170 Heavy Metals in Soils PDF

Heavy Metals in Soils
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
VOLUME 22
Editors
Brain J. Alloway, Soil Research Centre, Department of Geography and Environmental
Science, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, University of Reading,
Whiteknights, Reading, UK
Jack T. Trevors, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph,
Ontario, Canada
Editorial Board
I. Colbeck, Interdisciplinary Centre for Environment and Society,
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, U.K.
R.L. Crawford, Food Research Center (FRC) 204, University of Idaho, Moscow,
Idaho, U.S.A.
W. Salomons, GKSS Research Center, Geesthacht, Germany
For further volumes:

http://www.springer.com/series/5929
Brian J. Alloway
Editor
Heavy Metals in Soils

Trace Metals and Metalloids in Soils
and their Bioavailability
Third Edition
Editor
Brian J. Alloway
Soil Research Centre
Department of Geography
and Environmental Science
School of Human and Environmental
Sciences
University of Reading
Whiteknights, Reading, UK
ISSN 1566-0745
ISBN 978-94-007-4469-1
ISBN 978-94-007-4470-7 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7
Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg New York London
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012943047
Originally published by Blackie Academic & Professional, an imprint of Chapman & Hall
#Chapman & Hall, Glasgow, 1990, 1995
# Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
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Preface
An understanding of the occurrence and availability of heavy metals and metalloids

in soils is of major importance to environmental health, crop and livestock production, food and water quality and ecotoxicology. The concentrations of heavy metal
(loid)s in soils can vary widely, even in uncontaminated soils. Marked differences
in the geochemical composition of the rocks which form the parent materials of
soils and variations in the intensity of soil-forming processes can result in wide
ranges of total and available concentrations of most elements in soils, even in those
unaffected by contamination. Nevertheless, contamination from many sources can
often give rise to some very high concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s which can
cause toxicity in soil organisms and susceptible plants, but this depends on the
factors affecting the bioavailability of the elements.
This book covers the general principles of the occurrence, soil chemical behaviour
and soil-plant-animal aspects of heavy metal(loid)s and more detailed coverage of
21 individual elements, including: antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium,
cobalt, copper, gold, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium,
silver, thallium, tin, tungsten, uranium, vanadium and zinc.
This is the third edition of this book which was previously published in 1990
and 1995 and it has involved a complete re-write with mainly new authors and
several new chapters. The structure of the book is largely the same as in the first two
editions with Part I covering Basic Principles and Part II covering Key Heavy
Metals and Metalloids. However, the scope of Part I has been broadened with the
addition of four new chapters dealing with toxicity in soil organisms (Chap. 5),
soil-plant relationships (Chap. 6), heavy metal(loid)s as micronutrients for plants
and/or animals (Chap. 7) and the modelling of Critical Loads of heavy metals for
risk assessments and environmental legislation (Chap. 8). As in the previous editions,
Part II covers arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, nickel,
selenium and zinc. However, a new Part III has been created to give expanded
coverage on ten Other Heavy Metals and Metalloids of Potential Environmental
Significance which include antimony, barium, gold, molybdenum, silver, thallium,
tin, tungsten, uranium and vanadium (with barium and tungsten being new additions).
vi
Preface
As with the previous editions, this book will be of great value to advanced
undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scientists and professionals in
environmental science, soil science, geochemistry, agronomy, environmental health
and specialists responsible for the management and clean-up of contaminated land.
January, 2012 University of Reading, UK
Brian J. Alloway (Editor)
Contents
Part I
Basic Principles
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brian J. Alloway
Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Brian J. Alloway
11
Chemistry of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Scott D. Young
51
Methods for the Determination of Heavy Metals

and Metalloids in Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Christine M. Davidson
97
Effects of Heavy Metals and Metalloids on Soil Organisms . . . . . . . . .

Mark E. Hodson
141
Soil-Plant Relationships of Heavy Metals and Metalloids . . . . . . . . . . .

Ann Cuypers, Tony Remans, Nele Weyens, Jan Colpaert,
Andon Vassilev, and Jaco Vangronsveld
161
Heavy Metals and Metalloids as Micronutrients for Plants

and Animals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brian J. Alloway
Critical Loads of Heavy Metals for Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wim deVries, Jan Engelbert Groenenberg, Steve Lofts, Ed Tipping,
and Maximilian Posch
195
211
vii
viii
Contents
Part II
Key Heavy Metals and Metalloids
Arsenic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Walter W. Wenzel
241
10
Cadmium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Erik Smolders and Jelle Mertens
283
11
Chromium and Nickel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cristina Gonnelli and Giancarlo Renella
313
12
Cobalt and Manganese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nicholas C. Uren
335
13
Copper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Koen Oorts
367
14
Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eiliv Steinnes
395
15
Mercury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eiliv Steinnes
411
16
Selenium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Olav Albert Christophersen, Graham Lyons, Anna Haug,
and Eiliv Steinnes
429
17
Zinc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jelle Mertens and Erik Smolders
465
Part III
Other Heavy Metals and Metalloids of Potential

Environmental Significance
18
Antimony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rafael Clemente
497
19
Barium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paula Madejon
507
20
Gold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rafael Clemente
515
21
Molybdenum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brian J. Alloway
527
22
Silver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rafael Clemente
535
23
Thallium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paula Madejon
543
Contents
ix
24
Tin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brian J. Alloway
551
25
Tungsten. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rafael Clemente and Nicholas W. Lepp
559
26
Uranium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brian J. Alloway
565
27
Vanadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paula Madejon
579
Glossary of Specialized Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
589
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
597
Contributors
Brian J. Alloway Soil Research Centre, Department of Geography and

Environmental Science, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, University
of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, UK
Olav Albert Christophersen Pensioned state stipendiate, Oslo, Norway
Rafael Clemente Department of Soil and Water Conservation and Organic Waste
Management, CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia, Spain
Jan Colpaert Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, Hasselt
University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Ann Cuypers Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology,
Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Christine M. Davidson Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University
of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Wim deVries Alterra, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen,
The Netherlands
Cristina Gonnelli Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Florence,
Florence, Italy
Jan Engelbert Groenenberg Alterra, Wageningen University and Research,
Wageningen, The Netherlands
Anna Haug Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, The Norwegian
University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
Mark E. Hodson Environment Department, University of York, Heslington,
York, UK
Nicholas W. Lepp School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John
Moores University, Liverpool, UK
xi
xii
Contributors
Steve Lofts Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre,
Lancaster, UK
Graham Lyons School of Agriculture, Food & Vine, University of Adelaide,
Glen Osmond, SA, Australia
Paula Madejon Protection of the Soil-Water-Plant System, Instituto de Recursos
Naturales y Agrobiologa de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
Jelle Mertens Division Soil and Water Management, Katholieke Universiteit
Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Koen Oorts ARCHE (Assessing Risks of CHEmicals), Ghent, Belgium
Maximilian Posch CCE, RIVM (National Institute for Public Health & the
Environment), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Tony Remans Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology,
Giancarlo Renella Department of Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences,
University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Erik Smolders Division Soil and Water Management, Katholieke Universiteit
Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Eiliv Steinnes Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and
Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Ed Tipping Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre,
Lancaster, UK
Nicholas C. Uren Department of Agricultural Sciences, La Trobe University,
Bundoora, VIC, Australia
Jaco Vangronsveld Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology,
Andon Vassilev Department of Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Agricultural
University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Walter W. Wenzel University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna,
and Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, Institute of Soil Science, University &
Research Centre Tulln (UFT), Tulln, Austria
Nele Weyens Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, Hasselt
University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Scott D. Young School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough,
Leicestershire, UK
Abbreviations
AAS
ADI
AFA
AFS
Ag
Al
AOC
AOM
AR
AROMIS
As
AsB
AsC
AR
ATP
Au
B
Ba
BC
BCF
BCR
BLM
BSI
Bt
bML
C
Ca
atomic absorption spectrometry (analytical method)

acceptable daily intake (mg kg1 day1), the quantity of a compound to which a person can be orally exposed, on the basis of
body weight, without experiencing adverse effects on health.
active fulvic acid
atomic fluorescence spectrometry
silver
aluminium
active organic carbon
active organic matter
aqua regia (acid digestion in pseudototal analysis)
European Commission concerted action project on Assessment
and Reduction of Heavy Metal Input into Agro-ecosystems
arsenic
arseonobetaine
arsenocholine
Aqua regia soluble metalloid concentration
adenosine triphosphate (high-energy compound in living cells)
gold
boron
barium
Before Christ
bio-concentration factor (also known and transfer coefficient)
Community Bureau of Reference (of the EU)
Biotic Ligand Model
British Standards Institute
billion tonnes (109 t)
overall metal(M)-ligand(L) stability constant
carbon
calcium
xiii
xiv
CA
CCA
CCD
CCE
Cd
Cd-U
Ce
CEC
CHUM-AM
Cl
CL
cmolC kg1
Co
Cr
CRM
Cu
CVAAS
Da
Dapp
DBT
DDT
DGT
DIN
DMA(V)
DMT
DNA
DOC
DOM
DPT
DTPA
DU
DW
EC10
eCEC
EDL
EDTA
EDXRF
Eh
Abbreviations
cacodylic acid
chromated copper arsenate (wood preservative)
charge coupled device
Coordination Centre for Effects (of the ICP Modelling and
Mapping under the LRTAP Convention)
cadmium
Urinary cadmium
cerium
cation exchange capacity
model (which includes WHAM-VI) to simulate combined acidification and metal behaviour for catchments in Cumbria (north-west
England)
chlorine
critical load
centimoles charge per kilogram (units of cation exchange capacity)
cobalt
chromium
certified reference material
copper
cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry
Daltons (molecular size) 1 Da1 g/mol
apparent diffusion coefficient (m2 s1)
dibutyltin
damage delay time
diffusive gradients in thin films technique
Deutsches Institut fur Normung (German Standards Institute)
dimethylarsinate
dimethyltin
deoxyribonucleic acid
dissolved organic carbon
dissolved organic matter (mol kg1)
diphenyltin
diethylentriaminepentaacetic acid (chelating agent used for soil
tests)
depleted uranium
dry weight (also DMdry matter)
effective concentration yielding 10% inhibition in response
effective cation exchange capacity (at pH of the soil)
electrodeless discharge lamp
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (chelating agent use for soil
tests)
energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence
redox potential, which is the potential generated between a platinum electrode inserted into the solution to be measured and a
standard hydrogen electrode (mV)
Abbreviations
EMEP
EPS
ESR
ETAAS
EU
EXAFS
F
FAAS
FAO
Fe
FE
FIAM
FMI
FTIR
FW
G-Base
GI tract
GPF
GPS
GPx
GSH
H
h
ha
HA
HCL
Hg
HGAAS
Hi
HIV
IAA
IAP
ICP-AES
ICP-MS
INAA
ISO
IUPAC
JRC
K
kd
kF
xv
Meteorological Synthesizing Centre East under the LRTAP

Convention
extracellular polysaccharide (biofilm produced by roots)
electron spin resonance (spectroscopy)
electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry
European Union (comprising 27 member states and~500 M
inhabitants)
extended X-ray absorption fine structure (spectroscopy)
fluorine
flame atomic absorption spectrometry
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
iron
Freundlich equation
free ion activity model
free metal ion
Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy
fresh weight (or wet weight) usually in analysis of plant tissues
British Geological Surveys Baseline Survey of the Environment
gastro-intestinal tract in humans and higher animals
general purpose Freundlich equation
global positioning system
glutathione peroxidase (antioxidant enzyme containing selenium)
glutathione (tripeptide functioning as reducing substrate for GPx)
hydrogen
hour(s)
hectare (10,000 m2) equivalent to 2.471 acres
humic acid
hollow cathode lamp
mercury
hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry
hysteresis index
human immunodeficiency virus
indole acetic acid (growth regulating hormone in plants)
ion activity product
inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (multielement analytical method)
inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
instrumental neutron activation analysis
International Organisation for Standardisation
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Joint Research Centre, Ispra (of the EU)
potassium
distribution coefficient (L kg1)
Freundlich adsorption constant
xvi
KL
Ks
L/A
LA-ICP-MS
LDL
LFE
LIBS
LMWOLs
LOAEL
LOD
LOI
LRTAP
mg kg1
mg L1
MA
MAE
MBT
Mg
mM
MMA(V)
Mn
MPT
Mo
MOS
N
Na
NADPH
NF-kappaB
Ni
NICA-Donnan
NIST
NMR
NOEC
NPK
O
OTC
Os
P
Pb
Abbreviations
Langmuir adsorption constant

solubility product
leaching-ageing factor
laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
low-density lipoprotein
Langmuir-Freundlich equation
laser-induced breakdown spectrometry
low molecular weight organic ligands
the lowest observed adverse effect level: toxicological threshold
limit of detection
loss on ignition (%) a measure of organic matter content
long-range transboundary air pollution (convention of UNECE)
milligrams per kilogram (equivalent to micrograms per gram or
1 part per million (ppm))
milligrams per litre (or 1 part per million (ppm) in liquids)
mugineic acid (phytosierophores)
mean absolute error
monobutyltin
magnesium
milli-moles
monomethylarsonate
manganese
monphenyltin
molybdenum
margin of safety
nitrogen
sodium
reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reducing substrate
for the enzymes glutathione reductase and thioredoxin reductase)
Nuclear factor-kappaB (transcription factor enhancing expression
of several proinflammatory genes and replication rate of HIV)
nickel
the Non-Ideal Competitive Adsorption model
National Institute of Standards and Technology (of the United
States)
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
no observed effect concentrations, i.e. highest dose at which no
significant inhibitory effect is observed
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilisers
oxygen
organotin compound
osmium
phosphorus
lead
Abbreviations
PBET
Pd
PC
pe
pH
pKa
PNEC
Pt
PT
PTFE
PVC
Ra
RDA
RDI
RDT
REE
Rh
RM
Rn
ROS
RSD
S
Sb
SBET
SDMM
Se
SEM-EDX
Se-Met
SeMCYS
SDMM
Si
Sn
SOD
SSA
SUVA
t
T1/2
TBT
TBTO
TDI
xvii
physiologically-based extraction test

palladium
phytochelatins
the negative logarithm (log10) of electron activity
log10 (hydronium ion activity) measure of acidity
log10(acid dissociation constant)
predicted non-effect concentration (above which toxic effects
may occur in sensitive species)
platinum
pseudototal (incomplete chemical dissolution e.g., Aqua regia
digestion)
polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)
polyvinylchloride
radium
recommended dietary allowance (for humans)
recommended daily intake (of nutrients for humans)
recovery delay time
rare earth elements
rhodium
reference material
radon
reactive oxygen species
relative standard deviation
sulphur
antimony
simplified bioaccessibility extraction test
simple dynamic model of metals (Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology, UK)
selenium
scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray
analysis
selenomethionine
Se-methylselenocysteine
simple dynamic model for metals
silicon
tin
superoxide dismutase (enzyme)
specific surface area
specific ultra-violet absorbance
metric tonne (or megagrams, Mg) 0.984 tons (Imperial)
half life (of a radioisotope)
tributyl tin
tributyl tin oxide
tolerable daily intake (of a potentially toxic substance)
xviii
TETRA
TGA
TGF-beta
Th
Tl
TL
TMAO
TMT
TOC
TOTs
TPN
TPT
TPTA
t-RNA
TSP
U
UGA
UKAS
UKSHS
UNECE
USDA
USDoE
USEPA
USGS
V
W
W6-MTC
WDXRF
WHAM6
WW
XANES
XRD
XRF
Zn
ZPC
Abbreviations
tetramethyl arsonium ion

thymine guanine adenine (base triplet in DNA molecule)
transforming growth factor beta (cytokine inhibiting immune
functions and stimulating formation of the structural molecule
collagen found in fibrous connective tissue)
thorium
thallium
target load
trimethyl arsine oxide
trimethyltin
total organic carbon
tetraorganotin compounds
total parenteral nutrition (supplying nutrients in solution into a
vein and by- passing the GI tract)
triphenyl tin (compounds)
triphenyltin acetate
transfer RNA
total suspended particles (in air)
uranium
uracil guanine adenine (base triplet in RNA molecule)
United Kingdom Accreditation Service
United Kingdom Soil and Herbage Survey
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Energy
United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Geological Survey
vanadium
tungsten
customised program based on WHAM6
wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence
version 6 of the Windermere Humic Aqueous Model designed
to calculate equilibrium chemical speciation in surface/ground
waters, sediments and soils
wet (fresh) weight (same as FW)
X-ray adsorption near edge structure
X-ray diffraction (analysis of crystal structures)
X-ray fluorescence (spectrometry)
zinc
zero point of charge
Part I
Basic Principles
Chapter 1
Introduction
Brian J. Alloway
Abstract This new (third) edition of Heavy Metals in Soils provides an up to date
and in-depth coverage of analytical methods, concentrations in soils, soil chemistry
and effects on plants, animals and humans of the 21 most environmentally important heavy metals and metalloids. Although retaining a similar structure to the two
earlier editions (1990 and 1995) it has been completely re-written by a team of
mainly new authors. Its scope has been expanded by the inclusion of 4 new chapters
in Part I (Basic Principles) dealing with soil organisms, soil-plant relationships,
heavy metal(loid)s as micronutrients and critical loads. Part II, (Key Heavy Metals
and Metalloids) covers the 11 most important elements and Part III (Other Heavy
Metals and Metalloids of Potential Environmental Significance) deals with a further
10 less well known, but nonetheless important elements. Figures are given for total
world mining production of most of these heavy metal(loid)s over the period from
1973 to 2010. Opinions differ on the appropriateness of the term heavy metals and
these are discussed together with a brief consideration of significant developments
in the study and management of heavy metal(loid)s in soils over the 22 years since
the first edition.
Keywords Heavy metals Metalloids Soil Plants Animals Micronutrients
Editions Chapters Authors Toxicity Deficiencies Mine production
An understanding of the natural (geochemical) and anthropogenic sources of heavy

metals and metalloids in soils, their soil-plant relationships and possible toxicity or
deficiency problems associated with them is just as important for environmental
protection, human health and agricultural productivity today as it was in 1990 when
B.J. Alloway (*)

Soil Research Centre, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, School of Human
and Environmental Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6DW, UK
e-mail: [email protected]
B.J. Alloway (ed.), Heavy Metals in Soils: Trace Metals and Metalloids in Soils
and their Bioavailability, Environmental Pollution 22, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7_1,
B.J. Alloway
the first edition of Heavy Metals in Soils was published [1]. As more and more
analytical data for soils and plants become available in the world literature it is
increasingly apparent that considerable areas of soil in many parts of the world have
been contaminated with heavy metals and metalloids which, in many cases, pose
potential toxicity problems. On the other hand, however, deficiencies of essential
heavy metals, such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) and metalloids,
such as selenium (Se) in agricultural soils are affecting agricultural productivity and
human health in many countries.
The most important factor determining whether toxicities or deficiencies of
elements will occur in plants on a particular soil is the plant-available concentration
in this soil. This depends on the total content of the element, the adsorptive capacity
of the soil and physico-chemical factors, such as pH and redox potential, which
control the balance between adsorbed and soil solution fractions of heavy metals
and metalloids. This book provides in-depth coverage of the key factors affecting
the occurrence, soil-plant relationships and possible toxicities or deficiencies of the
most environmentally important heavy metals and metal(loid)s. It is divided into
three parts: Part I: Basic Principles, Part II: Key Heavy Metals and Metalloids
and Part III Other Heavy Metals and Metalloids of Potential Environmental
Significance.
Part I (Basic Principles) covers (in order): the geochemical and anthropogenic
origins of heavy metals and metalloids in soils (Chap. 2), soil chemistry (Chap. 3),
methods of chemical analysis (Chap. 4), effects on soil organisms (Chap. 5),
soil-plant relationships (Chap. 6), a brief overview of the heavy metal(loid)s
which are essential for plants and/or animals (Chap. 7) and finally, Chap. 8 deals
with critical loads, which are the total input rates of heavy metals and metalloids
in soils and the environment which can be sustained without harmful effects.
Part II (Key Heavy Metals and Metalloids) comprises nine chapters covering
the sources, properties, soil-plant relationships, human and animal toxicology and
other environmental aspects of the 11 most environmentally important heavy
metal(loid)s. These include: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt
(Co), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). Finally, Part III (Other Heavy Metals and Metalloids
of Potential Environmental Significance) deals with the less well known, but
nevertheless environmentally important elements: antimony (Sb), barium, (Ba),
gold (Au), molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), thallium (Tl), tin (Sn), tungsten (W)
uranium (U) and vanadium (V).
The term heavy metal has been used for many years and is generally
recognised as referring to the group of metals and metalloids of relatively high
atomic mass (>5 g cm3) especially the transition metals, such as Pb, Cd and Hg,
that can cause toxicity problems [5, 7]. However, heavy metals is difficult to
define precisely and some experts consider it inappropriate [5]. Although several
alternative group names, including toxic metals and trace metals have been put
forward, there are also problems with their use. Chemists argue that a new classification based on the periodic table is needed to enable properties, such as toxicological effects of elements to be predicted [5]. However, on the other hand, many
1 Introduction
professionals who have to deal with contaminated soil and other environmental
media find the group name heavy metals to be a convenient peg on which to
hang data for the range of metals and metalloids likely to cause toxicity problems.
It is highly likely that many of these people will probably continue to use it, even
though it is poorly defined. One consequence of this is that heavy metals tends to
be used mainly in a pejorative sense implying bad metals which contaminate and
hence spoil the quality of land [6]. This is unfortunate because several of the heavy
metals are also essential for plants and/or animals and need to be present in
adequate quantities. Other non-pejorative terms, such as trace metals are sometimes used in preference. Some non-metals, such as As, Sb and Se which have the
appearance and/or some of the properties of metals, but behave chemically
like non-metals, have sometimes been included within the group name heavy
metals. This is now considered to be too imprecise and so they are usually referred
to as metalloids to distinguish them from heavy metals. The term heavy metal
(loid)s is used widely in this book as a convenient shorthand when both heavy
metals and related (high density) non-metals are being considered together.
Trace elements is another widely used (and non-pejorative) term which
includes the heavy metal(loid)s and also lower density metals and non-metals,
such as boron (B) and halogens such as iodine (I) and fluorine (F) which do not
necessarily cause the same environmental and toxicological problems as the heavy
metal(loid)s. In plant and animal nutrition, there is a convention for referring to
the essential heavy metals and metalloids as trace elements, but this is not as
precise as micronutrients. From a geochemical point of view, the heavy metal
(loid)s are all trace elements, that is they normally occur in trace amounts (usually
<1,000 mg kg1) in rocks and soils (except for natural concentrations in ore
minerals, which form ore deposits). However, the biological use of the term
trace element applies to elements normally occurring at relatively low concentrations (usually <100 mg kg1) in the dry matter of living organisms.
From a historical perspective, some heavy metals such as Au, Ag, Cu, Sn and Pb
have been used by mankind for thousands of years (e.g., Au around 8,000 years, Cu
>6,000 years). The places where these metals were mined and smelted or where
artefacts were made from them will have been contaminated by these metals. Other
geochemically associated heavy metal(loid)s such as As and Zn, which were
present in some of the ore deposits, but not intentionally exploited, will also have
contaminated the local environment. Analyses of carbon and pollen-dated layers in
peat cores from ombrotrophic bogs in Europe have revealed that atmospheric
pollution of Cu and Pb from mining and smelting has occurred over a period of
more than 4,000 years [4, 9]. Peaks of contamination occurred at historically
important times such as the Bronze Age, the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution and the modern period with its diverse sources and greatly increased pollution
loads. Apart from anthropogenic sources, soils in areas underlain by rocks with
anomalously high contents of heavy metal(loid)s will also have become enriched
through natural geomorphological and pedogenic processes over an even longer
timescale.
B.J. Alloway
Table 1.1 World mine production of heavy metals and metalloids (t of element content, except
where stated)
World production
Element
Symbol
1973 [11]
1994 [3]
2004 [3]
Antimony
Sb
106,000
112,000
Arsenic
As
43,000
37,500
Ba
4,300,000
6,900,000
Barium*a (59%)
Cadmium
Cd
17,200
18,100
17,200
Cr
9,570,000
17,000,000
Chromium*b(46.5%)
Cobalt
Co
18,500
46,900
Copper
Cu
7,116,900
9,430,000
14,500,000
Gold
Au
2,300
2,470
Lead
Pb
3,487,000
2,800,000
3,150,000
Mn
7,190,000
11,000,000
Manganese*c(3540%)
Mercury
Hg
9,300
1,760
1,750
Molybdenum
Mo
104,000
139,000
Nickel
Ni
710,000
906,000
1,400,000
Selenium
Se
1,880
1,500
Silver
Ag
13,900
19,500
Thallium (kg)
Tl
15,000
15,000
Tin
Sn
233,800
184,000
250,000
Tungsten
W
26,000
60,000
Vanadium
V
33,900
44,000
Zinc
Zn
5,709,400
6,810,000
9,100,000
From: US Geological Survey [10, 11] and World Resources Institute [12]
*
Tonnages of mined metal ores, rather than in metal(loid) content
a
Barite BaSO4 (59% Ba)
b
Chromite FeCrO4 (46.5% Cr)
c
Mn ore (oxides) (3554% Mn)
2010 [10]
135,000
54,500
6,900,000
22,000
22,000,000
88,000
16,200,000
2,500
4,100,000
13,000,000
1,960
234,000
1,550,000
2,260
22,200
10,000
261,000
61,000
56,000
12,000,000
Table 1.1 shows total annual production of many of the heavy metal(loid)s
covered in this book over the period 19732010 [3, 10, 11]. Copper production is
the highest of all the metals shown and has more than doubled along with that of Zn
and Ni over this 37 year period. Tungsten production doubled between 1994 and
2010, Ag increased by around 60% and Au production remained more or less
even over this period. Tin and Pb showed a decrease between 1973 and 1994,
with gradual increases after this to higher total production tonnages by 2010.
The marked decrease of more than five times in the production of Hg between
1973 and 1994 and then relatively similar total production in the subsequent
16 years is particularly noteworthy and is due to changes in the use of Hg and the
introduction of stricter environmental controls.
In contrast to anthropogenic contamination of soils, it is now recognised that large
areas of agricultural land are deficient in one or more plant micronutrients [2]. As the
world population and its concomitant demand for food continues to increase, it is
important to ensure that levels of plant-available micronutrients such as boron (B), Cu,
Zn, Mn, Fe and molybdenum (Mo) in soils are adequate. This has become a major
problem in some parts of the world where higher yielding crop cultivars are being
1 Introduction
grown on less fertile soils and deficiencies in Zn, Cu, B and other micronutrients are
becoming widespread (see Chaps. 7, 12, 13 and 17). Concentrations of elements
essential for livestock and humans will also be lower in deficient crops, which is
particularly important in the case of Zn which is required by both plants and animals/
humans (Chap. 17) and Se, which is only required by animals/humans (see Chap. 16).
Since the first edition of this book was published in 1990, there have been many
important developments in the study and management of heavy metal(loid)s in soils
and these include:
Multi-element analysis of soils and plants (by ICP-AES, ICP-MS and XRF) is now
much more common both for research and advisory (extension) purposes, in fact
ICP-AES is now the most widely used spectroscopic technique for the analysis of
heavy metal(loid)s in soils, plants and related materials (See Chap. 4, Sect. 4.7.4).
The publication of soil geochemical atlases for several countries and regions and
analytical data from the soil testing of large numbers of representative samples
from farmers fields provide valuable indications of the relative proportions of
deficient and contaminated soils (See Chap. 2).
Major advances have been made in modelling the dynamics of heavy metal
(loid)s in soil-water and soil-plant systems with models such as the Free Ion
Activity Model (FIAM), the Windermere Humic Aqueous Models (WHAM
16) and the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) (see Chaps. 3 and 8). These are very
useful in the estimation of critical loads and in the remediation of contaminated
and deficient soils.
The publication (in English) of large numbers of papers on heavy metal(loid)
contaminated soils in China, eastern Europe and other regions about which
relatively little was known until recently, provides a wider global perspective
on sources, dynamics and effects of heavy metal(loid)s in soils (see Chap. 2).
Increased awareness of the significance of atmospheric inputs of heavy metal(loid)
s and the development of the methodology for determining critical loads (See
Chaps. 2, 8, 16 and 17) has focussed attention on minimising soil contamination.
Increased research on the ecotoxic effects of heavy metal(loid)s on soil organisms
(See Chaps. 5, 6 and 13) has shown that several important soil ecosystem
processes mediated by microorganisms may be disrupted at relatively low levels
of contamination when crop plants appear to be unaffected by toxicity.
The European Union (EU) instigated a series of voluntary risk assessments on
several heavy metals, including Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn. These
assessments drew together the latest findings on the inputs of these metals from
the major sources, concentrations in soils and critical (ecotoxicological)
concentrations from throughout Europe (see Chaps. 8, 10, 13 and 17). These
have been superseded by the EU REACH Regulations which deal with the
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances
and became law (within the EU) in 2007. These regulations aim to improve the
protection of human health and the environment through improved and earlier
identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances and also to
enhance the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.
B.J. Alloway
Metalliferous mine tailings dams have failed in various countries (e.g. Romania
and Spain recently) resulting in large areas of alluvial soils downriver being
grossly contaminated with heavy metal(loid)-containing tailing particles. The
massive contamination of previously uncontaminated land has provided some
very valuable research opportunities.
Increased recognition of the importance of micronutrient deficiencies in humans,
especially of Zn and Se has fostered research into methods for the biofortification
of crops with these metal(loid)s (see Chaps. 7, 16 and 17) and Alloway [2].
Increased planning and regulatory emphasis on the recycling of brownfield sites,
has stimulated research into the clean-up and remediation of heavy metal(loid)contaminated soils [8].
Developments in armaments, such as the use of depleted uranium (DU) in antitank ammunition and armour for tanks has necessitated research into the
behaviour of this material in the environment including pathways to humans
(see Chaps. 2 and 26).
Synthetic organo-tin compounds (OTCs) have been used in increasing amounts
in industry, marine antifouling paints and agriculture since their introduction in
the 1960s and significant amounts have found their way into some aquatic and
terrestrial environments. The OTCs which enter soils can be taken up by plants
and enter human diets. It is therefore important to monitor their concentrations
and investigate any potential toxicity hazards [3](see Chap. 24).
This book contains a great deal of up-to-date information on heavy metal(loid)s
in soils, plants and the wider environment which will be of great value to research
workers, agronomists, environmental engineers, environmental protection
specialists and regulators. It will also be a very useful source of information for
advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students.
References
1. Alloway, B. J. (Ed.). (1990). Heavy metals in soils (1st ed.). Glasgow: Blackie Academic and
Professional.
2. Alloway, B. J. (Ed.). (2008). Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop production. Dordrecht:
Springer.
3. Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities. (2000). National Pollutant Inventory: Organo-tin compounds: Overview. http://
www.npi.gov.au./substances/organo-tin/index.html
4. De Vleeschouwer, F., Gerard, L., Goormaghtigh, C., Mattielli, N., Le Roux, G., & Fagel, N.
(2007). Atmospheric lead and heavy metal pollution records from a Belgian peat bog spanning
the last two millennia: Human impact on a regional to global scale. The Science of the Total
Environment, 377, 282295.
5. Duffus, J. (2002). Heavy Metals A meaningless term? Pure and Applied Chemistry,
74, 793807.
6. Hodson, M. E. (2004). Heavy metals-geochemical bogey men? Environmental Pollution,
129, 341343.
7. Kemp, D. D. (1998). The environment dictionary. London: Routledge.
1 Introduction
8. Meuser, H. (2010). Contaminated urban soils. Dordrecht: Springer.

9. Mighall, T. M., Timberlake, S., Foster, I. D. L., Krupp, E., & Singh, S. (2009). Ancient copper
and lead pollution records from a raised bog complex in Central Wales, UK. Journal of
Archaeological Science, 36, 15041515.
10. U.S. Geological Survey. (2005). Mineral commodity summaries 2005. Reston: U.S. Geological
Survey.
Survey.
12. World Resources Institute. (1990). World resources 199091. New York/Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Chapter 2
Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

Brian J. Alloway
Abstract Heavy metals and metalloids in soils are derived from the soil parent
material (lithogenic source) and various anthropogenic sources, most of which
involve several metal(loid)s. There are many different anthropogenic sources of
heavy metal(loid) contamination affecting both agricultural and urban soils. However, localised contamination from a predominant single source, such as a metal
smelter can have a marked effect on soils, vegetation and possibly also on the health
of the local population, especially in countries where there are inadequate emission
controls and soil quality standards. In general, soils at industrial sites can have
distinct groups of heavy metal(loid) contaminants, which depend on the respective
industries and their raw materials and products. Soils in all urban areas are generally
contaminated with lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) from traffic,
paint and many other non-specific urban sources. Although the heavy metal(loid)
composition of agricultural soils tends to be more closely governed by the parent
material, inputs from sources such as deposition of long-distance, atmosphericallytransported aerosol particles from fossil fuel combustion and other sources, organic
material applications and contaminants in fertilisers can also be significant. Removal
of Pb from petrol and paints, changes in the type and structure of industries and strict
regulations on atmospheric emissions and waste water discharges have resulted in a
general reduction in the loads of heavy metal(loid)s reaching soils in many countries.
However, historic contamination still affects soils in many areas and may have
impacts for decades or even centuries afterwards.
Keywords Lithogenic Anthropogenic Atmospheric deposition Contamination
Urban Ores Mining Industry
B.J. Alloway (*)

11
12
2.1
B.J. Alloway
Introduction
All soils contain more or less the full range of heavy metal(loid)s in the periodic
table, but the concentrations vary widely and some may be below the limit of
detection for certain analytical procedures. Concentrations of elements in soils can
be divided into total and available, which is the fraction of this total content
which is potentially available to plants (see Chaps. 3 and 4). Total concentrations
include all forms of the element in a soil, such as ions bound in the crystal structure
of primary and secondary minerals; those adsorbed on the surfaces of secondary
minerals such as clays, oxides and carbonates, those bound in solid state organic
matter, and free ions and soluble organic and inorganic complexes in the soil
solution. In most cases, much of the total content of an element will not be available
for immediate uptake by plants. The available concentration of an element in the
soil is an estimate of the fraction of that element which is present as either free ions,
soluble complexes or in readily desorbable (labile) forms. Availability is affected
by many factors including pH, redox status, macronutrient levels, available water
content and temperature (see Chap. 3). Plants can also exert significant effects
on the availability of metal(loid)s through the release of exudates from the roots
(see Chap. 6). Soil analysis to determine available concentrations of elements
usually involves a partial extraction with dilute solutions of reagents which have
been correlated with plant uptake and/or yield in certain species, or measurement of
specific soil parameters which can be used in a model to predict free ion and
available concentrations (see Chaps. 3 and 6). Although total concentrations are
often a poor indication of the potentially plant-available or bio-accessible
fractions of a metal(loid) in a soil, they do provide a useful indication of whether
a soil has anomalously high or low concentrations. This will show whether this soil
is contaminated and/or geochemically enriched and thus poses a possible risk of
toxicity to some species of plants, soil fauna or microorganisms (Chaps. 5 and 6).
On the other hand, low total concentrations indicate that a soil has either developed
from a parent material with a low total content of an element, or has become
depleted during pedogenesis and is relatively free from contamination. In either
case, there is a greater chance of essential heavy metal(loid)s (Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Mo
and Se) being deficient in soils with low total contents especially where soil
conditions do not favour plant availability (see Chap. 7).
2.2
Total Concentrations of Heavy Metals and Metalloids

in Soils Around the World
It is important to stress that total concentrations can be determined by two

different chemical methods and by one instrumental method using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Only one chemical method, involving digestion in
concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) and hydrofluoric acid (HF), dissolves all soil
2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils
13
constituents and gives a true total concentration (Chap. 4, Sect, 4.5.1). The other
more widely used analytical procedure involves digestion in hot aqua regia
(concentrated HNO3 + HCl) which dissolves most of the soil constituents except
those strongly bound in silicate minerals. This is sometimes referred to as the
pseudo-total content, or qualified as being determined in aqua regia (often
abbreviated to AR in tables) (Sect. 4.5.2). Although not providing absolute total
concentrations, this method extracts all the elements that are likely to become
bioavailable even in the long term.
Table 2.1 gives the median and maximum concentrations of 20 heavy metal
(loid)s from surveys in different countries and regions and also average values for
these elements in world soils. It was not possible to include gold (Au) in this table
due to lack of sufficient data.
From the data in Table 2.1, barium (Ba) and manganese (Mn) have the highest
median contents and silver (Ag) the lowest, but antimony (Sb), and thallium (Tl)
also have low median total contents of <1 mg kg1. A comparison of the concentrations of specific metal(loid)s in different countries or regions shows that median
concentrations can vary widely. For example median values of Ba show a nearly
13-fold range, being lowest in agricultural soils of the Baltic region (46 mg kg1)
and highest in the northern California (601 mg kg1). The maximum individual Ba
concentration from all the data sets is 7,610 mg kg1, which was also found in
northern California [32]. Cadmium (Cd) shows a wide range of median values
(0.131.1 mg kg1), but the highest individual value encountered (in agricultural
soils) is 41 mg kg1, which was found in England and Wales [56]. However, Cd
contents of up to 360 mg kg1 have been found in soils at ZnPb mine sites [67].
Lead shows an almost fivefold median range (8.440 mg kg1), but the highest
individual Pb value encountered in any of these surveys was 16,300 mg kg1 in
England and Wales. Chromium shows an eightfold variation (1296 mg kg1) with
the highest value of 5,910 mg kg1 in northern California. Although the range of
median Zn values in Table 2.1 is less than threefold (3388 mg kg1) maximum
Zn contents of 3,648 and 6,173 mg kg1 have been found in England and Wales
and the USA, respectively. The variations between countries and regions reflect
differences in the geochemical composition of the soil parent materials and the
degree of soil contamination from various sources (see Sect. 2.3.2 below). The
highest median contents of Ba, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni and V in Table 2.1 are in the soils of
northern California and reflect the diverse range of rock types (lithogenic sources)
in this region which range from ultramafic to acid igneous. The high maximum As,
Cu, Pb and Zn contents also found in northern Californian soils are due to metalliferous ore deposits in the Sacramento Valley drainage basin, which are both
lithogenic and anthropogenic (mining) sources of metal(loid)s [32]. In contrast,
relatively low concentrations of most heavy metal(loid)s were found in Florida,
which is probably due to the sandy nature of the soils and their severe leaching
during podzolization. Median contents of selected elements in the Florida soils
(in mg kg1) were: Cd 0.004, Cu 1.9, Pb 4.9 and Zn 4.6 [11].
Although the world and regional average or median metal(loid) concentrations can be of general use in providing a basis for comparison of soil test data at
852
0.27 (<3.15)
6.0 (<27.3)
65.0 (<1,700)
0.145 (<14)
7.0 (<255)
22.0 (<234)
12 (<239)
0.037 (<1.35)
382 (<6,480)
0.62 (<21.3)
14 (<2,560)
15 (<886)
0.6 (<31)
3 (<106)
0.66 (<24)
2 (<53.2)
33 (<281)
<5 (<14)
48 (<2,270)
[84]
773
<1 (<1.04)
1.9 (<24)
46 (<311)
0.13 (<1.1)
4.1 (<39)
12 (<126)
7.8 (<142)
255 (<1,560)
<3 (<74)
8 (<619)
8.4 (<76)
<10 (<10)
0.14 (<7.6)
1.1 (<6.8)
0.38 (<2.5)
1.4 (<56)
18 (<203)
<5 (<40)
33 (<254)
[78]
Baltic states
1,310
7.25 (<123)
230.2 (<1,297)
0.326 (<15)
6.2 (<59)
42.6 (<222)
16.2 (<272)
0.086 (<3.5)
462 (<21,077)
0.91 (<21)
17.5 (<176)
24.8 (<2,635)
0.53 (<5.3)
0.74 (<17)
1.68 (<17.8)
0.43 (<2.7)
1.96 (<64)
52.2 (<240)
0.59 (<7.7)
62.6 (<1,384)
[99]
Ireland
5,692
121 (<2,973)
0.7 (<41)
9.8 (<322)
39.3 (<838)
18.1 (<1,508)
577 (<42,603)
22.6 (<440)
40 (<16,338)
82 (<3,648)
[56]
England and Wales

100
5.6 (<39)
32.4 (<620)
0.14 (<2.5)
2.4 (<22)
15.7 (<106)
10.2 (<141)
0.045 (<1.2)
<0.5 (<3.9)
4.94 (<66)
15.6 (<451)
<1.3 (<2.8)
<1 (<38)
<0.5 (<1.8)
27.7 (<168)
40.3 (<316)
[8]
Netherlands
100
20
190
0.6
15
55
40
0.15
35
50
6.5
80
140
[8]
NL(bkgd)a
393
3.3 (<48)
0.16 (<0.85)
9.9 (<64)
7 (<93)
5 (<76)
11.3 (<102)
26.8 (<135)
[4]
Denmark
1,300
6.0 (<106)
601 (<7,610)
0.2 (<11.2)
16 (<166)
96 (<5,910)
37 (<3,088)
752 (<4,430)
0.7 (<10)
50 (<4,955)
23 (<2,354)
0.7 (<6.9)
0.2 (<2)
1.0 (<110)
0.3 (<2.1)
1.8 (<11.4)
135 (<490)
0.8 (<18)
88 (<3,350)
[32]
N. California
1,903
0.16 (<41)
7 (<347)
24 (<4,107)
17.3 (<1,836)
0.075 (<3)
372 (<8,071)
18.3 (<4,497)
10.1 (<1,650)
56.5 (<6,173)
[9]
USA
0.1
4.7
362
1.1
6.9
42
14
0.1
418
1.8
18
25
0.62
0.7
0.6
3.7
60
1.2
62
[43]
World
(avb)
References: Salminen et al. [84]; Reiman et al. [78]; Zhang et al. [99]; McGrath and Loveland [56]; Brus et al. [8]; Bak et al. [4]; Goldhaber et al. [32]; Burt et al. [9] and KabataPendias [43]
a
Official background concentrations for the Netherlands [7]
b
Average concentrations for world soils [38]
No. of samples
Ag
As
Ba
Cd
Co
Cr
Cu
Hg
Mn
Mo
Ni
Pb
Sb
Se
Sn
Tl
U
V
W
Zn
Reference
Europe
Table 2.1 Median and maximum total heavy metal concentrations in topsoils in various countries and average values for world soils (mg kg1)
14
B.J. Alloway
15
specific sites, they are of little value when it comes to interpreting soil analyses with
regard to contamination and possible toxicity, or anomalously low contents and
possible micronutrient deficiencies. It is necessary to collect sufficient samples from
apparently uncontaminated sites in the locality being investigated in order to determine a local background value for each metal(loid) to provide a basis for comparison.
Some countries have determined official background and/or maximum permissible
concentrations, which are used for the interpretation of soil analytical data (Chap 4.
Sect. 4.2). An example of these are the statistically-determined background values for
the Netherlands shown in Table 2.1 [8]. It is common for the total concentrations of
heavy metal(loid)s in soils not affected by anthropogenic contamination or particularly diverse geology to span more than one order of magnitude [30].
2.3
Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils
The total contents of heavy metal(loid)s in a soil are the sum of the concentrations
of elements derived from minerals in the geological parent material on which
the soil has developed (lithogenic source) and inputs from a wide range of possible
anthropogenic (contamination) sources. These include atmospheric deposition
of aerosol particles (<30 mm diameter), raindrops containing heavy metal(loid)s,
or gaseous forms of elements, direct applications of agricultural fertilisers, agrichemicals and various organic materials including sewage sludges, livestock
manures, food wastes and composts. Technogenic materials such as ashes, mine
wastes and demolition rubble can be contaminants in existing (pedogenic) soils or
can form the parent materials of new, man-made soils (Anthrosols).
The total concentration of a metal(loid) in a soil is the sum of all these various
inputs minus the losses through off-take in harvested or grazed plants, erosion of
soil particles by wind or water, leaching down the soil profile in solution and losses
by volatilization of gaseous forms of elements. These are summarised in the
following descriptive equation:

Mtotal Mpm Matm Msed Mf Mac Mtm Mom Mic
Mcr Me Ml Mv
Where: M metal(loid), pm parent material, atm atmospheric deposition,
sed deposited sediment, f fertilisers, ac agricultural chemicals, tm
technogenic materials, om organic materials, ic other inorganic contaminants,
cr crop removal, e soil erosion, l leaching, and v volatilisation.
2.3.1
Lithogenic Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids
On a spatial basis, the lithogenic source (geological minerals in the soil parent
material) is the dominant factor determining the total concentration of heavy
16
B.J. Alloway
metal(loid)s in world soils. Ten major elements: oxygen (O), silicon (Si),
aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium
(Mg), phosphorus (P), and titanium (Ti) constitute over 99% of the total element
content of the earths crust. The remainder of the elements in the periodic table are
called trace elements and together comprise a total of only 1% by mass of the
earths crust. Their individual concentrations do not normally exceed 1,000 mg kg1,
except in ore minerals, which are natural concentrations of minerals containing these
trace elements. The parent material is the rock or unconsolidated drift material that
has undergone weathering and pedogenesis to form the mineral skeleton of the soil.
Weathering involves the chemical decomposition of minerals, the release of some of
their constituent elements in soluble forms and the formation of new (secondary)
minerals through chemical reactions between the products of weathering. The part of
the mineral not chemically decomposed remains as an insoluble residue and any
metal(loid)s retained in it are unlikely to become soluble and available to plants for a
long time. In addition to concentrations of major and trace elements, the mineralogical composition of the soil derived from its parent material also determines its
texture (percentages of sand, silt and clay-sized particles) and has a major influence
on the physical and chemical properties of soils. Perhaps the most important
chemical property is the ability of the soil to adsorb cations and anions, which is
directly linked to the type and amount of secondary minerals including clays,
carbonates and hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn, the soil pH and redox conditions
(See Chap. 3). This adsorptive capacity of the soil will have a profound effect on the
bioavailability of metal(loid)s.
Typical concentrations of a range of heavy metal(loid)s found in the upper
earths crust and the most common types of igneous and sedimentary rocks are
shown in Table 2.2. In the earths upper crust, Ba and Mn have the highest
concentrations of all the elements listed and Ag and Cd, the lowest, which is also
reflected in their concentrations in world soils shown in Table 2.1. Zinc is quite
notable for being present in relatively high concentrations compared with other
heavy metals, such as Cu, Pb and Ni. When the different types of rocks are
considered, among the groups of igneous rocks shown in Table 2.2, Cu, Mn, V
and Zn are highest in the gabbros and basalts, whereas, Co, Cr and Ni are highest in
the ultramafic group (peridotites and serpentinites).
Trace elements are incorporated into the crystal structure of rock-forming
primary minerals, which have crystallized from magma, mainly by substitution of
the major constituent ions, such as Fe, Al and Si. The ferromagnesian minerals such
as olivine, hornblende and augite have relatively large numbers of different trace
elements associated with them including the micronutrients, which are elements
essential for plants and animals (see Chap. 7) [66]. As a result of their relatively
high contents of both macronutrients and micronutrients and their relatively rapid
weathering, the soils derived from basalts and other rocks containing these minerals
tend to be very fertile. As the proportion of Si increases in primary minerals, they
become more resistant to weathering and tend to have lower contents of trace
constituents. Quartz, the crystalline form of SiO2, generally has relatively low
contents of trace elements (such as Ti, Li and B) associated with it and is the
Table 2.2 Geological (Lithogenic) sources of heavy metals and metalloids (mg kg1)
Upper
Granite,
Gabbro,
Ultramafic
Element
crust
granodiorite
basalt
rocks
Sandstone
Shales
Ag
0.07
0.04
0.1
0.06
0.25
0.07
As
2
3
0.7
0.7
0.5
13
Ba
668
600
330
5
300
550
Cd
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.05
<0.04
0.25
Co
12
4
45
110
0.3
20
Cr
35
10
250
2,300
35
100
Cu
14
12
90
40
2
45
Mn
527
400
1,500
1,200
100
850
Mo
1.4
1.5
1.2
0.3
0.3
2
Ni
19
5
130
2,000
2
70
Pb
17
20
4
0.05
10
22
Sb
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.05
1
Sn
2.5
3.6
0.9
0.3
0.6
5
U
2.5
4
0.5
0.02
1.3
3.2
V
53
70
260
80
20
130
Zn
52
50
100
60
20
100
References: Wedepohl [96]; Tauber [89]; Krauskopf [47]; Rose et al. [82]; Fouad and El-Rakaiby [26]
Black/Oil
Shales
1.9
<500
67
<240
67
<700
<300
<570
<300
<100
<10
<10
<1,250
<2,422
<2,314
Limestones
0.12
1.5
90
0.1
0.1
5
6
15
0.3
5
5
0.15
0.3
1
15
40
Coal
10
250
1
10
20
20
40
3
20
20
2
8
2
40
50

