential in a dual role: (1) as 'quantitative' monitors of total-soil metal concentrations (as shown for Cd); and (2) as estimators of 'ecologically significant' soil metal, integrating the effects of edaphic factors (as shown for Pb).     

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.     

Heavy metals in urban soils of East St. Louis, IL, Part I: Total concentration of heavy metals in soils

The city of East St. Louis, IL, has a history of abundant industrial activities including smelters of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, a coal-fired power plant, companies that produce organic and inorganic chemicals, and petroleum refineries. A protocol for soil analysis was developed to produce sufficient information on the extent of heavy metal contamination in East St. Louis soils. Soil cores representing every borough of East St. Louis were analyzed for heavy metals--As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn. The topsoil contained heavy metal concentrations as high as 12.5 ppm Cd, 14,400 ppm Cu, ppm quantities of Hg, 1860 ppm Pb, 40 ppm Sb, 1130 ppm Sn, and 10,360 ppm Zn. Concentrations of Sb, Cu, and Cd were well correlated with Zn concentrations, suggesting a similar primary industrial source. In a sandy loam soil from a vacated rail depot near the bank of the Mississippi River, the metals were evenly distributed down to a 38-cm depth. The clay soils within a half-mile downwind of the Zn smelter and Cu products company contained elevated Cd (81 ppm), Cu (340 ppm), Pb (700 ppm), and Zn (6000 ppm) and displayed a systematic drop in concentration of these metals with depth. This study demonstrates the often high concentration of heavy metals heterogeneously distributed in the soil and provides baseline data for continuing studies of heavy metal soil leachability.     

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.     

Heavy Metals in Urban Soils of East St. Louis,IL, Part I: Total Concentration of Heavy Metals in Soils

ABSTRACT

The city of East St. Louis, IL, has a history of abundant industrial activities including smelters of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, a coal-fired power plant, companies that produce organic and inorganic chemicals, and petroleum refineries. A protocol for soil analysis was developed to produce sufficient information on the extent of heavy metal contamination in East St. Louis soils. Soil cores representing every borough of East St. Louis were analyzed for heavy metals—As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn. The topsoil contained heavy metal concentrations as high as 12.5 ppm Cd, 14,400 ppm Cu, ppm quantities of Hg, 1860 ppm Pb, 40 ppm Sb, 1130 ppm Sn, and 10,360 ppm Zn. Concentrations of Sb, Cu, and Cd were well correlated with Zn concentrations, suggesting a similar primary industrial source. In a sandy loam soil from a vacated rail depot near the bank of the Mississippi River, the metals were evenly distributed down to a 38-cm depth. The clay soils within a half-mile downwind of the Zn smelter and Cu products company contained elevated Cd (81 ppm), Cu (340 ppm), Pb (700 ppm), and Zn (6000 ppm) and displayed a systematic drop in concentration of these metals with depth. This study demonstrates the often high concentration of heavy metals heterogeneously distributed in the soil and provides baseline data for continuing studies of heavy metal soil leachability.     

皂化改性橘子皮生物吸附剂对重金属离子的吸附

以生物废料橘子皮(OP)为原料,经乙醇、氢氧化钠处理,得到改性橘子皮生物吸附剂SOP,将其用于对重金属离子Cu2+、Pb2+、Cd2+、Zn2+和Ni2+的吸附。研究了溶液pH、吸附时间和重金属离子初始浓度对SOP吸附性能的影响。结果表明,重金属离子在生物吸附剂上的吸附速率快,符合准二级动力学方程。SOP对重金属离子的吸附等温线符合Lang-muir模型,根据Langmuir模型计算SOP对Cu2+、Pb2+、Cd2+、Zn2+和Ni2+的饱和吸附量分别为56.82、152.4、66.27、33.90和23.02 mg/g,均高于改性前。常见阳离子的存在对重金属离子吸附的影响较小,改性后的橘子皮生物吸附剂可以再生重复使用4次以上,是性能良好的重金属离子吸附剂。     

Influence of hydrology on heavy metal speciation and mobility in a Pb-Zn mine tailing

Among the inorganic toxicants of greatest concern in mine tailings, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd and As figure prominently due to their abundance and potential toxicity. Here we report on their biolability and solid-phase speciation in two sediment cores subject to variable hydrological regimes at an abandoned pyritic mine tailing. The oxic conditions of well-drained sediments induced pyrite oxidation and the subsequent liberation of H+, SO4(2-) and considerable quantities of Fe(III), which precipitated as goethite. Solubility of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd was closely coupled to pH and goethite presence. Metal lability was particularly low in zones of neutralization, formed by the accumulation of calcite, first carried then deposited by percolating waters in both saturated and unsaturated cores. We conclude that differential hydrology induces variable heavy metal speciation and biolability in Pb-Zn mine tailings, and suggest that site-specific risk assessments must account for past and present hydrological regimes.     

Simultaneous heavy metal removal mechanism by dead macrophytes

The use of dead, dried aquatic plants, for water removal of metals derived from industrial activities as a simple biosorbent material has been increasing in the last years. The mechanism of simultaneous metal removal (Cd2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+) by 3 macrophytes biomass (Spirodela intermedia, Lemna minor and Pistia stratiotes) was investigated. L. minor biomass presented the highest mean removal percentage and P. stratiotes the lowest for all metals tested. Pb2+ and Cd2+ were more efficiently removed by the three of them. The simultaneous metal sorption data were analysed according to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Data fitted the Langmuir model only for Ni and Cd, but Freundlich isotherm for all metals tested, as it was expected. The K(F) values showed that Pb was the metal more efficiently removed from water solution. The adsorption process for the three species studied followed first order kinetics. The mechanism involved in biosorption resulted ion exchange between monovalent metals as counter ions present in the macrophytes biomass and heavy metal ions and protons taken up from water. No significant differences were observed in the metal exchange amounts while using multi-metal or individual metal solutions.     

Leaching behaviour of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in surface soils derived from dredged sediments

Leaching of heavy metals from land-disposed dredged sediment spoils is a potential environmental hazard. The leaching behavior of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in surface soils sampled from abandoned dredged sediment disposal sites was assessed. Using simple mass-balance calculations, the significance of the leaching test results with respect to metal migration into underlying clean soil was appraised. The potential leachability, defined as the amounts released at constant pH 4, decreased in the order (% of total contents): Zn (58%) approximately equal to Cd (49%)>Cu (5%) approximately equal to Pb (2%). The kinetics of metal release were determined in a cascade shaking test using de-mineralized water acidified to pH 4 (HNO(3)). Metal concentrations in the leachates were low and metal migration was, assuming uniform convective flow, predicted to be of no environmental concern. It is emphasized that any long-term prediction of metal migration is uncertain.