New approach to studies of heavy metal redistribution in soil

• Published in: Advances in environmental research : an international journal of research in environmental science, engineering and technology Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 113 - 120
• Main Authors: Han, F.X., Banin, A., Kingery, W.L., Triplett, G.B., Zhou, L.X., Zheng, S.J., Ding, W.X.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2003
• Subjects: Binding intensity; Heavy metals; Redistribution index; Sequential selective dissolution; Redistribution index; Binding intensity; Sequential selective dissolution; Heavy metals
• ISSN: 1093-0191; 1093-7927
• DOI: 10.1016/S1093-0191(02)00142-9

The bioavailability and mobility of heavy metals in soils is dependent upon redistribution processes between solution and solid phases and among solid-phase components. This paper reviews the definitions and applications of two newly developed parameters, the redistribution index and the reduced partitioning parameter, in quantifying redistribution processes of heavy metals in contaminated soils. The redistribution index depicts the removal/attainment of metal-contaminated soils from/to the fractional distribution pattern characteristic of non-amended soils, while the reduced partitioning parameter quantifies the relative binding intensity of heavy metals in soils. Over time, metal salt-spiked and sludge-amended soils approached the fractional distribution pattern of non-amended soils. The rates of redistribution of metals and their binding intensity in soils were affected by the metal species, loading levels and soil properties. Metals in contaminated soils at low loading levels approach the fractional distribution pattern of non-amended soil more rapidly than those at high loading levels. The sequence order of approach by metals to the fractional distribution pattern of non-amended soil was: Cd>Cu>Ni=Zn>Cr. In both non-amended and contaminated soils, Cr had the highest binding intensity, Cd the lowest, and Cu, Ni and Zn, intermediate values. In addition to our own data, primarily on metal salt-spiked soils, these two indices are also used to evaluate redistribution processes of heavy metals in sewage sludge-amended soils from other published reports.