17
18
B.J. Alloway
most abundant primary mineral in the earths crust. It is highly resistant to

weathering, although over a prolonged period in hot, wet tropical conditions,
even quartz is eventually weathered.
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the lithification of sediments comprising rock
fragments, resistant minerals (such as quartz), secondary minerals such as clays
and/or chemical precipitates such as Fe2O3, CaCO3 and MgCO3 arising from the
weathering of igneous rocks. Since around 75% of the rocks outcropping at the
earths surface are sedimentary, they form a much higher proportion of soil parent
materials and are therefore more important in determining soil composition
than igneous rocks. In many parts of the world, outcrops of sedimentary rocks are
covered by superficial (drift) deposits of various types, including wind-blown
loess, boulder clay, glacial sands and gravels, colluvium and alluvium and it is these
that form the actual soil parent material. These superficial deposits are also primarily derived from sedimentary rocks. In Table 2.2 it can be seen that sandstones tend
to have the lowest concentrations of most metal(loid)s and that some black shales
and oil shales have the highest concentrations of several potentially toxic elements
such as As, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, uranium (U), V and Zn.
2.3.1.1
Rock Types of Major Significance as Lithogenic Sources

of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Soils
Black Shales
Black shales, including bituminous and oil shales, have high organic matter and
clay contents and are significantly enriched in a range of heavy metal(loid)s and
other trace elements. They can give rise to significantly elevated concentrations of
Ag, As, Au, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Th, Tl, U, V, W, Zn, rare earths
(REE) and platinum (Pt)-group elements in the soils developed on them. They were
mostly formed in marine basins and are often referred to as metalliferous marine
black shales. Some of these rocks contain sufficiently high concentrations of
metal-containing minerals to be mined as metal ores. Others have acted as source
rocks for hydrothermal mineralization deposits of metal ores. The Kupferschiefer
(copper shale) is an example of a metal-rich black shale, and it has been mined
in various places in Germany and Poland for Cu, Pb and Ag since medieval times.
Organic-rich, black shales were formed in shallow sea water with a reducing environment which is partly responsible for their accumulations of heavy metal(loid)s.
Deposits of black shales of various geological ages outcrop widely throughout the
world with particularly large deposits in Russia, USA, Canada, Australia, China,
Brazil and northern Europe. In Manitoba, Canada, outcrops of black shales, ranging
in age from Ordovician to Tertiary (360 M yrs), with an area of 150,000 km2,
show considerable variation in Mo contents, with the oldest and youngest showing
the lowest median values (~ 1 mg kg1). Those of intermediate ages (Devonian
to Cretaceous) had similar median values (~ 5 mg kg1), but the Cretaceous
black shales had individual Mo contents varying by three orders of magnitude [30].
19
Smaller occurrences in many other countries give rise to localised areas of heavy
metal(loid)-enriched soils either developed directly on shale outcrops or on drift
deposits containing shale fragments and their weathering products (clay and silt-sized
particles). The origin of this black shale drift can include residues of eroded overlying
strata, glacial drift and alluvium. Relatively thin beds (facies) of black shale can also
occur in some major clay deposits (e.g. Kimmeridge Clay of Jurassic Age) and give
rise to local anomalies in heavy metal(loid) concentrations. Molybdenum-induced Cu
deficiency in ruminants (see Chaps. 7 and 21) occurs widely on Mo-enriched soils
derived from shales, especially those with black shale facies. In Ireland, black shale
facies of the Clare shales (Upper Carboniferous) contain high concentrations of Mo
and Se (<200 mg Mo kg1 and <220 mg Se kg1) which can cause toxicity (and/or
induced Cu-deficiency) problems in livestock grazing pastures on soils derived from
these rocks [23].
Black shales have attracted wide attention as sources of elevated Cd concentrations in soils and examples include: up to 22 mg Cd kg1 in soils on the Monterey
Shale in California, USA [73], 24 mg Cd kg1 on Carboniferous shales in
Derbyshire, UK [55], 11 mg Cd kg1 in alluvial soils in an area of uraniferous
black shales in South Korea [45] and 60 mg Cd kg1 in soil (and <187 mg Cd kg1
in rock) in an area of black shales and carbonaceous siltstone in Wushan County
in south western China [88]. These soils in south western China also contain
anomalously high concentrations (in mg kg1) of Ni up to 388, Zn 962, Mo 99
and Sb 15. Control soils nearby contained concentrations of up to (in mg kg1):
Cd 0.76, Ni 39, Zn 108, Mo 1.1 and Sb 3.4. Crops grown in soils on black shales in
this area had elevated concentrations of Cd (up to 76.5 mg kg1 DM in maize) and
Mo (up to 5.4 mg kg1 DM in beans) which are a major cause of concern for the
health of consumers [88].
Many black shale facies and related carbon-rich sedimentary rocks are significantly
enriched in U and those with particularly high contents are referred to as uraniferous
shales. Concentrations of >300 mg U kg1 have been found in uraniferous black
shales in South Korea. Black shales of Upper Jurassic age in West Siberia contain high
concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) (<534 mg kg1) with cerium (Ce) being
the most abundant (<220 mg Ce kg1)[98]. A uraniferous organic-rich black shale of
Upper Cretaceous age from the Nakheil phosphate mine in Egypt was found to contain
high concentrations of several heavy metals (in mg kg1): U 41, Mo 570, Cd 233 and
Zn 2,314 [26] (Table 2.2). In most cases, U-rich sedimentary rocks, such as shales and
phosphorites also contain significant amounts of the radioactive element thorium (Th)
which is usually present at around three times the concentration of U (see Chap. 26).
Coals are also closely related to black shales in being formed from organicrich sediments in shallow reducing environments. They are relatively enriched in
several heavy metal(loid)s (Table 2.2), but the contents in different coal formations
vary widely. Some coals contain significant amounts of U and Th and the ash from
these coals could contain up to ten times as much U (see Chap. 26). They can also
be mineralized with the deposition of minerals containing As and other heavy metal
(loid)s [53]. Although coals do not form significant areas of soil parent materials
on the land surface, they do affect the composition of large geographical areas of
20
B.J. Alloway
soils through air pollution (and subsequent atmospheric deposition) from coal
combustion for electricity generation, industrial steam generation and/or domestic
heating [53].
Limestones
Limestones comprise mainly grains of calcite (CaCO3) mostly derived from microscopic marine organisms. The marine basins in which these organisms and chemical
precipitates of CaCO3 accumulate can also receive significant inputs of heavy metal
(loid)s and can thus give rise to limestones with elevated concentrations in some
locations. Sulphides can occur in some limestones and clay-rich calcareous marls are
often found to be a rich source of heavy metal(loid)s. In many parts of the world,
limestones have been extensively mineralized from the deposition of sulphide heavy
metal(loid) ore minerals from hydrothermal fluids in the limestone sedimentary beds
(see Sect. 2.3.2.2 Metallogenic Mineralization). This carbonate-hosted mineralization is referred to as being of the Mississippi Valley-Type. During weathering,
when the limestone and sulphide ore minerals undergo dissolution and oxidation, the
metal(loid)s become dispersed in the residual soil and/or leached into groundwater.
Baize and Chretien [3] report anomalously high concentrations of Cd, Co,
Ni, Pb and Zn in soils on the Sinemurian (Lower Jurassic) limestone platform
in Bourgogne region of central France. The organic-rich, calcareous residual soils
(Rendic Leptosols) have developed over limestone which had previously been
mineralized by hydrothermal fluids or sedimentary processes. Weathering and
pedogenesis have resulted in these soils having high concentrations of heavy
metal(loid)s (in mg kg1): Cd 34.7, Co 2050, Ni 62410, Pb 10710,180,
thallium (Tl) 4755 and Zn 4203,820, which are very high for soils unaffected
by anthropogenic contamination [3, 92]. Soils in an area with a similar geological
history near Ales, in France, were also found to have elevated concentrations of
several heavy metals including Tl (<18.2 mg kg1). In contrast, a survey of Tl
in 244 samples of arable soils across France showed a median concentration of
0.29 mg Tl kg1, a mean value of 1.5 mg Tl kg1 and a 90th percentile of 1.54 mg
Tl kg1 [92].
Soils developed on Jurassic Oolitic limestone in adjacent areas of the Jura
Mountains in Switzerland and France have been found to contain anomalously
high concentrations of Cd (up to 22 mg kg1) and Zn (up to 864 mg kg1), but the
Cd and Zn concentrations in the limestone rock were much lower (<4.9 mg Cd
kg1 and <207 mg Zn kg1). The enrichment of the Calcaric Cambisol soil in this
area, relative to its parent material, is probably due to vertical pedogenic processes
involving the weathering of underlying rock and debris from upslope limestones
and the accumulation of resistant Zn-containing minerals [41, 76].
Phosphorites
Phosphorites are sedimentary rocks containing high concentrations of phosphate
minerals, mainly apatite (Ca5(F, Cl, OH)(PO4)3) which have formed in several
21
possible ways, usually on the ocean floor, and are often accompanied by other
sedimentary strata which may include limestone, shales, cherts and sandstones.
Large accumulations of bird excreta (guano) over a very long time-scale have
reacted with underlying limestones and given rise to some important phosphorite
deposits in some places such as certain Pacific islands. These deposits have been
utilised as raw materials for the manufacture of P fertilisers and most have been
completely consumed. Phosphorites are generally enriched in several heavy metal
(loid)s to a greater extent than black shales, for example Ag by a factor of 20 times,
U by 30 and Cd by 50 [85]. Silva et al. [17] compared concentrations of metals
in samples of phosphorites from a mine in Tunisia with other phosphate rocks
from around the world and the maximum concentrations found (in mg kg1) were:
Cd 62.5, Cr 490, Cu 110, Ni 180, Pb 500, U 150 and Zn 1,850. Perhaps more
important than their contribution to the heavy metal(loid) content of soils developed
on them, is the impact of these rocks on soils of all types when they are used as raw
materials for manufacturing P fertilisers (see Sect. 2.3.2.2 Inorganic Fertilisers).
Page et al. [73] refer to mean concentrations of 25 mg Cd kg1 in phosphorites with
maximum values of <500 mg Cd kg1.
Very high Cd concentrations have been found in soils developed on phosphorites
derived from guano in Jamaica. Concentrations of <930 mg Cd kg1, of lithogenic
origin were found in soils which had not been contaminated from anthropogenic
sources. The Hope phosphorite (rock) from Manchester Parish in Jamaica contained
(in mg kg1): Cd up to 6,200, Zn 12,300 and U 166 [31]. A similar deposit, the
Spitzbergen phosphorite, also in this part of Jamaica, contained up to 16,540 mg
Cd kg1 and 6,103 mg Zn kg1. Owing to their very high Cd content, these
phosphorites have been described as cadmiferous.
Ultramafic Rocks
Ultramafic rocks of various types, including serpentinites, peridotites and pyroxenites,
outcrop in several parts of the world. Although, on a global scale the soils developed
on them do not occupy a very large total area, they are particularly notable because of
their relatively high concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Co, low Ca:Mg ratios and low levels
of P and K which only adapted plant species (serpentine flora) can tolerate. The high
Co, Cr, Cu and Ni values in northern Californian soils shown in Table 2.1 are due to
ultramafic parent materials. The UK Soil and Herbage Pollutant Survey (UKSHS)
found that mean Cr and Ni concentrations were higher in the rural soils of Northern
Ireland than in the rest of the UK due to the greater occurrence of mafic and ultramafic
soil parent materials there [83].
Concentrations of up to 10,000 mg Ni kg1 (1%) have been found in soils
developed on ultramafic rocks whereas normal Ni concentrations in soils on other
parent materials are frequently <500 mg Ni kg1 [75]. In California, Cr concentrations in serpentine soils ranged between 1,725 and 5,910 mg kg1 [32, 72].
In Galicia, northern Spain, serpentine soils contain up to 1,162 mg Cr kg1, 940 mg
Ni kg1 and 150 mg kg1 Cu, compared with up to 50100 mg Cr and Ni kg1
22
B.J. Alloway
and 525 mg Cu kg1 for local control soils on other parent materials [65]
(see also Chap. 11).
Sedimentary Ironstones
All Fe oxide-rich sediments, including ironstones which are defined as containing
>30% Fe oxides, are generally found to have accumulated relatively high concentrations of As, Ba, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn [80]. Sedimentary ironstone
formations are found in many parts of the world and many of them are exploited as
Fe ore deposits. In Lincolnshire, in the UK, ironstone deposits of Lower Jurassic
and Lower Cretaceous ages have accumulated significant concentrations of As and
soils developed on them have up to 342 mg kg1 total As. However, this As has an
extremely low bioaccessibility and hence does not constitute a significant hazard to
health even though maximum total concentrations are 17 times higher than the UK
soil guideline value of 20 mg As kg1 [7].
Metallogenic Mineralization
Metalliferous ores can give rise to anomalously high concentrations of heavy metal
(loid)s in soils when outcrops of rocks containing these ores undergo natural
(geochemical) weathering in situ, or the products of weathering are dispersed
locally by geomorphological processes and undergo subsequent weathering. However, much larger areas can be affected by anthropogenic pollution when these
ores are mined and smelted. Ores are naturally occurring concentrations of minerals
with a sufficiently high concentration of metal(loid)s to render them economically
worthwhile exploiting. cut-off grades of metals in an ore mineral, which are the
contents above which it is economical to exploit a mineral deposit, have been
gradually decreasing as the demand for metals has increased and the technology of
mineral extraction has improved. For example, the average grade of ore mined by
the Cu industry throughout the world has decreased from around 13% Cu in 1770
to <1% Cu in 2007 [77]. This trend of mining lower grade ores has resulted
in increasingly greater percentages of waste being produced per tonne of metal
extracted and larger areas disrupted and contaminated by mining operations.
Mineral deposits often contain exploitable concentrations of several ore minerals
(in addition to the principal ore) allowing a range of different metals to be produced.
Minerals containing concentrations of metal(loid)s below their cut-off grades are
referred to as gangue minerals and in the past these were usually discarded after
mining along with country rock. As a consequence, the wastes from historic mining
operations often contain significant concentrations of a wide range of heavy metal
(loid)s which constitute a potential environmental hazard, but, on the other hand,
may now be worth reprocessing for metal production. From Table 2.3 it can be seen
23
Table 2.3 Common ore minerals of heavy metals and metalloids and the elements associated
with them
Associated heavy metals/metalloids
Metal
Ore mineralsa
Ag
Argentite (Ag2S), PbS
Au, Cu, Sb, Zn, Pb, Se, Te
As
Arsenopyrite (FeAsS), AsS, Cu ores
Au, Ag, Sb, Hg, U, Bi, Mo, Sn, Cu
Pb, Zn
Ba
Barite (BaSO4)
Cd
Sphalerite (ZnS)
Zn, Pb, Cu
Co
Cobaltite ((Co,Fe) AsS)
Fe, As, Sb, Cu, Ni, Ag, U
Ni, Co
Cr
Chromite (Fe, Cr2O4)
Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se, Sb, Ni, Pt, Mo, Au, Te
Cu
Bornite (Cu5FeS4), Chalcocite (Cu2S)
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), Cub
Hg
Cinnabar (HgS), Hgb, Zn ores
Sb, Se, Te, Ag, Zn, Pb
Mn
Pyrolusite(MnO2)
Co, Ni, Zn, Pb
Cu, Re, W, Sn
Mo
Molybdenite (MoS2)
Pb
Galena (PbS)
Ag, Zn, Cu, Cd, Sb, Tl, Se, Te
Ag, Au, Hg, As
Sb
Stybnite (Sb2S3)
Sn
Cassiterite (SnO2)
Nb, Ta, W, Rb
V, As, Mo, Se, Pb, Cu, Co, A
U
Uraninite (UO2)
U, Pb
V
Vanadinite (Pb5(VO4)3Cl), p and
Fe ores, crude oil etc.
Mo, Sn, Nb
W
Wolframite ((Fe, Mn) WO4)
Cd, Cu, Pb, As, Se, Sb, Ag, In
Zn
Sphalerite (ZnS), Smithsonite (ZnCO3)
References: Peters [74], Rose et al. [82] and others
a
Selected ore minerals most heavy metals have several different ores but the associated elements
apply to most sources of the metals/metalloids
b
Native metal
that many heavy metal ore minerals and gangue minerals (such as arsenopyrite) are
sulphides and consequently their oxidation during weathering gives rise to acid
soils (and acid mine drainage) which promotes the solubility and mobility of cationic
forms of metals. Almost all ore minerals also contain significant concentrations of
several other metals and metalloids as inclusions in their crystal structure, as shown in
Table 2.3. These guest elements, together with associated gangue minerals, are the
reason that soils in mineralized areas and those contaminated by mining and smelting
usually contain a wide range of heavy metal(loid)s at elevated concentrations.
In addition to elevated concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s from mining contamination (Sect. 2.3.2.2 Non-ferrous Metalliferous Mining and Smelting), the
weathering of ore minerals will result in the dispersion and plant uptake of metal
(loid)s at undisturbed mineralized sites and this is sometimes referred to as natural
pollution. For example the weathering of a low-grade PbS (galena) ore deposit and
natural dispersion down-slope of weathering products over several thousand years
since the last glaciation has resulted in the formation of patches of barren ground
within a forest in southern Norway [48]. Concentrations of <100,000 mg Pb kg1
have accumulated in these patches which are too toxic for plants, but a tolerant
strain of the grass Deschampsia flexuosa grows in adjacent areas with lower Pb
concentrations (Alloway, 1976, personal communication).
24
B.J. Alloway
2.3.2
Anthropogenic Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids
Heavy metal(loid)s from anthropogenic sources can be described as either

contaminants or pollutants, but there is a convention for using contaminants
(and contamination rather then pollution) in the context of soil and land. The
importance of contamination is clearly shown in a comparison of analytical data
for relatively large numbers of background soils with the results for soils affected
by anthropogenic contamination from various sources (urban, agricultural, mining
or smelting activities) across the USA by Burt et al. [9]. The surface horizons
of representative soil profiles (pedons) of 312 non-anthropogenic and 392
anthropogenically-affected soils, respectively, had the following median total
concentrations (in mg kg1): Cd 0.16 and 0.22, Cu 16 and 33, Pb 10 and 48 and
Zn 60 and 73. Mercury contents were 44 and 170 mg kg1, respectively. The
maximum values for some of these metals in the anthropogenic group were up to
32 times higher (for Cd) than in the background soils, with Cu and Pb being around
ten times higher.
For soil contamination to occur the metal(loid)s have to be transported from a
source to the soil at a particular location. The main mechanisms by which heavy
metal(loid) contaminants are transported from source to the soil site are:
moving air currents (wind) and deposition of dust, aerosol sized particles
(<30 mm) and gaseous forms of metals (e.g. Hg),
moving water (runoff and/or flooding rivers) followed by deposition of
metal(loid)- containing soil down-slope or on alluvial soil in the case of flooding
rivers,
down-slope movement of metal-rich rock and contaminated mineral material or
soil by gravity,
intentional placement by tractors, sprayers, manure spreaders, lorries and earthmovers of heavy metal(loid)-containing materials.
Contamination can be either extensive (affecting large areas) or localised.
2.3.2.1
Extensive Contamination
Atmospheric Deposition
Atmospheric deposition is the most extensive form of contamination because longrange transport can result in particles being carried very long distances (thousands
of km), although much contamination from this source tends to be more localised
(few km). Sources of metal(loid)s emitted into the atmosphere (usually as particles)
include: coal and oil-fired electricity generating stations, industrial emissions
from smelters, foundries and other pyrometallurgical industries, motor vehicle
engine exhaust emissions and dusts from tyre and brake lining wear, smoke and
other emissions from industrial and domestic heating, accidental fires, bonfires and
25
corrosion of metal structures, such as galvanised (Zn-coated) roofs. The transfer

of metal(loid)-containing particles from the atmosphere to soils or water can
be by wet, dry or occult deposition, but when monitored, it is often collected and
measured as combined bulk deposition. Although large areas can be affected,
in most cases, except for very local sites, deposition rates are the lowest of all those
from the different transport mechanisms listed above because of the dilution of
atmospheric emissions in a large mass of moving air. However, the contamination
process often continues for longer than the other mechanisms and the total inputs
from this route can be very significant. The spatial distribution of pollutants reaching
soil in this form is also the most evenly spread and metal(loid) concentrations are
highest in the surface layer of the soil profile (see also Chap. 8 on Critical Loads).
Some examples of the inputs of heavy metal(loid)s from atmospheric deposition
are given in Table 2.4. It is difficult to compare sets of data for atmospheric
deposition from different countries because a variety of different sampling methods
have been used and there is no generally accepted monitoring protocol. There is
often a wide variation in metal deposition within some countries. For example, in
different parts of Norway, deposition of Pb, Cd, As, Sb and Bi can vary by more than
one order of magnitude even when the effects of local pollution sources are excluded
(Steinnes, pers comm.). Some methods of monitoring are based on the analysis of
mosses (which trap atmospheric particles in their leaves) and others use funnels of
various types to collect bulk deposition. Total suspended particulates (TSP) are
normally monitored by specialised pumped filtration systems which separate
suspended particles into different size ranges, which are later analysed separately.
Analytical surveys in Europe have shown that concentrations of Cd and Pb in
mosses decreased between 1990 and 2000, with Pb declining to a greater extent.
However, Hg concentrations remained relatively constant across Europe during the
period 19952000 [34]. The data for England and Wales and those for New Zealand
shown in Table 2.4 are all based on the collection of bulk deposition using inverted
Frisbee-type collectors. However, these collectors have been found to over-estimate
the small particulate fraction due to the capture of some locally suspended and redeposited dust and soil particles. In the light of this, the original data of Alloway
et al. [1] have subsequently been adjusted by Nicholson et al. [70], using more
recent dry deposition data and the results of surveys of mosses in the UK. These
moss surveys in 1995 and 2005 showed a decrease in deposition with time in the
UK [34]. The effects of these calculations by Nicholson et al. [70] were to reduce
the original England and Wales deposition values by between 80% (Pb) and 35%
(Cu), with no change in Hg deposition. These adjusted data are shown in Table 2.4.
The values in Table 2.4 for Finland show much lower levels of deposition than in
all the other sets of data and is probably a reflection of lower levels of atmospheric
pollution. However, the results from all the different countries show higher levels of
Zn deposition than of any other heavy metal(loid). Of particular interest is the
comparison (in the original Alloway et al. 2000 data) between the 34 sites in rural
locations in England and Wales (remote from obvious sources of contamination)
and the site 2 km downwind from a large ZnPb smelter in south west England.
Bulk deposition near the smelter was greater than the national mean for England
England smelterb
Switzerland
Finland
New Zealandc
All Chinad
Yangtze River Delta
Original
Adjusted
(1)
(16)
(8)
(7)
(72148)
(43)
As
3.1
0.9
27
28 (4117)
15.7 (3.858.4)
Cd
1.9
0.7
66.9
0.8
0.2
0.2
4.0 (0.425)
4.1 (0.920.7)
Cu
56.8
37
138
18.0
5.0
35.4
108 (2.3409)
139 (40589)
Hg
1.0
1.0
2.2
1.4 (0.25)
0.3 (0.040.9)
Ni
16.0
8.0
15.1
11.0
1.5
9.5
58 (6.3138)
46 (15114)
Pb
54.0
11.0
1,766.8
28.0
5.7
23.0
202 (5.1756)
359 (832,530)
Zn
221.3
112.0
3,557.0
119.0
20.0
1025.0
647 (291,484)
895 (1443,730)
References: Alloway et al. [1]; Gray et al. [33]; Nicholson et al. [68, 70]70; Luo et al. [54]; Lim et al. [52]; Huang et al. [38]
NB sampling protocols differ between most countries
a
Mean of 34 sites (with duplicate samplers) over 42 months (19951998); Original data in Alloway et al. [1]; Adjusted Original data
other later dry deposition and moss surveys
b
Smelter data from Alloway et al. [1]
c
Mean of seven New Zealand pastoral sites over 2 years
d
Non-systematic sampling 19992006 representative of all of China
e
Total suspended particulates measured for 24 h in each of four seasons at six urban sites (August 2003June 2003)
(34)
Table 2.4 Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and metalloids in several countries (g ha1 year1)
England and Walesa
adjusted using
(6)
76.7
18.9
69
438
Los Angelese
26
B.J. Alloway
27
and Wales by a factor of 35 for Cd, 32 for Pb, 16 for Zn, 8.7 for As and 2.4 for
Cu [1]. The data in Table 2.4 for New Zealand show values with similar orders of
magnitude for most metals, except that Zn is much higher than the mean and
maximum values for England and Wales, but lower than for the smelter site. Unlike
England and Wales, New Zealand is neither highly populated, nor heavily
industrialised, but the very high Zn deposition is considered to come from the
dispersion of Zn from the corrosion of galvanised (Zn-plated) roofing material
which is widely used in New Zealand [33]. This is supported by the TSP data for
a suburb of Paris, France, which showed relatively high Zn concentrations considered to be due to the large number of galvanised roofs in the city and its suburbs [2].
An inventory of inputs of trace elements to agricultural soils in China showed
that 5885% of the inputs of As, Hg, Pb and Ni, 35% of Cd, 40% of Zn and 43% of
Cr were derived from atmospheric deposition. Table 2.4 shows that Zn deposition
in China was also higher than that of any other element measured. Total annual
deposition of Zn in China amounted to around 79,000 t, which comprised around
40% of total inputs of Zn to soil. The highest Zn input (96,000 t) was from livestock
manures [54].
The values in Table 2.4 for all of China and the separate data for the Yangtze
Delta, one of the fastest developing regions in China, both show levels of heavy
metal(loid)s which are generally much higher than for England and Wales and
all the other sampling locations, except in the case of Hg in the Yangtze Delta.
The monitoring in the Yangtze Delta was more systematic and therefore likely to be
more reliable than the data for the whole of China. In comparing these two sets of
data, the Yangtze is higher than the whole of China for all elements except As and
Ni. Concentrations in the Yangtze Delta are higher than those for England
and Wales (Alloway et al. data)[1] by factors of 5 for As, 2.2 for Cd, 17.6 for
Cr, 2.4 for Cu, 2.9 for Ni. 6.6 for Pb and 4 for Zn. Although the sampling protocols
were different, it is obvious that soil contamination from atmospheric deposition is
much greater in China than in England and Wales or even Los Angeles, which is
slightly higher than England and Wales for all elements except Ni. Multivariate
statistical analysis of the Yangtze Delta data showed that As, Hg, Cd, Mo, S and
Zn were associated with road traffic emissions, Cr and Ni with pyrometallurgical
processes, Fe and Mn from the resuspension of soil particles, and Pb and Se from
coal burning [38]. Coal and oil combustion can be significant contributors of As,
Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Th, U and V in atmospheric deposition, depending on the
composition of the coal used [27, 28]. In China, coals have been found to contain
<3.5% As [53]; in the UK, coals can contain <137 mg Pb kg1 [21] and in the USA
coals can contain <73 mg Se kg1 [15] and average contents of 1.3 mg U kg1 and
3.2 mg kg1 thorium (Th) [28].
In Europe, the AROMIS project calculated the following rates of inputs of metals
from the atmosphere to agricultural land (in g ha1 year1) as: Cd 0.23.3,
Cr 0.58.9, Cu 4379, Ni 1.568, Pb 6415, and Zn 2050. However, the original
Alloway et al. [1] results were used (together with other data) in these calculations.
Atmospheric deposition was the second most important source (after livestock
manures) of Cu and Zn (139% Cu and 849% Zn) in agricultural soils in the
22 European countries involved in the study [19].
28
B.J. Alloway
Using different monitoring methods, Pb in suspended atmospheric particles

near Paris was shown to have decreased by a factor of 13, from 200 ng m3 in
1994 to 15 ng Pb m3 in 2003 [2]. In the north-western Mediterranean, near Nice,
France, metals of anthropogenic origin (Cd, Pb and Zn) showed a marked decrease
in suspended particles over the last two decades: Pb by 900%, Cd by 66% and Zn
by 54%, but lithogenic elements such as Al, Fe, Mn, and Co showed no overall
trend [35]. In contrast to Europe, the average concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn and
Mn in TSP in Beijing, China, were found to have increased during the period
20022005, but showed a decrease in 2006. These average concentrations were five
to ten times higher than in several other Asian countries including Bangladesh,
Vietnam, Hong-Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan and Japan. The maximum average
Pb and Zn contents in TSP (694 ng Pb m3 and 1,214 ng Zn m3) occurred in
China, the maximum average Cu content (235 ng m3) occurred in Taiwan and the
maximum Cr (299 ng m3) occurred in Japan. The concentrations of metals were
highest in the PM2.5 fraction, with the highest PM2.5 Pb being found in Hong Kong
(91,260 ng Pb m3) [39]. These data indicate that the atmospheric pollution levels
are not decreasing in many parts of Asia and that the most rapidly developing
cities and industrial regions have the highest levels of atmospheric heavy metal
pollutants (See also critical loads in Chap. 8).
Flooding and Sediment Deposition

Heavy metal(loid)-containing particles from various sources are carried in suspension in rivers and when these flood much of the suspended sediment in the water
overflowing onto land will be deposited on alluvial soils. One of the most common
historic sources of heavy metal(loid) contamination of alluvial soil is sediment from
metalliferous mines. These sediments are finely ground particles of ore, gangue
minerals and country rock which were separated from the bulk of the metal ore
during the processing of the material extracted from the mines. These fine particles
of mine waste are known as tailings and in the past they were often discharged
straight into streams and rivers. In the UK, The Rivers Pollution Prevention Act of
1876 required all effluent from mineral separation at mines to be channelled
through two ponds in succession to allow sediment to settle-out before being
discharged into rivers. This was effective in reducing sediment loads in the rivers
by around 90%, but unfortunately the law did not specify what should be done with
the sediment cleaned out of the ponds. This was usually dumped in piles beside the
water courses which then resulted in the tailings being eroded from these piles by
rain and wind and to continue to contaminate the rivers for more than 130 years
following the introduction of the law.
Modern mining methods normally involve the indefinite storage of tailings in
large lagoons behind dams, but occasionally these dams fail causing widespread
soil and water contamination by deep layers of tailings mud as happened at the
Aznalcollar Mine in southern Spain in 1998 and other places around the world
since then. It can be seen from the international literature that contaminated mine
29
sediment is a very common source of heavy metal(loid) contamination of alluvial

soils all over the world, but some of the worst affected valleys are those where
mining activity dates back possibly 200 years or more. In a review of metal-mining
contaminated sediments in England and Wales, Hudson-Edwards et al. [39] refer to
concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s in alluvial soils and overbank sediments in
catchments contaminated by metal mining (in mg kg1) of: Cd <117, Cu <5,318,
Pb <26,800 and Zn <38,000.
2.3.2.2
Localised Contamination
Agriculture and Horticulture

Intentional Placement of Organic Materials Such as Livestock Manures
and Sewage Sludges
Livestock Manures. These are a ubiquitous source of heavy metal(loid) inputs on
livestock farms and the amounts of elements involved are strongly influenced by the
quantities added to animal feed. In the case of pigs and poultry in Europe, relatively
large amounts of Cu and Zn have been routinely fed in the past, with concentrations of up to 140 mg Cu kg1 and 800 mg Zn kg1 in creep feed for piglets
prior to weaning, decreasing to around 200 mg Zn kg1 for older fattening pigs.
Since the levels to satisfy nutritional requirements are only 45 mg Cu kg1 and
4060 mg Zn kg1, the additional amounts are added to the feed to act as a growth
promoter [19]. In 2003, much lower maximum permitted levels in animal feeds
were introduced in the EU. For pigs, these are now in the range (in mg kg1): 25 Cu
(17 weeks6 months) to 170 Cu (up to 12 weeks), for poultry: 25 Cu and 150 Zn, for
cattle: 1535 Cu and 150 Zn, and for sheep: 15 Cu and 150 Zn [70]. In the USA,
an organic As-containing compound (roxarsone) has been widely fed as a growth
promoter to broiler chickens since the 1960s, but it was banned in the European
Union in 1999. This implies that elevated amounts of As are added to soils when
poultry litter (manure) typically containing 3050 mg As kg1 is recycled to
soil [5, 29].
Table 2.5 shows data for the heavy metal concentrations in livestock manures of
different types in Europe (AROMIS project) and China [19, 54]. The AROMIS
project collected a much larger number of samples from representative farms in
21 European countries. A comparison of the two sets of data show much higher
levels of all metals except Zn in the Chinese manures. Perhaps most noteworthy is
Cd which is around ten times higher in the Chinese manures. However, both data
sets show that, in general, pig slurry contains the highest levels of Cu and Zn, with
maximum values in the European samples exceeding 1,000 mg Cu kg1 and
5,000 mg Zn kg1, mainly due to high levels of Cu and Zn additives in the feed.
Similar values were also found for pig FYM. Poultry manure contained more Zn
than cattle manure and levels in both the Chinese and European samples were
similar. Both the AROMIS project in Europe and work by Luo et al. [54] in China
30
Table 2.5 Heavy metal concentrations in livestock manures in Europe
China (mg kg1 dry solids)
Manure
Cd
Cr
Cu
Ni
Europe
Cattle FYM
W. meanb 0.3
7.5
23
4.4
Range
(0.043.1) (0.1170) (0.3191) (0.228)
No.
348
200
345
175
Cattle slurry
W. mean 0.4
6.9
42
6.2
Range
(0.045.5) (0.2170) (0.1741) (0.157)
No.
680
431
720
475
Pig slurry
W. mean 0.3
9.4
193
12
Range
(0.024.0) (0.237) (121802) (0.150)
No.
1,128
235
1,143
180
Broiler
W. mean 0.4
20
89
6.2
chicken
Range
(0.11.2) (1.380) (8.4760) (2.221)
and turkey No.
102
49
105
46
FYM
China (2003)
3.4
15.2
46.5
14.1
Cattle manure Mean
(42a)
Pig manure
Mean
4.8
46.6
473
12.5
(61)
Chicken
Mean
3.4
46
102
15.9
manure
(70)
References: Eckel et al. [19]; Luo et al. [54]
a
Number of samples
b
Weighted mean
B.J. Alloway
(AROMIS project) and
Pb
Zn
3.8
(0.192)
331
5.6
(0.175)
679
3.0
(0.3112)
1,126
3.7
(1.024)
102
119
(9.6691)
345
207
(2.01,908)
721
934
(5.05,832)
1,143
353
(52790)
105
15.7
152
10.1
843
20.6
309
found that livestock manures were the most important inputs to soils for Cu (2972%
in Europe and 69% in China) and Zn (2965% in Europe and 51% in China).
Sewage Sludges. Sewage sludges (or biosolids) are the insoluble residues from
the treatment of waste waters at sewage treatment plants. Due to their beneficial
contents of N, P and organic matter, they are frequently recycled to agricultural land
where they have a significant fertiliser value. However, the concentrations of heavy
metal(loid)s are a major constraint in the amounts of sludge that can be applied
to soils (see Table 2.6). The heavy metal(loid)s in sewage sludges are the result of
inputs from human excreta, domestic grey water from baths, showers and dishwashing, run-off water from roofs and roads and industrial waste waters discharged
into the sewers and processed in sewage treatment plants (STPs). Sludges from
different STPs can vary considerably in composition depending on the sources of
discharges in their catchment area. Heavy metal(loid) contents of sludges at individual STPs, also vary significantly on a weekly or even daily basis as a result of
differences in the composition and volume of discharges into sewers. Regulations
introduced in Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and many other technologically developed countries over the last 20 years or more have established both
maximum concentrations of selected heavy metals allowed in sludges which
are applied to agricultural land and maximum permissible concentrations of
Current EU soil limitsc

Moderate changes
EU weighteda
b
c
mean
Range
EU limits
Metal
pH 67
pH56
67
Cd
2.0
0.43.8
2040
13
0.5
1
Cr
73
16275
1,0001,750
50
75
Cu
330
39641
1,0001,750
50140
30
50
Hg
0.33
1625
11.5
0.1
0.5
Ni
36
990
300400
3075
30
50
Pb
104
13221
7501,200
50300
70
70
Zn
811
1422,000
2,5004,000
15300
100
150
References: Eckel et al. [19]; Milieu et al. [63]; Langenkamp [50]
All values are total concentrations based upon aqua regia digestion
a
Weighted mean for EU based on data for sludges reported by Member States (Eckel et al. [18])
b
Range of average metal contents for individual EU Member States
c
Directive 86/278/EEC
d
JRC Ispra proposed limits for soils
>7
1.5
100
100
1
70
100
200
Proposed new soil limits 1d
Table 2.6 Average contents of heavy metals in sewage sludges in member states of the European Union
Soils (mg kg1)
Sludges (mg kg1 dry solids)
67
1
75
50
0.5
50
70
20
More significant changes

pH56
0.5
50
30
0.1
30
70
20
>7
1.5
100
100
1
70
100
200

31
32
B.J. Alloway
heavy metals in soils receiving sludges. These regulations are intended to avoid
the accumulation of excessive concentrations of elements which could cause either
ecotoxicity in soils and/or phytotoxic effects in crops. However, sewage sludges
have been applied to land in some countries for more than 100 years and during this
time some of these sludges and the soils to which they were applied would almost
certainly have had higher concentrations of some heavy metal(loid)s than are
permitted nowadays. In 2010, total sewage sludge production in the 27 Member
States of the EU was around 11.6 Mt (dry solids), of which 88% was produced in the
15 states which were members before the expansion of the EU in 2004 [63].
The data in Table 2.6 show much narrower ranges of heavy metal(loid) contents
in the sewage sludges of EU member states from relatively recent analyses than the
range for the world [43] which includes values from the literature over many years.
The weighted mean values for EU sludges are all well below the preferred EU limit
values with only Cu and Zn coming within 33% of the lower limit values. It is
important to note the very high maximum values from the world range, but these
probably date back to a time before the introduction of regulations in many
countries to reduce the heavy metal(loid) concentrations in both the wastewater
(sewage) and the sludges derived from it. The EU limits are now quite old, dating
back to 1986. There has been much work done on revising them, but so far, no new
Directive has been issued. The proposed new limit values (shown in Table 2.6)
show that greater importance is now attached to soil pH due to its effect on heavy
metal(loid) availability and in all cases the maximum permitted soil total
concentrations are lower than the old maximum values in the 1986 Directive.
Even in soils with pH >7, where most metals will be least available, the Cd limit is
reduced from 3.0 to 1.5 mg kg1, Cu from 140 to 100 mg kg1 and Zn from 300 to
200 mg kg1. Individual EU Member States are allowed to have more conservative limits than those shown and some countries, such as the Netherlands, have
actually banned the application of any sludges to soil. However, there will still be
residues from sludges applied before this regulation came into being. In addition
to the elements included in Table 2.6, Kabata-Pendias [43] gives the world ranges
for other heavy metal(loid)s in sludges (in mg kg1 DW) including: As <26,
Ba <4,000, Mn <39,000, Sn <700 and V <400.
Inorganic Fertilisers. Macronutrient fertilisers are ubiquitous sources of heavy
metal(loid) inputs into agricultural soils in most parts of the world, except for some
of the poorest developing countries where little fertiliser is used. The macronutrients most commonly used to improve plant growth and yield are the primary
macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Compounds of
these nutrients are applied to the soil either individually as required, or more
frequently together in various combinations as compound fertilisers, such as NPK
or NP and so on. In 2007/2008 the world supply of macronutrient fertilisers was
206.4 Bt and was predicted by the FAO to rise to 240.7 Bt by 2012 [25]. The
secondary macronutrients calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) are also
applied as fertilisers, although Ca is most commonly applied as lime (usually as
CaCO3) to raise the pH of acid soils and Mg may also be applied in dolomite
33
Table 2.7 Concentrations of heavy metals/metalloids in phosphatic and nitrogen fertilisers,

limestones and manures in all countries and median concentrations in EU fertilisers (mg kg1)
Phosphatic fertilisers
Nitrogen fertilisers
Lime fertilisers
Manures
EU
EU
World range median World range median
As
21,200
1120
Ba
200
Cd
0.1170
13
0.058.5
0.9
Co
112
512
Cr
66600
60
319
3.4
Cu
1300
26
115
2.0
Hg
0.011.2
0.033
Mn 402,000
Mo 0.160
17
Ni
738
22
738
6.0
Pb
7225
13
21,450
1.9
Se
0.525
Sn
319
1005,420
U
10800
V
21,600
Zn
501,450
236
142
5.0
References: Kabata Pendias [44]; Eckel et al. [19]
World range
0.124
120250
0.040.1
0.43.0
1015
2125
0.05
401,200
0.115
1020
201,250
0.080.1
0.54
20
10450
EU
median
0.2
6.5
5.6
6.3
8.2
22
World
range
3150
270
0.30.8
0.324
5.255
260
0.0926
0.053
7.830
6.6350
2.4
3.8
15250
(MgCO3. CaCO3) for the same purpose. In addition to these macronutrient

fertilisers and liming agents, essential trace elements (micronutrients) are also
applied to either the soil or plant foliage in specialised micronutrient fertilisers
and a range of compounds of B, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni and Zn are used for this
purpose (see Chaps. 7, 12, 13 and 17).
Most of the inorganic compounds used in macronutrient fertilisers contain
significant concentrations of contaminant heavy metals and metalloids, although
in some cases this can be beneficial where the contaminant is a micronutrient such
as Zn, but it depends on the amounts supplied. Phosphatic fertilisers generally
contain the highest concentrations of most heavy metal(loid)s including As, Cd, U,
Th and Zn. Sedimentary phosphate rock (phosphorite) deposits, which are by far
the largest source of P for fertilisers, are widely recognised as being enriched in a
large number of elements (see Sect. 2.3.1.1 Phosphorites). As a result of the
contaminants contained in fertilisers, frequently fertilised arable soils can accumulate significant concentrations of some heavy metal(loid)s if the contents in the
fertilisers were relatively high.
In Table 2.7, it can be seen that P fertilisers around the world can contain a
wide range of most heavy metal(loid)s with the greatest variations being in Cd
(1700-fold variation), V (800-fold) and As (600-fold). Relatively high Cd contents
in many P fertilisers are a major cause of concern. In Australia, P fertilisers made
from guano-derived phosphorites have had Cd contents of <300 mg Cd kg1 in
the recent past and contributed 3060 g Cd ha1 to soils [57] (see also Sect.
2.3.1.1 Phosphorites and Chap. 10, Sect. 10.3 ). It is interesting to note that
34
B.J. Alloway
Nicholson et al. [69] found that inputs of Cd to soils in England and Wales were
nearly as high from lime as they were from P fertilisers. This was due to the much
larger amounts of lime applied to soils than P fertilisers and not due to particularly
high Cd contents in the lime. The high Zn contents often found in P fertilisers have
been a useful source of this micronutrient in sandy and calcareous soils in many parts
of the world. However, a recent move towards using high analysis P fertilisers,
such as mono- or diammonium phosphate, which have lower contents of Zn and
other heavy metal(loid) contaminants, will necessitate the application of more Zn
fertilisers in future, but on the other hand, they cause less soil contamination.
The AROMIS project showed that the mean input of heavy metals from
fertilisers on a total of 37 farms (both livestock and crops) were (in g ha1 year1):
Cd 2.2, Cr 24, Cu 4.3, Ni 6.7, Pb 5.2 and Zn 49. The metal concentrations in
superphosphate that were used in the calculation of these values (in mg kg1) were:
Cd 23, Cr 233, Cu 41, Ni 60, Pb 39 and Zn 557 [19].
Micronutrient fertilisers supplying the essential metals, mainly Cu or Zn, will
give rise to significant inputs of these metals, but they would normally only be
used where the available Cu or Zn status of the soil is low. In England and Wales,
around 5% of cereal growing sites are deficient in Cu and applications of Cu
fertiliser compounds add a total of around 28 t Cu per year to soils in these two
countries [70].
Industrial by-products, such as flue dusts from electric-arc furnaces and various
slags, have been used to make Zn fertilisers and can give rise to unacceptably
high concentrations of various potentially toxic heavy metal(loid)s including Pb
(<5.2%) and Cd (<0.22%). If these materials are regularly used, in addition to
rectifying a deficiency of Zn, the soil could end up by being significantly
contaminated with both Pb and Cd. Some proprietary micronutrient mixes can
also have significant impurities, such as <55 mg/kg Cd, <0.36% Pb and <83 mg
As kg1 [94].
Agricultural Chemicals Fungicides. Various inorganic heavy metal(loid) and
organo-metallic compounds have been used as fungicides on field and plantation
crops. These include: Pb arsenate (AsHO4Pb), Cu acetoarsenate (C4H6As6Cu4O16
Paris Green), Bordeaux Mixture (CuSO4.5H2O + Ca(OH)2), Cu oxychloride
(3Cu(OH)2. CuCl2) and phenyl mercuric chloride (C6H5ClHg). Soils from apple
orchards in Virginia, USA treated with heavy metal(loid) fungicides and
insecticides were found to contain the following median and maximum concentrations, respectively: (in mg kg1 except for Hg): Cu 26.3 (<156), Zn 59.3 (<220),
As 21.9 (<263), Pb 88.7 (<1,150) and Hg 59.5 mg kg1 (<674 mg kg1). The
elevated As and Pb were due to residues from the use of AsHO4Pb [80].
Copper-based fungicides have been used in vineyards since 1885 and a literature
review by Komarek et al. [46] found reports of concentrations of <3,216 mg Cu
kg1 in vineyard soils, but most contained <700 mg Cu kg1. The highest values
(>3,000 mg Cu kg1) were from a vineyard in Brazil which was more than
100 years old. A single application of Bordeaux Mixture to vines in the Champagne
region of France added 35 kg Cu ha1 and between three and ten applications
35
were usually made each year. In Northern Spain, vineyard soils which had received
Cu-based fungicides washed off foliage over many years had a mean Cu content
of 205 mg Cu kg1 (42583). Sediments derived from eroded vineyard soils on
slopes contained a mean concentration of 423 mg Cu kg1 (74947). The degree of
Cu-enrichment was linked to the organic matter, silt and clay contents. Release
of Cu from soil and sediments was greatest below pH 5.5 due to acidification and
above pH 7.5, it was due to solubilization of soil organic matter in alkaline
conditions [22].
In addition to fungicides used in vineyards and orchards, wood preservative
containing Cu, Cr and As used on fences and poles can also contribute significant
amounts of these elements to soils, albeit with a heterogeneous distribution.
Solutions of CuSO4 and ZnSO4 are sometimes also used for fungicidal footbaths
for cattle and become dispersed in the area around the footbaths [70].
Zineb an organo-Zn compound (C4H6N2S4Zn) and Maneb an organo-Mn
compound (C4H6MnN2S4)x) are also used as foliar-applied fungicides on crops,
but the inputs of these metals from these sources are not as large as those of Cu,
Pb and As used in earlier fungicide treatments, although the latter two elements are
not now used as agrichemicals. Lead arsenate [Pb5OH (AsO4)3] was used as a
pesticide from 1900 to 1960 mainly to control insect pests in orchards. Codling [14]
reported concentrations of <676 mg Pb kg1 and <133 mg As kg1 in two orchard
soils with a history of PbAs pesticide applications.
Organotin compounds, such as triphenyltin (TPT), are also used as fungicides
on some agricultural crops and these eventually degrade to inorganic Sn which
accumulates in soil (see Chap. 24).
Other Agricultural Inputs. Lead shot from game and clay pigeon (plastic flying
targets) shooting over agricultural land is an important source of Pb and other
heavy metal(oid)s including As, Mo, Sb and Ni (see Sect. 2.3.2.2 Military Activity
and Sports Shooting). Corrosion of galvanized (Zn-coated) structures, such as fences
and roofs adds significant amounts of Zn to soils receiving runoff or suspended
particles (see Sect. 2.3.2.1 Atmospheric Deposition). Various wastes including,
meat production sludges, egg, dairy, vegetable and other food processing wastes,
paper crumble, waste gypsum and waste water treatment cake are applied to soils in
some places and all contribute significant amounts of certain heavy metal(loid)s [70].
Urban Soils
Concentrations of several heavy metal(loid)s are often found to be significantly
higher in urban soils than those in rural or agricultural soils. Opinions vary on the
groups of heavy metal(loid)s considered to be characteristic of urban contamination, but most include Pb, Cd and Zn. Kabata-Pendias and Mukherjee [44] give Ba,
Cd, Pb, Sb, Ti and Zn as being characteristic urban contaminants, whereas Chen
et al. [12] give As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn as the most common in urban areas in
China. Kabata-Pendias and Mukherjee [44] refer to work by several authors
36
B.J. Alloway
showing cities to vary in the combinations of heavy metal(loid) contaminants they

have, for example: Berlin: Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn, Th and Tl; Minsk: Cd, Pb and
Zn; Novosibirsk: As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb, Zn; St Petersburg: Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb, V, W
and Zn, and Warsaw: Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. However, elevated levels of
Pb are common to all these cities.
Unlike soils at or near to industrial sites where there is often an obvious link
between the main contaminants and the industrial process, there are many possible
causes of soil contamination in urban areas and there may not be a single source
which could explain the anomalously high metal(loid) concentrations. The most
common sources of metals and metalloids in urban areas include:
Deposition of dust and aerosol particles (from fossil fuel combustion, motor
vehicles etc.),
Corrosion of metal structures, including galvanised roofs and fences,
Technogenic (man-made substrate) materials incorporated in the soil or in dusts,
Contaminants from the former agricultural or horticultural use of the land,
Fertilisers and composts used on urban gardens,
Deposition of solid or liquid wastes onto soils,
Paints and other decorative materials,
Bonfires, accidental fires and wartime bombing.
It is important to emphasise that elevated concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s in
urban soils are both an indication of inputs from a range of different sources and
also that some of these sources, such as atmospheric aerosols, may have affected the
health of people directly, for example by inhalation, and not just afterwards via
contaminated soil. Once sorbed in the soil, elevated concentrations of metal(loid)
s can affect human health when the soil itself is ingested directly on unwashed
vegetables, on unwashed hands, through intentional soil eating (pica), by inhalation
of resuspended soil particles in dust, or though uptake into garden vegetables [91].
Technogenic Materials
Mineral materials such as quarry waste, construction residues, demolition wastes,
furnace slags, ashes and harbour dredgings are often referred to as technogenic
materials. These are important sources of heavy metal(loid) contamination in urban
and industrial areas. They may have been dumped on land in the past, or transported
over land in large quantities and used for foundations of buildings, to level sites or
build roads. Technogenic wastes are also closely associated with industrial sites as
discussed in Sect. 2.3.2.2 Industrial Contamination. Deposits of these materials,
including spillages en route and dusts dispersed into the atmosphere from them can
greatly influence the heavy metal(loid) content of soils. Meuser [59] gives typical
data for technogenic mono-substrates in Germany which show that brick and
concrete rubble have relatively low contents of heavy metal(loid)s (in mg kg1):
Cu <70, Pb <110, but bottom ash from coal burning has higher levels (As <25, Cu
<100, Pb <180). Fly ash from coal-fired electricity generating stations can contain:
Cd <14, Cr <200, Cu <474, Ni <583, Pb <1,100 and Zn <1,800, but even higher
37
contents are found in fly ash from garbage incineration As <230, Cu <1,300, Pb
<8,300, and Zn <27,000. Radionuclides in coal, such as U and Th are also
concentrated by a factor of five to ten times in bottom ash and fly ash from coal
combustion [86]. Metallurgical slags can contain the highest concentrations of all:
As <7,000, Cu <1.2%, Pb <5% and Zn <13% [59]. If coal fly ash is used in urban
areas for construction it can lead to both air pollution (in dust) and soil contamination. Where cities and industrial sites develop over time, there will often be a
sequence of layers of technogenic materials under the land surface as new buildings
and industrial processes are built on the sites of earlier ones. Demolition, accidents
such as fires and explosions and wartime bombing can result in a very heterogeneous distribution of heavy metal(loid)s and persistent organic pollutants. Readers
are referred to Contaminated Urban Soils, by Helmut Meuser (published by
Springer in 2010) for a more detailed coverage of this topic [59].
Case Studies on Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Urban Environments.
A comparison of heavy metals in urban and adjacent rural soils in the city of
Turin (Torino) in Italy, showed that Pb was the heavy metal present in the most
elevated concentrations within the city, followed by Zn and Cu. Median
concentrations and ranges (in mg kg1) were: Pb 117 (31870), Zn 149 (78545)
and Cu 76 (34283). A Pollution Index (PI) based on urban soil content divided by
the rural soil content gave a PI of 7.5 for Pb, 2.9 for Zn and 3.3 for Cu [6].
Several surveys of urban soils have been conducted in the United Kingdom
(UK), these include the UK Soil and Herbage Survey (UKSHS) of soil samples
from rural, urban and industrial sites [83], the British Geological Surveys Baseline
Survey of the Environment (G-BASE) [24] and a study by Culbard et al. [16]
of soils (and associated house dusts) in gardens in England, Scotland and Wales.
The summarised results from the UKSHS and G-BASE studies are shown in
Table 2.8 and the Culbard et al. [16] data in Table 2.9.
Table 2.8 shows the UKSHS and the G-BASE data for urban soils in the UK. The
median values from the G-BASE data, based on 8,368 soil samples from 20 urban
centres, give a more reliable indication of the extent of heavy metal(loid) contamination in urban environments in the UK than the 28 samples in the UKSHS survey.
Interestingly, these G-BASE median values in urban soils are higher than those
from the UKSHS for all metal(loid)s in both urban and industrial soils, and some
very high maximum contents of all elements listed were found. However, many of
the urban centres in the G-BASE survey had a history of industrial activity [91].
The UKSHS concentrations for Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn in rural soils are lower than those
from the much larger systematic grid survey of 5,692 agricultural soils in England
and Wales [56] shown in Table 2.1. This is probably an indication of the variation in
lithogenic and anthropogenic sources in this grid survey. The earlier study by
Culbard et al. [16] involved more than 4,000 garden soils and associated house
dusts in up to 100 houses in each of 50 cities, towns or villages in England, Scotland
and Wales. They generally found relatively high concentrations of Pb and Zn in all
these soils, but the mean levels in the gardens of houses in the Greater London
boroughs were higher than for any other urban area investigated in the study, apart
Table 2.8 Concentrations of selected heavy metals and arsenic in soils at rural, urban and industrial sites in the United Kingdom (mg kg1)
As
Cd
Cr
Cu
Pb
Mn
Hg
Ni
Sn
V
Rural Soils
UKSHSa (n 122)
Median
7.09
0.29
29.2
17.3
37.4
421
0.10
15.8
2.0
39.2
95th percentile
26
1.15
73
51
138
1,532
0.28
7.28
7.3
97
Urban soils
UKSHS (n 28)
Median
9.78
0.29
27.1
30.4
93
387
0.23
22
5.41
43
G-BASEb (n 8,368)
Median
14.0
0.9
78
100
29.7
7.9
Maximum
2,047
134
4,286
14,714
1,038
919
Industrial soils
UKSHS (n 50)
Median
12.5
0.38
35.7
28.8
68.9
540
0.14
27.8
3.66
47.7
95 percentile
57
4.2
74
188
471
1,500
1.31
61
30
105
Additional elements: Ag <133, Ba <1,210, Tl <0.8, Ce <387, Th <14.5, U<7.8, Sb <38, Se <52.4, Mo <24, W <11
a
UKSHS United Kingdom Soil and Herbage Survey [83]
b
G-Base British Geological Survey Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (G-BASE Project) [24]
97
65.9
195
114
650
133
23,238
Zn
38
B.J. Alloway

