Abstract
The solubility behaviour of heavy metals determines mobility, leaching, availability, and toxicity of these elements in soils. In model experiments the solubility of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb was investigated in equilibrium solutions of different soil samples under varying conditions.
The solution concentrations of heavy metals increase in the order Cd> Zn>>Cu> Pb with increasing total content of these elements and decreasing pH. The concentrations of Cd and Zn may already raise at pH values below 6, whereas those of Cu and Pb increase below pH 4 to 5.
At acid soil reaction the metal concentrations are reduced in subsoil samples with low content of organic matter by increasing clay content and CEC. In surface soils humic substances depress solution concentrations of heavy metals at strongly acid conditions more effectively than mineral soil components. The metals are immobilized by soil organic matter in the order Cu>Cd>Zn> Pb. At weakly acid to alkaline soil reaction these elements are mobilized in the same order by soluble organic substances. Especially additions of decomposable plant material to soils lead to a mobilization of heavy metals. Pb is least affected by these processes because of a strong fixation by mineral soil components.
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© 1983 D. Reidel Publishing Company
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Brümmer, G., Herms, U. (1983). Influence of Soil Reaction and Organic Matter on The Solubility of Heavy Metals in Soils. In: Ulrich, B., Pankrath, J. (eds) Effects of Accumulation of Air Pollutants in Forest Ecosystems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6983-4_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6983-4_18
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