Adsorption and desorption of Cu at high equilibrium concentrations by soil and clay samples from Bulgaria

Studies were carried out on the adsorption and desorption of added copper (from 100 to 600 microg g(-1)) to whole soils with contrasting properties: a Podzol (Godech A and Godech B) and a Chernozem (Gramada). Adsorption resulted in high Cu concentrations for the Podzol. The adsorbed copper, especially that in the B-horizon, is also potentially mobile, as judged by its ease of desorption on treatment with 0.01 m CaCl(2). A higher proportion of the added adsorbed copper is retained in Godech A soil (4% clay), than in Godech B soil (41% clay). Clay minerals are the principal adsorbent in the Podzol (Godech B), because of the high desorption observed at a low site coverage (7% CEC). The Godech B clay fraction (<0.001 mm) simulates the behaviour of the whole soil. The clay fraction from the Chernozem (Gramada) shows contrasting behaviour, as compared to the whole soil. Copper in the Chernozem is specifically (non-exchangeably) adsorbed, even at pH 2.7. A Langmuir model is appropriate for describing Cu-adsorption for the systems investigated at the acid pH values.