Table 2.9 Geometric means and ranges of total lead, cadmium and zinc
domestic garden soils in England, Scotland and Wales (mg kg1)
Number of house gardens Pb
Cd
All areasa
4,127
266 (1314,100) 1.2 (<140)
London boroughs
579
654 (6013,700) 1.3 (<140)
From Culbard et al. [16]
a
All areas includes the 579 gardens in London Boroughs
39
concentrations in
Zn
278 (1314,600)
424 (5813,100)
from obviously polluted areas, such as villages with old metalliferous mine
workings. A summary of their results in Table 2.9 shows much higher geometric
mean concentrations for Pb and Zn for all areas than in the G-BASE or UKSHS data
and even greater levels of Pb and Zn contamination in London boroughs. However,
the G-BASE survey did not include the London Boroughs and was not confined
solely to gardens like the Culbard et al. study. It also included some samples from,
parks, allotments and recreation fields. The maximum Pb values are similar for the
G-BASE and the Culbard et al. data, but the maximum Zn value in the G-BASE
survey is nearly twice as high, which helps to illustrate the very wide range of
concentrations of heavy metal(loid) contamination which can be found in urban
areas, especially those with a history of heavy industry. Urban soils in Berlin with
debris from bombing in the Second World War contained relatively high mean
metal concentrations (in mg kg1) of: Pb 330 (<3,168), Zn 379 (<3,607), Cd 175
(<757) and Cu 99 (<657) [58] which are of a similar order to those found in
London gardens, but the Cd concentrations in Berlin are particularly high and
are comparable to the levels of Cd found in ZnPb mining contaminated land
(Sect. 2.3.2.2 Non-ferrous Metalliferous Mining and Smelting).
Lead is the most distinctive heavy metal contaminant of urban soils and its two
most important sources are house paints and exhausts from petrol engines in motor
vehicles. Although inputs from these two sources have decreased in recent years
as a result of legal controls, street dusts and soils which were contaminated at a
time when paints often contained more than 10% Pb and petrol contained <0.85 g
Pb L1 will still be present in the urban environment [37, 60]. Horner [37] reported
that flakes of paint from houses in London, UK, constructed in the 1860s contained
mean Pb contents of 14.1% (<43% Pb), those constructed in the 1920s had 1.93%
Pb (<7.2%) and in the 1990s houses the mean Pb content of paint was 0.0135% Pb
(<0.03%). In Minneapolis, USA, Meilke et al. [61] had earlier found a link between
Pb contents of garden soils and the age of houses since paints containing relatively high levels of Pb would have been used on older, predominantly woodenwalled houses and the paint scrapings and erosion of painted surfaces would have
contaminated adjacent soil. Garden soils of painted houses had a median Pb content
of 938 mg kg1 (4756,150) and non-painted houses had 526 mg Pb kg1
(1301,840). Even the Pb levels in non-painted houses were quite high, which is
a reflection of the many different possible sources of Pb in the urban environment.
Mielke et al. [62] showed how the stripping of old house paints with 913% Pb
could give rise to very high quantities of Pb and other metals in dust. They
calculated that the removal of old paint (with 9% Pb) from a wooden house by
40
B.J. Alloway
power sanding could release dust containing 7.4 kg Pb, 3.5 kg Zn, 14.8 g Cu,
9.7 g Cd and smaller amounts of Mn, Ni, Cr, Co and V. They reported a case of a
timber framed house built in 1925 which had around 13% Pb in the paint where
the family pet died and children were hospitalized due to Pb toxicity as a result of
power sanding to remove the old paint. The bare soil around the house contained
between 360 and 3,900 mg Pb kg1. The US EPA standard for soil in play areas is
400 mg Pb kg1, but Mielke et al. [62] suggested that a lower maximum content of
80 mg Pb kg1 would provide a more appropriate margin of safety for childrens
health. Several countries banned or severely controlled the use of Pb in paints from
the 1940s onwards. Lead in paint was banned in the US in 1978, but was not phased
out in the UK until 1987.
In addition to Pb, Hg was also used in some house paints. Prior to 1992 in the
USA, latex paints were formulated with Hg, which gradually vapourized. Analysis
of paint chip samples from houses in New Orleans showed median concentrations
of 26.9 mg Hg kg1 (<214) and 7.66% Pb (<31.7%) in exterior paints and 7.1 mg
Hg kg1 (<39.2) and 0.042%Pb (<6.3%) in interior paints [60].
One feature which is readily apparent from the monitoring of blood Pb levels in
children living in urban areas is that there is a strong seasonality in sources of
Pb pollution. Lead concentrations are usually highest in summer when exterior
atmospheric particulate Pb levels are highest, and it is at this time that re-suspension
of dust particles from various sources is at a maximum from dry soils [49].
In M
uhlburg/Karlsruhe, south west Germany, older houses (especially those
built <1920) had the highest Pb contents (160 mg kg1) in garden soils . Houses,
built after 1980 had the lowest (39 mg Pb kg1) and those built between 1920 and
1980 had intermediate concentrations (118 mg Pb kg1). These soil Pb contents
were much lower than in the American and UK cities quoted above, probably
because of the relatively small percentage of painted external wood on houses in
this part of Germany and fewer other sources of Pb contamination [71].
Apart from paints, wood preservatives containing Cr, Cu and As (CCA) can
contribute to the contamination of soils in both urban and rural environments
(see Sect. 2.3.2.2 Agricultural Chemicals-Fungicides). This will contaminate the
soil in contact with treated wood (such as fence posts and garden decking) and also
contribute to air pollution if the wood is burnt. The ash residue from burning will
also be a source of soil contamination.
Many urban areas in China have been subject to considerable heavy metal(loid)
contamination from several sources. Chen et al. [12] showed that the main contaminating elements in soils in the urban-rural transition area of Hangzhou in China
were As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn but Co, Cr, Ni and Mn were mainly of natural
(lithogenic) origin. Nearly 70% of the area was affected by contamination with
heavy metal(loid)s.
A study of urban soils in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, to determine whether a
municipal waste incinerator had a detectable effect on heavy metal(loid) contents,
found high levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn, which are typical of urban
areas, but no detectable evidence of greater concentrations down-wind of the
incinerator. Hotspots were found for As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn and the median
concentrations and ranges (in mg kg1) of elements measured were: As 15 (5279),
41
Cd 0.28 (0.016.95), Cr 51 (23230), Cu 77 (2012,107), Hg 0.32 (0.034.99),

Ni 26 (11165), Pb 233 (404,134) and Zn 74 (754,625) [79].
Motor vehicle tyres and brake linings are significant sources of several heavy
metal(loid)s in urban dusts. In Stockholm, Hjortenkrans et al. [36] found that road
traffic accounted for 50% or more of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Brake linings
were major sources of Cu, Zn and probably Sb and tyres were the main contributors
of Cd and Zn. In 2005, average annual Zn emissions from rubber tyre wear in
Stockholm were 4,200 kg Zn (7207,700) and Cu was 5.3 kg (0.710). From brake
linings, the main emissions were 3,800 kg Cu and 1,000 kg Zn. Total Zn emissions
from tyres in the whole of Sweden amount to 150 t Zn year1. In Baltimore, USA,
median and maximum concentrations of metals in urban soils (in mg kg1) were:
Pb 89 (<5,650), Cu 35 (<216) and Zn 81 (<1,110) and the highest were mainly
related to vehicular sources because the oldest parts of the city have the highest road
densities [97].
In addition to the more technologically advances sources of heavy metal(loid)s,
such as traffic and paints, inputs from coal and wood smoke (together with organic
pollutants and oxides of S) and the associated ashes are also significant sources in
all areas of human habitation.
Industrial Contamination
The distribution of heavy metal(loid)s in soils in industrial and urban areas tends
to be far more heterogeneous than in agricultural soils, owing to the localized
nature of some of the types of pollution. Although atmospheric deposition would
be expected to be more evenly distributed, at least in the area down-wind of the
emission source, the complex air currents around buildings, roads with fast-moving
traffic and structures such as chimneys contribute to uneven deposition. Mean
concentrations of Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Sn and Zn in urban and industrial soils are usually
significantly elevated relative to those in rural soils (Table 2.8). Although some
surveys have distinguished between urban and industrial soils, very often urban
soils have received considerable inputs of heavy metal(loid)s from industrial
sources in addition to those from urban and domestic activities, especially in old
urban areas where there has been a historical mix of residential and industrial land
use and this distinction between urban and industrial is often not valid.
The occurrence of heavy metal(loid) contamination in soils at industrial sites
varies with the type of industry and can arise from dusts and spillages of raw
materials, wastes, final product, fuel ash as well as emissions from high temperature
processes, accidents and fires. Examples of possible combinations of heavy metal
(loid) contaminants associated with different industries include:
Chemical industry (general): Ag, Sb, Se
Chlor-alkali (Cl2 and NaOH) industry: Sb, As, Bi, Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ag, Sn
Sulphuric Acid works: As, Cu, Pb, Ni, Pt, V, Zn
Nitric acid works: As, Cr, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Rh, V, Zn
42
B.J. Alloway
Phosphoric acid works: As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, U

Ceramics: Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Zn, Ce, Eu
Electrical components: Cu, Zn, Au, Ag, Pd, Pb, Sn, Y, Cr, Se, Sm, Ir, In, Ga, Re, Sn,
Tb,Co, Mo, Hg, Sb, Hf, Ru, Ta, Te
Steel works: As, Cr, Pb, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sb, W, V, Zn
Pesticide works: As, Cu, Cr, Pb, Mn, Zn, V, Th
Battery manufacture: Pb, Sb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Hg, Ag
Printing and graphics: Se, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr, Ba
Catalysts: Pt, Sm, Sb, Ru, Co, Rh, Re, Pd, Os, Ni, Mo, Ag, Zn
Pigments and paints: Pb, Cr, As, Sb, Hg, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, Zn, Co
Polymer stabilizers: Sn, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ba
Non-ferrous metal smelting: Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, U,
W, Zn
Waste disposal (incineration etc.): As, Cd, Cu, Be, Hg, Ni, Sb, Se, Ce, Mo, W, Pb,
Tl, Zn
(various sources)
Kabata-Pendias and Mukherjee [44] give values from the literature for the
highest concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s found in soils contaminated from
industrial sources in Canada, China, Japan, Poland, UK and USA (in mg kg1)
as: As <2,500; Cd <1,800; Co <300; Cu <3,700; Hg <100; Ni <26,000 and
Zn <80,000.
In the UKSHS data shown in Table 2.8, concentrations of Cu, Pb, Hg and Sn in
soils from selected urban and industrial sites in the UK were found to be on average
two to three times higher than those in rural soils [83]. Soils at representative
industrial sites showed wide ranges of the 37 different elements studied semiquantitatively using ICPMS analysis. In addition to the data in Table 2.8,
concentrations of up to 133 mg Ag kg1 were found, with the highest at a chemical
works, apart from this one site, all the other industrial sites only showed concentrations of <2.1, rural soil 0.3 and urban soil ca. 0.1 mg Ag kg1. Barium concentrations of <1,210 mg kg1 were found at an electricity generating station, with
the next highest (641 mg Ba kg1) at a chemical works (rural values <281 mg Ba
kg1; urban values 95 mg kg1). Uranium concentrations of up to 3.3 mg U kg1
were associated with the non-ferrous metal industry (rural soil <0.8 mg U kg1;
urban soil 2 mg U kg1). Antimony concentrations <38 mg kg1 were found near
an incinerator, 22 mg Sb kg1 associated with a steel works and 17 mg Sb kg1 at a
chemical works. Selenium was highest (52 mg kg1) at a chemical works with the
second highest concentration (11 mg Se kg1) at an incinerator. Rural Se concentrations were <3.3 mg Se kg1, but Se was below the limit of detection in urban
soils. The highest tungsten (W) concentrations (<11 mg kg1) were found at a steel
works with incinerators having the next highest concentrations (<6 mg W kg1).
Rural soils had <0.3 mg W kg1 and urban soils 0.2 mg W kg1 [83].
In the town of Mundelstrup, near Arhus in Denmark, the gardens of houses
constructed on the site of a former P fertiliser factory were found to be heavily
contaminated with Pb (<67,600 mg kg1) and As (<5,500 mg kg1). On the basis
43
of the maximum permissible concentrations in garden soils permitted by Danish

law in the 1990s (40 mg Pb kg1 and 20 mg As kg1), a major clean-up of the site
was carried out. This involved removing approximately 50,000 m3 of contaminated
soil from the gardens of 30 houses to a maximum depth of 8 m where necessary and
replacing with clean soil [13].
Non-ferrous Metalliferous Mining and Smelting
Non-ferrous metalliferous mining and smelting industries are associated with very
high levels of heavy metal(loid) contamination of the environment . These industries
extract and process metal ores and gangue minerals which generally contain several
metal(loid) elements in high concentrations. Some non-ferrous metalliferous mines
are situated in upland areas where the surrounding land is not normally used for
arable cropping and only suitable for extensive grazing. Therefore the impact of
mining contamination on agriculture in these cases is less than in areas of high quality
arable land or urban development. However, villages and towns to house the workers
have grown up at or around many major mine and/or smelter sites in developing
countries and it is often found that garden and agricultural soils nearby are severely
contaminated with heavy metal(loid)s.
A potential hazard to human health was found in garden soils of houses built on
the site of a former ZnPb mine site at Shipham, near Bristol in southwest England.
Median and maximum total concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn (in mg kg1) in
the gardens were: Cd 91 (<360), Pb 2,340 (<6,540) and Zn 7,600 (<37,200), but
soils around the mine itself contained Cd <618, Pb <1.24% and Zn <5.84% [90].
Cadmium concentrations in vegetables grown in domestic gardens in Shipham
contained an average of 0.25 mg Cd kg1 DM, which was nearly 17 times higher
than the UK national average Cd content. The vegetables with the highest concentrations contained 1560 times more Cd than those grown in uncontaminated soils
nearby [67]. The sources of the contaminating heavy metal(loid)s were the ore
minerals galena (PbS) and smithsonite (ZnCO3).
In South China, the Dabaoshan mine in the vicinity of Shaoguan city has given
rise to marked contamination by Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and As. Mean and maximum
concentrations (in mg kg1) of: Cu 703 (<1,313), Zn 501 (<1,663), Pb 386 (<621)
and Cd 4.7 (<7.6) were found in wetland rice (paddy) soils. Garden soils showed
similar high mean total concentrations of (in mg kg1) of: Cu 348 (<594), Zn 696
(<921), Pb 297 (<384) and Cd 4.4 (<7.6). Contamination was highest in the
vicinity of the mine and decreased exponentially with distance from the inflow of
mine waste water. The concentration factors for the metals in vegetables decreased
in the order Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb with leafy vegetables accumulating higher
concentrations (relative to the soil) than non-leafy vegetables. It was evident that
there was a significant risk to the health of people consuming vegetables produced
near to this mine [100].
Metal smelting usually involves converting sulphide ore minerals to oxides by
roasting them in air followed by reduction of these oxides in a furnace and
separating the different molten metals. In historic times, inefficient processing
44
B.J. Alloway
caused widespread air, water and soil pollution, which is still detectable today.
There are very many reports of studies at historic mine and smelter sites in the
literature and total concentrations of several percent of some of the metals are often
found. For example, soils around the Pb mine at Lavrion in Greece, which was
worked intermittently from 3000 BC until AD 1977, had a median Pb content of
7,410 mg kg1 with a maximum of 15.2% Pb [93]. A Pb smelter in Calcutta, India,
was known to cause Pb toxicity in people, especially children in an adjacent
residential area with a population of around 50,000. Soils in this residential area
had very high heavy metal(loid) concentrations (in mg kg1) of: Pb <47,000; Zn
<10,300; <833; As <9,740; Hg <277. However, the concentrations of Pb, As, Mo,
Cu, Hg, Cd, Sn and Ag all decreased with increasing distance from the smelter [10].
Mercury is used in the recovery of Au from sedimentary sources of the metal in
small-scale operations and is mainly a contamination problem in streams and rivers,
as in the Amazon basin (see Chap. 15).
Military Activity and Sports Shooting

Battlefields, bombed cities and military training areas are all sites of gross contamination by heavy metal(loid)s and organic pollutants. The sources are shells, bullets
and bombs, unexploded mines, cartridge cases, damaged vehicles, leaking fuel and
burning buildings. As with residual contamination from metalliferous mining
and smelting, soils on battlefields also remain contaminated for hundreds of years
or more even though all visible traces of the damage may have been removed and
the sites redeveloped, as happened in northern Europe after the First and Second
World Wars. The main metal(loid)s involved are Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Sb, depleted-U
(DU), Hg, As and Bi. Depleted-U has only been used since the First Gulf War
(1991) for anti-tank ammunition. Although depleted in highly radioactive 235U,
there can still be a considerable amount of radioactivity and also chemical toxicity associated with this material (see Chap. 26). Bullets used by the military in
Switzerland contain 95% Pb, 2% Sb, 3% Cu and 0.5% Ni [42]. At shooting ranges,
the soil on embankments (stop butts) behind the targets is usually the most heavily
contaminated with an average content in Switzerland of 1% Pb (<10% Pb). In a
study of embankment soils (<0.5 mm fraction) at seven shooting ranges the
variations in concentrations of metals (in mg kg1) were: Pb 1,900515,800;
Sb 3517,500; Cu, 1604,450; Ni 54770; Bi, 65,140; Tl <32,150, and
Hg <1.5410 [42].
Copper in the topsoil of an area of 625 km2 around Ypres, Belgium (site of a
prolonged First World War battle) showed a significant elevation in median Cu
content of soil (12 mg Cu kg1) to 18 mg Cu kg1 in the battlefield and this
amounted to an input of 2,800 t of Cu in the top 0.5 cm. Concentrations of <830 mg
Cu kg1 were found in soils in the major war zone, but <3,600 mg Cu kg1 was
found in the surrounding area [95].
In addition to warfare and military training, considerable quantities of Pb and
other metals (As, Sb, Mo and Ni) are added to soils in shotgun pellets (or bullets)
45
used for sports shooting. This includes both game bird and clay pigeon (flying
plastic target) shooting. Concentrations of more than 1% Pb in soil are sometimes
found at sites of shooting clubs, but where occasional shooting of game birds is
practiced the pellets are randomly distributed in the topsoil and give very heterogeneous analytical results depending on whether a pellet is present in the sample or
not. In England and Wales, Pb shot from shooting is the single most important
source of Pb in agricultural soils with over 3,000 t Pb deposited annually [70]. It is
estimated that individual pellets may take between 100 and 300 years to completely
corrode and for the Pb and other constituent metal(loid)s including As and Sb, to be
dispersed in the soil [81] (see Chap. 3, Sect. 3.2.5.2).
2.4
Concluding Comments
This chapter has attempted to show that there are many possible sources of the
heavy metal(loid)s found in soils. On a global area basis, the geological soil parent
material (lithogenic source) is probably the most important determinant of heavy
metal(loid) concentrations in agricultural and rural soils, but many ubiquitous
anthropogenic sources also exist, including atmospheric deposition of both long
and short-range transported particulates, fertilisers, livestock manures and sewage
sludges. However, in the urban environment there are many more possible sources
of heavy metal(loid)s and they are also likely to be very heterogeneously distributed.
Lead is the most characteristic heavy metal(loid) contaminant of urban soils, usually
together with Cu and Zn. The concentrations of metal(loid)s in urban soils are a
reflection of the integration of all the different sources of metals that people are
exposed to. Finally, soils at industrial sites can vary widely in their concentrations of
many metal(loid)s, depending on the nature of the industry, both past and present.
This can be an important consideration in the redevelopment of brown field and
derelict industrial sites for residential and urban use.
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Chapter 3
Chemistry of Heavy Metals

and Metalloids in Soils
Scott D. Young
Abstract It is a simple matter to conceptually classify trace metal fractions in soil

in terms of their relative availability. However, the challenge has always been to
translate this qualitative understanding into predictive models of metal solubility,
ideally based on proven mechanistic processes of specific adsorption, ion exchange,
precipitation, colloidal flocculation, reduction, intra-aggregate diffusion etc.
This chapter starts with a brief examination of the surface properties of the main
metal adsorbents in soil, including humus, and the colloidal minerals Fe/Mn oxides,
alumino-silicate clays, zeolites and sparingly soluble Ca salts. The interaction of
these phases with the transient soil variables (e.g., pH, redox potential, temperature)
in controlling metal solubility is discussed alongside the overarching influence of
time. The sheer complexity of these co-dependencies still confounds our efforts
to resolve an exact description of metal solubility and speciation and the range of
modelling approaches which has emerged from this confrontation is outlined.
Currently the literature still presents an uneasy co-existence of relatively simple
descriptions of metal solid $ solution equilibrium along with thermodynamically
consistent mechanistic models. To compensate for their limited predictive power
in the face of soil heterogeneity, the empirical equations are often extended to
incorporate key soil properties (soil organic carbon content, pH etc.) as determinants of the model parameters with surprising success. The principal challenge
for mechanistic models is to resolve a meaningful basis for their description of
metal dynamics which can be confirmed experimentally. However, an equally
important goal is to reconcile the demanding requirements for their operation
with the paucity of such data in geochemical studies and datasets. With much
wider use in recent years the remaining shortcomings of the mechanistic models
are becoming more apparent and this has created new experimental imperatives.
S.D. Young (*)

School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Gateway Building,
Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
51
52
S.D. Young
These include characterising the small proportions of high affinity sites on

adsorbents and developing descriptions of mixed adsorbents beyond a purely
additive approach. The future promises continued improvement of models describing trace metal dynamics in soils and their increasing incorporation into human and
environmental risk assessment tools.
Keywords Adsorption Desorption Reaction kinetics Diffusion Labile metal
Solubility Humus Hydrous oxides Phyllosilicates Zeolites Soil pH Redox
potential Humic acid Freundlich Langmuir WHAM-VI NICA-Donnan
Assemblage models
3.1
Introduction
This chapter outlines the nature of metal and metalloid interactions with soil and
current approaches to modelling these interactions.
3.1.1
Background to the Study of Metal Interactions with Soil
Heavy metals and metalloids are adsorbed strongly by the organic, and inorganic,
colloidal constituents of soil. The resulting moderation of mobility and bioavailability of metals in the environment must rank as one of the most important
ecosystem services attributable to soils with implications for both micronutrient
availability and potential toxicity to terrestrial and aquatic organisms. The overall
strength with which metals are retained in soils is a reflection of:
(i) residual properties attributable to the metal source material (primary
minerals within the soil parent material, smelter fallout, sewage sludge, mine
spoil, urban anthropogenic artefacts etc.);
(ii) the intrinsic affinity of individual metal ions for soil adsorption surfaces and
for soluble soil ligands;
(iii) the suite of adsorption surfaces present in soils (humus, metal oxides, aluminasilicate clays etc.);
(iv) the more transient properties of the soil, including pH, redox potential, water
content, temperature, biological activity, salt concentration etc.
(v) soil-metal contact time.
A complete understanding of the mechanisms through which intrinsic and
transient soil properties influence metal solubility still eludes us, despite decades
of investigative effort. Nevertheless, as in all applied sciences, the emergence of
new analytical techniques has gradually improved our ability to predict the
behaviour of metals in soils. For example, synchrotron-based spectroscopy
(EXAFS; XANES) is able to elucidate the bonding environment and valence of
3 Chemistry of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils
53
sorbed metals, electron microprobe and laser-ablation-ICPMS reveal the elemental

make up of individual particulates, isotopic dilution and diffuse-gradient technology (DGT) quantify the kinetics and reactivity of surface-adsorbed metal ions and
ion chromatographic and Donnan Membrane techniques enable speciation of
metals in the soil pore water. An increasing number of studies utilise these
techniques in combination to reveal a fuller picture of the interactions between
metals and soils. This new wave of analytical information feeds directly into the
development of increasingly powerful geochemical modelling approaches. Such
models fulfil a dual role in (i) providing predictive information on metal fractionation (in solids) and speciation (in solution) and (ii) revealing the research imperatives for those studying metal sorption reactions.
Chapter three deals primarily with adsorption and precipitation reactions as
the two recognised mechanisms whereby metals and metalloids are retained in
soil. The latter process involves added complexity in a soil environment where
compounds may (i) precipitate on pre-existing surfaces, (ii) exist as heterogeneous
solid-solutions rather than pure phases and (iii) will in turn be subject to surface
contamination through adsorption reactions. Thus the boundaries between the two
processes are rather diffuse and they may eventually be described in a more unified
manner. For trace metals the more important reaction is usually adsorption and this
is reflected in the greater weight given to Sect. 3.2 which describes the main types
of adsorption surfaces and the manner of their interaction with metals. The effects
of transient soil conditions on adsorption strength are outlined in Sect. 3.3 and
current approaches to modelling the interaction of trace metals with soils are
described in Sect. 3.4.
3.1.2
Overview of Metal and Metalloid Interaction with Soils
An emerging view of metal fractionation in the solid phase, and speciation in

the solution phase, is illustrated in Fig. 3.1 below.
Minert is inert metal, held in a form which only responds to changes in solution
conditions over periods of years, possibly through mineral weathering, organic
decomposition or changes in redox state. Examples include:
(i) trace levels of metal ions buried within the structure of primary (or secondary)
minerals by isomorphous substitution and released only by mineral weathering;
(ii) resistant primary (e.g., sulphide) or secondary (e.g., phosphate, carbonate)
metal compounds solubilised by slow oxidation reactions or dissolution over
extended periods;
(iii) recalcitrant organic compounds (containing metals);
(iv) resistant anthropogenic contaminants such as metal fragments, vitrified
particles etc.
Mnon-lab represents non-labile metal that is not held reversibly and therefore
shows apparent sorption hysteresis. It is held in forms which are kinetically
54
S.D. Young
Solid
Surface
Solution / suspension
MLnon-labile
Mnon-labile
M.(H2O)n2+
Minert
Mlabile
MLlabile
Fig. 3.1 Schematic representation of three-phase divalent metal ion equilibria in soils. Broken and
solid reversible arrows represent kinetically constrained and instantaneous reactions respectively; ML represents metal ions bound to soluble ligands
constrained and so responds to changing conditions slowly (days to months).

However, desorption can occur without changes in redox status or decomposition
of the absorbing substrate. Non-labile metal may exist within soil solids or even in
solution/suspension linked to ligands (ML) such as humic/fulvic acid or contained
within micron and sub-micron sized particulates [69]. Examples may include:
(i) dehydrated metal ions which have diffused into the interior spaces or structural
framework of minerals (e.g., metal hydrous oxides, collapsed planar aluminosilicates, selected voids within zeolites etc.) or become occluded through
co-precipitation reactions;
(ii) some surface-adsorbed metals held strongly, perhaps through multiple covalent linkages, on mineral or organic surfaces;
(iii) an internal constituent of single or mixed metal compounds that are in
solubility equilibrium with the soil solution;
(iv) non-reversibly held metal complexes in solution and sub-micron particulates
in suspension.
Mlabile represents labile metal ions which respond reversibly (adsorption or
desorption), and almost instantly, to changes in solution equilibrium and do not
show adsorption hysteresis [1]. These may exist in a wide range of chemical
forms, including soluble ligand complexes (ML; inorganic and organic). Examples
will include:
(i) all exchangeably (electrostatically) held hydrated metal ions in clay interlayers
and in the diffuse double layers of humus acids;
(ii) some specifically-adsorbed metal ions on clay edges, Fe/Mn/Al hydrous oxide
surfaces and humus;
(iii) metal ions on the surface of metal compounds which are in solubility equilibrium with the soil solution;
(iv) reversibly held metal complexes in solution including most inorganic species
and a proportion of the metal bound to dissolved humic and fulvic acid.
55
Factors governing the distribution of inner-sphere surface complexes between

labile and non-labile forms are still under investigation. However, the
isotopically-exchangeable fraction of metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb) always greatly
exceeds the fraction exchangeable with salt cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) [82] implying
that the labile pool of metal must include (some) specifically-adsorbed metal.
Furthermore, current models of metal binding to dissolved humic and fulvic acids
are parameterised with datasets which assume complete reversibility of metal ion
adsorption. This implies that even the most strongly bonded metal ions are nevertheless labile; of course this may not be the case.
M.(H2O)2+ represents free hydrated metal ions. These are often regarded as the
immediately bioavailable form of metal ions but there is good evidence that
complexes in solution (MLlabile and possibly MLnon-labile) also contribute to apparent bioavailability. Obviously all forms in the soil solution (M.(H2O)2+, MLlabile,
MLnon-labile) are subject to transportation in drainage water.
3.2
Adsorption of Metals on Soil Constituents
Trace metals are adsorbed on the surface of colloidal particles in soils, principally
humus, hydrous oxides of Fe, Mn and Al, alumino-silicate clays and some sparingly
soluble salts such as calcium carbonate.
3.2.1
Humus
3.2.1.1
Bulk Properties of Humus
Humus is the organic product of ongoing plant and animal decay in a soil environment. In contrast to the mineral constituents that adsorb metals, humus is markedly
concentrated in the top 20 cm layer of most mineral soils, unless it has been
redistributed by pedogenic processes, as in podzols. Soil organic matter content
can vary from <1% (sandy subsoils) to over 90% (peats). The major elemental
composition of humus includes carbon (C) (5060%), oxygen (O) (3040%) and
both H and nitrogen (N)(c. 5%). Structurally, humic materials are around 2030%
aliphatic, 1020% carbohydrate and 2040% aromatic. About 20% of H is bound
to O as carboxyl (Hu-COOH) and acidic (possibly phenolic) hydroxyl groups
(Hu-OH), the rest is bound directly to C [113]. Humus is intensely heterogeneous
and exists in a continuum of particulate, colloidal and molecular forms. These only
broadly equate to the well known operational (extractable) fractions humin, humic
acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) described in many texts [109, 113]. Comparatively
little is known about the relatively hydrophobic humin fraction, in particular.
Furthermore, this simple fractionation scheme is complicated by the variable
degree of molecular aggregation, and colloidal flocculation, to which humic
substances are prone depending on soil pH, ionic strength, temperature and level
of saturation with polyvalent cations.
56
3.2.1.2
S.D. Young
Surface Chemistry of Humus Acids
The distribution and spacing of O-substituted acid groups are key determinants of
the surface chemistry of colloidal and molecular HA and FA. Close juxtaposition
of Hu-COOH and Hu-OH groups causes mesomeric and inductive electronwithdrawing effects, which create stronger acidity (lower pKa values). By contrast,
electrostatic restriction from charged neighbouring groups, and hydrogen bonding,
weaken the acidity of HA and FA (higher pKa values). In combination these effects
extend the range of pH values over which surface charge is generated. Therefore,
oxy-acid groups on humus dissociate across a wide pH range: pH 28 (Hu-COOH)
and pH 711 (Hu-OH) generating an almost linear increase in negative charge from
pH 3 to pH 10, often with the faint suggestion of an equivalence point (Hu-COO)
around pH 8. As a result, the strength of metal binding varies accordingly across the
pH range (Sect. 3.3.1) with stronger adsorption at high pH.
3.2.1.3
Metal Binding by Humic and Fulvic Acids
Metals are thus bound to a range of sites on humus composed of a mix of oxygen,
nitrogen and sulphur donor atoms. Potentiometric studies and a range of spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, EXAFS, XANES, ESR, NMR and others) have provided
detailed, but not always consistent, information on the nature of metal binding.
The negative charge on humus generates simple coulombic attraction of cationic
metals, especially alkali and alkaline-earth cations. However, specific inner-sphere,
complex formation of most heavy metals is likely and the presence of functional
groups in close proximity suggests the formation of multidentate and multinuclear
chelate sites. Binding of heavy metals is probably dominated by the formation
of two or even three bonds to a mix of carboxyl and acidic hydroxyl groups.
A prevailing idea for many years was that divalent trace metals were mainly
bound in chelate structures on aromatic rings (essentially phthalic and salicylic
acid units) although this has been difficult to confirm. The independence of binding
parameters on humic acid concentration suggests that metals do not bridge between
two humic molecules in solution but rather bond to single or multiple groups on one
humic molecule [21].
There is also evidence for bonding to sites containing N (especially Cu) and
sulphur (S) (especially Hg) but the relative importance of these ligands is unresolved [113]. Mercury (Hg) is thought to be associated with reduced S-containing
ligands in humus [105]. Furthermore, Bernaus et al. [15] demonstrated, using
XANES, that methylated forms of Hg (CH3HgCl) were covalently bound to
humic acids, probably through thiol groups, into biologically unavailable forms.
There is even evidence that (anionic) arsenate might be linked to DOC, possibly
through bridge cations [20].
The relative importance of organic matter in metal binding has been demonstrated many times although this will clearly depend on the composition of the
57
colloidal phases in individual soils. Spectroscopic techniques (e.g., EXAFS; [97])

show that even relatively weakly bound metals such as zinc (Zn) are predominantly
held as organic complexes in soil. Removal of organic matter (e.g., by peroxide
treatment) causes a profound reduction in metal adsorption capacity (e.g., for Cd;
[87]). It is commonly found that strength of metal binding is affected by humus
content and therefore by management practices which enhance humus [64].
3.2.1.4
Active Organic Matter
The organic fractions primarily responsible for metal binding, humic and fulvic
acids, may be around 75% of the soil organic matter on average [109], but this
varies between soils. Determining the proportion of what is termed the active
organic carbon (AOC) in soil solid and solution phases remains a challenge.
To optimise their model of metal binding in a study of 98 upland soils from England
and Wales, Tipping et al. [114] had to assume a range of AOC in the solid phase of
986%. Amery et al. [5] improved their prediction of metal (Cu) complex formation
by equating the active fulvic acid (AFA) fraction with specific ultra-violet
absorbance (SUVA, at 254 nm) as an index of aromaticity in the dissolved
organic carbon (DOC).
3.2.1.5
Humus Mineral Interactions
Humic and fulvic acids are strongly adsorbed on mineral surfaces, mainly through
chemi-sorption to hydrous oxide minerals (Fe, Al, Mn) and probably through
co-flocculation with inorganic colloids. Mixed effects on metal and metalloid
solubility arise as a result. Organic matter may interfere with the formation of
stable metal precipitates such as lead (Pb)-phosphates (chloropyromorphite; [65]).
On the other hand, there is evidence for enhanced adsorption on mixed assemblages
of fulvic acid and Fe oxide [122, 125]. Anionic metalloids (arsenate, selenate) and
metals (chromate) must compete with humic and fulvic acids for their preferred
adsorption sites on Fe or Mn hydrous oxides. A current priority in trace metal
modelling is to provide a coherent description of mixed humus-mineral assemblages,
such as humic acid adsorbed on the surface of Fe/Al/Mn hydrous oxides [126].
3.2.1.6
Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)
Soil colloids exist in a flocculated state; only small proportions (0.0010.1%) of

humic and fulvic acids are dissolved in solution at any given time. However, the
presence of this dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has profound implications for
transport of metals that strongly bind to humic and fulvic acids. In the case of Cu ,
for example, commonly up to 99% of Cu in the soil solution is complexed to fulvic
acid [111]. In the context of risk to aquatic systems, strong bonding of metals to
58
S.D. Young
organic matter has always been recognised as a double-edged sword in that the
overall effect of strong bonding on metal mobility will depend on the solubility of
the humus itself [63]. Metal transport in rivers and accumulation in floodplain soils
are probably determined by the movement of humus acids and their subsequent
deposition. Schroder et al. [99] found very strong correlations between humus
content and metal loading in floodplain topsoils around the rivers Meuse and
Rhine (Netherlands). Thus, predicting DOC solubility and the ratio of HA to FA
in solution is another current challenge for heavy metal modelling in soils [86].
3.2.2
Hydrous Oxides and Hydroxides
3.2.2.1
Bulk Properties
Manganese Oxides
Manganese oxides in soil exist in a range of forms between MnIIO and MnIVO2,
mainly in octahedral co-ordination. Phase changes are initiated by sufficient Mn
atoms undergoing alteration of valence state (2, 3, or 4) to cause morphological
transformation [77]. They are highly prone to dissolution, as Mn2+, under reducing
conditions (Eh <200 mV), and re-precipitation within oxidising zones in the soil.
Local accumulation of Mn (and Fe) may result from (re-) adsorption of reduced
forms (Mn2+, Fe2+) from solution on to manganese and ferric oxide surfaces
followed by re-oxidation and (thus) crystal growth of the original oxide surface.
This leads to their characteristic appearance as coatings and nodules in subsoils
subject to periodic water logging, often in association with Fe hydroxides. Much of
the Mn hydrous oxide content of soil is amorphous although lithiophorite [Al2 Li
Mn2IVMnIIIO6(OH)6], birnessite [(Na, Ca)(MnIII, MnIV)7O14.2.8H2O], and others
have been identified in contrasting soil environments. Lithiophorite is more common in older soils and birnessite in younger soils [33].
Iron Oxides
Iron oxides may be described as the inevitable end product of weathering in soils.
Older, more heavily weathered soils often contain a greater free Fe oxide content
than younger soils; the most obvious example is the tropical Ferralsol (Oxisol).
Part of weathering, alongside dissolution and loss of silicic acid (H4SiO4), is the
oxidation of ferrous iron (FeII) in alumino-silicates (e.g., the octahedral layer of
biotite) to the ferric form (FeIII) and precipitation as a range of ferric oxide
minerals. Thus Fe oxide is usually fairly evenly distributed through the profile of
aerobic soils but is subject to the same re-distributive effects under fluctuating
redox regimes as Mn oxides. In surface water and ground water gley soils Fe oxides
may be concentrated on the outside of peds, and line the surface of major drainage
59
pores and root channels, while in soils with an iron-pan, as the name suggests, they
may exist as a consolidated layer determined partly by leaching with organic acids
and partly by the prevailing redox state of the soil. Iron oxides often occur in poorly
crystalline or amorphous forms but recognised crystal forms also exist. Goethite
(a-FeOOH) is perhaps the only stable form in aerobic soils, Haematite (a-Fe2O3) is
most common in hotter climates, Lepidocrocite (g-FeOOH) is precipitated during
the oxidative phase of waterlogged soils and Ferrihydrite (Fe5(O4H3)3) is
associated with re-precipitation in podzol Bf horizons and the bed of streams,
ditches and ochre in field drains [101].
The bulk distribution of Fe and Mn oxides within soil profiles therefore contrasts
markedly with the normal distribution of humus. However, local co-accumulation
due to adsorption of humus on to oxide surfaces is also common.
3.2.2.2
Surface Chemistry
An electrical charge on Fe and Mn oxides arises firstly from adsorption and release
of H+ ions from oxygen atoms at the interface between the mineral and the bathing
solution (soil pore water). Hydrous oxides are amphoteric; they carry both positive
and negative charges and the net surface charge is largely symmetrical around a
zero point at a characteristic pH value [10]. This implies that three possible states
apply to oxygen atoms on the surface of (e.g., Fe) oxides (Ox-Fe-OH):
Ox Fe OH2
H
! Ox Fe OH0
H
! Ox Fe O
The point of zero charge (pzc) for most Fe oxides is between pH 7 and pH 8.5
implying that they are positively charged in most soils. The pzc values of Mn
hydrous oxides are lower than Fe oxides (pH 1.54.6) [77] which means they carry
a net negative charge in most soils. Surface charge on oxides is also affected by salt
concentration i.e., the concentration of non-specifically adsorbed (electrostatically attracted) counter-ions such as Na+ and Cl and temperature. Both these
dependencies arise because the thermal diffusive forces resisting counter-ion accumulation close to charged surfaces have a greater influence at low salt concentration
in the bulk solution and at higher temperature.
3.2.2.3
Metal Binding
Both Mn and Fe hydrous oxides have a high adsorption affinity for heavy metals
which are bound as inner-sphere mono- and bi-dentate surface complexes. It is only
recently that spectroscopic techniques have been able to determine the precise
nature of metal bonding on Fe/Mn oxide surfaces. Arcon et al. [7] used EXAFS
and XANES to show that arsenic (As) adsorbed in Cornish (UK) soils contaminated
with mine spoil was primarily present as arsenate (AsV) bound to Fe oxides and Al
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S.D. Young
Fig. 3.2 Arsenate bound to the surface of Goethite as monodentate, bidentate-mononuclear and
bidentate-binuclear surface complexes (After Fendorf et al.[36])
hydroxides despite the origins of the As, presumably as AsIII. Fendorf et al. [36]
investigated arsenate and chromate bonding to goethite using EXAFS and
suggested three types of bonding mechanism were apparent: monodentate,
bidentate-mononuclear and bidentate-binuclear (Fig. 3.2). For both anions the
monodentate form was most prevalent at low levels of surface coverage. Arai [6]
employed EXAFS to distinguish between nickel (Ni) co-ordinated as face-, edgeand corner-sharing surface complexes on Goethite, Haematite and Ferrihydrite.
They concluded that the majority of Ni was bound via edge-sharing, bidentate,
inner-sphere Fe-O2-Ni units.
The relative affinity of a metal for specific oxides is likely to be determined by
oxide charge relations and the morphology and pore sizes within the oxide surface
[42]. The affinity of different metal ions for a specific oxide will also be determined by
the speciation of the metal ion in solution. Figure 3.3 below shows the effect of pH on
adsorption of ten metals by Goethite [37]. All the metals show an increase in adsorption as pH rises, as a result of reduced competition with H+ ions and increasingly
negative surface potential. The different positions of the curves reflect the intrinsic
(chemical) affinity of the individual metals for the adsorption sites and their ability to
overcome the positive surface charge on the mineral surface (pzc of Goethite is c. pH
8) and bond to surface oxygen atoms. However, note that the curves for Cr(III) (and
Al) are particularly steep. Fischer et al. [37] suggest that, as pH rises, there is
hydrolysis to CrOH2+ which may be the preferred adsorption species. This does not
apply to the other ions which do not hydrolyse within their respective adsorption
zones. Thus adsorption affinity follows the sequence: Hg > Cr > Al > Pb Cu >
Zn> Co Ni > Cd > MnII. Relatively strong adsorption of trivalent ions, followed
by Pb and Cu, and the similarity of Co and Ni behaviour, are features commonly seen
in metal adsorption envelopes on other oxides.
Particularly strong associations have been noted between Mn/Fe oxides and Co,
Ni, As, V, Pb, Cr and Zn [7, 63, 77]. In particular, correlations between Mn and Co
in both solid and solution phases in soils are almost invariable high; it is likely that
the majority of Co in soils is associated with Mn oxides. In addition to chemical
bonding and electrostatic effects reduction-oxidation coupling may also be
involved in some sorption reactions. For example, Co2+ is oxidised to CoIII on the
surface of MnIVO2 and isomorphously incorporated into the oxide structure because
CoIII is very similar in size to MnIV. A similar reaction (with Co) was suggested by
61
Fig. 3.3 Effect of pH on adsorption of 10 metal ions by Goethite after 2 h reaction. Solid lines are
a simple exponential model (Fig. 3.1 of Fischer et al.[37], Copyright (2007), with permission from
Wiley-Blackwell)
Gerth [42] for Cd substituted Goethite. It is recognised that Mn oxides also

oxidise CrIII to highly toxic CrVI [63], however this effect is lessened if the oxide
surface is highly substituted with adsorbed Co, Pb, Cu, Ni etc. [83]. Similarly, AsIII
oxidation to AsV on oxide surfaces, which will enhance adsorption and reduce
potential toxicity, may be possible [33].
There is clear evidence of time-dependent incorporation of metals into oxide
structures [10], which can render the sorbed metal ions non-labile (Fig. 3.1). This
may occur by solid-phase diffusion or by occlusion through co-precipitation.
The latter mechanism is particularly important under fluctuating redox regimes
because both FeIII and MnIV hydrous oxides are subject to reductive dissolution and
re-precipitation through oxidation over the redox potentials (Eh values) occurring
in moist or saturated soils. These effects are discussed in more detail in Sects. 3.3.2
and 3.3.4; modelling metal adsorption is discussed in Sects. 3.4.3 and 3.4.4.
3.2.3
Planar Alumino-Silicate Clays (Phyllosilicates)
3.2.3.1
Bulk Properties
Planar alumino-silicate clays, or phyllosilicates, are composed of layers of silica

tetrahedra and aluminium octahedra in ratios of 1:1 or 2:1. The types of clay
62
S.D. Young
minerals most commonly identified are Illite, Vermiculite, Smectite, Chlorite and
Kaolinite; all are found in a wide range of soils. These may be very loosely
associated with a weathering sequence characterised by decreasing isomorphous
substitution and variable accessibility of the interlayer space. Thus, Illite is the
immediate alteration product of mica and most vermiculites are, in turn, derived
from further weathering of Illite, or Mica. Smectites can occur through further
alteration or through re-crystallization from solution. Pedogenic Chlorite forms
through deposition of non-exchangeable Al-hydroxy polymers in the interlayer
space and so is often present in acidic soils. The most common 1:1 clay is Kaolinite
which is typically prominent as a result of geological inheritance or through
prolonged and severe weathering, as found in tropical Ferralsols (Oxisols), for
example [127].
3.2.3.2
Surface Chemistry
The surface area of phyllosilicates can be extremely large up to 600 m2 g1 for
Smectites. Isomorphous substitution of the Al3+ or Si4+ in either the tetrahedral or
octahedral layers creates a positive charge deficit which is balanced by cations
in the inter-layer space. Thus, for example, the unit cell composition of a
di-octahedral 2:1 clay is:

Cn=v v Si4n ; Aln Al2 O10 OH2 ;
in which there is isomorphous substitution of nAl3+ for nSi4+ in the tetrahedral layer
resulting in a positive charge deficit of n and requiring n/v cations with valence v+
in the interlayer space of the clay to balance the negative charge from the structural
oxygens and hydroxyls [O10(OH)2].
This gives rise to a cation exchange capacity (CEC) which depends on both the
negative charge of the layers and the degree of access to the interlayer space. Illite,
derived from weathered mica, has the largest surface charge but provides only limited
access to the interlayer space because it is mainly collapsed with dehydrated K+ ions
balancing the isomorphous substitution (CEC 1040 cmolC kg1). Vermiculite
has less remaining isomorphous substitution but the interlayer space is accessible so
its CEC is largest (CEC 100160 cmolC kg1). Smectite has a still lower remaining
surface charge but again is wholly accessible (CEC 70150 cmolC kg1). Chlorite
has a limited CEC because of non-exchangeable Al-hydroxy deposits in the interlayer
space in acidic soils (CEC < 10 cmolC kg1). Kaolinite is a very pure aluminosilicate
with virtually no isomorphous substitution and a very limited ability to hold cations
(CEC 315 cmolC kg1). Exchangeable cations are fully, or partially, hydrated and
bound as outer-sphere complexes, primarily by electrostatic forces; specificity arises
from ion size and ease of dehydration. Larger ions with weaker hydration shells are
63
bound more strongly so that adsorption strength follows the sequence Cs+ > Rb+ >
K+ > Na+ > Li+ and Ba2+ > Sr2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ for alkali and alkaline-earth
cations respectively.
3.2.3.3
Metal Binding
Cationic heavy metals will be held in the interlayer space of phyllosilicates, as

exchangeable cations, but they tend to be poorly represented because of the
overwhelming presence of Ca, Mg and K in soils. However, trace levels of metal
binding to clays can be considerably more complex. Furnare et al. [39] used EXAFS
and XANES to study Cu2+ adsorption on Vermiculite and Smectite. They suggested
that Cu was covalently bound through inner-sphere complexes to unbonded
oxygens at clay edges and corners. They also identified occupancy of octahedral
vacancies within the clay structure as well as simple outer-sphere electrostatic
retention in the interlayers. The interlayer area can also support highly specific
bonding: Ni, Co and Zn are thought to form multi-nuclear species which bind
irreversibly.
There has been considerable interest in specific metal binding to clays with
Al-hydroxide polymer species in the interlayer space (C_Al_HO systems). It may
be that such systems bind some metals more strongly than simple oxides because of
their greater surface area for chemi-sorption. Janssen et al. [56] found that Zn and
Cu were specifically bound to AlHO in the clay interlayer space but Cd and Pb were
only held exchangeably, through outer-sphere linkages, and were easily displaced
by other cations. Sako et al. [96] showed specific adsorption of the platinum group
elements, originating from catalytic convertors, in a kaolinitic soil (Pd > Rh > Pt).
The trend in adsorption with pH was very similar to that expected for oxides (as in
Fig. 3.3), with a steep rise in affinity over a single pH unit.
3.2.4
Zeolites
3.2.4.1
Bulk Properties
Zeolites are tectosilicates, composed of silica tetrahedra which form a hydrated

microporous three-dimensional framework, with intra-crystalline morphological
features called windows, cages, cavities and channels [76]. The most common zeolites in nature are: analcime, chabazite, clinoptilolite, erionite, mordenite,
phillipsite and ferrierite but they rarely comprise more than a few percent of the
clay minerals in soils. Usually, zeolites in soils are inherited from parent materials
derived from weathered volcanic deposits or from alluvial or eolian deposits [16];
the most commonly found mineral is clinoptilolite. Zeolites can also be pedogenic; these typically occur in saline-alkaline environments in which analcime is
perhaps the most common example [16].
64
3.2.4.2
S.D. Young
Surface Chemistry
Zeolites are negatively charged by isomorphous substitution of Al3+ for Si4+. Their
generic composition is Cx/v[(AlO2)x (SiO2)y].mH2O, where C represents a chargebalancing cation of valence v. Their surface charge is therefore permanent and the
resulting CEC can be extremely large, depending on the degree of Al substitution.
Most zeolites have potential CEC values of 200600 cmolC kg1 which is considerably greater than the phyllosilicate clays (Sect. 3.2.3).
3.2.4.3
Metal Binding
A large proportion of the CEC of zeolites exhibits rapid and reversible cation
exchange [22]. However, because of their complex 3-D structure zeolites also exhibit
some specific adsorption capacity with respect to individual metal cations. The
dimensions of the various cages, channels etc. within the zeolite structure determine selectivity for different sizes of cation to a large degree. This form of selectivity
has been called ion sieving [16]. Fletcher and Townsend [38] demonstrated apparent
ren
irreversibility of trace metal sorption on Faujasite after only short contact times. O
and Kaya [85] found evidence of surface precipitation of Zn in natural clinoptilolites
above pH 6.0. By following changes in isotopic exchangeability with 109Cd2+, Ahmed
et al. [1] demonstrated Cd adsorption hysteresis and prolonged time-dependent fixation in a synthetic zeolite. The fixation was well described as a reversible first order
kinetic process and was thought to be associated with Cd ion dehydration and ingress
to smaller pores within the zeolite structure.
The comparative rarity of zeolites in soils belies their potential importance in
metal sorption and the application of this property to soil remediation [13] and
water protection [58]. Natural zeolites have found widespread application in
recovering trace metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Co, CrIII, Cu and FeII) from wastewaters
[90, 116] and the treatment of low-high level nuclear waste liquids [30, 51]. There
have been several studies of the application of zeolites as amendments for metalcontaminated soils [25, 67].
3.2.5
Sparingly Soluble Calcium Salts and Metal

Precipitation Reactions
3.2.5.1
Adsorption on Ca Salts
Sparingly soluble Ca salts are found in soils that are calcareous (CaCO3),
gypsiferous (CaSO4.nH2O) or are heavily fertilized and contain Ca phosphates
(e.g., hydroxyl apatite). Metals may bond to the surface of Ca salts either because
of similarity to Ca (e.g., Cd) or because of a high affinity for the salt ligand (e.g., Pb
for PO4). However, they may also precipitate on the Ca mineral surface as discrete
compounds or form mixed solid-solutions.
65
There have been comparatively few studies of heavy metal adsorption on simple
Ca compounds. Ahmed et al. [2] demonstrated that Cd is adsorbed in an isotopically
exchangeable form on calcite but also undergoes time-dependent fixation within the
calcite structure; they worked within the normal range of solution Cd concentrations found in soil pore water, below the ion activity product at which CdCO3
might precipitate. Papadopoulos and Rowell [88] suggested that a mixed solidsolution of CdnCan1(CO3) formed at higher Cd concentrations.
3.2.5.2
Discrete Metal Compounds in Soils
For metals to form discrete stable precipitates in soils the ion activity product (IAP)
in the soil pore water must exceed the solubility product (Ks) of the compound
(IAP > Ks). With the exception of the structural cations Fe, Mn and Al, this rarely
occurs in uncontaminated soils because trace metals are present at comparatively
small (total) concentrations and the free ion activity of trace metals in soil water is
generally very small because of strong surface adsorption by soil constituents.
Other factors may prevent formation of discrete metal compounds even if
conditions are otherwise favourable for precipitation. Thus, Lang and Kaupenjohan
[65] suggested that organic acids in soils could prevent crystal growth of the lead
phosphate compound chloropyromorphite [Pb5(PO4)3Cl].
However, trace metals can exist as guest elements within the matrices of other
soil minerals. This is thought to occur through:
(i) the process of isomorphous substitution, which occurs during the formation of
the mineral;
(ii) slow solid phase diffusion into pre-existing minerals following adsorption;
(iii) occlusion within minerals during dissolution-precipitation cycles caused by
fluctuating pH and/or Eh regimes.
It is not disputed that discrete metal compounds exist in soils ,but their longevity,
stability and the extent to which they can control metal solubility are poorly
understood [32]. Soil processes act to dissolve introduced compounds which then
become adsorbed on the soil colloidal phase even in quite heavily contaminated
situations. Degryse et al. [31] showed that about 50% of Pb was isotopically
exchangeable in soils heavily contaminated by smelter output and battery plants,
despite having neutral pH values. Similarly, Sarret et al. [97] fractionated Zn in
a soil contaminated by smelter output and showed by EXAFS that only 15% of
the soil Zn was present as residual primary minerals while 5492% was isotopically exchangeable and mainly bound to humus. Smolders and Degryse [106]
showed that up to 40% of the Zn in tyres (mainly ZnO) becomes labile in soils
within 1 year.
Nevertheless, unusual metal compounds have been identified in soils with
extremely high residual contaminant loads or subject to contemporary inputs.
For example, amorphous FeAsO4 was found in mine spoil contaminated soils
with 8.8% As using EXAFS/XANES [7]. Sphalerite (ZnS) and Franklinite
66
S.D. Young
(ZnFe2O4) were identified in soils close to Zn smelters with >6,000 mg kg1 using
EXAFS and electron microprobe analysis [95]. Murakami et al. [80] also used
electron probe microanalysis to identify particulates in roadside dust with >0.2%
Cr and Pb, thought to originate from vehicle exhaust soot, brake lining and paint.
Councell et al. [27] discuss the importance of vehicle tyre wear as a source of
anthropogenic Zn in soils. Uzu et al. [118] found a range of Pb compounds (PbS,
PbO.PbSO4, PbO, PbCO3) in PM10 and PM2.5 particles from a battery recycling
plant and confirmed a link between particle size and bioavailability to plants.
Many studies have confirmed the presence of Pb compounds in particular. Some
of these concern residual introduced material but many also focus on the pedogenic
formation of discrete Pb phosphates. Chloropyromorphite formation has been
encouraged by the introduction of soluble forms of phosphate to limit Pb solubility
in urban brownfield soils [63] and land used as shooting ranges [49]. Other forms of
Pb identified include: metallic Pb, PbO and PbCrO4 in industrially contaminated
soils, identified by SEM-EDX [57]; Hydrocerrussite [Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2] resulting
from weathering of shotgun pellets, identified by micro X-ray fluorescence [120];
Pb oxide in soils subject to smelter fallout [53].
3.2.6
Conclusions on Adsorption of Metals on Soil Constituents
As a very broad generalisation, the principal adsorption sites for trace metals may
be on humus at low pH (<6) and on Fe oxides at high pH (>6). Thus, in a review of
the behaviour of metals in tropical soils Rieuwerts [93] examined the perceived risk
that (cationic) trace metals may be highly available in some oxisols and ultisols
specifically because of the low pH and the relatively low content of humus.
However, evidence for metal movement down the soil profile was inconclusive
and it appeared that iron oxides provided effective adsorption sites despite low
soil pH. Buekers et al. [18] examined fractionation using the geochemical model
WHAM-VI (Sect. 3.4.3) to partition metals in the solid phase between humus,
oxides and aluminosilicate clays. Similarly, Fig. 3.4 shows the fractionation of Cu,
Pb and Cd, predicted by WHAM-VI, for a hypothetical soil (see Fig. 3.4 description) assumed to have metal concentrations at the UK sludge regulation limits.
The model illustrates substantial differences between the three metals. Copper has
the strongest affinity for humic and fulvic acids. Lead is bound almost exclusively
by Mn oxide at low pH and Fe oxide at pH > 7. Cadmium is the most weakly
bound metal, such that below pH 5 there is even substantial non-specific bonding to
the alumina-silicate clay fraction (Sect. 3.2.3.3); however, above pH 7 Cd sorption
is dominated by the Fe oxide fraction. The substantial differences that exist between
metals and the dependence of fractionation on soil properties are clear; these are
examined in more detail in the following section.

1.0
67
1.0
1.0
Copper
0.8
Organic
Fe oxide
Mn oxide
Clay
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0.0
4
7
6
pH
Lead
Cadmium
0.0
4
6
7
pH
6
7
pH
Fig. 3.4 Proportional distribution of Cu, Cd and Pb between organic matter (solid line), Fe oxide
(D), Mn oxide () and alumino-silicate clay (broken line) in the soil solid phase, as a function of
pH, according to WHAM-VI. Hypothetical soil conditions included 1.2 kg suspended in 1 L
solution; 5% humus with 30% HA and 20% FA (50% inert); 20% clay, 3.5% Fe oxide and 0.075%
Mn oxide. The metals Cu, Cd and Pb were at the current UK sludge limits (135, 3 and
300 mg kg1). Solubility of Al3+ and Fe3+ were controlled by Al(OH)3(s) and Fe(OH)3(s). The
solution phase contained 20 mg L1 FA and 0.005 M Ca2+, 0.0005 M K+ balanced by 0.0095 M
NO3 and 0.001 M Cl
3.3
Effect of Soil Conditions on Metal and Metalloid Adsorption
3.3.1
Soil pH Value
Soil acidity is measured on the pH scale, normally in a 1:2.5 (w/v) soil:solution

suspension, using a combined H+-sensitive glass electrode and Ag-AgCl reference
electrode, where:
pH log10 hydrogen ion activity log10 H
(3.1)
Soil pH is both affected by, and indicative of, specific ecosystems or land use
practices (Table 3.1).
3.3.1.1
Effect of Soil pH Value on Metal Solubility
Soil pH value has a greater influence on the solubility of heavy metals than any
other factor. This would be predictable considering simple metal oxide, hydroxide
and carbonate (MCO3) solubility reactions.
eg
MCO3 (s) 2H , M2 CO2 (g) H2 O
However, as discussed by Degryse et al. [32], the stoichiometry of M2+$H+

exchange is usually less than the value of 2.0 required for many precipitation
reactions which indicates the importance of specific adsorption in controlling
metal ion solubility.
68
S.D. Young
Table 3.1 Broad relationship between ecosystem characteristics and soil pH value
Soil pH range
Soil characteristics
<3.5
Acid sulphate soils with active oxidation of ferrous sulphide
3.54.0
Acidic peats and podzol surface organic horizons
4.05.0
Acid forest soils (e.g., Brown earths)
5.06.0
Many examples e.g., sandy soils under un-limed grassland
6.07.0
Many examples the preferred pH range for arable soils. Many urban soils and
brownfield sites
7.08.0
Calcareous soils over limestone or chalk parent materials. Many urban soils
and brownfield sites
8.010.0
Sodic soils with free sodium bicarbonate
For cationic metals a change in soil pH has several important, and independent,
effects which influence the apparent strength of adsorption by soil solids. Thus, as
pH value rises, the following changes occur.
(i) Surface charge, and electrical potential, will become more negative on the
principal adsorption sites on Fe/Mn hydrous oxides, alumino-silicate clay edge
sites and humus.
(ii) Competition for adsorption sites from hydronium ions (H3O+) and from
dissolved structural cations (mainly Al3+ and AlOH2+) will decline as
H3O+ ions are neutralised and soluble aluminium ions are (re-)precipitated as
Al(OH)3(s).
(iii) The speciation of the metal cation may change through formation of soluble
hydroxy and bi-carbonate complexes, for example. If the principal adsorbing
species is the divalent cation (e.g., Cu2+) then this effect will increase overall
metal solubility. However, it has also been suggested that the first hydroxide
complex of some metals (e.g., CrIIIOH2+) may be the more important
adsorbing species and so changes in metal speciation may produce quite
complex effects on adsorption.
(iv) A related effect arises if the increase in soil pH dissolves metal-complexing
anions. Again these will bring more metal into solution against the prevailing
trend of greater sorption into the solid phase. The principal example here is the
soluble components of humus: humic (HA) and fulvic (FA) acids. The solubility of HA and the strength of metal binding by both HA and FA increase as pH
rises and the humus acids become more negatively charged and more hydrophilic. This effect is most pronounced for metals that bind most strongly to
HA, such as Cu. It has been shown that the distribution coefficient (kd) of Cu in
some soils is close to the kd value for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) [32,
111]. It may be that some sub-micron inorganic colloids, which both adsorb
and contain trace metals, behave similarly although evidence for this is
currently still emerging [69].
Notwithstanding some of the more subtle effects listed in (iii) and (iv) above, the
dominant effect of an increase in soil pH is a decrease in cationic metal solubility.
An example of this trend is shown in Fig. 3.5 below where samples of a soil used for
69
Cd in solution (ug L-1)
200
160
0.01 M Ca-Chloride
0.01 M Ca-Nitrate
120
80
40
0
4.50
5.00
5.50
Soil pH value
6.00
Fig. 3.5 Cadmium concentration in solution as a function of soil pH in batch equilibrations

(1:10 w/v suspensions of 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 or 0.01 M CaCl2) of an arable soil from a sewage
disposal site. The soil was from one of the oldest and most heavily sludged disposal areas
(Cd 59.3 mg kg1; humus 24.8%) solid lines are simple exponential fits
sludge disposal for over a century were suspended in 0.01 M Ca salts and acidified
to various levels. The solubility of Cd clearly follows a broadly exponential trend
with pH within the range of the measurements.
3.3.1.2
Liming Acid Soils to Lower Heavy Metal Solubility
Mineral soils and peats which have a pH (in water) below pH 6.5 or pH 5.8
respectively normally require liming with CaCO3 for arable agriculture, partly to
avoid aluminium toxicity. Similarly, soil may be limed to around pH 7 to avoid
toxicity from contaminant metals such as Pb, Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn, Hg, Sn. Examples
include restoration of urban brown-field sites, land affected by acid mine drainage, and management of arable land habitually used for sewage sludge disposal.
The alleviation of aluminium toxicity in acid soils can be shown by the
simplified reaction illustrated below. Exchangeable aluminium hydroxide ions
(Al(OH)2+), held in clay inter-layers and by humus functional groups (HumusCOO), are precipitated as crystalline or amorphous forms of aluminium hydroxide
(Al(OH)3). So the solubility and bio-availability of toxic aluminium is reduced.
Ex:AlOH2 CaCO3 s 2H2 O ! AlOH3 s Ex:Ca2 CO2 H2 O (3.2)
This involves a series of individual reaction steps, including:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
dissolution of CaCO3(s) to release Ca2+ and CO32 into solution

cation exchange between Al(OH)2+ and Ca2+ on clay and humus;

hydrolysis of CO2
3 to produce OH ions and CO2;
precipitation of solid aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)3(s).
70
S.D. Young
By contrast, when a soil contaminated with divalent heavy metals is limed it is

unlikely that precipitation of the (divalent) Pb, Ni, Cu, Cd hydroxides, carbonates or
oxides will occur (IAP < Ks). Therefore, it might be expected that Ca2+ from
liming agents would simply liberate adsorbed metal ions into solution, which
would increase the potential toxic hazard. Of course the solubility of the contaminant trace metals almost always decreases due to the rise in pH caused by the
addition of lime. Fundamental to the successful use of lime to reduce the solubility
and bioavailability of potentially toxic metals is the difference in bonding to soil of
alkali/alkaline-earth cations (e.g., Ca2+) and most heavy metals. The former are
largely held weakly as exchangeable hydrated ions, by electrostatic forces, within
alumino-silicate clay interlayers or on charged humus carboxyl groups. Heavy
metals, by contrast, are strongly (specifically) bonded to exposed oxy-acid groups
on humus and hydrous oxides as inner-sphere (partially dehydrated) complexes.
Therefore, addition of lime creates two opposing reactions affecting metal solubility. Calcium ions may release into solution the limited amount of exchangeable
trace metals that are held in clay interlayer sites and humus. However this effect is
completely negated by the titrating effect of the carbonate ions which neutralise
H+ ions from organic carboxyl and surface hydroxyl groups on Fe/Mn hydrous
oxides and thereby free sites for occupancy by strongly binding divalent heavy
metals. The latter occurs as a combination of reduced competition from H+ ions
(and AlOH2+ ions) and increased electrostatic attraction between negatively
charged humus or hydrous oxide sites and metal ions, as discussed above.
The example below represents liming an acidic soil contaminated with lead
initially present in an available, in this case exchangeable, form. Calcium ions
displace exchangeable forms of Pb into solution but carbonate ions neutralise
specifically adsorbed H+ ions on humus carboxyl groups (Hu-COOH), increasing
(negative) surface charge and encouraging greater specific adsorption of Pb2+ ions.
ExPb2 CaCO3 s Hu-(COOH2 ) ExCa2 Hu-(COO2 Pb] CO2 H2 O
Liming acid soils to pH 78 remains the most expedient way of reducing the
solubility of heavy metals, in most situations.
3.3.2
Soil Redox Potential (Eh)
Redox potential (Eh, mV) is an intensive thermodynamic property related to the

hypothetical activity of electrons (e) through the well known Nernst equation and,
in practice, is normally measured with a platinum electrode with Ag/AgCl chloride
electrode as reference (pe log10(e)).
Eh
RT ln(10)
pe
F
59 pe (at 25 C)
(3.3)
71
Table 3.2 Principal soil redox reactions and the Eh range in which they typically occur
Soil Eh range (mV) Soil characteristics
>450
Aerobic soil; oxygen is the principal electron acceptor:
O2 + 4H+ + 4e 2H2O
200400
Denitrification:
NO3 + 6 H+ + 5 e N2 + 3 H2O
100200
MnIV oxide reduction and dissolution:
MnO2(s) + 4 H+ + e Mn2+ + 2 H2O
100200
FeIII oxide reduction and dissolution:
Fe(OH)3(s) + 3 H+ + 2 e Fe2+ + 3 H2O
1500
Sulphate reduction to sulphide:
SO42 + 10 H+ + 8 e H2S + 4 H2O
<250
Acetoclastic methanogenesis:
CH3COOH CH4 + CO2
Although the derived value of (e) can be used in equilibrium calculations, as if

it were a discrete chemical species, it is accepted that Eh values are more safely
regarded as an index of redox status when measured in soils. This is partly due to
difficulties in measuring Eh [100] and partly because there is always doubt whether
redox equilibrium has truly been established [61].
A decrease in soil redox potential (Eh value becomes less positive) typically
occurs when soils become wet. The resulting impediment to the diffusion of oxygen
into the soil causes the utilization of alternative electron acceptors as organic matter
decomposition continues under progressively more anaerobic conditions. The general reduction sequence followed in soils is well established [91]. Table 3.2 shows
the broad range of Eh values in which specific redox reactions are poised
(buffered) as soils become progressively more anaerobic.
The rate at which the redox potential falls is mainly determined by the nature and
availability of the carbon substrate, the degree of restriction on oxygen ingress and
the availability of the alternative electron acceptors. It is recognised that some
heavy metals become more soluble under anaerobic conditions. Thus Pareuil et al.
[89] have suggested that it may be useful to characterise the risk of metal
mobilisation in contaminated soils by equilibrating with a range of concentrations
of reducing agents, such as ascorbate, to generate a redox mobilization edge
(metal solubility vs Eh). However, as redox potential falls naturally, due to microbial activity in saturated soils, several changes occur which may affect metal and
metalloid solubility in contradictory ways. These are discussed below.
3.3.2.1
Change in pH
Most redox reactions in soils involve transfer of electrons and protons. This
dependence can be described by Eq. 3.4.
Eh
RT ln(10)
Eo
F

nH
pH
ne

nH
Eo - 59
pH
ne
at 25o C) (3.4)
72
S.D. Young
Eo is the standard redox potential for the reaction and the ratio nH/ne denotes the
stoichiometric ratio for electron and proton transfer. In practice it is unlikely that
Eq. 3.4 will be followed exactly because (i) there are widely varying concentrations
of specific redox couples and (ii) soil pH is strongly buffered by other proton
adsorption reactions which are not directly involved in redox reactions [78].
Nevertheless, redox reactions do have a marked effect on soil pH. In fact, soil pH
values gravitate to a very restricted circumneutral range under anaerobic conditions
(c. pH 6.57.5) [91]. This is thought to arise from the conflicting effects of (i) a
build up of CO2 partial pressure which lowers pH in alkaline soils by hydrolysis to
carbonic acid and (ii) the consumption of H+ ions by most reduction reactions
which raises pH in acid soils (Table 3.2) [94]. Thus for soils which have pH values
<6.5 under aerobic conditions, the net result of anaerobism may be an increase in
the strength of cationic metal adsorption by humus and metal oxides and an
increased possibility of (e.g.) metal carbonate precipitation (Sect. 3.3.1).
3.3.2.2
Dissolution of Fe/Mn Hydrous Oxides
At pH > 6 Fe and Mn oxides are likely to be significant adsorbers of cationic

metals and anionic oxyacids (Sect. 3.2.2). If the oxides are reduced and solubilized
then two significant effects on metal solubility should occur. Firstly, metals and
metalloids adsorbed on the surface will be released as the underlying substrate
dissolves. This can be represented as a surface reduction-dissolution reaction for
(e.g.,) Pb sorbed on ferric oxide (balancing ions omitted):
Fe2 III OO Pb(s) 4H 2e , 2Fe2 Pb2 2H2 O
The heavy metals may be re-adsorbed on the freshly exposed oxide surface but
this must depend on the extent of oxide dissolution and the thickness of the oxide
coating. Secondly, the release of large concentrations of Fe2+ and Mn2+ into
solution will present intense competition for metal adsorption sites on humus,
clay edges and, of course, on the newly created FeIII/MnIV oxide surfaces. The
overall result of reduction may therefore be increased solubility of trace metals.
When a flooded soil drains, or dries through evaporation, redox potential
rises and Fe/Mn oxides re-precipitate. This will cause re-adsorption of liberated
metals and if co-precipitation occurs, may even result in fixation of metals within
oxide particles. Contin et al. [23, 24] suggested that deliberately implementing
redox cycles in contaminated soils could be used to lower metal bioaccessibility
in some soils. Metal fixation followed the qualitative order Cu > Cd > Zn> >
Pb> > Ni using three cycles with anaerobic periods of 40 days each, interspersed
with short drying periods. Lee [66] suggested that a similar fixation process may
have maintained low metal availability in a kaolinitic paddy soil contaminated by
mine tailings.
73
Fig. 3.6 Predominance diagram for arsenic species as a function of pH and Eh (Produced using
The Geochemists Workbench program)
3.3.2.3
Changes in Metal and Metalloid Valence
Some metals and metalloids undergo valence changes within the range of redox
potentials experienced in anaerobic soils arsenic is a prime example. The stable
form of As in aerobic soils is arsenate (mainly H2AsO4 and HAsO42 in the pH
range 67) which behaves very similarly to phosphate (pKa2 7.2) and is adsorbed
strongly by Fe oxides. As Eh values fall below 250 mV AsV is reduced mainly to
AsIII (arsenite) and possibly methylated forms such as dimethylarsinic acid (DMA;
(CH3)2HAsO2) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA; CH3H2AsO3). The closest
analogue to arsenite is perhaps silicic acid (pKa1 9.8), and so AsIII forms a neutral
molecule (H3AsO3o) that is very poorly adsorbed. This may be the prime mechanism
whereby As is released into groundwater in aquifers which become even mildly
anaerobic, as experienced in West Bengal and Bangladesh [60].
H3 AsO4 o 2H 2e , H3 AsO3 o H2 O
Figure 3.6 shows that transformations between arsenate and arsenite are
predicted to occur within the pH-Eh ranges often encountered in wet topsoils, or
aquifers with sufficient organic matter to undergo reduction.
74
S.D. Young
Chromium is also subject to changes in valence within the range of conditions

found in soils. Reduction of CrVI to CrIII increases adsorption (as Cr3+ or CrOH2+)
and renders carcinogenic Cr VI less harmful. Thus Banks et al. [8] found that adding
organic manure detoxified CrVI and promoted greater adsorption. Cobalt is strongly
adsorbed within Mn oxides as CoIII [42] (see Sect. 3.2.2) and, correspondingly, is
usually strongly correlated with Mn2+ release under anaerobic conditions [47],
partly through reduction of CoIII to Co2+. Selenate reduction to selenite should
increase adsorption as selenite is a specifically adsorbed anion while selenate is a
strong acid anion which is indifferently adsorbed and, at pH 67, will remain almost
entirely in solution.
3.3.2.4
Release of Complex-Forming Anions and Dissolved

Organic Carbon (DOC)
Under anaerobic conditions, anions (phosphate, bicarbonate, fluoride, molydate,

humic and fulvic acids etc.), normally adsorbed on Fe/Mn oxides, come into
solution as pH rises and the oxides are partially solubilised. In addition, in flooded
soils, DOC concentration normally increases as a result of decomposition reactions
under oxygen-free conditions. This may have two conflicting effects on cationic
metal solubility. Complex formation in solution, especially with HA, FA and other
DOC compounds such as propionic and butyric acids [91] will clearly increase the
solubility of strongly bound metals such as Cu, Pb and rare earth elements [47].
On the other hand, the formation of new mixed solid phase assemblages, such as
humic acid with Fe oxides, may actually increase adsorption of metals [122].
3.3.2.5
Precipitation of Metal Sulphides and Carbonates
Increased soil pH and partial pressure of trapped CO2 following soil flooding may
cause precipitation of metal carbonates [70]; this has been reported for Cd, Zn and
Pb [78]. However, under strongly anaerobic conditions (Eh < 100 mV), especially in soils with a significant (reducible) sulphate content, it may be possible for
metal sulphide precipitation to occur [34]. From solubility modelling, Schroder
et al. [100] suggested there was strong evidence for Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu sulphide
precipitation in floodplain soils under such conditions. Cornu et al. [26] incubated
an industrially contaminated arable soil (Cd 3.8 mg kg1) under saturated
conditions and observed an initial increase in Cd solubility followed by a decline
as pe fell below 3. It was thought possible that CdS (Greenockite) may have formed
but this could not be confirmed thermodynamically. Theoretically, the trace metals
Cd, Zn and Pb should all precipitate before ferrous sulphide formation poises the
system and thereby prevents further decline in Eh. However, this depends on the
free ion activity of the trace metals supported which is difficult to predict when
progressive anaerobism usually coincides with changes in soil pH and complexing
ligand concentration.
3.3.2.6
75
Biomethylation
Some metals and metalloids are biologically transformed to methylated forms

under anaerobic conditions. These may be more (Hg) or less (As) hazardous than
inorganic forms. The range and significance of methylated and organic forms of As
are relatively unknown. Many studies have focussed only on arsenite (AsIII) and
arsenate (AsV) in studies of As transformations in soils. However, Huang and Matzner
[54] identified seasonally dependent microbial methylation of As (MMA, DMA,
TMAO) in pore water from wetland soils in Germany, along with several unknown
organic forms of As.
3.3.3
Soluble Ligands
In most soils, metal solubility is significantly affected by the presence of

complex-forming ligands. The most common organic ligands are fulvic and
humic acids which are present in all soil pore solutions; these are discussed in
Sects. 3.2.1 and 3.4.3. However inorganic ligands can also increase metal solubility. These typically include SO42, F, NO3, Cl with HCO3 and CO32 at
high pH. Chloro-complexation in particular has received considerable attention
because Cd has a moderately high affinity for Cl-, forming soluble CdCl+ and
CdCl20 complexes with overall stability constants: logb(CdCl+) 1.98 and logb
(CdCl20) 2.6. In fact, Ahmed et al. [1] demonstrated that Cd adsorption
(on zeolites) was controlled exclusively by Cd2+ and chloro-complexation
increased Cd solubility quantitatively. Thus Cd mobilization in soils subject to
elevated chloride has been the subject of some concern [107]. Millward and Liu
[79] found the mobilization of metals from sediments suspended in seawater
followed the sequence Ni > Cd > Zn > Cu. Rasa et al. [92] suggested that Cd
may be more soluble in roadside soils due to NaCl use for de-icing. However, the
net effect on metal solubility in salt-affected environments will be a combination
of several independent processes in addition to complex formation, including
cation exchange with Na+, weakening of adsorption by increased ionic strength,
possible flocculation or dispersion of colloidal particles and effects on pH and Eh
(Sects. 3.3.1 and 3.3.2). Thus Du Laing et al. [34] reviewed the factors affecting
metal behaviour in (saline) estuarine soils and noted, for Cd in particular, that
mobilization by chloro-complexation is offset by precipitation with sulphide in
anoxic saline environments.
Non-humic organic ligands which can mobilize metals may arise from natural
root exudates (citrate, malate, oxalate) [131] and from the application of certain
pesticides, such as Glyphosate [9]. However, the effect of these ligands on metal
solubility will partly depend on the solubility and longevity of the organic acid
in soils.
76
S.D. Young
3.3.4
Time, Temperature and The Slow Reaction
3.3.4.1
Time
It is generally recognised that metal ions added to soils in solution will rapidly
attain an apparent equilibrium with adsorption surfaces over a period of several
hours. However, most metals and metalloids then exhibit further (slower) sorption,
over an extended period (months), in which metal ions are transferred from a
labile to a non-labile state [32, 117]. This is generally referred to as the slow
reaction, ageing or fixation [123] and may be partly (or wholly) responsible for
the phenomenon of desorption hysteresis commonly observed for metal ions
adsorbed from solution on to soil minerals such as calcite, zeolites and goethite
[1, 2, 11]. However, it is important to note that fixation is not always a timedependent process and may also be caused by very rapid reactions such as surface
precipitation or possibly strong inner-sphere adsorption. Thus it is often found that a
proportion of metal ions, added to soil in solution, become fixed almost instantly
as best judged by isotopic exchangeability. Nakhone and Young [82] noted this
effect for Cd fixation in calcareous soils while Ma et al. [7173] observed a similar
process for Cu adsorbed by soils high in organic matter.
There are several mechanisms which may explain the slow reaction, including
diffusive limitations, adsorption energy barriers and surface precipitation; in practice these are not entirely independent.
3.3.4.2
Diffusive Limitations
It is recognised that diffusive limitations exist in solution as ions slowly penetrate

the microporous structure of soil aggregates. This may be especially true for anionic
species, such as HAsO42 and CrO42, due to repulsion (anion exclusion) from
micro-pores lined with negatively charged surfaces [84]. Immediately following
adsorption there is likely to be progressive surface diffusion as metal ions redistribute themselves between adsorption sites to achieve lower free energy states.
However, it is solid phase diffusion, following initial surface adsorption [11],
which is usually most closely associated with the extended slow reaction. This
involves penetration of the solid phase matrix by replacement of the native cation
(or anion) and may occur by true solid phase diffusion but could also occur by
occlusion resulting from the continuous process of dissolution and re-precipitation.
Diffusive processes may be particularly important at pH values below those
required for precipitation reactions; Ma et al. [73] suggested that a diffusive process
was solely responsible for slow fixation of Cu in soils below pH 5.
3.3.4.3
77
Adsorption Energy Barriers to Specific Reactions
Energy barriers to adsorption may occur where there is a specific part of the
adsorption mechanism that is rate-limited, such as dehydration, the formation of
multiple bonds or slow exchange reactions. Ahmed et al. [1] found that both slow
adsorption and desorption of Cd on zeolites was better explained as a first-order
kinetic process rather than by continuous diffusion into the zeolite particles. From
EXAFS data they provisionally associated the Cd fixation process with retention of
dehydrated Cd2+ in a specific cavity in the zeolite structure [3].
3.3.4.4
Discrete and Surface Precipitation
Precipitation of metals may occur on existing mineral surfaces or as discrete

compounds. In both cases there may be slow reactions involving (i) Ostwald
ripening to reduce the surface : volume ratio, (ii) formation of compounds with
more stable stoichiometries and (iii) continued penetration of mineral surfaces to
form solid solutions. Ma et al. [73] suggested that the slow reaction between Cu and
calcareous soils signified Malachite (Cu2(OH)2CO3) and Cu(OH)2 formation and
precipitation/nucleation reactions generally occurring above pH 6.
3.3.4.5
Effect of Soil Properties on the Slow Reaction
It seems likely that soil components which have little scope for (internal) absorption
because of the lack of a porous structure or no clear means of occluding metals will
show little if any slow reactions. Thus Covelo et al. [28] found that metals (Cd, Cr,
Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb) were most reversibly adsorbed on 2:1 alumino-silicate clays and
least reversibly adsorbed on Mn oxides. Palagyi et al. [87] investigated sorption of
109
Cd by forest and arable topsoils and subsoils, with peroxide treatment to remove
humus. They showed that Cd is reversibly held by humus but undergoes timedependent fixation in mineral constituents. Shirvani et al. [104] demonstrated Cd
sorption hysteresis in the Mg-silicates Palygorskite and Sepiolite and in Calcite.
Ahmed et al. [2] measured and modelled time-dependent fixation and adsorption
hysteresis of Cd on Calcite. Nevertheless, it may also be possible for organic matter
to fix metals. Vega et al. [121] expressed irreversible Cd and Cu sorption in soils
as a hysteresis index (HI) and showed that although HI was greatest for Cd at high
pH and MnO2 content, it was greatest for Cu at high humus content. Young et al.
[130] reported isotopically non-exchangeable Hg in filtered solutions of 203Hg
spiked soils which they tentatively interpreted as fixation in DOC. Thus, fixation
of metals may also occur simply through strong surface complexation, without
occlusion within solids.
Slow fixation reactions have been demonstrated most successfully using isotopic exchange to discriminate between labile and non-labile forms [1, 19, 29].
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S.D. Young
Fig. 3.7 Change in isotopic exchangeability of Zn initially added in solution to 23 soils

categorised by pH range. The slow reaction is modelled as a reversible first-order kinetic process
(solid lines)
Figure 3.7 shows the reduction in isotopic exchangeability of Zn, initially added to
soils in solution, as a function of pH. As expected, fixation was greater at high pH.
However, a crucial point is that the slow reaction had to be modelled as a reversible
first-order kinetic reaction [1, 2, 29]; the decline in metal lability does not tend to
zero but to an apparent steady state in which non-labile metal ions re-enter the labile
pool. This also supports the universal finding that historically contaminated soils
typically have substantial proportions of isotopically exchangeable metal. Therefore metal ions determined as non-labile should be regarded as kinetically
restricted in their interaction with the soil solution phase rather than permanently
fixed. This reinforces the distinction between non-labile and inert in Fig. 3.1;
Degryse et al. [32] discuss this issue in more detail.
3.3.4.6
Temperature
A higher temperature increases the proportion of the metal ions which have
sufficient energy to overcome energy barriers to adsorption or desorption and
therefore movement in general. This effect can be described in terms of an activation energy (Ea, kJ mol1). The rate constant for adsorption or desorption (k) is
related to temperature through the well known Arrhenius equation:

Ea
k A exp
RT
(3.5)
79
A is the pre-exponential factor, with the same units as the rate constant (k).
Temperature will therefore also affect the final position of the equilibrium if the
value of Ea for adsorption differs from that for desorption. Equation 3.5 translates
directly into describing the temperature dependence of diffusion (Eq. 3.6) where
Dapp is the apparent diffusion coefficient for the solid and Do is Dapp when the
activation energy is zero [108].
Dapp Do exp

Ea
RT
(3.6)
Thus, fixation by diffusion into spherical solid particles can be described by

equations of the form:
s

Dapp t
Pf t Pf o 6
p r2
(3.7)
Where Pfo and Pft are the proportions of added metal ions fixed at time zero and
time t.
The linear dependence of metal fixation on t is often presented as strong evidence
for a diffusion-controlled process and most studies appear to conclude that a higher
temperature will increase the rate of fixation in soils. Thus, Ma et al. [72] used a
combination of Eqs. 3.6 and 3.7 to model the decline in isotopic exchangeability of Cu
added to soils and incubated at three temperatures for 30 days. A similar response has
been observed for Cd adsorption on goethite [81], Pb reaction with carbonate hydroxyl
apatite [128] and several other studies. In addition, the relative affinity of different
metals may change with temperature and differences in activation energy may indicate
the underlying fixation process, such as diffusion [43] or reflect the nature (e.g.,
porosity) of the soil adsorption surfaces [11].
3.4
Modelling Metal and Metalloid Adsorption
In the soil chemistry literature many of the early empirical approaches to modelling
trace metal equilibria, intended mainly for predictive purposes, can still be found
published alongside the very latest developments in mechanistic models of metal
adsorption.
Adsorption of metals by soil, and soil constituents, is often expressed as the
mathematical relationship between the concentrations of metal in the solid phase
(Mads) and in an equilibrated solution (Msoln). However, both Mads and Msoln may
represent several alternative variables. The variable Mads may be the total concentration of metal in the soil solid phase, or it may be a specific fraction such as
extractable or isotopically exchangeable metal [40]. Similarly, Msoln can
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S.D. Young
represent either the total or the non-complexed concentrations of metal ions in

solution, or their free ion activity [117].
The two most common objectives of characterising the solid-solution equilibration of metals are:
(i) to predict concentration (or activity) of metal species in solution, perhaps under
changing circumstances, to address questions of plant availability, ecotoxicological risk to water systems etc.;
(ii) to assess alternative adsorption mechanisms and (ideally) gain greater understanding of the adsorption process itself.
3.4.1
Simple Adsorption Isotherm Equations
The simplest expression of the strength of metal adsorption by soil is the distribution coefficient (kd): the ratio of Mads to Msoln (Eq. 3.8).
kd
Mads
; Mads kd Msoln
Msoln
(3.8)
The most obvious shortcomings of this approach to describing metal equilibria

are the implied assumptions of (i) infinite adsorption capacity, (ii) homogeneity of
adsorption site type, (iii) no effect of site occupancy on the free energy of (further)
adsorption and (iv) no effect of competitor ions (e.g., H+ or other metals). Clearly
for sorption of metal ions on to charged humus and oxide surfaces, in the chemical
cocktail of a soil environment, all of these assumptions are invalid. Nevertheless,
the simple distribution coefficient has found widespread application in risk assessment approaches which characterise sorption of radionuclides and pesticides.
For metals also, if we assume that the characteristics (pH, humus content, texture,
metal content) of individual soils are fairly conservative, then metal kd values could
provide a reasonable assessment of adsorption strength for comparative purposes.
Sheppard et al. [102] measured kd values for 54 elements in Canadian soils
intended as an aid to critical load assessment. Covelo et al. [28] suggested a
standard comparative index (kd100) which is the value of kd measured following
adsorption by 12 g soil from 200 mL of an initial solution concentration of
100 mg L1 after 24 h equilibration. They also proposed extending this to a general
index of metal adsorption strength (kdS100) for a suite of different metals.
Nevertheless, in most studies of metal adsorption, the non-linearity of the
relationship between Mads and Msoln is acknowledged and a wide range of equations
have been deployed to describe metal adsorption isotherms in Soil Science. Giles
et al. [44] classified adsorption isotherms on the basis of their shape (initial slope
and curvature). Their basic classification includes constant partition (C), high
affinity (H), Langmuir (L) and sigmoidal (S) forms. The choice of which adsorption
equation to use is discussed in several publications [50, 59]. Traditionally, however,
81
the two most widely used functions are the well known Langmuir and Freundlich
adsorption equations.
Langmuir: KL
Freundlich:
Mads
KL Ns Msoln
; Mads
Msoln Ns Mads
1 KL Msoln
(3.9)
Mads
; Mads kF Msoln n
Msoln n
(3.10)
kF
The Langmuir equation (LE, Eq. 3.9) is attractive because it is asymptotic [50]
and therefore provides an important soil characteristic the maximum adsorption
capacity or number of sites (Ns). Its failings include an assumption that the
standard free energy of adsorption is constant, regardless of site coverage
which, for ion adsorption on to charged surfaces, is incorrect. Although the single
LE also ignores competition from other ions and assumes a single type of adsorption site, these can easily be included in extended forms of the equation [129].
The Freundlich equation (FE, Eq. 3.10) is an empirical relation that is consistent
with an exponential distribution of binding energies [12]. Strobel et al. [110]
demonstrated that the kd values for Cd and Cu in arable soils increased with
depletion of the metal; therefore a measured kd value may overestimate the solubility of the majority of the soil metal content. Thus the FE addresses the issue of
site heterogeneity, to some degree, and it is probably fair to say that it is considerably more useful than the LE for trace metal studies [12]. Although the FE ignores
the notion of an adsorption maximum it could be argued that this is seldom an issue
because the concentration of adsorbed metal present is normally much less than the
metal-adsorption capacity of the soil.
Both equations are still used to describe metal adsorption for comparative
purposes. This approach is perhaps most valid when the soils being studied have
a restricted range of conditions (especially pH) or when single soils or pure mineral
substrates are being assessed. Sako et al. [96] used the FE to compare adsorption of
platinum group elements (Pd, Rh and Pt) on a single kaolinitic soil. Jalali and
Moharrami [55] tested both the FE and LE as descriptions of metal adsorption in
calcareous soils from Western Iran with a narrow pH range (c. pH 7.07.5).
Markiewicz-Patkowska et al. [75] used the simple LE to estimate the adsorption
capacities of (urban) brownfield soil material at just two (controlled) pH values
(pH 2 and pH 7).
The simple LE and FE models are often applied when the adsorption of metals is
only a part of the overall reaction process being studied and it is convenient to adopt
ren and Kaya [85] applied the FE
a simple description of metal equilibrium. Thus, O
to Zn adsorption on zeolite. Shirvani et al. [104] described adsorption of Cd on pure
clays (Sepiolite and Palygorskite) and calcite using the FE. Ahmed et al. [2] used
the FE to describe Cd adsorption on zeolite. In all these studies the primary
objective was not to derive a definitive description of adsorption per se but to
integrate a convenient adsorption equation into a wider study of adsorption kinetics,
desorption hysteresis and/or reaction mechanisms.
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S.D. Young
There have been several attempts to develop more flexible forms of the FE and
LE which address the problems such as site heterogeneity and competition from
other ions. Temminghoff et al. [111] tested a two species Freundlich (TSF) model
alongside the more mechanistic NICA model (Sect. 3.4.3) to describe Cu2+-H+
competition for adsorption on humus in a sandy soil. Barrow et al. [12] used a
modification of the FE, in which the exponent (n) varied with solution concentration (Msoln), to explain competition between selenite and phosphate in a Chilean
Andosol. Xue et al. [129] adapted the LE to include competition and non-integer
reaction stoichiometry to describe Cd and Zn adsorption on a yellow cinnamon soil
from China.
3.4.2
Relating Adsorption Equations to Soil Properties
It is inevitable that single component (i.e., Msoln) forms of the LE and FE provide
only soil-specific parameters at best and, for the same reasons, they will fail if the
characteristics (such as pH) of a single soil are changed. The recognition of
correlations between soil properties (e.g., pH) and metal adsorption strength has
therefore encouraged the development of regression approaches so that metal
adsorption may be empirically predicted for soils with differing characteristics.
The soil properties chosen for regression are usually those known to have direct, or
indirect, effects on metal binding strength and are normally fairly accessible soil
variables. Typically they include various combinations of pH, cation exchange
capacity (CEC), humus content (%C or %LOI), Fe or Mn oxide content, clay
content, concentration of the major cations or competing trace metals etc.
In fact, such regression equations are essentially an extended form of the FE if it
is assumed that logkF is a linear function of multiple soil properties (Pi), while the
Freundlich exponent (n) remains constant across all soils, (Eqs. 3.11 and 3.12):
logMads logkF nlogMsoln ; logkF ko
m
X
ki logPi
(3.11)
i1
logMads ko
m
X
ki logPi nlogMsoln
(3.12)
i1
This has been called the general purpose Freundlich model (GPF) [35]. Sauve
et al. [98] reviewed over 70 studies and optimised GPF expressions for Cd, Cu, Pb,
Ni and Zn with pH and SOM content as the predictive soil properties (Pi, Eq. 3.12).
This approach explained 61 88% of the variation in dissolved metal concentration; for Pb the fit was considerably poorer. Gray and McLaren [45] included the
predictive properties pH, %C and amorphous Fe/Al oxide content in a study of 200
New Zealand soils contaminated from a wide range of sources. Their optimised
equations were able to predict between 50% and 85% of the variation in Msoln for
83
six metals across the range of soils studied. Horn et al. [52] parameterised GPF
equations for Cd with a dataset of nearly 500 soils from Germany; they included
pH, clay, soil organic carbon, CEC and Fe/Mn oxides as predictive soil properties.
Similar dependencies on soil properties were found by Lair et al. [64] for long term
field experiment soils from Austria. Tipping et al. [114] included just pH and %LOI
as predictive properties in a study of metal solubility in 98 upland soils from the UK
and achieved results which were only slightly inferior to a more complex mechanistic model (Sect. 3.4.3). Gandois et al. [41] found that the solubility of eight trace
metals, in a range of soils, could be predicted from soil organic carbon content, pH
value, total Fe content and DOC.
Attempts have also been made to improve the basis of expression for the two
metal variables (Mads and Msoln) in order to describe metal equilibria on a more
mechanistic basis. Thus, Elzinga et al. [35] used 92 published sources to collect
2,000, 700 and 1,500 data for Cd, Cu and Zn adsorption respectively. They tested
for improvements in the fit of a GPF model by varying the definition of Msoln as
total concentration or corrected for ionic strength, inorganic complexation and
organic complexation. Overall these refinements to Msoln produced fairly small
improvements. Model predictions of Mads from field datasets under-estimated by a
factor of 510. This was thought to be due to overestimation of adsorbed reactive
metal by acid digestion of field soils and partly because of metal competition effects
which are not included in the adsorption studies but limit metal adsorption in field
soils. Trancoso et al. [115] tried to improve the fit of a GPF description of Pb
equilibria in a study of Portuguese soils (Pi pH, Fe/Al oxides) by measuring
labile forms of Pbsoln using differential pulse polarography. Tye et al. [117] used
what was effectively a GPF approach, applied to UK soils incubated with added Cd
(Pi %LOI, pH, Znsoln, ionic strength). They defined Cdsoln as the free ion activity
(Cd2+), calculated from a solution speciation model (WHAM-VI; Sect. 3.4.3) and
Cdads was measured as the isotopically exchangeable (labile) soil Cd concentration.
Groenenberg et al. [46] used a similar approach, but with nitric acid extractable
metal as a proxy for the reactive metal pool (Mads). They confirmed the
controlling influence of humus content and pH value on free ion activity of Cd,
Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn in over 200 soil solutions from the Netherlands and UK. Broadly
speaking, in most applications of the GPF to large multi-soil datasets, the resulting
models are able to predict Msoln from soil properties (Pi) to within approximately
0.51.0 log10 units.
3.4.3
Mechanistic Models of Metal Adsorption
A wholly rigorous treatment of adsorption reactions is simply not possible because

of the inherent complexity of soils. Thus, when models of metal adsorption are
described as mechanistic this normally means that (i) defined adsorption mechanisms form the operational basis of the model and (ii) the model is thermodynamically
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S.D. Young
consistent in that the masses of all defined species and their associated charges are
conserved and balanced respectively.
Several geochemical models describing metal bonding to organic matter,
Fe/Mn/Al oxides and alumina-silicate clays have been combined to predict equilibrium speciation and fractionation in whole soils (see for example the Visual
MINTEQ site managed by Jon Petter Gustafson [48]). Perhaps the two models
which have been most widely applied are the extended versions of the
Windermere Humic Acid Model (WHAM-VI) and the Non-Ideal Competitive
Adsorption model (NICA-Donnan). Both these models started life as descriptions
of metal binding to humic and fulvic acid in solution and have been extended to
include surface complexation models dealing with exchange reactions on clays and
specific adsorption on Fe/Mn/Al oxides to form the assemblage models SCAMP
(e.g., [68]) and ECOSAT (e.g., [124]) respectively. Crucially, this progression
enables a complete audit of metal speciation in solution and fractionation in the
solid phase. However, the description of metal binding to humus acids probably
remains the most important component of both extended models and, in this
function, they have elements in common. They both recognise that: (i) HA and
FA have two types of group; (ii) there is heterogeneity within each type of group;
(iii) metals may bond to HA and FA through multiple linkages; (iv) HA and FA are
charged molecules, partitioned between solid and solution phases, with nonspecifically adsorbed counter ions. The basic approach of both models is briefly
outlined below.
3.4.3.1
WHAM-VI Model
WHAM-VI [112, 113] has its origins in conventional descriptions of equilibria

between metals and anionic molecules in solution but extended to allow for build
up of electrostatic charge on macromolecules with multiple functional groups.
In WHAM-VI, humic and fulvic acids are assumed to be impenetrable spheres
(radii 1.72 and 0.8 nm) with the functional groups (Hu-COOH and Hu-OH;
Sect. 3.2.1) confined to the surface of an otherwise hydrophobic molecule.
The existence of negative surface charge (Z) on humic acid molecules
(Hu-COO) weakens proton dissociation constants and so the apparent acidity
constant at a given humic charge (KZ) is calculated from an intrinsic dissociation
constant (Ki), which would apply if the humic molecule carried zero surface charge,
modified by an electrostatic interaction factor (w) and the surface charge (Z).
The electrostatic interaction factor (w) is an empirical function (P) of ionic strength
to reflect suppression of the electrostatic field around the charged humic molecule
or colloid at high salt concentrations.
KZ
Hu COO H
Ki exp2wZ; w P logI
Hu COOH
85
Group heterogeneity is incorporated by assuming two types of group (A and B)

which probably, but not explicitly, represent carboxyl and phenolic-hydroxyl
groups. Each group type is subdivided into four and it is assumed that (i) the ratio
of Type A: Type B groups is 2:1 and (ii) each of the four subgroups are equally
represented on the humic molecule. The resulting eight subgroups all have individual intrinsic pKi values. These are calculated from the average intrinsic pK
(pKA or pKB) and a spreading factor to provide group heterogeneity within
type A and B groups, For example, for carboxyl (A) groups:
pKi pKA

2i 5
DpKA
6
Typical parameter values for humic acid are pKA 4.0 and DpKA 1.8 which
would give four carboxyl groups with intrinsic pKi values of 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, 4.9.
Specific sorption of metals is described with analogous intrinsic equilibrium
constants and allowance for electrostatic effects. Metal-specific spreading factors
provide heterogeneity and there is also allowance for mono-, bi- and tri-dentate
bonding between metals and functional groups. Values of intrinsic stability
constants for bidentate (log(Ki,j) and tridentate (logKi,j,k) bonding are expressed
as the sum of the component monodentate constants but with additional terms
(x DLK2 and y DLK2) which extend the heterogeneity caused by multi-site bonding
to allow for high affinity chelate sites. Thus, for tridentate bonding, y is set to 0, 1 or
2 for 90.1%, 9% and 0.9% of the adsorption sites. Considering the large number of
possible sites arising from combinations of groups (e.g., 120 tridentate sites), the
number of sites used in the model is rationalised by restricting bi- and tri-dentate
sites to combinations of dissimilar groups types and utilizing a representative subset (80 sites in total, of which 8 are monodentate).
Finally, metal ions are also bound (weakly) as non-specific counter-ions within
the diffuse double layer around the charged humic molecule. In the WHAM model
this zone is simply described as a discrete Donnan layer, calculated from ionic
strength, and the amount of electrostatically bound trace metals reflects their
relative abundance in the bulk solution and their valence. Normally the ratio of
chemically bound to electrostatically bound trace metals would be high.
3.4.3.2
NICA-Donnan Model
The origins of the NICA-Donnan model are closer to the mathematical descriptions
of adsorption isotherms; the model was derived originally from the LangmuirFreundlich equation (LFE). The NICA model also recognises (two) discrete classes
of group on humic acid but within each class assumes a continuous affinity
distribution of functional groups rather than trying to subdivide into individually
identified groups. The LFE includes provision for site heterogeneity and can be
extended to describe adsorption of multiple species (protons and metal ions).
However, in order to describe the specific adsorption affinity shown by individual
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S.D. Young
metal ions, a further term was introduced. The equation below describes adsorption
of a divalent metal ion (Mads) by humic acid, again with two types of group (A and
B) in which T represents the total concentration of group A or B. The exponent (n)
primarily reflects metal-specific stoichiometry; the ratio nM/nH may be seen as the
average binding stoichiometry of metals to individual groups and so should be <1
although this is not always true for optimised values. The parameter P (01)
describes the heterogeneity of ion affinity and is a characteristic of the molecule
rather than individual metal ions; (M2+) is the free ion activity of the adsorbing
metal species and K is the average affinity constant. The compound term Tj(nM,j)/
(nH,j) reflects the different binding maximum, to group A or B, for individual ions.
Mads
B
X
jA

n
n
Pj !
P
KM; j M2 M; j
KM; j M2 M; j
nM; j
n
Tj
P
n
Pj
P
nH; j
KM; j M2 M; j
1
KM; j M2 M; j
The NICA-Donnan model again includes provision for non-specific metal

adsorption within a diffuse double layer of the charged humic acid molecule.
More detailed descriptions of this widely used model, its applications, and its
extension to (whole soil) assemblage models incorporating the metal oxide binding
model CD-MUSIC can be found in many publications, e.g., [62, 119].
3.4.3.3
Applications of WHAM and NICA-Donnan Models
An obvious, and probably unfair, criticism of these models is that they are datahungry. To work effectively, as a means of predicting speciation in solution and
fractionation in the solid phase, they should ideally be useable in default mode
with input of data from straightforward soil chemical analysis. If users have to
measure or infer a large number of unique soil parameters (specific surface areas,
active humus fractions, intrinsic stability constants etc.) for each application then
their value diminishes. However, when such models are applied to whole soils it is
often found that some fine tuning of model parameters is required. Furthermore, in
comparison with empirical approaches, such as the GPF or regression equations,
mechanistic models may sometimes provide only marginal advantages.
Thus Tipping et al. [114] applied WHAM-VI to 98 upland soils from the UK and
improved the fit by using (optimised) soil-specific values for the active organic
matter (AOM) fraction. Shi et al. [103] also had to optimise the proportion of AOM
when using WHAM-VI to predict Cd adsorption by 14 non-calcareous soils from
the USA. Amery et al. [5] used WHAM as an assemblage model to predict metal
speciation in an arable field site in Belgium and tried to improve estimates of active
lmas et al. [4] applied
fulvic acid in solution by UV-spectroscopic measurement. A
WHAM to Norwegian arable soils contaminated with smelter output and had to
optimise the active fraction of metals in the soil; for arable soils they found that the
results were sensitive to the active Ca concentration in particular. Buekers et al.
87
[18, 19] applied WHAM-VI to 28 soils with widely varying characteristics. Their
prediction of solution speciation was good and the distribution of Cd, Ni, Zn and Cu
in the solid phase showed the expected pH-trend across the range of soils with
Fe oxides deposing organic matter as the principal metal adsorbent at pH > 6.
However, they identified several complications to the application of the model
including possible irreversible fixation of Cu within organic matter, the need to
refine the estimate of reactive metal (using isotopic exchange) and some uncertainty in the specific surface area used for Fe oxides.
Benedetti [14] applied the NICA-Donnan (with CD-MUSIC) model to a woodland soil from France affected by Pb/Zn smelting activity and found good agreement with measured solubility of Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb, following minor changes to
humic-Pb binding parameters. MacDonald and Hendershot [74] applied the NICADonnan model to a study of Canadian forest soils contaminated with smelter output
and had to optimise the active organic matter fraction and the ratio of HA to FA
for each soil. Bonten et al. [17] applied the NICA-Donnan model to a large dataset
from the Netherlands and found disparities in Zn-contaminated soils where the
simple measure of active Zn (0.43 M HNO3 extraction) failed. They also
identified possible problems with the description of Zn binding to metal oxides,
Cd binding constants to humus acids and overestimation of reactive Pb. They
suggested that there may be a possible problem with the additivity principle of
assemblage models where adsorption surfaces (humus, oxides, clays) are considered only as discrete entities and interactions between them are not considered.
3.4.4
Conclusions
Ultimately, mechanistic models of metal adsorption will probably supersede the

simpler approaches outlined in Sects. 3.4.1 and 3.4.2. This will arise partly because
of an increasing awareness of the importance of both fractionation in the solid phase
and speciation in solution to accurately assess mobility, bioavailability and ecotoxicological risk of heavy metals in soil. In future, it will not be sufficient to predict
Msoln to within an order of magnitude from broad empirical relationships, nor, as at
present, to rely on measurement of total soil metal content in risk assessments.
However, key to providing more effective mechanistic assemblage models will be
resolving some important underpinning processes.
3.4.4.1
Single Adsorbents
Aspects still requiring improvement include:

(i) better characterisation of adsorption surface capacity predicting or measuring the reactive surface area of Fe/Mn/Al oxides and the proportion of active
organic matter in both the solid and solution phases;
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S.D. Young
(ii) developing better descriptions of adsorption on alumina-silicate clay edges

and within pillared clays;
(iii) allowing for more complex ion-surface associations within existing surfacecomplexation models, such as ternary complexes in which specifically
adsorbed anions bridge heavy metal associations with (Fe)oxides.
3.4.4.2
Multi-Phase Adsorbents
There is also a need for greater understanding of colloidal-molecular interactions

between the individual metal adsorbents (FA/HA, Fe/Mn/Al oxides and silicate clays).
There is evidence that the aggregate behaviour of organic-mineral assemblages is not
simply additive, due partly to interacting electric field effects [122]; modelling the
resulting effects on metal adsorption is an active research area [125, 126].
3.4.4.3
Reduction and Oxidation Processes
The integration of changing redox conditions into adsorption models has been
neglected in the past, despite a clear qualitative understanding of its importance,
and is likely to feature in future developments [100].
3.4.4.4
The Slow Reaction
Following early work integrating solid phase diffusion processes with surface complexation models [10] there is now the emergence of coupled kinetic-adsorption
models [18, 19, 37, 123].
3.4.4.5
Solution Speciation
Finally, in the solution phase, a greater appreciation of more complex metal

speciation is emerging with evidence of slowly reactive metal in sub-micron
sized particulates [69, 71] which might require a re-assessment of consequences
for mobility and ecotoxicology.
References
1. Ahmed, I. A. M., Young, S. D., & Crout, N. M. J. (2006). Mechanisms of cadmium sorption
and fixation on CaX-Zeolite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 70, 48504861.
2. Ahmed, I. A. M., Crout, N. M. J., & Young, S. D. (2008). Kinetics of Cd sorption, desorption
and fixation by calcite: A long term radiotracer study. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,
72, 14981512.
89
3. Ahmed, I. A. M., Young, S. D., Crout, N. M. J., Mosselmans, J. F. W., & Bailey, E. H. (2009).
Coordination of Cd2+ ions in the internal pore system of zeolite-X: A combined EXAFS and
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soils. Pensacola: Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC).
131. Zhang, S., Li, W., Shan, X.-Q., Lu, A., & Zhou, P. (2005). Effects of low molecular weight
organic anions on the release of arsenite and arsenate from a contaminated soil. Water, Air,
and Soil Pollution, 167, 111122.
Chapter 4
Methods for the Determination of Heavy

Metals and Metalloids in Soils
Christine M. Davidson
Abstract This chapter explores the analytical methods currently available for the
measurement of heavy metal content in soils, ranging from well-established
techniques routinely applied in laboratories worldwide, to newly emerging
approaches, and with emphasis on the need to select strategies that are fit-forpurpose in terms of the information required. Included are guidelines for field
sampling and for the storage of samples and avoidance of contamination. Brief
information is provided on analytical techniques directly applicable to solid
samples including neutron activation analysis, laser-induced breakdown spectrometry and X-ray-based methods. Suitable approaches to sample extraction for different situations are summarised (total digestion, pseudototal digestion, single and
sequential extraction) together with examples of procedures involving hot-plate,
block, bomb, and microwave apparatus. The use of extractants to assess (plant)
bioavailability or (human) bioaccessibility of heavy metals in soils is discussed.
Details are provided of the various types of atomic spectrometry that nowadays
serve as workhorses for trace metal determination in environmental chemistry,
with particular emphasis on their principles, strengths, limitations and applicability.
Included are flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively
coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry. The chapter also provides a brief introduction to the vast
topic of speciation analysis, an area of particular interest for metals that can
occur in different oxidation states e.g. Cr, or that have environmentally important
organometallic forms e.g. Hg. Finally, some recommendations are given on
strategies that researchers should adopt whenever possible to improve the quality
of their analytical data.
C.M. Davidson (*)

Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde,
295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, Scotland G1 1XL, UK
97
98
C.M. Davidson
Keywords Sampling Direct analytical methods Sample pre-treatment

Instrumental analysis Atomic spectrometry Speciation Quality assurance
4.1
Introduction
The determination of heavy metals and metalloids in soil may be carried out for a
variety of reasons. The total element content provides base-line knowledge of soil
composition, with respect to which changes due to natural or anthropogenic processes
can be assessed. Soils from metal-contaminated industrial sites may be analysed for
legislative purposes, to assess risk to human health or the environment, or to monitor the
success of remediation strategies. Agricultural chemists may wish to assess the availability of metals in soils, either as an indicator of potential plant deficiency or toxicity, or
to determine the likelihood of metals entry into the food chain of animals and man.
A potentially bewildering range of analytical techniques and methods now exist
for the determination of heavy metals in soils. However, the most important factor to
consider when deciding which approach to use is What is the purpose of the study?
Knowing the type of information that needs to be obtained, or environmental
question(s) to be answered, will guide the soil analyst towards analytical methods
that are fit-for-purpose. For example, a portable, X-ray based spectrometer that
measures total metal concentrations may be preferred for field analysis of metalrich soil affected by mining waste, but a multi-step chemical extraction procedure,
combined with advanced laboratory instrumentation, is likely to be more suitable for
estimating the fraction of the metal content that will be bioaccessible in the human
gastro-intestinal tract following accidental ingestion of a typical soil.
Many other factors may need to be considered when planning an analytical
strategy including, but not necessarily limited to:
sampling logistics (e.g. site access, sampling regime, safety)

sample preservation, storage and preparation
number(s) of analytes to be measured
concentrations of analytes to be measured
precision and accuracy required
availability of laboratory apparatus and instrumentation
cost of analysis
time required to generate results.
This chapter describes current approaches to the determination of heavy metals

in soils: it outlines their principles; discusses their strengths and limitations;
provides information on their scope and applicability, and highlights some recent
developments and applications.
Information on general [33, 75, 83, 98] and environmental [61, 96, 169] analytical
chemistry can be found in several textbooks whilst detailed guidelines for handling
analytical data are provided in [130]. It is particularly important to distinguish between
accuracy and precision in analysis. Accuracy the closeness of a measurement to the
true value indicates whether there is any systematic error (bias) in a measurement.
4 Methods for the Determination of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils
99
It cannot be assessed for a sample where the analyte concentration is unknown.

However, soil certified reference materials (CRM) of known composition are available commercially. Experienced laboratories will analyse these regularly to ensure
that analytical methods remain under control (see Sect. 4.9).
Precision the closeness of a set of measurements to one another is a measure
of the repeatability of an analysis. It indicates the magnitude of random error
associated with the measurement, and is often expressed as the relative standard
deviation (RSD) of n replicate measurements.
RSD
s
100
x
where s is the standard deviation and x is the mean value.

The existence of random error means that the average of a set of analytical
measurements is unlikely to be exactly equal to the true value. For this reason,
experienced analysts rarely quote a mean value alone. Instead, it is usual to report a
range within which the true value is likely to lie. This is termed the analytical
uncertainty (some texts use the term error). It can be expressed as a confidence
interval or by quoting the mean value the standard deviation.
Analytical techniques also suffer from background noise from various sources.
These can make a signal from the analyte difficult to distinguish from the blank.
The limit of detection (LOD) below which concentrations cannot reliably be
measured (and hence never should be reported) is often estimated by replicate
analysis of a blank or low concentration standard and can be calculated from:
LOD
3sBLANK
s
where s is the standard deviation of 10 replicate measurements

s is the slope of the calibration curve.
Analysts distinguish between the instrumental LOD, the lowest concentration
that can be measured by a technique when the analyte in the required form (usually
in solution) is presented to the instrument, and the procedural LOD, which takes
account of any digestion and dilution steps required to prepare the test portion
for analysis. The LODPROCEDURE can easily be 100 or even 1,000 poorer
(i.e. higher in concentration) than the LODINSTRUMENT.
4.2
Field Sampling
The first stage in the determination of heavy metals in soils is the collection of samples
for analysis. The samples must be representative and collected using a suitable
sampling regime i.e. one designed to match the purpose of the study. Even where
this is the case, sampling can make a large contribution to the overall measurement
uncertainty [69, 104, 163].
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C.M. Davidson
Prevailing
wind
Field sampling
along a zig-zag track
Point
source
e.g. stack
Field sampling on
a regular grid
An example of
hypothesis-guided
sampling
Fig. 4.1 Examples of sampling grids. (a) Field sampling along a zig-zag track. (b) Field sampling
on a regular grid. (c) An example of hypothesis-guided sampling
If the goal is to obtain an average metal concentration, it is common to subdivide

the field or plot (either notionally or physically with marker flags and twine) into
segments (perhaps 2025 segments for an area of 12 ha). A regular grid or herringbone pattern may be used. The vertices of the grid and locations of the sampling
points may be obtained from a map or, nowadays, by use of a hand-held GPS, which
has the advantage that the same sites may be easily revisited and sampled several
times. Sample units are then collected, along a zig-zag path, either from a sampling
point in each of the segments (Fig. 4.1a) or from a selection thereof (e.g. in the UK,
arable soils are typically sampled by taking 25 cores per 5 ha, at 015 cm depth, in a
W-pattern, avoiding any obvious anomalous areas). These are combined to form a
bulk sample, usually containing about 1 kg of field moist soil, although larger
samples may be required for peaty or highly organic soils. Other studies aim to
assess the spatial distribution of metals. In this case a grid may still be used, but one
(or more) sample will usually be taken in each segment (Fig. 4.1b) and analysed
individually, with associated increase in analytical workload and cost. Kriging [123]
may be performed on the data to interpolate concentrations between sampling points.
101
In other situations, prior knowledge about the site under investigation, or the likely
distribution of analytes therein, can be used to inform the sampling strategy. This is
called hypothesis-guided soil sampling [186]. For example, if the aim of a study was
to assess metal deposition onto soil from a point source such as a stack (or chimney),
the sampling grid might be altered or extended to take account of prevailing wind
direction, since contamination may reasonably be expected to be greater, and more
extensive, in the downwind direction (Fig. 4.1c). A particularly challenge exists in
designing sampling strategies appropriate for recently-derelict industrial sites.
Detailed knowledge about the site history may be required e.g. previous locations
of buildings, nature of processes carried out in various areas, types of compounds
used etc.
Sample units are taken to a uniform depth using an auger or corer (or, if these are
unavailable, a spade or trowel). Arable land is usually sampled to the plough depth
(typically 15 or 20 cm) whereas soil under grassland is sampled to a depth of only
7.5 or 10 cm [14]. A variety of sampling depths may be used at contaminated sites:
sometimes surface soils are taken; sometimes trial pits are excavated to >1 m depth
and material which may be made-up ground containing substantial quantities of
materials such as brick, ash and clinker rather than true soil removed from specific
depths or visible layers for analysis.
Samples must be placed in proper containers. Polyethylene bags are suitable for
the determination of most heavy metals, but should not be used if Hg is amongst the
analytes because elemental mercury can pass through polyethylene and be lost or
contaminate nearby samples. Glass bottles with screw-top lids are preferred in this
case. Care must be taken to avoid all sources of contamination [173]. Carbon steel
or aluminium sampling tools are generally preferred to stainless steel since the
latter may incorporate large quantities of metals such as Cr, Mn, Mo and Ni; some
plastics, notably PVC, should be avoided since they may contain trace metals; even
paper towels may cause difficulties if they have been whitened with TiO2 or dyed
with a metal-containing compound. Tools should be rinsed with distilled water, or
wiped clean, between samples.
Each sample must be labelled with a unique sample number, using a permanent
marker, on the outside of the sampling bag (to avoid contamination of the soil with
metal-containing inks). Other relevant details, such as sampling date and location
(obtained from a map or GPS) should be recorded on site. Many organisations use a
standard sampling pro-forma, an example of which is shown in Fig. 4.2. Sampling
soils for trace analysis remains an active topic of research (see e.g. [217]).
4.3
Sample Preservation, Storage and Preparation
On arriving at the laboratory, soil samples are spread out (e.g. on polyethylene
sheets in aluminium trays), aggregates are broken down, and the samples are dried.
Air-drying, or drying at slightly elevated temperature (25 C) is usual. Higher
temperatures may be used in the preparation of reference soils to improve their
long-term stability. The dried soil is then passed through an aluminium or nylon
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C.M. Davidson
SITE SAMPLING RECORD

Name of Sampling
Point
Grid reference (if applicable)
(Map / GPS)
Weather
conditions
Sampler(s)
Date / Time
Sample container /
Sampling method
Types of sample collected

Matrix
Sample Ref.
Grid Ref.
Fig. 4.2 An example of a sampling pro-forma
sieve, usually of 2 mm mesh. Stones and other material >2 mm in diameter are
discarded. The <2 mm (fine earth) fraction is re-bagged and stored until required.
Sub-samples may be ground or milled to smaller particle size (e.g. <150 mm) to
ensure a more homogeneous test portion for direct methods of analysis, or expose a
larger surface area for acid digestion. Representative sub-sampling of the dried soil
can be carried out by coning and quartering or a mechanical riffler may be used.
There is a minimum weight of soil, depending on the heterogeneity and grain size,
that will be representative of the whole sample. Jackson [86] recommended that the
test portion should contain at least 1,000 particles of the sieve opening size.
Assuming a soil density of 1.3 g cm3, this corresponds to about 5 g for samples
passed through a 2 mm sieve or about 0.7 g for samples passed through a 1 mm
sieve. In practice, analysis of a larger test portion, say 20 g for soil sieved to 2 mm
and 23 g for soil sieved to 1 mm, is desirable. Particular care is required when
handling soils intended for speciation analysis to preserve the intrinsic form(s) of
the analyte elements [50, 173, 209].
Contamination with analytes not originally present in the sample is a constant
threat and can occur at any point in the analytical process [82]. The risk becomes
more critical as the concentration to be measured decreases. The laboratory itself
can be a source of heavy metals (used, for example, in some paints and plastics).
Instrumentation for (ultra)trace element analysis such as inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, see Sect. 4.7.5) should ideally be housed in
a separate laboratory, remote from areas used to handle or digest soil samples.
Avoiding the sample coming into contact with apparatus during processing is
clearly impossible, but care should be taken to choose materials unlikely to cause
problems in the particular analysis being undertaken e.g. avoid stainless steel when
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measuring Cr. Milling and grinding can be sources of various trace elements [58].
All glassware should be soaked, preferably overnight, in 5% HNO3 and then rinsed
with distilled water before use. High purity water (at least distilled or deionised)
should be used at all times. Reagents should generally also be of high purity and
should be run as blanks to check for contamination. Different chemical suppliers
use different terms (e.g. Analytical Reagent, AnalaR etc.) for purified reagents and
it is advisable to check the specification in the catalogue to choose the option with
lowest concentrations of the analytes of interest.
4.4
Direct Methods of Analysis
Most methods for heavy metal determination in soils require the analytes to be
presented to the instrument in solution. However there is growing interest in
methods that can be applied directly to solid substrates, especially if these can be
used in the field.
4.4.1
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA)
A sample is placed in a nuclear reactor by a remote-handling system and irradiated

with a known flux of thermal neutrons. Stable isotopes can capture these neutrons
and be transformed into radionuclides. The sample is then removed and the activation products are quantified, usually by g-spectrometry. INAA was the first technique
able to perform non-destructive, multi-element analysis on small (50100 mg)
solid samples with detection limits < 1 mg kg-1 (parts-per-million). Its applications
include high-value samples such as the soils recovered by Apollo astronauts from
the lunar surface [91]. Disadvantages are the requirements for specialist irradiation
facilities and highly-trained personnel, which limit the availability of the technique
to national facilities or workers with access to a local research reactor. Recent
applications include a study of the accumulation of Cr, Fe, Mn and Zn in arable
soils amended with chemical fertiliser and animal manure [143], an investigation of
soils affected by sulphides exploitation [113] and measurement of 16 trace elements
to assess anthropogenic influence on agricultural soils in Argentina [142]. However,
the scarcity of facilities, concerns over nuclear radiation, and improvements in
other analytical techniques mean that the use of INAA is becoming less common.
4.4.2
X-ray Based Techniques
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is a powerful technique for multi-element

analysis. It is relatively insensitive to sample form, essentially non-destructive,
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C.M. Davidson
and able to detect elements with atomic numbers greater than about 8. In XRF,
samples are irradiated with primary X-rays, usually from an X-ray tube or radioactive source. These eject inner electrons from atoms. The energy released when outer
electrons fall into these vacancies is observed as an X-ray fluorescence spectrum;
the wavelengths observed are characteristic of the element(s) present. Two types of
instrument are used: wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) [102,
192] and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) [178, 214]. In WDXRF,
the radiation emitted by the sample is diffracted in different directions and a (Si(Li))
detector is moved to detect X-rays with different wavelengths (alternatively, several detectors at fixed angles may be used). In EDXRF, a single detector is used in
combination with a multi-channel analyser. EDXRF instruments have no moving
parts and hence are cheaper than WDXRF, but WDXRF generally offers superior
resolution. Samples for XRF analysis are ground finely and then either subjected to
fusion, producing a glass for analysis [141], or compressed into pressed powder
pellets [36, 192]. Matrix effects occur in XRF and mathematical corrections must
be applied if accurate results are to be obtained [172].
A key advantage of XRF for measuring heavy metals in soils is the availability
of instruments suitable for use in the field [92]. Portable XRF instruments have been
used to measure As, Cu, Pb and Zn at a former waste site (now a sports ground used
by children) [28] and in soils affected by mining [162]; As, Cu and Cr in soil
polluted by chromated copper arsenate wood preservatives [118], and Cr, Cu, Mn,
Ni, Pb, V and Zn in industrial soil [7]. Results obtained by portable XRF were found
to be broadly similar to those of laboratory-based techniques, but the detection
limits are poorer. The method is therefore most suited for rapid screening of
contaminated sites to identify samples of interest that can then be taken back to
the laboratory for more detailed or confirmatory analysis.
Recent developments in X-ray analysis [220] include total reflection-XRF in
which the incident X-ray beam is directed at the sample surface at such an acute
angle that it is reflected, thus reducing background interference problems caused by
penetration into the bulk [224] and the advent of powerful, synchrotron-based
techniques reviewed recently by Lombi and Susini [112] suitable for direct
measurement, mapping and speciation of heavy metals in soils. Indeed, one of the
first environmental science experiments performed using the new Diamond light
source in the UK was a study of the speciation of Pb and Zn in soil undergoing
remediation with bone meal [136].
4.4.3
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
This is an emerging form of atomic emission spectrometry (see Sect. 4.7.1) applicable to a wide variety of sample types, including solids such as dusts and soils,
with minimal sample preparation [108]. A high powered, pulsed laser (typically a
Nd:YAG at either 1,064 nm or frequency-doubled to 532 nm) is used to ablate the
surface of the sample. This forms a high temperature microplasma in which the
105
Sample observation
(camera or microscope)
mirror
Nd:YAG laser
lens
Carrier gas
in
Dry aerosol to
ICP
Sample in ablation cell
Fig. 4.3 Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
constituents of the ablation plume are atomised, ionised, excited, and then emit light
of characteristic wavelengths. This light is measured after a short delay (around
500 ns) during which the intense broadband emission from the plasma decays.
Comparisons between soil heavy metal concentrations obtained by LIBS and by
other methods suggest that the technique shows promise [27, 188] but further
optimisation and a better understanding of the behaviour of analytes in the plasma
[60], together with improvements in accuracy and LOD [54, 80] are required.
A particular advantage of LIBS, in common with XRF, is the potential to develop
field-portable instruments [34, 73].
4.4.4
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass

Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)
Conventional (solution sample) ICP-MS is described in Sect. 4.7.5. However there

is also considerable current interest in the use of lasers to generate ions for introduction to the plasma. This allows the technique to be applied to a wide variety of solid
samples, including soils, plants and related materials, yielding important information on, for example, the distribution of heavy metals in response to pedogenic
processes [183]. As in XRF, the sample must be finely ground before analysis. The
particle size has a strong influence on the quality of the measurement [88] and use of
<1 mm diameter particles is recommended [9]. The powdered sample is pressed into
a pellet, sometimes with the addition of a binder, and placed in an ablation chamber
(Fig. 4.3). Early workers [11, 16] used aqueous calibrants for LA-ICP-MS. However, nowadays, it is common to prepare matrix-matched standards by spiking soils
with appropriate analytes and internal standards [88, 107].
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C.M. Davidson
Total digestion
Pseudototal digestion
Single extraction
Sequential extraction
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Fig. 4.4 Some approaches to the determination of heavy metals in soils (After [210])
4.4.5
Slurry Sampling
This is an approach that allows solid samples to be analysed by techniques such as

atomic spectrometry that usually require solution samples. In essence, the sample is
ground finely, suspended in a suitable medium, and the resulting slurry is
introduced into the instrument in a similar fashion to solution samples. The method
is particularly useful for refractory samples that are difficult to digest, but great care
must be taken to optimise the sample particle size distribution, stablise the slurry,
and properly calibrate the instrument response [52]. Recent reviews are available
discussing the use of slurry sampling with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) [26], with ICP-based techniques [52, 180], and with hydride
generation [125].
4.5
Sample Digestion and Analyte Extraction
Digestion or leaching to transfer the analytes into solution is a necessity for most
instrumental methods of analysis. The nature of the extractant used to release the
metals from the soil matrix is of vital importance: different reagents liberate metals
from different soil components and hence provide different types of information.
Some approaches to the measurement of heavy metals in soils are summarised in
Fig. 4.4 and discussed in the following sections.
4.5.1
Total Digestion
Total element contents are of interest, for example, in geochemical surveying [135]
and to assess geogenic metal concentrations [97]. Hydrofluoric acid is used for total
digestion of soil samples because it can dissolve silicates. The entire sample is
solubilised and the total metal content released for measurement. Special
precautions are required when handling HF: it cannot be stored or used in glass
107
vessels; fume hoods may have to be specially adapted to avoid corrosive vapours
attacking the components of the ventilation system, and use of appropriate personal
protective equipment (including the provision of calcium gluconate HF antidote
gel) is vital due to the serious nature of HF burns. An oxidising acid such as nitric or
perchloric is often used in combination with HF to aid dissolution of organic matter
and sulphides.
Another approach for total dissolution of soil samples is fusion. Typically, a
small sample (e.g. 0.10.2 g) of ground (<100 mm particle diameter) soil is placed
in a platinum crucible with ~0.8 g of lithium metaborate and heated to around
1,000 C. The sample dissolves in the molten flux. This may be quenched (with
care!) by pouring it into a solution of nitric acid, or the flux may be allowed to cool
and the resultant glass later dissolved in nitric acid. The acid solution is then made
up to a set volume for analysis. The method tends to be reserved for samples
containing refractory minerals e.g. chromite [135] that are difficult to bring into
solution by other means.
4.5.2
Pseudototal Digestion
In pollution studies the goal is often to assess anthropogenic input, or estimate the
maximum amounts of metals that could hypothetically be mobilized and transported in the environment and affect a receptor. Pseudototal (PT) digestion with
mixtures of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide is widely used for
this purpose. Although primary silicates are not dissolved, metals associated with
most other major soil components are liberated.
In a typical PT digestion, a few grams of soil are weighed into a vessel. The soil
is moistened with water and then aqua regia (a mixture of 3 parts HCl to 1 part
HNO3) added. The vessel is allowed to stand overnight, then the temperature is
raised and the contents maintained under reflux for 2 h. After being allowed to cool,
the digest is filtered into a volumetric flask, the residue washed with dilute nitric
acid and the washings combined with the filtrate. Finally, the digest is made up to
the mark with distilled water or dilute HNO3 ready for analysis.
Both total and PT digestions may simply be carried out using beakers topped
with watch glasses (made of PTFE in the case of HF) on a hot-plate placed in a fume
cupboard. The digestion needs to be monitored and extra acid added to compensate
for losses due to evaporation. Further additions of, for example, HNO3 might also
be necessary if the soil had a high organic content. However, many soil laboratories
use more sophisticated apparatus, such as block or bomb digestors, and laboratory
microwave ovens
Aluminium and graphite block digestors are able to extract metals from soils at
controlled temperature. The digestion may be performed in disposable calibrated
vessels that can be placed directly onto the autosampler of, for example, an ICP
instrument, or the sample may be filtered prior to analysis. These digestors offer
savings in time and increased sample throughput for laboratories handling large
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C.M. Davidson
numbers of soil samples, although the fact that each digestion tube can hold only
a few grams of soil may be a limitation for some applications. Tubes are usually
topped with disposable watch glasses. However, specialised, non-disposable tops
can be used to minimise loss of volatile species, for example in the measurement
of Hg.
Bomb digestion, in which a soil sample and appropriate acid mixture are placed
in a sealed vessel made from PTFE, stainless steel or aluminium and heated on a
hotplate or in an oven, is also still popular. Because the vessel is sealed, loss of
volatile species is minimised and there is less opportunity for the sample to become
contaminated. An obvious danger is that, if the vessel exceeds its maximum
operating pressure, it may explode. Bomb digestors should therefore always be
operated exactly according to the manufacturers recommendations.
The use of microwave-assisted sample digestion is now widespread. Microwave
energy is absorbed directly by the solution, rather than there being a delay whilst
heat is transmitted from an external source. Hence, it offers the advantages of speed,
uniform heating of the sample, and contamination avoidance (provided closed
vessels are used). Initially, many soil laboratories used domestic i.e. kitchen
microwave ovens and home-made PTFE digestion vessels. Nowadays, commercial
laboratory microwave apparatus is available. In a typically microwave-assisted PT
digestion, 1 g of soil would be placed in a PTFE digestion vessel, 20 mL of aqua
regia added and, after any initial vigorous reaction has subsided, the vessel would
be placed in the microwave cavity and heated for, perhaps, 20 min. The vessel
would then be removed, allowed to cool, and the contents filtered into a volumetric
flask. Modern commercial microwave digestion systems can digest up to 40
samples simultaneously. The power is controlled by a temperature sensor that
monitors all of the vessels in the cavity. The heating program and acid mixture
can be optimised, for example by analysis of suitable CRM [15, 77, 179].
Several authors have compared digestion methods to determine those most
suited to particular applications e.g. [103, 222]. For calcareous soils, Mico et al.
[129] obtained higher extraction efficiencies, but poorer precision, using an openvessel block digestor than closed-vessels in a microwave system, whilst Marin et al.
[122] discovered significant underestimation of Al in the presence of HF when
comparing microwave digestions with various acid mixtures. For Florida soils,
Chen and Ma [32] obtained recoveries in the order: microwave (aqua regia + HF)
> microwave (aqua regia) > hotplate (aqua regia). Useful general guidelines on
preferred digestion approaches for soils of different composition (organic matter,
carbonate content and closeness of metal concentrations to legislative limits) are
provided by Sastre et al. [182].
4.5.3
Single and Sequential Extraction
There is considerable interest in assessing the fractions of the total metal content
associated with specific soil mineral phases. This information is now beginning
109
to be available through application of direct methods of speciation analysis

(see Sect. 4.8). However, for many years, soil scientists have tried to infer it by
application of selective chemical extractants. Although this approach has produced
much useful information, it is important to be aware that the reagents used are rarely
completely specific. It is therefore often beneficial to consider extractants as
targeting not precise mineral phases, but specific pools or reservoirs of heavy
metals in the soil, each of which will have different solubility, mobility and
potential environmental impact. A selection of approaches and reagents that have
been used to isolate heavy metals associated with different soil phases are discussed
below. Further details and numerous additional examples are available in Ure and
Davidson [210] and in the recent, comprehensive, review by Rao et al. [165].
The soil solution contains the most mobile and readily plant-available species,
including free ions and metals complexed with soluble organic matter and other
ligands. It can be isolated by filtration [156], dialysis [90, 115], centrifugation [197]
or displacement [114]. Metal concentrations are generally low and sensitive analytical techniques such as ICP-MS may be required for quantification. Water-soluble
species may be isolated by water extraction [196] (hot water for boron [41]) or
treatment with a dilute salt solution e.g. 0.01 mol L1 CaCl2 [115].
Exchangeable metals those held by electrostatic interactions on both inorganic
and organic soil components can be liberated by treatment with cations. A variety
of extractants have been recommended, including 0.1 mol L1 Ca(NO3)2 [17],
0.1 mol L1 CaCl2 [187], 1.0 mol L1 NH4NO3 [68] and 1.0 mol L1 Mg(NO3)2
[149]. Use of an acetate salt e.g. 1.0 mol L1 ammonium acetate at pH 7 [12] is
advantageous since acetate can complex the liberated analytes and prevent readsorption [46] but may not be applicable in all soils [164].
Organic matter can be destroyed by treatment with hydrogen peroxide/nitric acid
[149] or sodium pyrophosphate [159], thus liberating any associated heavy metals
into solution for quantification. Alternatively, metals can be extracted by a chelating agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) [159] or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) [164] although neither reagent is entirely phasespecific. Carbonates are susceptible to dissolution in acid e.g. 1.0 mol L1 acetic
acid [12]. Hydroxylammonium chloride can release metals sorbed on manganese
and iron (hydr)oxides, with different concentrations used to target separately the
amorphous and crystalline forms [47]. Tamms reagent (acidified ammonium
oxalate) has, for almost a century, been applied to dissolve iron (hydr)oxides
[215], although some heavy metals, notably lead and cadmium, form insoluble
oxalate species and so may precipitate from solution after extraction [38].
One way to improve the selectivity of soil extraction is to apply not one, but a
series of reagents, in order of increasing vigour. Metals released early in the series
are those more weakly bound to the soil and so have greatest potential mobility.
Sequential chemical extraction can sub-divide the soil metal content into pools,
nominally associated with different mineral phases and which are likely to respond
in different ways to changes in environmental conditions such as pH or redox
potential. A wide variety of sequential extraction procedures have been proposed
since the early work of Tessier et al. [202]. These are summarised in detail in recent
110
C.M. Davidson
Table 4.1 The revised BCR sequential extraction schemea

Reagent
Fraction
Nominal target phase(s)
Step 1
0.11 mol L1 acetic acid
Exchangeable, water Soluble and exchangeable
and acid soluble
cations, and carbonates
Reducible
Iron and manganese oxides
Step 2
0.5 mol L1
hydroxylammonium
chloride at pH 1.5
Organic matter and
Step 3
H2O2 (85 C) then 1.0 mol L1 Oxidisable
ammonium acetate
sulphides
Residual
(Step 4)b Aqua regia
a
For the full protocol, see [167]
b
Although not officially a step in the extraction, it is recommended that the residue from step 3 be
digested with aqua regia and the sum of the fractions compared with results obtained from aqua
regia digestion of a separate test portion of the sample
reviews [63, 165, 177]. Difficulties in comparing results obtained by different

protocols led to the development, under the auspices of the Commission of the
European Communities Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), of a harmonised
three stage extraction [212] which was later modified to improve the dissolution of
iron oxides in step 3 [176]. The revised BCR sequential extraction [167] is outlined
in Table 4.1. A reference material, lake sediment BCR 701, certified for metals
extractable by the procedure, is available.
Sequential extraction has provided considerable insight into the behaviour of
heavy metals in soils. For example, the BCR scheme has recently been applied to
assess potential mobility of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in agricultural soils from
Greece [67]; to investigate the influence of parent material and pedogenic processes
on distribution of heavy metals in soils from Iran [139]; to study temporal changes
in soils contaminated with pyritic sludge and acidic wastewater released by an
opencast mine in Spain [158], and to explore interactions between soil, meltwater
and lakes in Antarctica [119]. The procedure has improved understanding of urban
geochemistry [39, 94] and, when combined with isotopic analysis, shed light on the
transport and mobility of depleted uranium (DU) at weapons testing sites [145]. In
the field of soil remediation, the influence of EDTA on uptake of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb
and Zn by Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) [137] and the potential of the iron
reducing microorganism Desulfuromonas palmitatis as a biostabilisation agent for
chromate contamination [148] have been investigated.
The user of sequential extraction must always be aware of the inherent
limitations of the approach, including potential redistribution of analytes, nonselectivity of reagents, incomplete extraction and formation of artefacts. A critical
review of the field has recently been published [10] that includes the following
general recommendations for use of sequential extraction procedures:
(i) use standard protocols e.g. the BCR extraction, precisely as recommended
(ii) use available quality control measures e.g. mass balance calculations and CRM
(iii) report results in terms of operationally-defined fractions e.g. reducible phase
and not specific minerals e.g. iron oxide bound
111
(iv) present data as absolute concentrations because fractionation patterns can be

misleading
(v) use the approach in comparative studies e.g. soil before and after amendment
(vi) be cautious in drawing inferences about bioavailability in the absence of
corroboratory evidence e.g. results of pot cultivation experiments etc.
4.5.4
Bioavailability and Bioaccessibility
There is increasing interest in the determination of the bioavailable metal content in

soils because, when assessing risk, it is the fraction able to enter and affect the
biological systems of an organism that is of concern, not the total metal content
[150, 184]. Unfortunately, the term bioavailable has different meanings in different
disciplines and, perhaps as a result, it is sometimes used rather non-specifically in
soil literature. It is vital that workers investigating bioavailability should always
make clear the target organism(s), chemical species and exposure route(s) being
considered.
In agriculture, a high proportion of soil analyses are conducted for the purpose of
estimating the levels of essential trace elements that are currently plant-available.
This allows appropriate nutrient management decisions to be made concerning, for
example, whether a particular crop can be grown or whether trace element
deficiencies are likely to occur, in which case soil amendment with chemical
fertilisers may be required. A variety of empirically-derived extraction procedures
have been developed to estimate plant availability of heavy metals (Table 4.2) using
similar reagents to those discussed in Sect. 4.5.3. These can also be used to assess
the suitability, or monitor the progress, of phytoremediation strategies applied to
contaminated land.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that the optimal extraction procedures (i.e.
those providing data most closely correlated to that obtained in pot cultivation
experiments) are specific to particular elements, crops, and even soils types [6, 13,
89, 133, 219]. Takeda et al. [198] compared metal uptake in plants with results of
soil extraction using acids (1.0, 0.1 and 0.01 mol L1 HNO3), a chelating agent
(0.05 mol L1 EDTA), neutral salt solutions (1.0 mol L1 NH4OAc, 1.0 mol L1
NH4NO3, 0.01 mol L1 CaCl2) and water. They found strong correlations only for a
few elements, and only for some of the neutral salt extractions. Both McBride et al.
[127] and Menzies et al. [128] also recommended neutral salt solutions as the best
general purpose soil extractant for the estimation of phytoavailability. Other
workers proposed the Mehlich 3 reagent (a mixture of 0.2 mol L1 acetic acid,
0.25 mol L1 NH4NO3, 0.013 mol L1 HNO3, 0.015 mol L1 NH4F and
0.001 mol L1 EDTA) [132], or a rhizosphere-based method involving extraction
with a mixture of low molecular weight organic acids (acetic, lactic, citric, malic
and formic acids in the molar ratio 4:2:1:1:1 at a combined concentration of
0.01 mol L1) [59]. There is also recent interest in the use of passive sampling
devices based on diffusive gradients in thin films to predict plant uptake [29, 153].
112
C.M. Davidson
Table 4.2 Examples of extractants used to estimate plant-available heavy metals

Extractant
Elements
Plant
Reference
Water
B
Brassica chinensis, Agropyron [225]
elongatum
Water
Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn
Native plants
[218]
Water
As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn
Maize
[87]
Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn
0.005 M DTPAa
elongatum
0.005 M DTPA
Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn
Tomato
[99]
0.005 M DTPA
Cu, Zn
Rice
[228]
0.005 M DTPA
Hg
Rice cabbage radish
[89]
0.005 M DTPA
Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn
Native plants
[218]
0.005 M DTPA
Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Wheat
[18]
Zn
0.01 M acetic acid
Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
0.01 M citric acid
Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
0.01 M oxalic acid
Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
0.01 M tartaric acid Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
0.01 M organic acid Cu, Pb, Zn
Barley
[117]
mixture
As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Potential bioavailability
[207]
0.01 M CaCl2
Pb and Zn
Cd
Oats
[71]
0.01 M CaCl2
0.01 M CaCl2
Cu, Pb, Zn
Barley
[117]
Cu, Pb, Zn
Ryegrass
[4]
0.01 M CaCl2
As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn
Maize
[87]
0.01 M CaCl2
0.05 M EDTA
Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
0.05 M EDTA
Cu, Pb, Zn
Barley
[117]
0.05 M EDTA
As, Ni, Pb
Rubus ulmifolius
[124]
Hg
Rice cabbage radish
[89]
0.1 M CaCl2
0.1 M HCl
Hg
Rice cabbage radish
[89]
0.4 M LiCl
Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb
Various food crops
[53]
Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn
Tomato
[99]
0.5 M Ca(NO3)2
Cu, Pb, Zn
Ryegrass
[4]
0.5 M NH4Ac,
0.5 M acetic acid
0.02 M EDTA
Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
1.0 M MgCl2
Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
1.0 M NH4OAc
Hg
Rice cabbage radish
[89]
1.0 M NH4OAc
1.0 M NH4HCO3
Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn
elongatum
Cu, Ni
Wheat
[219]
1.0 M NH4NO3
Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn
Potential bioavailability
[100]
1.0 M NH4NO3
a
Actually a 0.005 M DTPA, 0.01 M CaCl2 and 0.1 M triethanolamine buffered (pH 7.3) solution
[111]
113
Table 4.3 Examples of physiologically-based extractions used to assess the human bioaccessibility of heavy metals in soils
Procedure
Mouth
Stomach
Intestine
1 [116, 134] n/a
0.4 M glycine at pH 1.5; 1 h
n/a
2 [19, 147,
n/a
Pepsin, citrate, malate, lactic
Stomach + pancreatin,
174, 221]
acid, acetic acid; pH 1.5; 1 h
bile salts; pH 7;
24 h
3 [25]
KCl, NaH2PO4, KSCN, NaCl, NaH2PO4, KCl, CaCl2, NaCl, NaHCO3,
Na2SO4, NaCl,
NH4Cl, HCl, glucose,
KH2PO4, KCl,
NaOH, urea,
gluouronic acid, urea,
MgCl2, HCl, urea,
CaCl2, bovine
amylase, mucin,
glucosaminehydrochloride,
serum albumin,
uric acid; pH 6.5;
bovine serum albumin,
pancreatin, lipase;
15 min
mucin, pepsin;
pH 7.4; 4 h
pH 0.91.0; 1 h
Of increasing recent interest is the estimation of human oral uptake of heavy

metals following ingestion of soil. Ingestion may occur either accidentally, due to
poor hygiene and consumption of inadequately washed foodstuffs, or deliberately
due to geophagia (soil consumption for medicinal or religious purposes) and
pica (an eating disorder in which the sufferer consumes non-food substances).
It is important to distinguish between bioavailability (the fraction of the oral dose
that is absorbed into the systemic circulation [171]) which can only be measured
by blood metal analysis, and bioaccessibility (the fraction that is soluble in the
gastrointestinal environment and thus available for absorption) which can be
estimated in vitro.
A variety of extraction procedures have been developed to simulate conditions in
the human gastro-intestinal tract and thus assess human oral bioaccessibility of
heavy metals in soils [85, 146, 226]. These are performed at 37 C with stirring or
shaking, but differ in complexity, reagents used, duration and number of
compartments simulated. Procedure 1 in Table 4.3, sometimes called the simplified
bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET) method has recently been applied to urban
soils in Sevilla and Torino [116] and to soils from a transect across the United States
and Canada [134]. Procedure 2, derived from the physiologically-based extraction
test (PBET) of Ruby et al. [174] has been used to assess human bioaccesibility of As
in soil with high geogenic concentrations [147] and of As [221] and Pb [19] at sites
affected by mining and ore processing. Procedure 3 is the emerging unified BARGE
(Bioaccessibility Research Group of Europe) method, results of which have
recently been compared with both total As concentrations and As concentrations
in earthworms at sites in the UK [25].
Unfortunately, rather few of the physiologically-based extractions have so far
been validated by comparison with in vivo studies and then only for a limited range
of analytes e.g. the PBET of Ruby et al. has shown correlations with animal models
for As and Pb [174]. Also, similar to sequential chemical extraction in the 1990s,
the approach suffers from limitations, including needs for harmonisation of analytical methods, development of standard protocols and CRMs. These topics are
currently being addressed, for example by the EU BARGE consortium [227].
114
4.6
C.M. Davidson
Analyte Preconcentration and Separation
Matrix components may interfere with the determination of heavy metals in soils, in
which case it may be necessary to separate the analyte(s) from potential interferents
prior to measurement. There are also situations where analytes are present at
concentrations too close to (or below) the LOD of available instrumental
techniques. Preconcentration methods can increase the concentration of analyte in
the solution presented to the instrument, allowing accurate quantification. It is of
course necessary to know the preconcentration factor achieved, so that the original
analyte concentrations can be calculated.
Procedures for the preconcentration of heavy metals in soil extracts and digests
tend to be based on solid phase extraction, co-precipitation, or cloud-point extraction (for recent examples see [23]). In solid phase extraction, a selective sorbent is
prepared by functionalising a supporting medium with chemical moieties able to
complex selectively the metal(s) of interest. The sorbent is packed into a column
and the soil extract passed through. Analytes are retained but interferents are not.
The analytes can then be eluted for analysis. If the volume of eluant used is smaller
than the volume of extract originally loaded, then preconcentration will be
achieved. An alternative approach is to add the complexing agent to the soil extract,
rather than functionalise the sorbent. Co-precipitation procedures involve the
trapping of analytes (or interferents) on a solid carrier. In cloud point extraction a
surfactant is added to the soil extract, together with a selective chelating agent.
Under appropriate conditions, the mixture partitions into a surfactant-rich phase, in
which the metal complexes are concentrated, and a dilute aqueous phase [42].
4.7
Instrumental Techniques for Measurement of Heavy Metals
Most techniques for measuring heavy metals in soils require the sample to be
dissolved or leached to produce a solution for analysis and the instrument to be
calibrated with a series of standard solutions of known concentration. These often
can be prepared in dilute acid solution e.g. 5% HNO3. However, in some analyses,
the presence of extractant reagents alters the response of the instrument (Fig. 4.5a).
In this case, calibrants must be reagent-matched. In other situations, components of
the soil matrix, co-extracted with the analytes, may interfere in the analysis.
Reagent-matching will not overcome this type of interference; instead it is necessary to matrix-match the standard solutions (i.e. they should contain all the same
components as the soil extract, but no analyte). Since this is rarely possible, analysis
is instead performed by the method of standard addition (Fig. 4.5b). Known
concentrations of analyte are added to aliquots of the soil extract. The graph
obtained is extrapolated and the (positive value of the) point where it crosses the
x-axis is the analyte concentration in the extract.
b
0.5
0.5
Standards in
dilute acid
0.4
0.3
0.2
Standards in
extractant
0.1
0
0
Concentration (arbitrary units)
Response (arbitrary units)
Response (arbitrary units)
115
0.4
0.3
Standard additions
to soil extract
or digest
0.2
0.1
0
-2
-0.1
Concentration (arbitrary units)
Fig. 4.5 Calibration in atomic spectrometry (a) a suppressive interference caused by the
extractant matrix (b) calibration by standard addition
4.7.1
Atomic Spectrometry
Atomic spectrometry involves measurement of the electromagnetic radiation

absorbed or emitted by free atoms when their valence electrons undergo transitions
between atomic energy levels [45, 106]. In atomic absorption, energy is transferred
from a photon to an atom, causing an electron to be promoted to an excited state. In
atomic emission, electrons in an excited state de-excite and their excess energy is
emitted as photons. The number of atoms with electrons in higher energy levels
increases with temperature, and so spectroscopic techniques involving atomic
absorption tend to be conducted in the (relatively) low temperature environment
of a combustion flame, whereas emission techniques require higher temperatures
such as those available in plasmas. Because different types of atom have different
electronic configurations, each element absorbs and emits light at characteristic
wavelengths. The amount of light absorbed or emitted is proportional to the
concentration of analyte present.
4.7.2
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS)
A typical atomic absorption spectrometer consists of a light source to supply

photons, an atom cell to create free analyte atoms, a monochromator to isolate
the wavelength of interest, and a photo-multiplier tube detector (Fig. 4.6). The light
source is usually a hollow cathode lamp (HCL) (Fig. 4.7) although electrodeless
discharge lamps (EDL) are also used. In an HCL, the cathode is made from, or
coated with, the analyte element. A voltage is applied between anode and cathode,
producing an electrical discharge in the fill gas (typically neon or argon at 15 torr).
Noble gas ions are accelerated towards the cathode where they cause sputtering.
When excited atoms removed from the surface de-excite, a line emission spectrum
116
C.M. Davidson
D
A
A
B
C
D
E
Hollow cathode lamp

Atom cell (flame or furnace)
Monochromator
Photomultiplier tube
Read-out and control system
Fig. 4.6 Schematic diagram of an atomic absorption spectrometer

Fig. 4.7 Schematic diagram
of a hollow cathode lamp
B
C
A
A
B
C
D
Connectors (sometimes manufacturer-specific)

Anode
Hollow cathode
End window
characteristic of the cathode element is produced. This light is directed through the
atom cell, where it can be absorbed by analyte atoms. Spectral lines are broadened
relative to natural widths by the Doppler effect (related to temperature) and
collisional effects (related to temperature and pressure). Since the hollow cathode
lamp operates at lower pressure and temperature than typical atomisers, the emission linewidth from the lamp is narrower than the analyte absorption profile in the
atom cell. Hence, all of the light can be absorbed.
FAAS is widely used for determining heavy metals in soils. The atom cell is a
combustion flame. The most common type is the air-acetylene flame (T ~2,200 C).
Air and fuel are pre-mixed in a spray chamber and then flow past a nebuliser
(a narrow metal tube connected to a plastic tube, which draws the sample up at a
rate of about 5 mL min1). A proportion (<10%) of the aerosol generated that part
containing the smallest, most uniformly-sized droplets is swept into the base of
the burner and aspirated into the flame. At least a few milliliter of sample solution
are required to perform a measurement, although this can be reduced by the use of
pulse nebulisation.
An alternative flame uses nitrous oxide-acetylene (T ~ 2,900 C). This provides
better atomisation efficiencies but is less safe because of the higher burning velocity
hence a shorter burner head is used (5 cm cf. 10 cm for air-acetylene) and also gives
out a more intense background emission spectrum. Its use tends to be reserved for
elements that are difficult to atomise with air-acetylene due to formation of thermally
stable oxides, such as Al and Mo. Whichever flame is used, the conditions (fuel flow
and burner height) have to be optimised for each analyte (and for different reagent
matrices) to maximise the atomisation efficiency.
117
FAAS is subject to spectral, physical and chemical interference effects that can
lead to inaccurate results being obtained. Spectral line overlap occurs if matrix
components such as other metals absorb light at the same wavelength as the analyte.
Fortunately this type of interference is rare because HCL line widths are narrow.
If necessary, it can be overcome be chemical separation of analyte and interferent prior to analysis (although this may be time-consuming) or by conducting
the measurement at a different analyte wavelength (although this may reduce
sensitivity). Interference due to flame emission the release of light over a range
of wavelengths by the hot gases present can be overcome by modulating the light
from the HCL and using a detector that can discriminate between a steady-state and
a pulsed signal. Molecular absorption and scattering of light by particles in the
flame also occur. These are overcome in commercial AAS instruments by incorporating a background correction system, based on the Zeeman effect or, more
usually, a continuum light source such as a deuterium lamp. If the light beams from
the D2 source and the HCL follow exactly the same path through the flame, and
each is modulated at a different frequency so that they can be detected individually,
then the signal from the HCL represents atomic absorption plus non-specific
absorption, whilst the signal from the continuum lamp effectively represents only
non-specific absorption. By subtracting one from the other, the corrected absorbance is obtained.
Physical interference effects can arise if the sample and standard solutions are
dissimilar in their viscosity or surface tension, and hence are aspirated at different
rates. This can usually be overcome by reagent-matching. Chemical interferences
can disturb equilibria between analyte molecules and atoms, or between atoms and
ions, altering the atomisation efficiency in the sample solution relative to the
standard solution (where no matrix is present). Where matrix components form
stable compounds with the analyte, fewer atoms are produced (a suppressive
interference effect). This may be overcome by addition of a reagent that preferentially binds to the interferent, leaving the analyte free to atomise. The atomisation of
Group 1 and Group 2 metals can be affected by the presence of other easily-ionised
elements in the sample matrix. If the equilibrium between interferent atoms and
ions is strongly in favour of ions, the electrons liberated during ionisation of the
interferents will suppress ionisation of the analyte (an enhancing interference
effect). Addition of a large excess of a very easily ionised element such as caesium
(Cs) to both samples and standards usually overcomes this problem. The analyte
can also become physically trapped within particles. Reagents are available, e.g.
ammonium chloride and EDTA, that can combat this type of interference effect.
FAAS is a mature analytical technique but still widely applied. It has recently
been used to assess the uptake of heavy metals from soil into coffee [49], corn [95],
medicinal plants [168] and grapes [204]. The environmental impact of a tannery
[200] and a Zn smelter [203] have been assessed, and general differences in metal
concentrations in industrial, rural and urban soils studied [229]. One notable recent
analytical development is high resolution continuum source FAAS. Although not
yet widely used, the technique has provided promising results for the measurement
of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in 0.005 mol L1 DTPA extracts of agricultural and reference
soils [166].
118
C.M. Davidson
Table 4.4 Typical ETAAS heating programmesa

Temp. ( C) Temp. ( C)
Stage
Cd
Cr
Duration (s)
Dry
110
110
30
Pyrolyse 700
1,650
20
Atomise 1,600
2,500
3
Clean
2,650
2,650
2
Ramp rate
( C s1)
20
2,000
>2,000
>2,000
Purpose
Remove solvent e.g. water
Remove matrix
Generate free analyte atoms
Remove residue ready for
next sample injection
Adapted from [168]
Limits of detection in FAAS are limited to the region of parts-per-million

because of the relative inefficiency of sample introduction by pneumatic
nebulisation, combined with the short residence time of analyte atoms in the HCL
beam and their dilution by the large excess of flame gases present.
4.7.3
Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS)
In ETAAS the flame is replaced by an electrically-heated graphite tube atomiser,

roughly 3 cm in length and <1 cm in diameter. A small aliquot of analyte solution
e.g. 20 mL is pipetted into the tube through a dosing hole in the top and a step-wise
heating programme is applied to create analyte atoms. The HCL beam passes along
the axis of the tube. Limits of detection are improved greatly relative to FAAS
(to around parts-per-billion levels) because the atoms are confined, but chemical
interferences are severe, as are memory effects, although the latter can be reduced
by use of low permeability, chemically resistant pyrolytic graphite.
The heating programme has to be optimised for each analysis, the goal being to
remove as much as possible of the (potentially interfering) sample matrix, but retain
the analyte until atomisation.
Examples of furnace programs for measurement of contrasting elements (Cd and
Cr) in acid digests are shown in Table 4.4. An inert gas such as N2 is flowed around and
through the furnace, except during atomisation, to protect the tube from combustion
and help carry away volatile material. A typical graphite tube might endure several
hundred firings before it has to be replaced, but tube lifetime will be reduced
substantially if high temperatures are used, or if the sample matrix is corrosive.
Even with an optimised heating cycle, interferences may still persist, notably the
formation of volatile analyte species that can be lost during ashing, or of refractory
analyte species that do not atomise efficiently. ETAAS is particularly prone to
chloride interferences, and these commonly occur when analysing HCl soil digest
or CaCl2 soil extracts. A large variety of matrix modifiers reagents that are added
to the furnace together with the sample to improve atomisation have been developed to overcome interferences in ETAAS. Examples include ammonium nitrate,
magnesium nitrate, and palladium nitrate. Another common approach is to delay the
atomisation of the sample until the gas within the tube has reached a higher
temperature by depositing it not on the tube wall but onto a small graphite platform
119
(called a Lvov platform after its inventor). Further details of interference effects
in ETAAS and methods by which these may be overcome can be found in [106].
Nowadays, ETAAS tends to be used in studies where a single element, present at
relatively low concentration in soil, is of interest because of its toxicity (recent
examples have focussed on Cd [154], Cr [62] and Sb [43]); for the detection
of specific chemical species [37], or where ICP-MS is unavailable [31]. A key
limitation of both ETAAS and FAAS is that the vast majority of HCLs commercially available contain a single element. This means that atomic absorption
spectrometry can measure only one analyte at a time. Whilst there are many
situations where only one (or few) heavy metals are of interest, many studies
require multi-element analysis.
4.7.4
Inductively-Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission

Spectrometry (ICP-AES)
Flame atomic emission spectrometry is still used for some specific applications,
notably the determination of major cations in soils [168]. The instrumentation is
similar to FAAS, except than no HCL is required. However, for most analyses, it
has been supplanted by ICP-AES.
Plasma is gas in which a high proportion of the atoms and molecules present
have been ionised. Most commercial ICP-AES instrument use an argon plasma
operating at a power of 0.51.5 kW and a frequency of 27 or 40 MHz. The
temperature in the plasma is in the range 7,00010,000 K (different regions have
different temperatures). Hence, there is ample energy available to atomise, excite
and even ionise most heavy metals. The argon ICP is formed in a specially designed
torch, made of three concentric quartz tubes surrounded by a water-cooled, copper,
radio frequency coil (Fig. 4.8). Three streams of argon are supplied. The inner or
carrier gas transports the sample aerosol to the ICP, whilst the outer gas helps shape
the plasma and prevents it from melting the torch. When radiofrequency energy is
supplied to the coil an intense magnetic field is created. Seed electrons generated by
a spark from a Tesla coil are accelerated by the field and collide with argon atoms,
producing a self-sustaining plasma. The carrier gas punches a hole through the
centre of the plasma, giving it a characteristic toroidal shape. Because of the
intensity of background spectral emission from the core of the plasma, analytical
measurements are usually made in the tail plume, 12 cm above the load coil. Even
so, significant levels of background emission can reach the detector and so there are
significant advantages in viewing the plasma axially, rather than from the side [20].
Soil digests and extracts are introduced to the ICP in a similar way to FAAS.
Hence similar physical interference effects can occur. Also as in FAAS, the
majority of the sample goes to waste, with just a few percent reaching the plasma.
A variety of designs of spray chamber and nebuliser are available [189, 190].
Most routine analysis uses pneumatic or cross-flow nebulisers, but there are also
ultrasonic nebulisers (which can increase the proportion of sample entering the
120
Fig. 4.8 Schematic diagram
of an inductively coupled
plasma torch
C.M. Davidson
Tail plume
Spark source
Load coil and

magnetic field
Tangential outer
gas flow
Carrier gas and

sample introduction
plasma, and hence the sensitivity) and high-solids nebulisers. Chemical interferences are effectively eliminated because the energy of the plasma is so much greater
than that of a flame that even elements forming refractory oxides are atomised
efficiently. In contrast, spectral line overlap is a considerably bigger problem in
ICP-AES than in FAAS because the higher temperature environment means that
virtually all the elements present in the plasma will have atoms (and ions) in several
excited states. When these de-excite a complex spectrum, rich in emission lines, is
produced. Separation of the wavelength(s) of interest requires a higher resolution
monochromator than in AAS. Echelle spectrometers are most common. These contain
two dispersive elements, a grating and a prism. The echelle grating separates light in
one direction and the prism in a perpendicular direction. The two-dimensional spectrum produced i.e. a series of short regions of the spectrum, stacked above on another,
is focussed onto a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector.
Key advantages of ICP-AES over atomic absorption techniques are the wide
dynamic range (several orders of magnitude) and ability to perform multi-element
analysis. This means that it is often feasible simultaneously to measure major and
trace elements. Since the last edition of this book [3] ICP-AES has become
probably the most widely used spectroscopic technique for measuring heavy metals
in soils, plants and related materials. Examples of recent applications include
the measurement of Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Ti in urban topsoils [144];
of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in roadside soils [55]; of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in
soils affected by nonferrous metal mining [109] and of Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni,
Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn in peat cores [84]. The technique has also been used to provide
insight into phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil using, for example,
121
vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanoides) [8] and to study the input of heavy metals to
soil from application of fertilizers [131].
The main limitation of ICP-AES is that the LOD achievable typically partsper-million levels or a little lower are insufficient for some applications. For
example, when measuring phytoavailability by application of a neutral salt solution
to a relatively uncontaminated soil, the concentrations of heavy metal released may
be too low for accurate measurement. This problem can be overcome by coupling
the ICP to a mass spectrometer.
4.7.5
Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
ICP-MS is the newest atomic spectrometry technique to become widely applied in

soil analysis. Relatively rare 20 years ago because of high instrument cost and the
need for a specialist, skilled operator, it is now frequently used in multi-element
studies of heavy metal distribution in relation to potential pollution sources e.g.
[121, 151, 233] and in work focused on trace element uptake by plants [181] or
biogeochemical cycling [194].
The ICP is the same as that in AES but, instead of measuring light emitted, the
ions generated in the plasma are directed into a quadrupole mass analyser (typically
capable of unit mass resolution i.e. discrimination of m from m 1 or m + 1). One
of the major challenges in developing ICP-MS was extracting ions from the hot,
dense plasma into the high vacuum environment of the mass analyser. Modern
instrument interfaces use two, water-cooled nickel or platinum cones for this
purpose (Fig. 4.9). The first cone is positioned in the tail plume of the plasma and
allows an expanding jet of material to pass through its ~1.0 mm orifice into an
intermediate vacuum region. The second, skimmer, cone sub-samples this jet,
allowing a small proportion of the ions into a higher vacuum region where they are
accelerated into the quadrupole.
ICP-MS has LOD similar to those of ETAAS (parts-per-billion or lower) but the
capability to perform multi-element and isotopic analysis. Common interferences
include deposition of solid material at the tip of the cones, especially when analysing
sample solutions containing high concentrations of dissolved solids. This can be
overcome by sample dilution, but with a concomitant reduction in LOD. More
important are the occurrence of isobaric interference (e.g. that of 40Ar on the measurement of 40Ca) and of polyatomic ions from the plasma or sample matrix at the same
mass to charge ratio as the analyte ion. These can sometimes be removed by changing
the sample preparation procedure e.g. the interference of ArCl+ on As+ at m/z 75
may be avoided by use of nitric acid rather than aqua regia in soil digestion,
but interferences arising from the plasma itself are more difficult to overcome
e.g. that of Ar2+ on Se+ at m/z 80. One option is to use a different analyte isotope for
quantification, but this will lead to a reduction in sensitivity if the relative abundance is
lower than that of the original isotope, and it is impossible for mono-isotopic elements
such as As. The newest generation of commercial ICP-MS instruments incorporate
devices to overcome polyatomic ion interference. Different manufacturers approach
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C.M. Davidson
Expanding jet of gas
Carrier gas
and
sample
Sampler cone
Skimmer cone
Ions
Ion lens
ICP torch
Vacuum
pump
High vacuum
pump
Fig. 4.9 Schematic diagram of an ICP-MS interface
the problem slightly differently. Options include the breaking-up of the interfering
ions into their component atoms, altering their mass through reaction with reagent gas
(e.g. H2) or changing their energy through collisions with inert species (e.g. He).
The overall effect is to free the analyte ion for detection.
An alternative approach is to replace the quadrupole mass analyser with a
magnetic sector. Sector field-ICP-MS offers many analytical advantages, including
excellent mass resolution [101] indeed the technique is sometimes called high
resolution-ICP-MS but significantly increases the cost of the instrument. It tends
therefore to be used for rather specialist applications such as the accurate measurement of stable isotope ratios [157, 193].
There is considerable interest in the development and use of various sample
introduction systems for ICP-MS and/or ICP-AES. Approaches currently being
explored include electrothermal vaporisation [79, 170, 206], laser ablation (see
Sect. 4.4.4) and the direct coupling of chromatography with ICP-MS [81] for
speciation analysis (see Sect. 4.8).
4.7.6
Other Types of Atomic Spectrometry
Hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) is applicable to

the elements As, Bi, Ge, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and Te, all of which form volatile hydrides
on reduction with sodium borohydride in acid media. The hydrides are swept into
an atom cell where they are decomposed to atomic vapour. The cell is usually a
quartz glass tube. It may be electrically heated or placed in the flame of an FAAS
instrument. The main advantage of hydride generation methods is increased sensitivity relative to conventional solution nebulisation. A limitation is that the technique
123
suffers from chemical interference effects, especially due to the presence of transition
metals such as nickel, which can affect the hydride generation efficiency in solution.
Recent applications include the measurement of Pb in soil digests [120] and several
studies involving sequential extraction of Se [21, 110]. Petrov et al. [155] recently
described an optimised method for As speciation in EDTA extracts of soil and
sediment by continuous flow-HGAAS.
Cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) is used to measure Hg in
soil [211]. Monatomic elemental Hg vapour is generated from sample extracts or
digests by reduction, usually with tin(II) chloride, and swept into the light beam
from a hollow cathode lamp. No heating of the atom cell is required. Sensitivity can
be improved by preconcentration on gold amalgam [70]. CVAAS methods are
available to allow separate measurement of inorganic and organic Hg species [205].
In atomic fluorescence electrons are promoted by photons and the light emitted
when they return to their ground states (fluoresce) is measured. In atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) a plasma source may be used to atomise the sample, but
excitation of the atoms is brought about by an element-specific EDL or by a tunable
laser [64, 223]. AFS is potentially a powerful analytical technique, combining some
of the advantages of AAS and AES. However, current applications are relatively
limited, tending to focus on the measurement or speciation of hydride-forming
elements such as As [48, 175, 231], Sb [43] and Se [232] or on the determination of
Hg by cold vapour AFS [66, 78].
4.7.7
Other Analytical Techniques
Although the measurement of heavy metals in soils is dominated by atomic (and

elemental mass) spectrometry, other techniques are used. There are developments
and applications of capillary electrophoresis [2, 65, 213], ion chromatography
[191], ion-selective electrodes [44] and stripping voltammetry [1]. Electroanalytical instruments can be made that are capable of rapid, sensitive, selective analysis
[56, 72] and there is strong interest in developing hand-held systems e.g. for field
speciation of As [126].
4.8
Speciation and Speciation Analysis
Speciation refers to the chemical form of an analyte e.g., its oxidations state, the
atoms or molecules it is bound to, or mineral phases with which it is associated. Ure
[208] subdivided speciation into three classes:
(i) classical speciation, where a specified chemical form is considered e.g., CrIII
vs. CrVI or inorganic mercury vs. monomethylmercury
(ii) functional speciation, where species are defined by their role e.g., plantavailable species
124
C.M. Davidson
(iii) operational speciation, where species are defined by the reagents used to
extract them e.g., 0.05 mol L1 EDTA-soluble species, or metals released by
a sequential extraction.
More recently, IUPAC adopted a narrower definition [201] similar to the classical speciation of Ure. This latter definition is the one used in this chapter.
Speciation is a key factor influencing the mobility, fate, bioavailability and
toxicity of heavy metals in soils. Potentially toxic elements for which speciation is
currently of particular interest include As, Cr, Hg, Pb, Sb, Se and Sn, many of which
form environmentally-important organometallic species. Speciation analysis (measurement of the kinds and amount of heavy metal species present) is an extremely
challenging, but rapidly expanding, area of analytical science [35, 57, 74].
As noted in 4.4.2, direct speciation analysis of metals and metalloids in soils is
now possible with synchrotron-based X-ray techniques. In recent examples,
extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy has been used to
measure Pb species in soil and assess the effectiveness of phosphate-induced
immobilisation [76], whilst X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES)
revealed information on the mechanism of transport of Cu and Mn across the
soil/root interface [140] and on transformation of CrVI to CrIII in soil [93]. Voegelin
et al. [216] used several X-ray techniques to study As in riparian floodplan soils.
Synchrotron micro-XRF showed the distribution of As closely matched that of Fe in
the vicinity of plant roots; XANES showed the As was mainly present as AsV, and
EXAFS confirmed an association between As and iron (oxy)hydroxide species. A
similar association of SbV with iron minerals was found in soil from a shooting
range in Switzerland [185].
Other approaches for speciation of heavy metals in soils are based around the
coupling of chromatographic separation methods to element-specific detectors such
as ICP-MS. Great care must be taken during sample pretreatment since there is
considerable danger of altering the original speciation, in which case the results
obtained will lose their environmental relevance.
Size exclusion chromatography-ICP-MS has revealed associations between
heavy metals and different forms of dissolved organic matter in soil solution
[199] and leachates [105]. Analysis by high performance liquid chromatographyICP-MS showed that little of the Hg present in a contaminated soil was present in
the soil solution and available for plant uptake [30]. Measurement of methylated
species of As, Sb and Sn in urban soils by hydride generation gas chromatography
followed by ICP-MS has improved understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of
these elements [51].
4.9
Quality Assurance
Laboratories involved in the determination of heavy metals in soils, whether for

regulatory or research purposes, should regularly monitor the quality of their
analyses [5]. A range of approaches are available. At the very least, appropriate
125
blanks should be analysed (both reagent and procedural blanks) to check for
contamination, whilst analysis of replicate test portions will provide an indication
of the repeatability and precisions of measurement.
A Certified Reference Material (CRM) is a soil or other material in which one
or more metal concentrations have been firmly established, through analysis by
several laboratories using a range of analytical techniques. Results are subject to
keen scrutiny and only those in which there is a high degree of confidence are
accepted as certified values [160, 161]. CRMs are prepared and issued by agencies
such as NIST in the USA and JRC-Ispra in Europe [138]. They are available for a
variety of soil types and analytes (see Table 4.5). When using a CRM, it is
important to select one as similar as possible in composition to the samples and
certified for the type of extraction being performed. CRMs can be used to assess
the accuracy of a new analytical method or instrument, to establish whether
results of an established method are under control, and as an aid in training or
monitoring the competence of staff. Limitations of CRMs include their high cost
and the fact that they are available for a restricted range of soil types, analytes and
extraction procedures. As a consequence, many laboratories prepare their own, inhouse, reference materials (RM). These are soils, often with characteristics
relevant to a particular study (e.g. urban soils [40]) which are obtained,
homogenised, stabilised (e.g. by heat treatment) and their heavy metal contents
established by analysis of replicate test-portions in parallel with CRM and, if
possible, by more than one laboratory. The RM can then be incorporated into all
batches of analysis and control charts plotted to monitor the long-term reproducibility of the analytical method, whilst the CRM is included only periodically to
ensure accuracy is maintained.
Another way in which trace metal laboratories can assess their competence is to
participate in inter-comparison exercises (also called proficiency tests) [152, 230].
These are organised by various national and international bodies and involve the
distribution for analysis of test samples whose composition is usually known to the
organisers but not to the recipients. Alternatively, laboratories working together
may elect to exchange check-samples for analysis [40]. Proficiency tests are
particularly useful in identifying bias in particular laboratories or methods.
Inter-laboratory harmonisation can also be enhanced by using standard analytical methods [22], especially those recommended by national bodies such as the
USEPA (United States), BSI (UK) and DIN (Germany), and by the International
Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Advantages of these are that they are
well-established and thoroughly tested methods, and hence results obtained by
different laboratories should be comparable. A disadvantage is that it takes a
considerable amount of time and discussion for the international soil science
community to agree on a standard method. Hence, their availability tends to lag
behind advances in analytical science. A selection of current ISO methods
relevant to the measurement of heavy metals in soils is provided in Table 4.6.
However, new guidelines are continually being produced. For the most up-to-date
list, the reader is directed to the ISO website, www.iso.org/iso/home.htm
Total
Montana I Soil (highly contaminated)
Montana II Soil (slightly contaminated)
Soil contaminated with Pb from paint

Soil contaminated with Pb from paint
Hexavalent chromium in soil
Rocky Flats soil number 2

Light sandy soil
SRM 2710a
SRM 2711a
SRM 2586
SRM 2587
SRM 2701
SRM 4353
BCR-142R
Analytesa
Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P,
Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Zn
Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg,
Mn, Na, P, Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, Ti, U, Zn
Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K,
Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Sb, Sm, Sr, Ti,
U, V, Zn
As, Cd, Cr, Pb (nominally 500 mg kg1 Pb)
As, Cd, Cr, Pb (nominally 3,000 mg kg1 Pb)
Total Cr, Fe, Mn; method 3060 extractable
Cr(VI);
Radionuclides
Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn
Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn
Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn
Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn
Ce, Dy, Gd, La, Nd, Sc, Sm, Tb, Th, Tm, U, Yb
Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn
Total
Total
Aqua regia
BCR-143R
Sewage sludge amended soil
Total
Aqua regia
ERM-CC690
Calcareous soil
Total
BCR-483
Sewage sludge amended soil
EDTA, acetic acid, calcium chloride,
sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate
BCR-484
Sewage sludge amended (terra rossa) soil
EDTA, acetic acid
Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn
BCR-700
Organic-rich soil
EDTA, acetic acid
Lake sediment
BCR sequential extraction
BCR-701b
a
Not all analytes are certified some may have indicative values only and so it is advisable to check with the supplier before purchasing a CRM
b
Although not a soil, this is the only CRM available certified for metals extractable by sequential extraction and so is often used by soil trace metal laboratories
Total
Total
Total and EPA method 3060A
Total
Extraction
Total
Table 4.5 A selection of soil certified reference materials

CRM
Material
SRM 2709a
San Joaquin soil (uncontaminated)
126
C.M. Davidson
127
Table 4.6 A selection of ISO methods relevant to heavy metals in soil

Method
Title
ISO 103811:2002
Soil quality Sampling Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling
programmes
ISO 103812:2002
Soil quality Sampling Part 2: Guidance on sampling techniques
ISO 103813:2001
Soil quality Sampling Part 3: Guidance on safety
ISO 103814:2003
Soil quality Sampling Part 4: Guidance on the procedure for the
investigation of natural, near-natural and cultivated sites
ISO 103815:2005
Soil quality Sampling Part 5: Guidance on the procedure for the
investigation of urban and industrial sites with regard to soil
contamination
ISO 11047:1998
Soil quality Determination of Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni and Zn Flame
and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric methods
ISO 11464:2006
Soil quality Pretreatment of samples for physico-chemical analysis
ISO 11466:1995
Soil quality Extraction of trace elements soluble in aqua regia
ISO 148691:2001
Soil quality Dissolution for the determination of total element content
Part 1: Dissolution with hydrofluoric and perchloric acids
ISO 148692:2002
Soil quality Dissolution for the determination of total element content
Part 2: Dissolution by alkaline fusion
ISO 14870:2001
Soil quality Extraction of trace elements by buffered DTPA solution
ISO 15903:2002
Soil quality Format for recording soil and site information
ISO 16772:2004
Soil quality Determination of Hg in aqua regia soil extracts with coldvapour atomic spectrometry or cold-vapour atomic fluorescence
spectrometry
ISO/TS 17924:2007 Soil quality Assessment of human exposure from ingestion of soil and
soil material Guidance on the application and selection of
physiologically based extraction methods for the estimation of the
human bioaccessibility/bioavailability of metals in soils
ISO 18512:2007
Soil quality Guidance on long and short term storage of soil samples
ISO 19730:2008
Soil quality Extraction of trace elements from soil using ammonium
nitrate solution
ISO 20279:2005
Soil quality Extraction of Tl and determination by electrothermal atomic
absorption spectrometry
ISO 20280:2007
Soil quality Determination of As, Sb and Se in aqua regia soil extracts
with electrothermal or hydride generation atomic absorption
spectrometry
ISO 22036:2008
Soil quality Determination of trace elements in extracts of soil by
inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES)
ISO 23909:2008
Soil quality Preparation of laboratory samples from larger samples
ISO 25177:2008
Soil quality Field soil description
Finally, laboratories conducting commercial soil analysis for regulatory, legislative or forensic purposes may seek accreditation of their analytical procedures
from relevant national bodies e.g. the United Kingdom Accreditation Service
(UKAS) for British laboratories. UKAS accredited laboratories must demonstrate
high levels of analytical traceability and pass rigorous inspection visits by teams of
expert assessors.
128
C.M. Davidson
Table 4.7 Key characteristics of some atomic spectrometry techniques

Single or multiSample
Portable version
Technique
element analysis
form
available
Relative cost to purchase
INAA
Multi
Any
No
XRF
Multi
Solid
Yes
High (for a lab based
instrument)
LIBS
Multi
Solid
Yes
LA-ICP-MS
Multi
Solid
No
Very high
FAAS
Single
Liquid
No
Low
ETAAS
Single
Liquid
No
Moderate
ICP-AES
Multi
Liquid
No
Moderate
Multi
Liquid
No
High
ICP-MSa
Multi
Liquid
No
Very high
ICP-MSb
a
Quadrupole mass analyser
b
Magnetic sector mass analyser
4.10
Concluding Comments
Although a variety of other approaches are used, the determination of heavy metals
in soils is still performed chiefly by spectrometry, with different techniques used,
depending on their capabilities (Table 4.7). As was predicted a decade ago [195]
multi-element methods based on ICP-AES and ICP-MS are now predominant,
although FAAS (often with analyte preconcentration) is still widely used, as is
ETAAS for specific applications. Techniques formerly the exclusive provenance of
research laboratories e.g. LA-ICP-MS and LIBS, are now finding wider application.
Speciation analysis remains of interest, with applications of direct methods for
the determination and speciation of heavy metals in soils increasing. To keep up
with current developments in spectroscopic methods for measurement of heavy
metals in soils, the reader is directed to the Atomic Spectrometry Update on
Environmental Analysis, published annually in the Journal of Analytical Atomic
Spectrometry e.g. see [23, 24].
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Chapter 5
Effects of Heavy Metals and Metalloids

on Soil Organisms
Mark E. Hodson
Abstract At the molecular level metals and metalloids cause organisms to produce
chemicals such as metallothioneins to bind metals and reduce their toxicity and/or
chemicals such as heat shock proteins that repair any damage done. On a cellular
scale metal-rich P and S granules are often produced, particularly in cells that line
the digestive organs, which concentrate and detoxify the contaminants. Granules
either accumulate or are excreted. If metals accumulate, the location of accumulation varies between species though is often either in an organ analogous to the liver
or at sites which are shed during moulting. Countless studies document effects on
weight, reproduction and mortality of organisms. Variation in results are due to a
complex combination of contaminant bioavailability, uptake pathways, exposure
duration and soil properties. At the field scale metal and metalloid contaminants
usually result in either population decline due to toxic effects/loss of prey or
population growth due to the removal of predators or competition. Populations of
different species are affected in different ways, modifying community structure
and ecosystems. Organisms found in contaminated soils in which nave introduced
individuals of the same species can not survive exhibit either acclimation/tolerance
(reversible changes in physiology) or adaptation/resistance (a change in genetic
structure). A large number of toxicity tests exist to investigate and demonstrate the
impact of metals and metalloids on organisms. Omic technologies offer great
potential to help develop our level of understanding of these effects but are not
yet a mature technology.
Keywords Cells Organisms Populations Communities Ecosystems
Evolution Tolerance Adaptation Ecotoxicology Testing
M.E. Hodson (*)

Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
141
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5.1
M.E. Hodson
Introduction and Scope of Chapter
Pollutants may affect organisms at a number of levels. In this chapter effects are
discussed at the molecular, physiological, population and ecosystem level. The impact
that metals have on evolution of organisms together with methods to determine effects
of contaminants in the field, i.e. toxicity tests, are also reviewed. The chapter focuses
on soil invertebrates, but soil microbiota are also covered. To have an effect on
an organism, a metal must first be available to it. Metal availability is discussed in
Chap. 6. Details of specific metal chemistry and behaviour are given in Chap. 3 and
Part II of this volume.
5.2
Effects of Metals and Metalloids on the Molecular Scale
When metals interact with organisms they may generate a variety of effects.
Two common molecular level effects, well documented in the literature, are the
production of chemicals to bind with the metals to reduce their bioavailability and
thus their toxicity and the production of chemicals to repair damage done to
proteins by bioavailable metals. Metallothioneins are examples of the first group
of these chemicals and heat shock proteins (HSP) of the second.
Metallothioneins are proteins that have a high binding capacity for metals (412
atoms per molecule) which are bound via thiolate bonds. The dominant amino acid
in the protein is cysteine but metallothioneins from some species also contain
histidines. Metallothioneins typically have a molecular weight of <10,000 amu
[59, 70]. One role of metallothioneins is thought to be the binding of metals to
prevent metal-induced damage to organisms. Studies have found metallothioneins
produced by bacteria in response to Cd and Zn [21], by earthworms [23, 140, 143]
and nematodes [89, 143, 147] in response to Cd, Cu and Zn, by snails in response to
Cd [28, 3739] and Springtails in response to Cd [60, 76, 148]. Metallothionein-like
proteins have also been reported for isopods produced in response to Zn [162].
Metallothionein proteins appear to be concentrated in the intestine or hind-gut of
organisms e.g. [82, 144, 162]. Despite the ability of metallothioneins to bind so
many different metals, they are mainly produced in response to Cd with lower
levels of production occurring in response to other metals. It has been speculated
that as well as acting as a detoxifying agent they are also involved in homeostatic
regulation, the scavenging of free radicals, control of intracellular redox potential
and sulphur metabolism [59].
Heat shock proteins are less well studied in soil organisms than metallothioneins
but have been recorded as being produced following metal-induced stress in
nematodes in response to Ag, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn and Mn [128], in earthworms
in response to Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn [66] and in isopods in response to Pb [80]. Heat
shock proteins are within-cell chaperones for other proteins, they assist in the repair
of cell damage and protect other proteins from disruption.
5 Effects of Heavy Metals and Metalloids on Soil Organisms
5.3
143
Effects on the Cellular to Organism Scale
Above the biochemical level, effects of metals on organisms may be considered in

terms of their effects on organism physiology, that is the functioning of the
organism and the processes and functions of all or part of an organism [157].
Effects can be seen from the cellular to organism level.
A well documented effect of metals and metalloids on organisms is the formation of metal-rich granules within cells, in particular cells that line the digestive
organs as these are often the first cells that metals reach following digestion of
metal-rich material. These micron-scale granules have been divided into three
classes [67, 68, 157]. Type A granules are Ca- and P-rich granules, typically with
a concentric structure, that can contain metals such as Pb and Zn e.g. [32]. Type B
granules are S-rich heterogeneous granules that contain metals with a high affinity
for S such as Cd and Cu e.g. [32, 69, 97] the granules probably contain cysteine
residues derived from metallothioneins. Type C granules contain Fe, probably in
the form of hemosiderin, a breakdown product of ferritin. Type A granules have
also been called chloragosomes [120] and Type B granules cadmosomes [97]. Type
A granules have been reported in earthworms, snails, collembolans, nematodes,
millipedes and spiders, Type B in earthworms, isopods and spiders [67, 81]. Whilst
the different granule types are common amongst different organisms, the fate of the
granules, once formed can differ. For example isopods accumulate Type B and C
granules in their hepatopancreas over their lifetimes and as such develop high metal
body loads when living on metal contaminated soils. In contrast spiders accumulate
these granules in digestive cells which break down at the end of each digestive
cycle with the granules being excreted in the spiders faeces so that metal
concentrations remain relatively low [67]. As far as the author is aware Type A
and Type B granules have not been reported in soil micro-organisms but accumulation of metals as precipitates, often associated with P have been reported for
bacteria, algae and fungi and it is possible that further investigation would reveal
these to be Type A granules [50, 70].
On a larger scale many studies have investigated effects of metals on organisms
in terms of accumulation of metals in particular organs or body regions. In microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, metals have been shown to accumulate on cell
surfaces as precipitates and also to be complexed to extracellular polysaccharides
that coat cell surfaces e.g. [50, 70, 122]. In isopods metals preferentially accumulate
in the hepatopancreas, an organ of the digestive tract analogous to a combined
liver and pancreas. In some species these metals are transferred to the cuticle for
excretion during moulting [69, 81]. In earthworms the site of preferential metal
accumulation is the posterior alimentary canal and more specifically the
chloragogenous tissue, which surrounds the digestive tract and has a similar
function to a liver e.g. [7, 96, 98]. In millipedes the main site of metal accumulation
is the midgut for Cd and the cuticle for Zn, for Collembolans it is the midgut
epithelium which is also excreted during moulting [81]. Using the chemical digestion and separation methodology of Wallace et al. [160] accumulation of metals in
144
M.E. Hodson
the C fraction (considered to be biologically active, including the cytosol,

metallothioneins, heat shock proteins), D fraction (metal rich granules) and E
fraction (metabolically inert material such as cell tissue fragments and
membranes) of earthworms [3, 5, 7, 157, 158] and snails [52] have also been
considered. Typically Pb, Zn, and Ni accumulate in the D and E fractions whilst
Cd and Cu accumulate in the C fraction.
On the scale of the whole organism there are countless studies that report the
effect of metals on soil organisms in terms of accumulation of metals expressed as
bulk tissue concentrations and effects on mortality, reproduction, growth rate and
avoidance e.g. [8, 15, 19, 36, 53, 61, 68, 92, 101, 104, 117, 119, 134]. In all cases
when organisms are exposed to too high a concentration of metal the life cycle stage
under investigation is detrimentally affected. The concentration of metal at which
this occurs is a complex combination of the bioavailability of the metal, the
exposure pathway, duration of exposure and soil chemical and physical properties.
5.4
Effects on the Population, Community and Ecosystem Scale
Perhaps more important than the effects of metals on individual organisms is their
effects on populations of soil organisms and indeed on soil ecosystems themselves.
Broadly, populations of species may respond in one of two ways [157]: (i) populations may decline, sometimes down to zero, due to toxic effects or a loss of prey
though they may survive at lower levels than at uncontaminated sites due to a loss
of predators e.g. [15, 16, 18, 20, 31, 49, 57, 103, 104, 113, 115, 133, 134, 155],
(ii) populations may increase due to the removal of predators/competitors e.g. [53,
58, 95, 103, 125, 142]. Populations of different species will be affected differently
and thus relative numbers of different species will change; so soil organism
communities are also affected by metals. Changes in soil (or any) communities
can be viewed either structurally, that is simply by determining changes in numbers
of species and size of population, or functionally, for example determining whether
the C or N cycle has been impacted. Although many studies determine population
and community changes at contaminated sites, the majority simply infer that the
contaminants are to blame. It is vital to remember that correlation does not equal
causation.
There is a vast tract of ecological literature concerned with documenting population and community changes and the interested reader is referred to such standard
texts as [14, 84, 149]. A large number of different indices and parameters have been
used to quantify the abundance and diversity of soil organisms at contaminated
sites, for example Simpsons diversity index which takes into account both numbers
of species and abundance or biomass of individual species and Shannons diversity
index which is similar to Simpsons, but is weighted towards rarer species (see
references above and also [55, 104, 113, 134]. Multivariate statistical methods such
as classification and ordination using for example canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and redundancy analysis (RDA) have also been used to determine
145
community changes e.g. [95, 103, 104]. Functional approaches to investigating

community and ecological changes have focussed on measuring soil respiration
rates, nitrogen mineralisation rates and organic matter decomposition rates e.g.
[141, 142, 155]; many examples are given in the reviews of [12, 51, 94, 151].
Typically studies on metal contaminated sites have recorded decreases in
species numbers and population sizes of soil organisms with increasing metal
concentrations (Table 5.1).
5.5
Evolutionary Effects? Acclimation and Adaptation
Metals exert an environmental stress on organisms. The presence of organisms in

metal-rich soils suggests that it is possible for those organisms to develop
mechanisms by which they can tolerate or resist the effects of metal-induced stress.
Tolerance or resistance to the direct effects of stress may be acquired either through
reversible changes in an organisms physiology (termed acclimation; this is reliant
on plasticity within the organisms phenotype and leads to changes in the response
of an organism known as tolerance) or through a variation in the genetic structure of
the organism (termed adaptation and which leads to changes in an organisms
response known as resistance). Hoffman and Parsons [65] suggest that the response
of organisms following exposure to environmental stress may follow the temporal
sequence of: detection, behavioural response, hormone change, physiological
change and genetic change. The first four of these (behavioural response to physiological change) represent acclimation whilst genetic change is adaptation. There are
many examples of soil organisms exhibiting acclimation in the scientific literature,
but relatively few demonstrating adaptation. Lack of adaptation may be due to
phenotypic plasticity, continuous recruitment of normal individuals from uncontaminated areas and/or heterogeneity of metal concentrations in the soil [99].
To demonstrate adaptation, five lines of evidence are required [22, 116]. In several
studies focussing on the presence of organisms at metal contaminated sites no
differences in the metal tolerance of exposed and nave (i.e. not exposed to above
background concentration of contaminant) populations have been found, e.g. [11, 13].
In studies where the concentrations of metals at the contaminated site are sufficiently
high to kill nave populations, the most significant missing piece of evidence to
demonstrate adaptation is usually studies demonstrating the heritability of tolerance
once the stress source (i.e. the metals) has been removed e.g. in the studies showing
differences in survival, growth and reproduction of the earthworms Dendrodrilus
rubidus [8], Dendrobaena octaedra [17] and Lumbricus rubellus [135], differences
in genes in the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus [4] and differences in physiological
responses of the isopods Oniscuc asellus and Porcelluio scaber [9]. In laboratory
studies designed to investigate adaptation, e.g. for the standard ecotoxicological test
earthworm Eisenia fetida [121, 136], whilst offspring of metal exposed earthworms
have demonstrated tolerance relative to nave populations the metal stress was always
present during the culturing of the tolerant offspring. In contrast to the above studies,
Table 5.1 Examples of studies recording changes in populations and communities of soil organisms in soils contaminated with metals and metalloids
Metal source
Metals
Organisms/process
Impact of increasing metal concentration
Reference
Sewage sludge
Cd
Bacteria
Loss of gram positive bacteria but no change in
[13]
Shannons diversity index
Brass mill
Cu, Zn, Pb
Enchytraeids
Reduced number of species and individuals
[15]
Earthworms
Decreased density and biomass, reduced ratio of
[18]
juveniles to adults
Collembola
Reduction in total numbers, change in dominant
[16]
species
Secondary Pb
Pb, As, Cd, Cu
Earthworms, bacteria,
Decreased numbers, relative numbers change
[20]
smelter
nematodes
Metal-rich sewage
Cd, Cu and Zn
Rhizobium leguminosarum
Reduced numbers in response to Zn but not to Cd or
[31]
sludge
biovar trifolii
Cu
Cu fungicide
Cu
Bacteria
Increase ratio of gram negative to gram positive
[42]
bacteria; changes in community structure but no
change in diversity levels
Cu-Ni smelter
Cu, Ni
Bacteria, respiration
Reduced bacterial numbers, changes in proportions of
[49]
different functional groups, reduced respiration
Pb and Zn smelter
Cd, Pb, Zn
Myriapods, isopods
Absent at most contaminated sites
[53]
Pb and Zn smelter
Cd, Pb, Zn
Collembolans
Largest saprophagous organisms at most contaminated
sites
Geogenic site
Pb
Microarthropods
Decreased number of species, abundance of
[57]
individuals unaffected. Prostigmata dominate,
Isotoma olivacea Tullberg (a collembolan) and
Nanorchestes sp. (a mite) favoured at highly
contaminated sites
146
M.E. Hodson
Cu, Ni
Pb, Sb
Zn
Zn
As, Hg, Pb, Zn
Cu
Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn
Cd, Pb, Zn
Zn (Cu, Cd, Pb)

Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn
Cd, Cu, Ni,

Pb, Zn
Cu-Ni smelter
Shooting range
Zn smelter waste
Zn smelter
Industrial effluent
Agrochemicals
Urbanisation
Geogenic
Zn smelter
Zn smelter
Smelters and
pigment
manufacture
Respiration, ATP content
Earthworms
Arthropods, leaf litter
Microarthropods
Earthworms
Microarthropods, organic
matter
Earthworms
Bacteria
Collembola, Protura,
Diplura
Symphyla
Overall
Macrofauna
Enchytraeids, nematodes,
tardigrades, rotifers
Decreased numbers
Number and abundance of taxa unaffected
Density of earthworms reduced, increased density of
some Coleoptera and arachanids possible due to
increased litter layer thickness
Reduced density and species numbers
Reduced biomass, asymbiotic nitrogen-fixers and
heterothrophs particularly sensitive
Decreased species diversity
Decreased biomass
Increased density, more organic matter in mineral
horizons. Collembolan densities unaffected but
species composition changes.
Reductions in numbers of species and individuals
Decrease in abundance of all taxa but an increase in
the relative proportion of Collembola. Reduced
litter decomposition
Decreased respiration and ATP content
Generally decreased numbers. Collembolans

Folsomia fimetarioides, F. dovrensis and Isotoma
notabilis increased in number.
Increased numbers
[155]
[133, 134]
[141, 142]
[113]
[115]
[125]
[104]
[110]
[103]
[95]
[58]

147
148
M.E. Hodson
adaptation to metals in unexposed offspring have been demonstrated for the

earthworms Lumbricus rubellus and As [87] and Dendrobaena octaedra and Cd
[124], the isopod Porcellio scaber and Cd and Cu [44], and the springtails Orchesella
cincta and Cd [117119, 148] and Onychiurus armatus (Tullb.) and Isotoma notabilis
Schaffer and Cu and Zn [150]. The phenomenon of the acquisition of mobile genetic
elements via horizontal gene transfer makes it difficult to differentiate between
acclimation and adaptation in soil micro-organisms. Several studies identify metaltolerant bacteria e.g. [13, 27, 42, 43, 70, 111, 114, 122] with metal tolerance either
being associated with specific plasmids or chromosomes. It appears however, that
metal-tolerance may be present in many bacteria, even in the absence of metals.
5.6
Methods for Quantifying Effects
One method of determining the impact of metals on soil organisms is to expose the
organisms to a particular metal or metals under controlled conditions and observe a
specific response. A wide range of standardised, internationally accepted toxicity
tests exist which do just this e.g. [10, 7175, 106109]. Typically such tests were
developed for the testing of agricultural products but are now routinely used to
assess the toxicity of metals. The advantages of such tests lie mainly in the controlled conditions that laboratory work permits. Often an unambiguous response of
the test organism to a particular metal can be determined. The major disadvantage
or problem with such tests lies in relating controlled laboratory results to more
variable field conditions e.g. [6, 40, 41, 132, 138]. The problems include: relating
the effects of a single contaminant in the laboratory to effects in contaminated field
soil where multiple contaminants are present, relating the effects on a single species
in the laboratory to an ecosystem in the field, the differing bioavailabilities of
contaminants between laboratory and field soils (see Chap. 6, [64]) and, potential
acclimation or adaptation of field exposed populations (see above). None-the-less,
toxicity tests represent a useful tool for determining the effect of metals on soil
organisms and can be used to determine the effects of mixtures of contaminants
on organisms. Also many studies have sought to modify laboratory tests so that they
are applicable in the field. In most cases this means that, rather than determining
the concentration of a chemical which causes 50% mortality (LC50), a reduction of
50% in growth or reproduction (EC50s) or the highest concentrations at which
no effect on these parameters are observed (no observed effect concentrations or
NOECs) the response of the test organism exposed to the contaminated soil is
compared to the response in a control soil. Alternatively serial dilutions of the test
soil or an extract from that soil are used to determine LC50, EC50 or NOEC values.
By modifying such tests for use with field soils, the clarity of identifying a toxic
effect of a specific contaminant is lost, however the tests allow the effects of the soil
(and the metals within it) to be assessed in a holistic fashion. Depending on the
answers sought by the investigator this is either an advantage or disadvantage.
5.6.1
149
Application of Toxicity Tests to Field Soils
A range of criteria have been identified that toxicity tests should satisfy [88]; these
fall under the categories of practical arguments (e.g. level of technical expertise
required to carry out the test), acceptability of tests (dealing with standardization,
reproducibility, statistical validity etc.) and ecological significance (concerned
with test sensitivity, ecological realism and biological validity) [152]. Four
toxicity tests are described below which have been successfully applied to
contaminated soils and which also have agreed international standards associated
with them [123]. Additional tests that have been applied to field contaminated
soils include those for which no international standards exist or for which international standards exist but which dont appear to be sensitive or lack a clear
response to metals. Examples of the former are bait lamina test strips which are
used to monitor the feeding activity of soil organisms e.g. [2, 62] and the neutral
red bioassay in which the integrity of lysosome membranes are assessed e.g. [127,
146, 154]. An example of the latter is the C mineralisation test (OECD [107]) in
which the rate of CO2 production is monitored following addition of a carbon
source to the test soil e.g. [1, 85, 100]. A range of molecular based techniques, and
particularly gene-based biomarker studies and the -omic technologies have
great potential for assessing the impact of metals on organisms. Details of these
methods are beyond the scope of this chapter but can be obtained from articles
such as [24, 25, 90, 112]. The challenge for these technologies lies in relating
biochemical/genetic responses to a meaningful effect at organism to ecosystem
level [26, 54, 105, 145, 157].
5.6.1.1
Earthworm Tests
There are several well established earthworm toxicity tests e.g. [71, 73, 106, 109].
The earthworm Eisenia fetida is exposed to increasing concentrations of a chemical
under controlled soil moisture and temperature conditions and impacts on mortality
and reproduction are assessed. Applications of these tests to field soils involve
comparing the response of the earthworm to the contaminated soil to that of a
control, uncontaminated soil which is otherwise as close as possible in terms of its
properties to the test soil e.g. [8, 102, 132]. Whilst Eisenia fetida is not typically
found at contaminated sites (at least not in temperate climates where it lives
primarily in organic-rich material such as compost heaps, manure etc.) and contaminant sensitivities vary between earthworm species e.g. [46, 86, 137], the use of
E. fetida as a standard organism has continued due to its ease of use in the
laboratory and the large amount of existing data on single contaminant toxicity to
this species. None the less a further modification of the standard laboratory tests has
been the use of more environmentally relevant species e.g. [86, 139].
150
5.6.1.2
M.E. Hodson
Springtail Reproduction
Like earthworms, springtails are a key component of the soil fauna. An ISO
protocol exists [75] in which the springtail Folsomia candida is exposed to a
chemical at increasing concentrations and effects on growth and reproduction are
assessed. For application to contaminated field soils growth and reproduction
are compared to an uncontaminated control soil e.g. [48, 126, 130, 131] or the
contaminated soil is mixed with uncontaminated soil in order to create a dilution
series for the calculation of toxicity parameters e.g. [33]. The standard test duration
is 4 weeks, but the test has been successfully modified to allow assessment of
growth and reproduction (and mortality) at more frequent intervals [47].
5.6.1.3
Nitrogen Mineralisation
This test is not species-specific but rather assesses the rate of nitrate production as a
general measure of soil health. In the standardised laboratory test [72, 108] field
moist soils are amended with the chemical of interest and after 0, 7, 14 and 28 days
the amount of nitrate extractable by a weak ionic solvent such as 0.01 M KCl or
CuSO4 is determined. Rate of nitrate production is compared to that in a control.
In its application to field-contaminated sites, rate of nitrate production is compared
between soils e.g. [34, 156]. Despite its recommendation in a recent English
Environment Agency review as a useful test for contaminated soils [123], the
majority of studies applying this test to the effects of metals on soil organisms
have been carried out with metal-amended soils e.g. [29, 45] and the test has been
shown to produce results that have no good correlation between mineralisation rate
and metal concentrations e.g. [161].
5.6.1.4
MicrotoxTM
This test was originally developed for assessing water quality and as such several
standardised protocols exist e.g. [10, 74]. In this test a luminescent marine bacteria
(Vibrio fischeri NRRL B-11177) is exposed to a solution or solutions. In laboratory
testing of single chemicals the concentration of that chemical required to reduce the
luminescence of the bacteria by 50% is the parameter determined. For assessing
contaminated environments either the luminescence of exposed bacteria is compared to a control or dilutions are used and the dilution that results in a 50%
reduction in luminescence is determined e.g. [35, 79, 129]. Clearly as a marine
organism Vibrio fischeri is not ideal for assessing the impacts of contaminated soil
on soil organisms. Additionally, because a solution is required as the test media
results are biased by the extraction method used to obtain this from the soil.
However, the method is relatively rapid, reproducible and gives a good indication
of whether metals (and other contaminants in soils) will have a detrimental effect or
not on soil organisms.
5.6.2
151
Dealing with Mixtures of Metals or Metalloids
Perhaps the most useful role for toxicity tests in determining the effects of metals on
soil organisms lies in their ability to determine the effects of mixtures. Whilst the
majority of toxicity tests are performed on single contaminants, most contaminated
sites contain many different potential sources of toxicity. It is generally assumed
that toxic effects will be additive, that is the toxicity of a combination of two
contaminants will be equal to that of the sum of the toxicities of the individual
contaminants. However synergistic (or potentiation) effects may occur where the
combined toxicity of the two contaminants is either greater or less than the sum of
the individual toxicities e.g. Cd and Zn and the springtail Folsomia candida [153],
Cd, Cu and Pb and soil enzyme activity [30] and Cu and Zn and nematodes [83].
In broad terms reasons for potentiation may be either one contaminant inhibiting
the detoxification mechanism for another or one contaminant stimulating production of chemicals which react with the second contaminant to have a toxic effect.
Readers are directed to e.g. [63, 93, 157] for more detail. In recent years much
progress has been made in understanding the effects of mixtures of contaminants
(including metals) on soil organisms through the use of toxicity tests and the
application of modelling techniques e.g. [56, 77, 78, 91].
5.7
Concluding Comments
Metals and metalloids impact on soil organisms in a variety of ways. Exposure to

metals and metalloids stimulate the production of chemicals to protect organisms
from damage (metallothioneins) or to repair damage once it occurs (heat shock
proteins). Within cells changes occur related to detoxification of metals (production
of granules) and at a larger scale different parts of organisms accumulate metals.
The metals, when present at high enough concentrations, will impact on all key lifecycle stages of soil organisms such as growth, reproduction and life span. Metals
can act as evolutionary drivers. This in turn will impact on population and community structures of soil organisms and the soil ecosystem as a whole. Laboratory
methods exist for determining the effects of chemicals on soil organisms but
relevance of these to the field is confounded by factors such as bioavailability
and interference with other contaminants. Progress is being made in adopting these
laboratory test methods for field testing but in doing so the resolution of the tests in
terms of identifying key contaminants responsible for specific responses is lost.
Particular progress is being made in modelling the effects of mixtures of contaminants on soil organisms. The omic technologies offer great potential for
determining effects of contaminants on soil organisms but much more work is
required to relate biochemical responses to those at organism or community level.
152
M.E. Hodson
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Chapter 6
Soil-Plant Relationships of Heavy

Metals and Metalloids
Ann Cuypers, Tony Remans, Nele Weyens, Jan Colpaert,
Andon Vassilev, and Jaco Vangronsveld
Abstract Nutrient uptake by plants is essential for their development and for the
passage of minerals into the food chain, but it also faces several limitations.
Whereas soil physicochemical characteristics impose limiting factors on element
availability for plants, excess of non-essential metals and metalloids pose a threat
for plant health and the environment. To improve nutrient uptake, the plant
possesses several mechanisms to explore the soil for minerals such as root development, but the symbiosis with microorganisms clearly improves the ability of
plants to overcome these limitations. After metal uptake by the plants, plants
make use of different strategies to maintain the metal homeostasis and to limit
the metal-induced cellular damage. Also in the research on metal phytotoxicity,
microorganisms are shown to be important players in the protection of the plant to
excess metal exposure.
Keywords Metal uptake Metal homeostasis Toxicity Deficiency Metal
tolerance Plant-associated bacteria Mycorrhiza Oxidative stress Antioxidative defence
A. Cuypers T. Remans N. Weyens J. Colpaert J. Vangronsveld (*)

Centre for Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology, Hasselt University,
Agoralaan, Building D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]
A. Vassilev
Department of Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Agricultural University of Plovdiv,
12 Mendeleev St., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
161
162
6.1
A. Cuypers et al.
Introduction
As important suppliers of dietary minerals for humans and animals, plants form a
bridge between the soil elemental composition and the food chain. Consequently,
plant nutrient uptake is essential for its central role in element cycling, but also for
the growth and development of plants. Soil physicochemical characteristics often
impose limiting factors on the bioavailability of elements and mineral deficiencies
are often experienced in crop production. Moreover, many regions in the world are
unsuitable for growing crops due to contamination with potentially toxic elements
such as metals and metalloids. The uptake and transport mechanisms crucial for
essential elements also form an entrance for non-essential elements that pose a
threat to the plants fitness and the food chain [166].
In this chapter the focus is on (1) nutritional exploration of the soil by plants and
their associated micro-organisms (2) protection by these micro-organisms against
excess amounts of (non-)essential elements and (3) the ability of plant cells to cope
with metal stress.
6.2
6.2.1
The Soil-Plant Interface: Microbial and Molecular

Interactions Define Plant Elemental Uptake
Molecular Interactions Defining Plant Elemental Uptake
Plants obtain essential metals and metalloids (micronutrients) primarily from the
soil, so appropriate systems must be in place to ensure adequate uptake of these
elements (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Zn). These elements are heterogeneously
distributed in the soil, so exploration of the soil by the root system is the first
important parameter to optimize nutrient uptake. Whereas root growth responses to
macronutrient deficiencies, especially phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), have been
intensively studied, responses to micronutrient deficiencies largely remain to be
determined. Responses to nutrient deprivation often result in an increased surface
area of the root system in a localized part of the soil. Some reports of root
developmental responses to Fe deficiency show a stimulatory effect on root hair
production in dicotyledonous and non-grass monocotyledonous species [149, 188].
Some plant species that are adapted to growth on very nutrient-poor soils are able to
develop cluster roots, which are bottlebrush-like in shape due to dense formation of
short lateral roots on the primary root axis. These structures occur in a subset of
species of the Casuarinaceae, Leguminosae and Proteaceae families [195] and
have been described under iron (Fe)-deficiency [9, 116, 139, 189].
Another parameter determining plant metal uptake is the bioavailability of the
elements, which is defined by the chemical properties of the metal cations and by
the physicochemical characteristics of the soil [161]. Metals in soil are often
6 Soil-Plant Relationships of Heavy Metals and Metalloids
163
adsorbed to soil particles or present in an insoluble form (for example Fe

hydroxides in alkaline soil types [134, 159]). Plant roots can interact with the
rhizosphere to increase the bioavailability of minerals and turn them into a form
appropriate for uptake by transporters. Roots extrude protons via plasma membrane
H+-ATPases to acidify the rhizosphere. This creates a large membrane potential
(100 to 250 mV), which is the main driving force for cation uptake [160].
Furthermore, the protons can participate in cation exchange, releasing divalent
metal ions that are tightly bound to soil particles, and the resulting acidification
of the rhizosphere can release metals from their hydroxides [159, 160].
Regarding Fe-uptake, plants have been divided into two groups according to the
strategy they use in the interaction with the rhizosphere to solubilize Fe: (1)
reduction based or (2) production of chelating molecules. Non-graminaceous
plant transport systems take up Fe in the form of Fe2+, whereas Fe in the soil is
mostly present as Fe3+. These plants have a reduction-based system in which Fe3+ is
reduced to Fe2+ by the ferric chelate reductase FRO2 [180]. Ferrous ions (Fe2+)
are subsequently translocated into the cytoplasm by the high-affinity transporter
IRT1 [172]. Graminaceous plants, on the other hand, use a chelation-based strategy.
Roots actively secrete compounds, known as phytosiderophores that can function
as metal chelators in the soil. Phytosiderophores belong to the mugineic acid
family (MAs) and expression of the genes involved in MA biosynthesis is
upregulated under Fe-deficiency [159]. Maize roots take up MA-Fe3+ complexes
through a specific transporter named YS1 [50]. Other species take up the
metal-chelator complexes by Yellow stripe-like (YSL) transporter proteins.
In barley, phytosiderophores can also assist in the uptake of zinc (Zn) [217] but
a role for phytosiderophores in copper (Cu) uptake has not been revealed.
The categorisation in graminaceous and non-graminaceous plants regarding
reduction-based or chelation-based uptake strategy is not so clear since rice plants
have been shown to take up not only Fe3+-chelates, but also Fe2+ via OsIRT1 and
OsIRT2 transporters (orthologues to Arabidopsis IRT transporters) [91]. There may
be an evolutionary aspect to this as rice has been grown and selected on paddy soils
where Fe2+ is abundant.
After uptake, minerals can migrate into the root apoplastic space, but the
impermeable Casparian strip in the endodermal cell layer ultimately blocks this
route. Here metals have to be actively transported across the plasmamembrane into
the symplast. Ferrous ions (Fe2+) and Cu+ (after reduction, both by FRO2) are taken
up by their respective transporters IRT1 and COPT1 [172]. However, Cu may also
enter the plant as Cu2+ via a member of the ZIP (ZRT, IRT-related protein) family,
a transporter family known to preferentially transport divalent cations. Zinc (Zn2+)
is also believed to be transported by ZIP transporters or by the Fe transporter IRT,
which can also transport divalent metals other than Fe2+ [159].
Metal uptake systems are highly regulated at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Copper is transported as Cu+ by the COPT1 transporter and COPT1
expression is upregulated under Cu-deficiency [186]. Also ZIP2 and ZIP4 are
upregulated by Cu-deficiency, but their functional role as Cu2+ transporters remains
to be established [159]. IRT1 and FRO2 are co-ordinately regulated at the
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transcriptional and posttranscriptional level. FRO2 and IRT1 are induced together
under Fe-deficiency and repressed under sufficient Fe-supply [45]. In transgenic
plants that overexpress IRT1, increased mRNA accumulation was only translated to
increased IRT1 protein in Fe-deficient plants, suggesting posttranscriptional control
[44]. Protein levels of IRT1 are tightly controlled via ubiquitination at lysine
residues, which leads to proteasome-mediated degradation [101].
High affinity transport systems are indispensable for plants to acquire essential
micronutrients, but unspecific metal uptake from the soil seems unavoidable under
metal-excess as transporters for essential nutrients also take up non-essential
elements. Examples are the metalloid arsenic (As) and the heavy metal cadmium
(Cd), which have no demonstrated biological function in higher plants, and for
which plants are not expected to have specific uptake mechanisms. Instead, the
uptake of Cd seems to occur primarily via calcium (Ca2+), Fe2+, manganese (Mn2+)
and Zn2+ uptake systems [37, 167]. For example, the Fe2+ transporter IRT1
contributes significantly to the uptake of Cd [244]. Arsenate [As(V)] is taken up
by the high affinity phosphate transporter system and rapidly reduced to arsenite
[As(III)] [141]. In reducing environments, As(III) can be taken up by aquaporin
nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins [21, 90] for example the rice OsNIP2;1/Lsi1,
which also transports silicon (Si), a beneficial element for rice [125].
6.2.2
Microbial Interactions Defining Plant Elemental Uptake
Nutrient uptake in plants is in no way a monopoly of the plant itself. From the early
days that plants started to colonise the terrestrial environment, microorganisms
turned out to be essential partners for the colonisation of the land [26]. Their major
task was/is the scavenging for essential elements that are scarce, poorly soluble or
immobile in the solid substrates. Both fungi and prokaryotes provide services to
plants in terms of nutrient acquisition and protection against biotic and abiotic
stresses. This interdependency of plants and microorganisms was shaped by evolution, new symbioses arose in particular plant families e.g. N-fixing Rhizobia in
legumes , other symbioses were replaced by new innovations on the same theme,
such as the ectomycorrhizal fungi that since the Cretaceous replaced the arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi in some woody plant lineages. The evolutionary persistence and
ubiquity of the plant-microbe interactions illustrates the positive cost-benefit balance and the synergistic nature of the interactions.
6.2.2.1
The Mycorrhizal Symbiosis
Amongst the plant-microbe interactions, the mycorrhizal symbiosis is the most

widespread intimate interaction between plants and fungi. Between 80% and 90%
of all seed plant species harbour fungi in their roots, forming structures known as
mycorrhizas. Mycorrhizas are a functional part of plant roots where the fungal
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hyphae of the external mycelia might be considered as a very fine extension of

the absorption roots that provides a cost-effective increase of the absorptive interface between roots and soil [211]. Most mycorrhizal fungi are strict biotrophs, they
are morphologically and metabolically very well equipped for mobilising, assimilating and transporting plant nutrients, including essential metals.
Over evolutionary times, different mycorrhizal types and many different fungal
species have evolved, showing broad functional diversity and adaptation towards
different soil conditions and (or) host plants. And although the functionality of only
a limited number of these mycorrhizal interactions has been studied in detail,
there is consensus that host plants in a greater or lesser extent experience positive
nutritional effects. In general, the nutritional benefit for a host plant seems to be
greatest in nutrient poor soils, a condition which is also characteristic for most
metal-contaminated soils [140]. Nevertheless, plants differ greatly in their dependence on mycorrhizal fungi, a major aspect being the size and architecture of
their root system. Roots with a thick cortex and exodermis suberisation make a
fungal symbiont essential, whereas extensive much-branched root systems with
very fine elongated fine roots can make the fungal symbioses more futile [26].
Amongst mycorrhizal fungi the efficiency of nutrient uptake and transfer to a host
varies significantly both at the intra- and interspecific level [152]. This means that
not all fungi are equally effective in plant growth promotion. Mycorrhizal fungi
have high nutritional needs themselves and keep significant amounts of assimilated
nutrients for their own metabolism and structures. The nutrition of the fungi
themselves may also depend on interactions with microbes associated with the
hyphae (the mycorrhizosphere) [73, 157]. Recent studies indicate the presence of
specific endocellular bacteria in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [7], endosymbionts
that may have a role in fungal nutrition.
The key role of mycorrhizal fungi in P and N nutrition in plants has been
demonstrated in many investigations. Both arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi
possess an elaborate set of transporter genes for uptake of a whole range of nutrient
sources present in soil solution [135, 136]. There is increasing evidence that both
symbiotic partners affect the specific transporter gene or protein expression of each
other [80]. Although most mycorrhiza research focuses on the improved macronutrient acquisition in plants, the contribution of mycorrhizal fungi in mobilisation,
uptake and transfer of micronutrients has been recognised as well [28]. Weathering
of minerals through ectomycorrhizal fungi has been observed in situ [24, 86] and is
supposed to improve cation uptake in fungi and host plants. Under experimental
conditions deficiencies of essential metals in plants can be overcome through
inoculation with specific mycorrhizal fungi [105].
6.2.2.2
Plant-Bacteria Partnerships
Beside mycorrhizal symbiosis, plant-associated bacteria can also enhance biomass

production and tolerance of plants to trace elements in environments with increased
levels of these elements [57, 95, 126, 154, 199, 245]. Some details of chemical
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communication between plant roots and their associated bacteria in the rhizosphere
were covered in a recent review by Bardi et al. [12]. Endophytic bacteria and their
interaction with host plants have also attracted attention [15, 88, 89, 216, 251, 252].
Plant-bacterium partnerships provide a wide range of benefits to the host plants,
such as promoting plant growth and development. Plant-associated bacteria can
promote plant growth and development (1) directly, by (1a) fixating nitrogen, (1b)
increasing the supply of unavailable nutrients such as P, Fe and other mineral
nutrients, (1c) producing plant growth regulators such as auxins, cytokinins and
gibberilines; and (2) indirectly, by preventing the growth or activity of pathogenic
organisms through (2a) competition for space and nutrients, (2b) antibiosis, (2c)
production of hydrolytic enzymes, (2d) inhibition of pathogen-produced enzymes
or toxins and through (2f) induction of plant defence mechanisms [13, 46, 72, 94,
97, 103, 137, 142, 218, 226, 243, 251, 252, 255, 259].
A number of mineral nutrients in soils, including N, P and Fe, can frequently be
limiting and thus restricting the growth of terrestrial plants. Requirements for
adding these nutrients accounts for the major portion of fossil fuels used in
agricultural systems and minimal application of fertilisers is therefore desirable in
order to make feedstock production economically and energetically viable and
sustainable. For this reason, strategies to minimize fertiliser inputs by promoting
uptake of nitrate or ammonium of biological nitrogen fixation, as well as acquisition
of P, Fe and other essential elements are of great interest.
For plants, N needs to be in the form of either ammonia or nitrate before it can
be utilized. Plant-associated diazotrophic bacteria possess the enzyme nitrogenase,
an O2-sensitive enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of atmospheric nitrogen to
ammonia. The plant growth promoting activity of diazotrophic endophytes has
been demonstrated in several greenhouse and field studies of different plant species;
for example, sugarcane [23], soybean [147] and rice [23, 132].
Beside N, P is a common limiting mineral nutrient affecting terrestrial plant
growth. Phosphate solubilising and phosphate mineralizing bacteria are present in
the rhizosphere and inside the plant [181, 243]. These bacteria can either solubilise
inorganic phosphates by releasing organic acids, such as gluconic acid and 2ketogluconic acid, or mineralize organic phosphates by secreting extracellular
phosphatases [102].
Iron in the aerobic environment is often present in the highly insoluble forms
of ferric hydroxides and oxyhydroxides, making it largely unavailable to plants
and microorganisms. To acquire sufficient Fe, many bacteria developed strategies
to solubilize this element for a more efficient uptake. One of the most commonly found strategies evolved by bacteria is the production of siderophores,
low-molecular-mass Fe chelators with high association constants for complexing
Fe. These siderophores are able to bind Fe3+ and render it available for reduction
into the Fe2+ form, which is preferred by plants. As described above, also so-called
graminaceous plants release siderophores (e.g. mugineic acid in barley and avenic
acid in oat) to enhance their Fe uptake, but these phytosiderophores typically have a
lower affinity for Fe than microbial siderophores. Plantmicrobe interactions
involved in the regulation of siderophore production and their role in mediating
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competition for iron in the rhizosphere have been the subject of comprehensive
reviews by Crowley et al. [49] and Rajkumar et al. [174]. Furthermore, there is
evidence that several plant species can also recognize and take up bacterial
Fe3+siderophore complexes. In this way, bacterial Fe3+siderophore complexes
might facilitate uptake of Fe not only into bacteria, but also into plants and
this process is considered as crucial for plant Fe uptake, particularly in calcareous
soils [100, 197, 198].
Beside these nutrient mobilizing bacteria, phytohormone (such as auxins,
cytokinins and gibberellins) producing bacteria can also be applied to increase
nutrient uptake. Phytohormones that are produced by plant-associated bacteria can
frequently stimulate growth and indeed have been considered the causal agents for
altered plant growth and development [218, 220]. The extended root system that is
achieved in this way, can contribute to an increased nutrient uptake.
In addition to the above-mentioned beneficial effects on plant growth, both
rhizosphere bacteria and endophytes can also contribute to enhanced trace element
availability and uptake [111, 112, 127].
Bacteria possessing metabolic pathways for the synthesis of natural chelators (e.g.
organic acids and siderophores) can mobilize trace elements. As certain plants make
use of microbial chelators to increase their Fe uptake (see above), it has been hypothesized that bacterial Fe chelators can eventually also enhance the uptake of other trace
elements by plants [25, 187]. The production of these bacterial chelators is in tight
equilibrium with plant activity, meaning that trace element mobilization only takes
place when plants are active and by consequence can take up the elements. In this way,
the risk for leaching of trace elements to the groundwater is limited.
6.3
Plant-Associated Microorganisms:
Protection Against Metal Stress
Apart from the nutritional effect, plant-associated micro-organisms may also protect their host plants against various stress factors, including soil toxic compounds
and soil-borne pathogens [111, 112, 127, 191]. Such plant protection might be
achieved by acting directly on aggressive factors (mainly pathogens and
herbivores) or by enhancing plant responses. Plant protective microbial symbionts
determine the ecological success of plants; they modify plant communities and
related trophic webs.
6.3.1
Mycorrhizal Fungi
There is no doubt that in many metal-polluted environments, mycorrhizal fungi

ameliorate metal stress in their host plants [4, 93, 110, 176]. However, the
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mechanisms involved are not always clear. Nutritional and hormonal effects
often improve plant fitness and thus indirectly stress tolerance. For example, excess
metals become more diluted in plant tissues when plants grow better. However,
more direct processes that affect the transfer of a metal from soil into the plant may
further strengthen such indirect ways of plant protection. In a number of experiments particular mycorrhizal fungi collected from polluted soils, could reduce the
accumulation of metals in the shoots of their host plants [3, 110]. Mycorrhizal fungi
possess mechanisms involved in metal homeostasis and detoxification of essential
and non-essential metals; mechanisms that are probably not different from those
present in other eukaryotes [18, 47]. Under high selection pressure these metabolic
networks might become more efficient in coping with metal stress and toxicity.
For a long time researchers suggested that soil microorganisms in general exhibit
higher tolerance against metal toxicity than plants [83]. They expected little evolutionary adaptation towards elevated tolerance in mycorrhizal fungal communities,
as there are sufficient fungi with a high constitutive tolerance that are selected for
and thus become dominant in metal-contaminated environments [22, 140].
However, on severely metal contaminated sites, the development of metal
tolerant ecotypes in both plant and fungal species has now been demonstrated.
For plants, such an influence of soil metal toxicity can easily be demonstrated and
there is a lot of evidence for the evolution of adaptive metal tolerance in higher
plants. Such evidence is only recently coming up for mycorrhizal fungi. Metaltolerant arbuscular and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi have been isolated from naturally
and anthropogenically polluted sites [6, 117, 138]. The same is true for some higher
fungi that form ectomycorrhizas, including Pisolithus tinctorius and P. albus
[67, 96], Suillus species [3, 41, 42, 109] and Cenococcum geophilum [78]. These
fungal ecotypes are mostly adapted towards those specific metals (Al, Ni, Zn, Cu,
Cd, . . .) that are in excess in their soil of origin.
Mechanisms involved in metal tolerance in fungi include extracellular processes
such as precipitation (e.g. secretion of oxalic acid), chelation and cell-wall binding.
Intracellular mechanisms include chelation with organic acids, phytochelatins and
other S-compounds, polyphosphates, peptides and transport into intracellular
compartments (vacuole) [18]. Some of these mechanisms are constitutively present,
whereas others are more activated when excess metals show up in the cytoplasm.
Additional antioxidative detoxification systems, which allow the fungus to counteract the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), directly or indirectly are
part of the detoxification response. It is likely that one or more of these mechanisms
are modified in the evolution towards adaptive true tolerance in ECM fungi.
Homeostasis of essential transition metals such as Cu and Zn requires balanced
activities of transporters that mediate import into the cell, distribution to organelles
and export from the cell [169]. Transcriptional control is important for the regulation of this cellular homeostasis. Nevertheless, when metals are present in very high
concentrations in the environment, the regulatory mechanisms may fail and selection pressure for a more robust homeostasis will increase. In Suillus species
(Basidiomycete), a strong differential net uptake of Zn is observed among Zntolerant and Zn-sensitive ecotypes when the fungi are exposed to elevated Zn [43].
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Zinc-tolerant ecotypes accumulate less metal per unit biomass, indicating a metal
exclusion system. In sensitive strains, excess Zn is transferred to vacuoles, with
little efflux over the plasma membrane. In tolerant strains Zn efflux is much higher
and less Zn accumulates in vacuoles.
Metal exclusion mechanisms in mycorrhizal fungi prevent metal stress in fungal
cells, but are also of ecological importance for a host plant on metalliferous soil.
Tolerant ecotypes are probably better filters than non-tolerant ecotypes because the
former more strongly prevent metal transfer to their host. Ashford and Allaway [10]
suggest that motile tubular vacuoles are an important vector in the transport chain of
mineral nutrients from the site of uptake at hyphal tips to the exchange region in the
mycorrhizal root. The observation that Zn-tolerant Suillus ecotypes do not store
large amounts of Zn into their vacuoles may thus prevent a massive transport of Zn
towards the mycorrhizas. Pine seedlings inoculated with metal-tolerant Suillus
ecotypes in most cases have lower metal concentrations in their needles than
seedlings inoculated with sensitive strains [110] confirming that metal-tolerant
isolates restrict metal transfer more effectively and thus lead to a more efficient
partnership with host plants thriving on metal-polluted soil.
6.3.2
Plant-Associated Bacteria
Under stress conditions including trace element stress, the synthesis of ethylene
is increased which negatively affects plant growth [79, 145, 250]. Many plantassociated bacteria are equipped with the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic
acid deaminase (ACCD). This enzyme has no known function in bacteria, but
antagonizes ethylene release in plants by cleaving the ethylene precursor
1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). ACCD-producing bacteria therefore
can reduce production of stress ethylene and in this way protect plants against trace
element toxicity when growing on contaminated soils [77].
For survival in metal-enriched environments, plant-associated bacteria have
developed diverse mechanisms to tolerate the uptake of these ions by which they
can immobilize or transform the trace elements rendering them inactive. These
mechanisms include physical sequestration, exclusion, and complexation or detoxification, etc. Certain efflux-based systems involved in bacterial trace element
resistance include post-efflux sequestration of these elements. Extruded trace element ions are prevented from re-entering the cell by precipitation, chelation or by
binding to exopolymers [60, 185]. The above-mentioned mechanisms immobilize
the trace elements in the rhizosphere and reduce their uptake into the plant root,
resulting in a reduced phytotoxicity. For instance, Madhaiyan et al. [127] found that
inoculation with Magnaporthe oryzae and Burkholderia sp. reduces the Ni and Cd
uptake in roots and shoots of tomato and also their availability in soil. This effect
was attributed to the increased trace element biosorption and bioaccumulation by
bacterial strains. Endophytes living in xylem vessels and possessing such systems
may contribute to metal detoxification inside their host plants resulting in lowered
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phytotoxicity and an increased trace element translocation to the above-ground

plant parts [123, 251].
Bacteria equipped with the above characteristics are frequently naturally
occurring and even abundant on metal contaminated sites [194]. Hyperaccumulator
plants, such as Thlaspi goesingense, Alyssum bertolonii and Thlaspi caerulescens,
are able to accumulate large amounts of metals and metalloids in their shoots and
provide a specific niche for resistant endophytes [15, 88, 89, 124, 143, 144].
Lodewyckx et al. [124] characterized the cultivable Zn- and Cd-resistant
endophytes in the Zn hyperaccumulator T. caerulescens subsp. calaminaria.
Interestingly, shoot and root possessed different microbial communities and
among shoot endophytes, Methylobacterium strains showed to be highly resistant
to Zn, Cd, Co and Ni. Likewise, Barzanti et al. [15] isolated and characterized 83
endophytic strains from the Ni hyperaccumulator A. bertolonii endemic to the
serpentine outcrops of Central Italy. Most of the isolates showed coresistance to
more than one trace element and coresistance to Ni, Cr, Zn and Cu was the most
frequent, whereas coresistance to Ni and Co was found less frequently. Idris et al.
(2004) identified a wide range of bacteria showing high Ni resistance in the rhizosphere and shoots of the Ni-hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense. Among the
different bacterial isolates 36% of the endophytes showed ACC deaminase activity.
Recently, Kuffner et al. [112] isolated different rhizospheric and endophytic
strains associated with Zn/Cd-accumulating Salix caprea ecotypes and investigated
their potential to enhance phytoextraction of trace elements. Five of the endophytic
strains were further tested for their production of trace element-mobilizing metabolites. Four of the Actinobacteria were shown able to mobilize Zn and/or Cd.
To improve phytoextraction efficiency, these naturally abundant strains equipped
with the appropriate characteristics can be enriched by means of inoculation. In case
these bacteria are not naturally colonizing the plant after isolation, bacteria can also
be equipped with metabolic pathways for the synthesis of natural chelators and with
trace element sequestration systems [222]. Proof of this concept was provided
by Lodewyckx et al. [123] who inoculated Ni-exposed yellow lupine plants with a
constructed Ni-resistant endophyte. They introduced the ncc-nre nickel-resistance
system of Ralstonia metallidurans 31 A in the lupin endophytes Burkholderia
cepacia L.S.2.4 and Herbaspirillum seropdicae LMG2284. Inoculation of lupin
plants grown on a Ni-enriched substrate with the engineered endophytes, resulted
in a 30% increased Ni concentration in the root tissue, whereas, the Ni concentration
in the shoots remained comparable with that of the control plants.
Sun et al. [216] isolated and characterized 32 endophytic strains with respect to
trace element resistance and production of plant growth promoting factors. In
experiments using rape (Brassica napus) grown in vermiculite containing 4 mg kg1
of Cu, inoculation with endophytic isolates was found to increase dry weights of
roots and aerial tissues when compared to the non-inoculated control. Furthermore,
increase in the Cu-content of aerial tissue varied from 63% to 125% in inoculated
rape cultivated in the Cu-enriched substrate compared to the non-inoculated
control. In another study, trace element resistant endophytic bacteria (P. fluorescens
G10 and Microbacterium sp. G16) colonizing rape roots were investigated for their
potential to increase Pb uptake and accumulation [200].
6.4
6.4.1
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Plant Metal Stress Responses

Metal Homeostasis: Chelation and Sequestration
After plants take up metals, it is important to keep the free metal concentration
under tight control in order to prevent metal-induced cellular damage. Passage
across the plasma membrane by metals is enhanced by intracellular binding and
sequestration. Once across the plasma membrane, metal ions are either bound to
chelators or chaperones. Chelators contribute to metal detoxification by buffering
cytosolic free metal concentrations. Chaperones specifically deliver metal ions to
organelles and metal-requiring proteins. It is well described that Cu is a cofactor for
plastocyanin, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), etc. and it is required in
different subcellular locations [171, 256]. Several chaperones are identified that
deliver Cu to a specific protein in their specific location, such as CCS (Copper
Chaperone for SOD) [17, 27, 168]. Phytochelatins, metallothioneins, organic acids
and amino acids are well-described metal ion ligands with metal-specific properties
[241]. Mugineic acid, nicotianamine, organic acids, histidine and phytate and their
role as metal ion ligands for Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Ni for metal homeostasis in plants
were reviewed by Haydon and Cobbett [84]. Whereas phytochelatins are clear
chelators for Cd and As [38, 257], recently Tensteddt et al. [221] observed that
phytochelatins function as important chelators of excess Zn2+.
The activities of metal-sequestering pathways in root cells are crucial in determining the rate of metal translocation to the aerial parts. Beside Fe-nicotianamine
transport for Fe translocation, this could also be an important mechanism for
Mn translocation [92]. The role and characterization of membrane transporters in
xylem loading of metal ions/ligands is currently under intense study. Ferric reductase defective 3 (FRD3), a member of the multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE)
family of transporters, is shown to be a citrate transporter involved in the loading of
iron into the xylem [66]. A role is attributed to the membrane transporter HMA4
(Heavy metal ATPase 4) in Cd/Zn tolerance more specific in the root-to-shoot
translocation of Cd and Zn [48, 82, 253].
6.4.2
Physiological Responses
Generally, plants can withstand metal accumulation until the metal reaches the
toxic threshold level in the tissue, leading to growth retardation and toxicity at
higher levels. As usual, metal-exposed plants develop reduced, compact roots
system and smaller leaf area [193]. Furthermore, weaker growth is often accompanied by different toxicity symptoms such as root browning [170, 239], foliar
chlorosis [151, 240], necrotic spots [215, 234], etc. The symptoms may appear in
single or complex manner depending on numerous factors including species tolerance, external metal concentration, duration of exposure, etc. As a rule, chlorosis is
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stronger in the younger leaves [29], while necrotic spots appear mostly on older
leaves, where metal concentrations are higher [232]. The observed root browning
most probably is due to enhanced lignifications processes [5]. At low levels of metal
contamination, visual phytotoxicity symptoms may be less pronounced or even
absent, but an enhanced activity of enzymes involved in plant cellular defense
against metal induced oxidative stress, e. g. peroxidases, catalases, superoxide
dismutases, as well as NAD(P)+ reducing enzymes may be detected (cfr. Infra)
[227, 239].
Due to similar phytotoxicity symptoms, there is an assumption that different
metals have similar modes of toxic action. However, Cd, Pb and several other
problematic metals have no biological function, while Zn, Cu and Mn are essential
micronutrients, which become phytotoxic at supra optimal concentrations [39, 59].
Presumably, as the role of these metals in plant cell metabolism is completely
different, their impact on plant performance can be also expected to differ. Some
proofs in this aspect have been recently obtained when Cd and Zn were applied in
concentrations producing similar (near 50%) inhibition of relative growth rate of
durum wheat plants [104]. Briefly, Cd induced classic xeromorphic changes in leaf
structure, which were not presented in Zn-exposed plants. In addition, Cd exposure
strongly modulated enzyme activities, e.g. ascorbate peroxidase activity, while no
significant changes in its activity were observed in Zn-exposed plants
The biochemical bases of metal phytotoxicity is well described and mostly
due to three negative effects [61]: (1) metal-induced oxidative stress and damages
(cfr. infra), (2) direct effects of metal ions with sulfydryl groups in membrane
proteins leading to their dysfunction and (3) inactivation of important enzymes by
replacing activation cations with other metal ions [228]. The multiplication of the
primary metal toxicity effects leads to functional disorders in the cardinal physiological processes and anatomic-morphological changes and damages.
Metals contact first the root system that shows reduced elongation upon exposure. This often resulted in appearance of stubby roots having higher specific
dry mass content. Instead of a well-structured root system, brown short laterals are
developed. In addition, cell division is lowered due to different damages in the
nucleus structures and mitosis [65, 225].
After root metal uptake, deficiencies and imbalances of mineral nutrients can be
induced. They can reduce nutrient uptake and translocation through competition,
affect root cells membranes, ATP-ases and other carriers resulting in decreased
unsuberized root tips and damage of the permeability of root cells [37, 183].
For example, Cd decreased root concentrations of Zn, Cu and Mn in barley plants
and Salix viminalis cuttings [234, 239]. The decreased essential nutrient content
may be also caused by ion leakage from damaged roots and immobilization of
elements in roots, resulting in their strong deficiency in the shoots [203]. The most
pronounced such effect is K+ leakage as consequence to Cd-provoked disturbed
membrane permeability [146, 229].
Excess metals induce disorders in plant water relations, such as reduced water
uptake, translocation and transpiration [11]. The reduced water uptake in metalexposed plants can be partly explained by root growth inhibition, but binding of
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metals, for example Zn, to water-channel proteins in the membrane also occurs
[115]. Furthermore, the water movement into xylem vessels is also affected by
metals [133]. The reason for the reduced water movement is both a decreased vessel
radius and number of vessels due to Cd, Zn and Cr induced inhibition of division,
elongation and differentiation of cambium cells [11]. In addition, accumulation of
lignin-like insoluble phenols and depositions of Ca oxalate can cause structural
disorders in the vessels and hence decrease the water movement. The disturbed
plant water relations resulted in decreased relative water content (RWC), water
potential (C) of leaves of metal-exposed plants, which may have far going consequences for many physiological processes [233]. Diminished leaf water content
decreased transpiration intensity, which in turn enlarged stomatal limitation of
photosynthesis [133, 237].
Most of the observed physiological disturbances in metal-exposed plants may
finally be focused on photosynthetic performance. In addition to limited access of
CO2 through stomata, metals may affect photosynthesis at other levels, e.g. pigments,
thylakoid ultrastructure and electron transport, activities of Calvin cycle enzymes, etc.
[107, 230].
The reduced chlorophyll content in metal-exposed plants may be due to inhibition of its biosynthesis [213], metal-induced Fe and Mg deficiency [233],
Mg-substitution in the chlorophyll molecule [114], chlorophyll degradation
resulting from oxidative damage or enzymatic degradation [129, 249]. Baryla et al.
[14] have reported that leaf chlorosis in Cd-exposed oilseed rape was due to neither
of the mentioned reasons, but it was attributable to a marked decrease of chloroplast
density caused by a reduction in the number of chloroplasts per cell.
Metal-induced disorders in chloroplast and thylakoid ultrastructure swelling
of thylakoids, disruption of envelope, etc, are well documented [8, 231] as well as
their negative effects on PSII and PSI activities, analysed in vitro [16, 235] and in vivo
[39, 108]. These negative effects may be partly explained by the enhanced lipid
peroxidation at chloroplast level. Evidence for this was obtained by increased ethylene
production together with diminished total fatty acids content in isolated thylakoids
from Cd- and Cu-exposed barley plants [236, 238]. Furthermore, the electron transport
might be limited by changes in the concentrations of the electron carriers [119] due
to a decrease in essential cations as well as metal-induced alterations in chlorophyll
molecule integration into pigment-protein complexes [87].
A lower photosynthetic performance in metal-exposed plants was observed by
several authors [120, 239] and supports the opinion of Krupa et al. [108] that metalinduced alterations in primary C metabolism may lead to a down-regulation of PSII
activity due to a reduced demand for ATP and NADPH. That also agrees with a
lower capacity for 14C photoassimilation and partitioning of labeled photoproducts
[230] as well as increased pools of ATP and ADP in leaves of Cd-exposed plants
[204]. Furthermore, metals may indirectly decrease photosynthetic rate by changing the sink-source relationship, with a consequent diminished requirement for
photosynthetic products [36]. The metal-induced growth inhibition may cause
phloem overloading leading to decreases in enzyme activities and energy consumption by Calvins cycle reactions, and finally reflecting in downregulation in PSII.
174
6.4.3
A. Cuypers et al.
Metal Stress: An Oxidative Challenge
Elevated metal concentrations in the environment cause great losses in plant

biomass production worldwide. A better understanding of the underlying molecular
mechanisms of metal phytotoxicity is most useful to develop or adjust strategies for
growing non-food crops on metal-contaminated agricultural soils. The cellular
oxidative stress signature leading to oxidative signalling or damage is an important
determinant in metal phytotoxicity [196].
Multiple studies have shown that different metal stresses lead to elevated
amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in the antioxidative defence
systems in plants (Table 6.1). Depending on the chemical behaviour of metal ions,
the metal-induced oxidative stress differs [51, 56, 210]. Metal ions, able to perform
monovalent oxidoreduction reactions, easily convert molecular oxygen, O2, to
ROS, e.g. superoxide (O2 ) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by electron transfer.
Furthermore redox-active metals like Cu, Fe. . . promote hydroxyl radical ( OH)
formation through the Fenton reaction [81; Fig. 6.1], leading to oxidative damage of
macromolecules and cellular malfunctioning. Unlike harmful effects, such as DNAoxidation, lipid peroxidation. . . that can be a direct consequence of enhanced ROS
production, these molecules also exert an important role as signalling molecules.
The balance between damage versus signalling is an oxidative challenge imposed
by metal ions to the cells and is characterized by the duration, intensity and
frequency of metal-induced ROS production [55]. In the next paragraphs emphasis
will be on the cellular ROS balance, i.e. ROS production and antioxidative defence,
and consecutively the oxidative damage and signalling under metal stress.
In addition to direct metal-induced ROS production through Fenton and HaberWeiss reactions [190], also other indirect pathways come into play when
investigating oxidative stress responses from bivalent cations such as Cd, Zn, Pb
not able to perform redox-reactions. Under natural conditions, ROS are produced in
organelles with a highly oxidizing metabolic rate or having electron transport
chains (e.g. peroxisomes, chloroplasts, mitochondria) [81]. In multiple studies it
has been described that metal stress enhances the ROS production in these
organelles, by disturbing photosynthesis and respiration (cfr. supra). A quick
burst in ROS was detected in Arabidopsis cells exposed to Cd as a consequence
of morphological and functional changes in mitochondria and chloroplasts [20].
Superoxide levels were elevated under Cr stress by inactivation of the electron
transport chain in pea root mitochondria [64]. Elevated H2O2 and O2 contents
were observed in the peroxisomes after exposure to Cd [182 and references therein].
Whereas the enzymatic oxidative burst is well studied under pathogenic attack
[223], NADPH-oxidases are clearly involved in ROS production after metal application. Remans et al. [178] demonstrated a metal-specific upregulation of NADPH
oxidase gene expression in the roots for Cd, whereas Cu caused a metal-specific
downregulation of NADPH oxidase genes. Nevertheless ROS production by
NADPH-oxidases under Cu stress cannot be ruled out as Navari-Izzo et al. [155]
observed an early, but transient induction of NADPH-oxidase activities in Cuexposed wheat roots.
Cu
Pb
96 h
5 days
7 days
7 days
25 mM
151501,500 mM
50 mM
75 mM
100 mM
25 mM
Solanum lycopersicon
Hordeum vulgare
Phaseolus vulgaris
Arabidopsis thaliana
Brassica napus
GSH#, GR# in roots, GSH", GR" in leaves

Altered AsA, GSH, CAT#, APx#, GR# in roots CAT",
APx", GR" in leaves
GPx", SOD", CAT", APx", GR"
Altered non-protein SH, CAT", GSH-Px", SOD#
AsA", GSH", MDHAR", DHAR", GR", APx"
a-tocopherol", AsA"
SPx", GPx", APx", GSH-Px", DHAR", GR"

Altered CAT, SOD", GPx", APx"
AsA", GSH", Px# GR#

AsA", GSH", SOD", CAT#, Px#, GR#
SOD", CAT", Px", GR", GST"
Taxithelium nepalense
Macrotyloma uniflorum,
Cicer arietinum
Phaseolus vulgaris
Oryza sativa
12, 24 h
24 h
12 days
14 days
5, 10, 15,
20 days
1 min to 6 h
24 h
Altered transcription, SOD", Px"
3, 24 h
1050100200 mM
5001,000 mM
110100200500 mM
110 mM
1001,000 mM
101001,000 mM
200500800 ppm
Table 6.1 Responses of the antioxidant defence system in plants exposed to elevated metal concentrations
Exposure
Metal Concentration
time
Plant
Antioxidant defence mechanisms
Cd
31030 mM
Minutes to
Medicago sativa
Altered AsA, GSH
24 h
51020 mM
24 h
Altered transcription, Px", GR#
510 mM
24 h
Altered transcription, CAT", APx", altered AsA, GSH
5 mM
96 h
Phaseolus vulgaris
Altered APx, CAT, GR
110 mM
7 days
AsA#, GSH#, GR#, APx", CAT", SOD", GR",
GPOD"
630 mM
7 days
Zea mays
Altered GSH, APX"
31030 mM
7 days
Medicago sativa
AsA", biothiols", APx", GR"
75 mM
7 days
a-tocopherol"
102550 mM
15 days
Brassica juncea, B. napus
Non-protein SH", SOD#, CAT#, GR#, APx#
300500 mM
21 days
SOD", GPx", APx", GR"
[30]
[58]
[52]
[40]
(continued)
[184]
[56]
[76]
[242]
[35]
[34]
[175]
[122]
[177]
[212]
[40]
[156]
[33]
[209]
[56]
[31]
[192]
References
[158]

175
12,24 h
1, 3, 5, 7 days Brassica juncea, Vigna
radiata
2, 4, 6, 8 days Triticum aestivum
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
Brassica juncea
15 days
1001,000 mM
50100200 mM
Cr
0.1110100 mM
0.2220 mM
24 h
3, 10 days
5 days
7 days
10 days
101001,000 mM
100 mM
25 mg/L
1050 mM
50100 mM As(III)
100500 mM As(V)
As
Phaseolus vulgaris
Phaseolus aureus
Oryza sativa
Triticosecale
Pisum sativum
Hordeum vulgare
Vigna radiata
Lemna minor
248 h
24 h
24, 48 h
48, 72 h
9 days
15 days
25 mM
3050100 mM
1050 mM
2468 mM
0.0010.010.11.0 mM
0.150.3 mM
Al
Verbascum thapsus
Lemna minor
2, 4, 6, 8 days Triticum aestivum

96 h
Phaseolus vulgaris
7 days
Phaseolus vulgaris
11 days
15 days
0.1110100 mM
100 mM
50 mM
Plant
Brassica juncea
15 mM
0.150.3 mM
Zn
Exposure
Metal Concentration
time
105075100150200300 mM 21 days
Table 6.1 (continued)
AsA", GSH#, CAT#, GPx# SOD#

SOD", APx", CAT", GR", GST"
AsA", GSH", Px#, GR#

SOD", APx", CAT", GR"
AsA", GSH", SOD", CAT#, Px#, GR#

Cu/ZnSOD", Cu/ZnSOD", FeSOD#, FeSOD#
Px"
SOD", GPx", GR", CAT#
SOD", APx", Px", GR"
Transcription of antioxidant enzymes"

SOD", Px"
Altered transcription, activities, AsA, GSH
Altered SOD, Px, APx activities
AsA#, GSH#, CAT#, SOD", Px", GR"
SOD", Px"
AsA", GSH#, CAT#, GPx#,SOD#

Altered Px, MDHAR activities
APx#, GR# in roots, AsA", AsA-GSH pathway"
in leaves
APx", SOD", Px", MDHAR", GR#, DHAR#
AsA", SOD", Px", CAT#
Antioxidant defence mechanisms

SOD", APx", GPx", CAT"
[163]
[165]
[35]
[63]
[34]
[2]
[214]
[206]
[202]
[179]
[121]
[162]
[205]
[164]
[173]
[150]
[173]
[163]
[31]
[53]
References
[207]
176
A. Cuypers et al.
10200 mM
50100200400800 mM
200400 mM
1831,83018,300 mM
50100 mM
600 mM
50100250 mM
100 mM
630 mM
31030 mM
1050 mM
203040 mM
31030 mM
5 days
6 days
11 days
11 days
1, 3, 7,
14 days
3, 6, 9 days
7 days
520 days
Minutes to
24 h
7 days
7 days
10, 20 days
21 days
Triticum aestivum
Luffa cylindrica
Oryza sativa
Hordeum vulgare
Vigna unguiculata
Cucumis sativus
Pisum sativum
Zea mays
Zea mays
Medicago sativa
Lycopersicon esculentum
Medicago sativa
Altered AsA, CAT", GSH-Px", SOD#, APx#

Altered AsA, Px
AsA#, GSH#, SOD", Px", APx", DHAR", GR"
AsA#, GSH#, SOD", APx", DHAR", GR", CAT#
Px", APx", SOD", CAT#
Altered GSH, APx"

AsA", biothiols", GR# in roots, GR" in leaves
SOD", CAT", Px"
Transcription of antioxidant enzymes"
Altered AsA, GSH, APx"
[58]
[68]
[201]
[75]
[113]
[177]
[212]
[32]
[85]
[158]
Px", GST", SOD#, CAT#

[74]
SOD", GPx", CAT"
[246]
AsA", GSH#, SOD", GPx", APx", AsA-GSH
[128]
pathway"
For each metal, the effects of acute and prolonged exposure to low or high concentrations are summarized for different plant species based on available
literature
Underlined enzymes indicate affected transcript levels
APx ascorbate peroxidase, AsA ascorbate, CAT catalase, DHAR dehydroascorbate reductase, GPOD guajacol peroxidase, GPx glutathione peroxidase, GR
glutathione reductase, GSH glutathione, GST glutathione-S-transferase, MDHAR monodehydroascorbate reductase, Px peroxidase, SOD superoxide
dismutase, SPx syringaldazine peroxidase
Ni
Mn
Hg

177
178
A. Cuypers et al.
Fig. 6.1 Fenton and Haber Weiss reaction
Besides electron transfer, energy transfer to O2 results in the conversion to

singlet oxygen (1O2) with a highly oxidizing capacity [70]. Under metal stress,
this process can happen in the chloroplast by inefficient transfer to the complexes of
the electron transport chain, but 1O2 molecules are also formed as a by-product of
lipoxygenase activities [98]. Lipoxygenase gene expression [56, 178, 209, 210] and
enzyme activity [99, 219, 258] are elevated under Cd, Hg and Cu stress, possibly
leading to a higher production of 1O2. In Arabidopsis cell cultures exposed to Cd,
an immediate burst of 1O2 was noticed that was not high light dependent (Van
Belleghem, personal communication, 2007). Lipoxygenases catalyze the addition
of molecular oxygen to polyunsaturated fatty acids that lead to lipid peroxidation
but it can also be subsequently modified to bioactive compounds such as oxylipins
[69]. Jasmonates are lipid-derived signalling compounds with a role in normal plant
growth and development, as well as in the response of plants to (a)biotic stress
factors [56, 118, 208, 248].
As sessile organisms, plants cannot escape from toxic surroundings, so in order to
counterbalance the stress-induced ROS production plant cells contain a lot of
antioxidants, i.e. enzymes and metabolites. It is essential to prevent the production
of OH-radicals, having a very short half-life and attacking everything around it [81].
Superoxide radicals are the primary ROS formed after electron transfer and superoxide dismutase (SOD) converts these molecules to H2O2 and O2. In plants 3 different
groups of isoforms exist, each containing a redox-active metal in the active site to
perform the reaction: CuZnSOD, FeSOD, MnSOD located in different subcellular
locations (for a review see 148). Although changes in the SOD activities under metal
stress have been described (Table 6.1), currently more information becomes available
on the transcript level as well as on the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. In conditions of Cu-deficiency [106, 254] as well as during Cu-excess [1, 153]
the presence of GTAC motifs in the promotors of genes are essential in Cu-sensing
and homeostasis [62 and references therein]. The presence of Cu induces the CSD
(CuZnSOD) gene expression and simultaneously inhibits FSD (FeSOD) gene expression through the presence of Cu negative cis-acting elements in the promotors of
miRNA398 (negative posttranscriptional regulator of CSD gene transcripts) or the
FSD gene itself. Recently, the opposite (a downregulation) was observed for the CSD
gene transcripts under Cd-stress together with un upregulation of miR398 [56]. Future
experiments are needed to reveal the processes by which metal stress affects gene
regulation at different biological organisation levels, i.e. epigenetics, transcriptional
and posttranscriptional regulation.
Hydrogen peroxide is the subsequent ROS in the electron transfer that needs to
be scavenged in order to prevent OH formation. Catalases and peroxidases are
179
very important scavengers of H2O2 and are stimulated under metal stress
(Table 6.1). Furthermore peroxiredoxins and associated redoxins come into play
to detoxify H2O2 by the use of their thiol groups. Although investigations are
ongoing for these components in H2O2 detoxification [224], the information
under metal stress is rather scarce. Conversion of H2O2 to H2O and O2 links
enzymatic systems directly to the antioxidant metabolites, more specifically ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH). They are electron donors for peroxidases and
GSH is also involved in the regeneration of oxidized AsA as well as glutaredoxins.
Both AsA and GSH are highly abundant, soluble metabolites present in different
cellular compartments [71] and form important constituents of the redox balance in
plant cells that can be affected by metal exposure (Table 6.1). During metal stress,
special attention should be given to GSH, since its functional group is susceptible
for different metals such as Hg, Cd . . . showing high affinities to thiols. In this
regard it plays a central role in metal chelation (as a precursor for phytochelatins) as
well as through its antioxidant capacities.
The steady state level of ROS in the different cellular compartments is determined by the interplay between multiple ROS-producing pathways and ROSscavenging mechanisms. As mentioned before, ROS are capable of modulating
signalling networks that control physiological processes and stress responses [71,
148]. ROS, such as H2O2, are ideal signalling molecules as they are small and able
to diffuse over short distances. Because H2O2 production is an immediate response
to increased metal stress [20, 56, 150, 247], it is probably a key molecule that can
trigger signal transduction events after plant metal exposure, mediating the acquisition of tolerance [19, 130, 131]. Whereas oxidative signaling is very important
under metal stress, the complex interaction with other signaling pathways [54]
needs further attention.
In conclusion, the term metal-induced oxidative stress can be more specified in
either oxidative damage and oxidative signalling that together forms an oxidative
challenge for the cells to cope with metal stress.
6.5
Conclusions
Nutrient uptake by plants is essential for their development and for the passage
of minerals into the food chain, but faces several limitations. The plant possesses several mechanisms to explore the soil for minerals such as root development, releasing siderophores, organic acids, etc. . . but the symbiosis with
microorganisms clearly improves the ability of plants to overcome these
limitations and needs further attention in the study of plant-soil interactions.
Also in the research on plant metal stress and its cellular responses, microorganisms are shown to be important players in the plant protection to excess
metal exposure.
180
A. Cuypers et al.
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Chapter 7
Heavy Metals and Metalloids as Micronutrients

for Plants and Animals
Brian J. Alloway
Abstract Much of the emphasis of the chapters in this book is on heavy metal(loid)s
as soil contaminants, their bioavailability and possible toxicity to plants, ecosystems, animals and humans. However, many of the heavy metal(loid)s are actually
micronutrients, that is they are essential (in small quantities) for the normal growth
of plants and/or animals. Copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel
(Ni) and zinc (Zn) are the heavy metals that are essential for higher plants. For
animals and humans, chromium (Cr), Cu, cobalt (Co), Mn, Mo, selenium (Se),
vanadium (V) and Zn are the micronutrient heavy metal(loid)s. Iron (Fe), not usually
considered a heavy metal is essential for both plants and animals. Several other
elements, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and tin (Sn) may possibly
have an essential role at very low concentrations. This chapter briefly covers the
essential functions of these heavy metal(loid)s in plants and/or animals and the
significance of relatively low and high available concentrations in soils. Deficiencies
and toxicities of micronutrients adversely affect plant and animal health, cause
reductions in growth rate (and yield), overt symptoms of physiological stress and,
in extreme cases, the death of the plant or animal. In many parts of the world, the
adverse effects of deficiencies of essential heavy metal(loid)s are more important
economically than toxicities arising from soil contamination.
Keywords Micronutrients Essentiality Hidden deficiency Toxicity
Symptoms Enzymes Plant nutrition Human nutrition Homeostasis
B.J. Alloway (*)

195
196
7.1
B.J. Alloway
Introduction
Micronutrients are the trace elements required in small, but critical, quantities for
the normal healthy growth of plants and animals. There are eight micronutrients
required by higher plants and these are: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), Cu, iron (Fe), Mn,
Mo, Ni and Zn. In addition, Co is essential for the bacterial fixation of nitrogen (N) in
nodules on the roots of legumes [5, 8, 9]. With the exception of B and Cl, these
elements are all classed as heavy metals. In higher animals and humans, the proven
micronutrients are: chromium Cr, Cu, Fe, iodine (I), Mn, Mo, Se, V and Zn. Other
elements which are being investigated for possible essential functions in animals and
humans include: B, silicon (Si), As, fluorine (F), lithium (Li) and Sn. There is even
some evidence that Cd, Pb and Sn may be essential at very low concentrations
[12, 28, 31]. However, the micronutrients which have been conclusively proven to
be essential in animal and/or human nutrition and whose concentrations in diets
are critical are Co (ruminants only), Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn.
An element can be considered essential for plants if they cannot complete their
life cycles without it, it cannot be replaced by other elements and it is directly
involved in plant metabolism [8]. Essential trace elements are also known as
micronutrients. For animals and humans, Reilly [28] quotes the definition of
essential elements used by many nutritionists as: The trace element must: (1) be
present in healthy tissue, (2) its concentration must be relatively constant between
different organisms, (3) deficiency induces specific biochemical changes, (4) the
changes are accompanied by equivalent abnormalities in different species, and
(5) supplementation with the element corrects the abnormalities.
All micronutrient heavy metal(loid)s have homeostatic mechanisms in plants
and/or animals which regulate the bioavailable concentrations of the elements. It is
when these mechanisms break down and are unable to maintain the optimal range of
supply of a particular micronutrient that either deficiencies or toxicities can occur.
7.2
Heavy Metal Micronutrients in Plant Nutrition
It is very important that the micronutrient requirements of crops are met as well as
their macronutrient needs (e.g., N, P and K) if they are to yield satisfactorily and
bear products, such as grains, fruits, vegetable leaves or storage roots, of acceptable
quality. In comparison with macronutrients, which are often present in thousands
of mg kg1, micronutrients are only required in relatively small amounts
(5100 mg kg1 DM). The dose response curves for all micronutrients show that
yields can be affected by both deficiencies and toxicities. Typical dose-response
graphs for micronutrients and non-essential elements are shown in Fig. 7.1.
Although these are primarily based on generalised plant data, dose response graphs
for animals show similar trends.
7 Heavy Metals and Metalloids as Micronutrients for Plants and Animals
197
Typical Dose-Response Curves for Essential and

Non-Essential Trace Elements in Crops
Essential trace element
Deficiency
Optimal
Plant yield
Lower critical
concentration
Toxicity
No effect
Upper critical
concentration
Hidden
or mild
Hidden
or mild
Severe
Element concentration
Toxicity
critical
concentration
Hidden
or mild
Severe
0
Non-essential trace element
Severe
0
Element concentration
Fig. 7.1 Typical dose-response curves for essential and non-essential trace elements (Reproduced
from Alloway [3] (Copyright (2008) with permission from International Zinc Association and
International Fertiliser Industry Association))
Micronutrient deficiency problems in crops have only been widely recognised

and treated in the field over the last 70 years. These deficiencies became apparent
with the intensification of arable farming in many parts of the world and also with
the cultivation of virgin and/or reclaimed land. Intensification involves the increased
use of N, P and K fertilisers, growing new and higher yielding crop cultivars,
increased use of pesticides and, where necessary, liming to optimise soil pH
and/or increased use of irrigation. Prior to this intensification, much lower crop
yields were usually accepted as the norm in many parts of the world, but the crop
cultivars grown were generally well adapted to local soil and climatic conditions [2].
A similar situation has arisen with intensively managed livestock, but in the case of
humans, trace element malnutrition is often related to poverty and restricted diets
with either a shortage of foods containing adequate concentrations of micronutrients, or foods, such as grains containing relatively high levels of antinutrients
such as phytates, which reduce the availability of some micronutrients [31, 33].
The functions of the plant micronutrients are briefly summarised in Table 7.1.
All of these essential heavy metals have roles as constituents or activators of
enzymes in physiological pathways. Although Fe is not normally considered to
be a heavy metal it is included in Tables 7.1 and 7.2 because of its very important
functions and the fact that it interacts with several heavy metals such as Mn, Cu and
Zn and macronutrients such as Ca.
Critical deficiency concentrations of these micronutrient heavy metals in most
crop plant species are generally in the range (in mg kg1 DM): Cu 1.05.0, Fe
50150, Mn 1020, Mo 0.0150.05, Ni 0.0110 and Zn 1520 [6, 7]. Critical
concentrations in soils vary with the soil test procedure used, the crop and the
type of soil. For Cu extracted with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)
deficiencies are highly likely <0.5 mg EDTA Cu kg1 and still possible 0.508.
198
B.J. Alloway
Table 7.1 Brief summary of the essential functions of metal micronutrients and beneficial
elements in plants
Element
Functions
Cobalt
Not a plant micronutrient, but is essential for the symbiotic fixation of N2 in the root
nodules of legumes and some non-legumes by Rhizobium and other N2- fixing
microorganisms in which three enzymes are known to be Co-dependent. It may
also have beneficial roles in some higher plant families.
Copper
Plays important structural and functional roles in oxidative enzymes (including: super
oxide dismutase (SOD), cytochrome oxidase, ascorbate oxidase, polyphenols
oxidase and electron-transfer proteins (e.g., plastocyanin in chloroplasts)). The
physiological processes involving these Cu-dependent enzymes and proteins
affect photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, respiration, protein metabolism,
lignification of cell walls (and water transport) and pollen formation. It is also
required for N-fixation in root nodules of legumes.
Iron
Constituent of cytochromes (electron-transfer proteins) and metalloenzymes and is
essential for many biochemical and physiological processes in plants. These
include: photosynthesis, utilization of N and S, production of the plant hormone
ethylene and biosynthesis of chlorophyll. Iron is generally incorporated into
heme and non-heme proteins, such as cytochromes. Heme proteins are involved
with the formation of lignin and suberin and in catalase enzymes which
breakdown hydrogen peroxide in cells. In legumes, Fe-containing heme
proteins called leghemoglobins, regulate the supply of O2 to N2-fixing bacteria
in root nodules.
Manganese
Activates a large number of enzymes which catalyse oxidation-reduction,
decarboxylation and hydrolytic reactions and affects the production of lignin,
flavonoids, fatty acids, the growth hormone indole acetic acid (IAA) and N
metabolism. In C4 plants, such as maize and sugar cane and plants which fix
their C at night, Mn is required for CO2 assimilation. Only two enzymes contain
Mn: the Mn protein in photosystem II, which catalyses the photolysis of water
in photosynthesis and a superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) which protects tissues
from damage caused by the oxygen free radical (O2).
Molybdenum Required for the functioning of several enzymes involved in redox reactions
including nitrate reductase which is essential for the reduction of NO3 to allow it
to be assimilated into plants and aldehyde oxidase which is involved in the
synthesis of growth hormones. Molybdenum is also a component of the bacterial
enzyme nitrogenase involved the fixation of N2 in legume root nodules.
Nickel
Constituent of the enzyme urease and therefore essential for the few plant species
that produce this enzyme and other plants supplied with urea as the sole source
of N. It is required for healthy embryo and seedling vigour in cereals and is also
important in plant disease resistance. Nickel is also a component of the enzyme
hydrogenase involved in N fixation by bacteria.
Zinc
Constituent of several enzymes with roles in carbohydrate and protein synthesis, gene
regulation, structure and integrity of biomembranes, protection of cells from
damage due to free radicals, regulation of auxin synthesis and pollen formation.
Meristematic tissues have a high Zn requirement and the Zn-containing enzyme
carbonic anhydrase is required for photosynthesis. Plants with C4 type CO2
fixation in photosynthesis have a higher requirement for carbonic anhydrase, than
C3 plants and are therefore more sensitive to Zn deficiency, but Zn deficiency
reduces net photosynthesis in all plants. As a result of its role in maintenance of
biomembranes, roots of Zn-deficient plants tend to leak amino acids and
phenolics. Classic symptoms of Zn deficiency, such as stunting and little leaf are
due to the oxidative degradation of auxin (growth hormone).
Adapted from: Marschner [19], Bell and Dell [6], Srivastava and Gupta [30], Fageria et al. [9],
Brown [7], Humphries et al. [14] and Asher [4]
199
Table 7.2 Some common visible symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies in crops

Element
Symptoms
Sensitive crops
Copper
Wilting, melanism, white twisted tips,
Cereals, sunflower, spinach, onions,
reduction in panicle formation,
carrots and alfalfa
disturbance of lignification and of the
development and fertility of pollen
Iron
Interveinal chlorosis of young leaves
Fruit trees (citrus), grapes, peanut,
soya bean, sorghum and
calcifuge species
Manganese
Chlorotic spots and necrosis of young
Cereals, legumes and fruit trees
leaves and reduced turgour. Necrotic
(apples, cherries and citrus)
spots on cotyledons of peas
Brassicae and legumes
Molybdenum Chlorosis of leaf margins, Whiptail of
leaves and distorted curding of
cauliflower; fired margin and
deformation of leaves due to NO3
excess and destruction of embryonic
tissues
Nickel
Leaf tip necrosis (legumes), chlorosis
Pecan, wheat, potato, bean, soya
and patchy necrosis (Graminae)
bean
Zinc
Interveinal chlorosis (mainly in monoCereals (especially maize and rice),
cotyledons), stunted growth, little
grasses, flax/linseed and fruit
leaf, rosetting of trees and violet-red
trees (citrus)
points on leaves
Adapted from Kabata-Pendias [15] and Fageria et al. [9]
Mg EDTA Cu kg1 [1]. For Zn extracted with diethylenediamine pentaacetic acid

(DTPA) typical threshold concentrations are 0.11.0 mg DTPA Zn kg1 [21]
(see Sect. 17.5.1), but around the world the critical range can extend up to 2.0 mg
DTPA Zn kg1 [3].
When the supply of a micronutrient to plants is either deficient or excessive, in
addition to crop yields and quality being affected, visible symptoms of physiological
stress are often observed, especially in cases of severe deficiency or toxicity [5].
Although plant species differ in the nature of the symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities which they display, there are several generalizations which can be
made. In most cases, severe deficiencies will cause stunted growth, discoloration and,
in some cases, necrotic spots on leaves. The discolouration will usually commence
as chlorosis when, instead of the normal green colour of chlorophyll, either all or part
of the leaves turn yellow, or even white, but they can also turn brown. Deficiency
symptoms can also include smaller or twisted leaves, and loss of turgour. Leaf symptoms are usually seen only on old leaves in the case of Mo, on new leaves with Fe, Mn
and Cu, on both young and old leaves with Zn, and in terminal buds with B deficiency.
Green veins (on chlorotic leaf laminas) are seen on new leaves with Fe and Mn
deficiency and yellow veins with Cu deficiency [27]. A summary of the main types
of deficiency symptoms associated with each of the plant micronutrients is given in
Table 7.2. Less severe deficiencies may not manifest themselves until later stages in
the development of the plant. Visible symptoms can provide a convenient and lowcost means of identifying micronutrient deficiency problems, but can sometimes be
confused with deficiencies of other macro or micronutrients, toxicities of metal(loid)
s or symptoms of disease, drought, heat stress, or damage by agrichemicals [5].
200
B.J. Alloway
Symptoms of severe toxicity in plants vary with the metal(loid) involved

(including non-essential and micronutrient elements), but certain symptoms tend
to be commonly found. These include: chlorosis (Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se,
Tl and Zn); stunted or deformed roots (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ni
and Zn); dark green leaves (Cu, Fe and Pb); grey green leaves (Ni); brown necrotic
spots on leaves (As); brown leaf margins (Cd); white or necrotic leaf tips (Zn) and
general stunting (Cd, Hg and Zn) [15]. Upper critical concentrations (in mg kg1
DM) causing a 10% depression in yield (due to toxicity) are in the range: As 120,
Cd 1020, Cr 110, Cu 1030, Hg 18, Ni 1030 and Zn 100500 [18].
In cases of marginal deficiency or toxicity, the manifestation of symptoms is
often less distinct and more difficult to recognize in the field. The yields of many
crops, especially cereals, can be significantly reduced (sometimes by 20% or more)
and the quality of crop products impaired, without the manifestation of distinct
visible symptoms due to marginal deficiencies of micronutrients such as Cu and Zn.
These are usually referred to as hidden deficiencies, hidden hunger, latent, and/or
sub-clinical deficiencies. In many parts of the world, this type of deficiency is more
widespread and has a greater economic impact than acute micronutrient
deficiencies. The apparent absence of deficiency or toxicity symptoms in a crop
does not necessarily imply that the supply of micronutrients is optimal. More than
one element may be deficient or causing phytotoxicity at a particular site (multimicronutrient deficiencies or toxicities). In correcting a diagnosed deficiency of one
element, there is a risk that the available concentration of another micronutrient
may be reduced in some way, thereby inducing a deficiency of this element instead.
This has been found with Cu and Mn, Cu and Zn, and Mn and Fe.
From Table 7.3 it can be seen that crop species vary considerably in their susceptibility to deficiencies of different micronutrients. Maize, rice, citrus and fruit trees are
particularly susceptible to Zn deficiency, which is the most ubiquitous micronutrient
deficiency disorder in crops. Small grain cereals, such as wheat, barley and oats as
well as citrus and alfalfa are highly susceptible to Cu deficiency. However, although
wheat is considered reasonably tolerant of Zn deficiency, in many countries, especially those with calcareous soils, Zn deficiency in wheat is a major problem (due to
low availability) (see Chap. 17, Sect. 17.5) [21]. Intra-specific variations (between
varieties or cultivars) can sometimes be even greater than differences in susceptibility
between species, but all crops will be affected by a severe deficiency of any of the
micronutrients. The main difference between genotypes is in the critical concentrations at which the supply of a particular micronutrient becomes inadequate. These
will be significantly lower for the more tolerant genotypes (cultivars).
Cultivars which are able to grow normally in soils with marginally low available
concentrations of a micronutrient are classed as being efficient for that particular
micronutrient and those which are unable to tolerate such low levels of this micronutrient are inefficient. Genotypic variations in efficiency have been reported for:
B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in crop plants [11]. Differences in micronutrient efficiency
are probably due to genotypic variations in the volume and length of roots,
root-induced changes in rhizosphere, increased absorption through vesicular
201
Table 7.3 The relative susceptibility of crops to deficiencies of micronutrients

Micronutrient
Crop
B
Cu
Fe
Mn
Mo
Zn
Alfalfa
High
High
Meda
Med
Med
Low
Apple tree
High
Med
Low
High
Low
High
Barley
Low
High/Med
Med
Med
Low
Med
Bean
Low
Low
High/Med
High
Med
High
Cabbage
Med
Med
Med
Med
High/Med
Citrus
Low
High
High
High
Med
High
Cotton
High
Med
High/Med
Med/Low
Low
High/Med
Flax
Med
High
Low
High
Grapevine
High/Med
Med
High
High
Low
Low
Maize
Med/Low
Med
Med
Med/Low
Low
High
Oats
Low
High
Med
High
Med/Low
Low
Pea
Low
Med/Low
Med
High
Med
Low
High/Med
High
High
Low
Peanutb
Potato
Low
Low
High/Med
Low
Med
High
Low
Med
Med
Rapeseedc
Rice
Med/Low
Low
High/Med
Med
Low
High/Med
Rye
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Sorghum
Low
Med
High/Med
High/Med
Low
High
Soya bean
Low
Low
High/Med
High
High/Med
Med
Spinach
Med
High
High
High
High
Med
Sugarbeet
High
Med
High/Low
High/Med
Med
Med
Sunflower
High
High
Med
Tomato
High/Med
Med
High
Med
Med
Med
Wheat
Low
High
Med/Low
High
Med/Low
Low
Derived from: Martens and Chesterman [20], Prasad and Power [25], Rashid and Ryan [26] and
Loue [17]
a
Med medium susceptibility, no information
b
Peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) also called groundnut
c
Rapeseed (Brassica napus L) also called oil seed rape or canola
mycorrhizae, release of root exudates to facilitate uptake, efficiency of utilization of

the micronutrients once absorbed into plants, recycling of elements within the
tissues of the growing plant, or tolerance of factors, which inhibit uptake, such as
HCO3 and Zn in rice [10, 13, 19].
In a large-scale programme of field experiments at 190 sites in 28 developing
countries plus Finland, Silanpaa [29] found that Zn deficiency occurred in 49% of
the experimental sites, B deficiency in 31%, Mo deficiency in 15%, Cu deficiency
in 14%, and Mn deficiency in 10%. However, for all elements except Zn, much
higher percentages of these deficiencies were of the latent or hidden type (e.g., Cu
4% acute and 10% latent; Mo 3% acute and 12% latent), but in the case of Zn,
there were almost equal percentages (25% acute and 24% latent) for the two types
of deficiency.
202
7.3
B.J. Alloway
Heavy Metal(loid) Micronutrients in Animal

and Human Nutrition
Just as in plants, the heavy metal(loid)s essential for higher animals and humans are
constituents and/or activators of enzymes. Their essential functions are given in
Table 7.4.
In grazing livestock, Mn deficiency is rare, but when it does occur it often results
in lameness. Zinc concentrations in herbage need to be above 20 mg kg1 in order
to avoid Zn deficiency whose effects include, loss of appetite, poor growth and
reduced fertility. With more severe deficiency (intakes <5 mg Zn kg1) symptoms
include loss of hair and wool, reduced immunity to disease and thickening and
cracking of the skin. Copper deficiency can be associated with low Cu contents in
herbage, but also to elevated Mo contents (see Sect. 18.4). Mild Cu deficiency
symptoms, like those of Zn, tend to be non-specific and include poor growth and/or
roughness and loss of pigmentation in coat. More severe Cu deficiency is
accompanied by symptoms including diarrhoea, anaemia, and lameness. In sheep,
Cu deficient lambs can develop a neurological condition called swayback
(or enzootic ataxia) [32].
The US Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) [23] for Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn and
Se for humans are shown in Table 7.5.
Apart from the proven essential trace elements, some other heavy metal(loid)
s are being investigated to see whether they are also essential for animal and human
nutrition. Several of these, such as As, Cd and Pb have only been considered as
potentially toxic elements until recently, but there is some evidence that very small
amounts of these elements may be essential. In most cases, the experimentation has
involved using diets depleted of the elements of interest and some responses in
growth rate and other parameters have been observed. This work is likely to be most
relevant in medicine where patients may have to be maintained on total parenteral
nutrition (TPN) [28]. However, it is highly unlikely that cases of deficiency of these
elements will be found in humans consuming mixed diets or in livestock under
normal agricultural conditions. The possible functions of the metal(loid)s currently
under investigation are shown in Table 7.6.
7.4
Soil Types Commonly Associated

with Micronutrient Deficiencies
The effects of soil type and soil conditions on the bioavailable concentrations of
heavy metalloids are covered in detail in Chaps. 3, 6 and 918. However, Table 7.7
summarises the most typical soil conditions leading to either deficiencies in crops,
or low concentrations of micronutrients required by animals in herbage and crop
products. Boron and Fe are also included because of the agronomic importance of
them being deficient.
203
Table 7.4 Functions of essential heavy metal(loid)s in higher animals and humans
Element
Functions
Chromium
Important in carbohydrate metabolism as a constituent of the glucose tolerance
factor (GTF) a dinicotinic acid-glutathione complex, which potentiates the
action of insulin. Chromium participates in lipoprotein metabolism and there is
some evidence that an improved Cr status has a beneficial effect on blood lipid
levels in elderly persons. Improved Cr status may also reduce factors associated
with cardiovascular disease as well as with diabetes.
Cobalt
Its only known function is as a constituent of Vitamin B12 which can only be
synthesised by bacteria in the rumen or in the soil and plays a major part in animal
cells where active division is taking place e.g., blood-forming tissues of bone
marrow. Vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed on its own and has to combine first with
a glycoprotein produced in the stomach lining, called the gastric intrinsic factor.
Vitamin B12 deficiency in humans causes pernicious anaemia and severe effects
on the nervous system. In livestock it causes progressive loss of appetite and
wasting leading to death. It is called bush sickness in New Zealand and Coast
disease in south Australia, but is found in many other countries.
Copper
Essential for the immune system, the nervous system, skeletal health, Fe
metabolism and the formation of red blood cells. It is involved in redox systems
and the scavenging of free radicals (CuSOD). It is a constituent of more than
12 metalloenzymes and a few genes which regulate Cu-dependent transcription
factors. In sheep Cu deficiency can cause swayback disease (enzootic ataxia) in
lambs and loss of crimp in wool. In cattle, deficiency causes depigmentation of
the facial hair and sudden death. Subclinical Cu deficiency can cause reductions
in liveweight gain and fertility and occurs much more widely than acute forms,
especially in more intensively farmed livestock.
Iron
Although not considered a heavy metal, Fe is vitally important in animal
physiology because it is a component of haemoglobin which carries oxygen in
the red blood corpuscles. Iron requirements differ with species, gender, age and
level of activity; shortage of Fe causes anaemia and can also result in increased
absorption of potentially harmful elements such as Cd and Pb.
Manganese
Manganese is involved in bone formation and in the metabolism of amino acids,
cholesterol and carbohydrates. It is a constituent of six key enzymes and affects
the functioning of other enzymes such as glycosyltransferases and
xylosyltransferases which are involved in bone formation and proteoglycan
synthesis. Manganese activates a number of enzymes, but some can also be
activated by other metals, especially Mg. The most common Mn deficiency
symptoms in livestock are impaired reproduction, skeletal deformities and
shortened tendons in the newborn, can also cause impaired insulin production,
lipoprotein metabolism, oxidant defence and growth factor metabolism.
Molybdenum In animals, Mo is required for the functioning of several enzymes involved in
transformations of C, N and S. It is a co-factor in the enzymes sulphite oxidase,
xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase. Sulphite oxidase is very important in
humans because it is involved in the metabolism of S-containing amino acids
and bisulphite preservative in foods. In grazing livestock, a close connection
between Mo, Cu and S is involved in the condition called teart (or
molybdenosis) which is a Mo-induced Cu deficiency.
Selenium
Selenium has antioxidant and anti-inflammation functions and is involved in
thyroid hormone metabolism. It also has roles in the prevention of certain
infections, some forms of cancer and diabetes in humans. It appears to have
valuable detoxification properties for As and Hg. Selenium deficiency is
thought to affect 0.51.0 billion people worldwide. Keshan disease (a fatal
cardiomyopathy) and Kashin Becks disease (osteopathy) in humans can be
prevented by dietary supplementation with Se. In livestock, muscular dystrophy
(continued)

Element
Functions
(White muscle disease) in sheep and cattle and a myocardial disease in pigs
can also be prevented with Se supplementation (often in combination with
Vitamin E). Livestock require higher intakes of Se than humans. Excess Se
causes various toxic (selenosis) conditions, including alkali disease lack of
vitality, loss of weight, loss of hair, hoof deformation, dermatitis and lameness.
Zinc
Zinc is essential for DNA and protein synthesis, cell division and growth. It is
required for male and female reproduction and neurological function and is also
essential for immune function. In humans, the main consequences of Zn
deficiency are: impaired immunocompetence, increased prevalence of
childhood infections such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, impaired growth and
development among infants, children and adolescents and impaired maternal
health and pregnancy outcome. Animals cannot store Zn, so a continuous
adequate supply is required. However, in general, few cases of Zn deficiency
are reported in farm animals. Symptoms of deficiency disorders such as
decreased growth, testicular atrophy, alopecia and dermal lesions are normally
observed mainly in young animals. Hidden (or subclinical) deficiency is
probably more important than acute deficiencies.
Based on: WHO [33], Kabata-Pendias and Mukerjee [16], Reilly [28] and Bell and Dell [6]
Table 7.5 Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) in humans of the US National Academy of
Sciences for copper, manganese, zinc, iron and selenium
Mn (mg d1)
Zn (mg d1) Fe (mg d1)
Se (mg d1)
Gender and age Cu (mg d1)
06 months
0.2
0.003
2
0.27
15
712 months
0.22
0.6
3
11
20
Children
13 years
0.34
1.2
5
7
20
48 years
0.44
1.5
8
10
150
Males
913 years
0.7
1.9
11
8
40
1418 years
0.89
2.2
11
11
55
1930 years
0.9
2.3
11
8
55
3150 years
0.9
2.3
11
8
55
5070 years
0.9
2.3
11
8
55
>70 years
0.9
2.3
11
8
55
Females
913 years
0.7
1.6
8
8
40
1418 years
0.89
1.6
9
15
55
1930 years
0.9
1.8
8
18
55
3150 years
0.9
1.8
8
18
55
5070 years
0.9
1.8
8
8
55
>70 years
0.9
1.8
8
8
55
Pregnancy
18 years
1.0
2.0
12
45
60
1930 years
1.0
2.0
11
45
60
3150 years
1.0
2.0
11
45
60
Lactation
18 years
1.3
2.6
13
45
70
1930 years
1.3
2.6
12
45
70
3150 years
1.3
2.6
12
45
70
From US Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences [23] and Reilly [28]
205
Table 7.6 Possible functions of other heavy metal(loid)s in animals and humans
Element
Possible functions
Arsenic
Various adverse responses to As deprivation diets (<12 mg As kg1 rats and chicks
and <35 mg As kg1 goats) have been reported, including: depressed growth,
abnormal reproduction (impaired fertility and perinatal mortality); depressed
serum triglyceride concentrations and myocardial damage during lactation in
goats. Arsenic appears to be involved in the methylation of metabolically or
genetically important molecules whose functions are associated with methyl
incorporation. Abnormally low As intake in patients undergoing haemodialysis
correlated with injuries to their central nervous system, vascular diseases and
cancer. Some beneficial effects of supranutritional doses of As in treatment of
acute promyelocyte leukaemia through apoptotic (programmed cell death)
mechanisms. If humans are found to need As, the requirement would probably
only be 1225 mg d1.
Cadmium Cadmium-deprived goats and rats have shown depressed growth which was improved
by increasing their intake of Cd. However, Cd has a long body half-life so even
slightly elevated intakes could result in harmful accumulations (WHO max safe
intake 70 mg d1 for 70 kg person), typical daily intake is 1020 mg.
Lead
Low dietary intake of Pb has been found to cause adverse effects in pigs and rats
(depressed growth, anaemia, elevated serum cholesterol, phospholipds and bile
acids; disturbed Fe metabolism, decreased liver glucose). Lead supplementation
improved growth and alleviated Fe deficiency in rats. Any requirement for Pb is
only likely to be very small (550 mg d1). Toxicity from excessive Pb intakes is
much more important and is not dependent upon the route of exposure and can be
predicted by blood Pb concentrations. When blood Pb reaches 1015 mg dL1,
toxic effects can occur in bone development, mental development and blood
pressure. Anaemia, nephrotoxicity and more overt neurological impairments occur
when blood concentrations are above 30 mg Pb dL1.
Nickel
Not proven to be essential, but experiments with Ni-deprived animals show it to be a
bioactive element with some beneficial functions. Deprivation affects reproductive
function in goats and rats, changes carbohydrate and lipid metabolism possibly
through depressed activities of enzymes degrading glucose and enzymes involved
in the citric acid cycle. Nickel has beneficial effects in bone and may also have a
function affecting Vitamin B12 (Ni can alleviate Vit B12 deficiency). If proved
essential, Ni intake should probably be <100 mg d1.
Tin
Dietary deficiency of Sn has been reported to cause hair loss, depressed growth,
response to sound, feed efficiency, heart zinc, tibial Cu and Mn, muscle Fe and Mn,
spleen Fe, kidney Fe and lung Mn (Typical intake 140 mg Sn).
Vanadium A bioactive element, whose only proven essential role is in several types of marine
algae where it controls bromoperoxidases and iodoperoxidases. In humans and
animals, it appears to have insulin-like actions at the cellular level stimulating
cellular proliferation and differentiation. Bone abnormalities have been reported in
V-deprived goats and so it appears to play a role in the formation and function of
bone and connective tissue. Requirement is probably only 12 mg d1.
Based on: WHO [33], Kabata-Pendias and Mukherjee [16], Reilly [28], Neilsen [24] and Asher [4]
Low total concentrations of micronutrients (and most non-essential trace

elements) are often found on sandy textured soils (e.g., Podzols) and/or on heavily
weathered tropical soils (e.g., Ferralsols) and can give rise single and/or multielement deficiencies. High soil pH values (>7.0) such as are found on calcareous,
heavily limed or saline soils are likely to cause deficiencies of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and
Zn. Multi-element deficiencies are also highly likely on these soils. In contrast, Mo
206
B.J. Alloway
Table 7.7 Soil factors associated with micronutrient deficiencies

Soil Factor
Micronutrients likely to be deficient or low uptake
Sandy texture (low total concentrations)
B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Zn
Heavily weathered tropical soil (low total
B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Zn
concentrations)
High organic matter content
B, Co, Cu, Fe (calcareous), Mn, Se
Low organic matter content
B, Cu, Zn
B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn
Free CaCO3
High Fe, Mn, Al oxides
Co, Fe, Mo, Se, Zn
Clay-rich soils (liable to waterlogging)
Cu, Mn, Zn
High pH
Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn
Low pH
Cu, Mn, Mo, Se, Zn
High salt content
Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn
Fe, Zn
High HCO3
Gleying/flooded soil
B, Co, Cu, Se, Zn (especially paddy soils)
Free drainage
Mo
High P status
Cu, Fe, Zn
High N Status
Cu, Zn
High concentrations of other nutrients
Co (Fe & Mn), Cu (Zn), Mn (Fe), Se (S/SO4)
Based largely on Kabata-Pendias [15], Fageria et al. [9] and Alloway [2]
is likely to be highly available in high pH soils, but can be deficient in acid soils.
Organic matter-rich soils, such as peats (Histosols), muck soils and heavily
manured mineral soils are likely to have low available concentrations of B, Cu,
Mn, Se and Zn [2]. However, as shown in Table 7.7, low organic matter contents
can also predispose to deficiencies of B, Cu and Zn.
Clay-rich soils which usually have relatively high adsorptive capacities and tend to
be imperfectly to poorly drained (gleyed) can be deficient in Cu, Mn and Zn. Paddy
soils used for wetland rice production are prone to Zn deficiency, but can have toxic
Fe concentrations due to the reduction of insoluble Fe oxides. In general, micronutrient deficiencies in crops and herbage, tend to be reflected in low intakes in animal and
human diets. However, in the case of grazing livestock the soil-plant-animal pathway
may be bypassed by direct (usually accidental) ingestion of soil and so the amount of
metal(loid)s ingested by the animals may not be affected by soil-plant barriers.
However, the presence of adsorbent minerals and antagonistic elements in the animal
GI tract can modify the availability of the micronutrient to the animal.
7.5
Plant Factors Associated with Micronutrient Deficiencies
The plant factors associated with the onset of deficiencies in crop plants are covered
in detail in Chap. 6, but one or more of the following factors are often found to be
involved:
Plant genotype (i.e., micronutrient efficient/inefficient cultivars),
Nitrogen supply (effects on growth rate, dilution, elements locked up in proteins
in foliage),
207
Phosphate supply (effects on growth rate dilution e.g., Cu, and metabolism
e.g., Zn)
Moisture stress (uptake reduced in drought conditions),
Temperature stress (high and low temperatures),
High/low light intensity,
Rooting conditions (restrictions in rooting zone will reduce the volume of soil
explored by roots),
Mycorrhizal infection (increases the effective volume of roots),
Secretion of root exudates (e.g., phytosiderophores),
Pathological disease,
Agrochemicals (e.g., glyphosate-induced deficiencies of Mn & Zn),
Antagonistic effects of other micronutrients (e.g., CuZn, FeCu, FeMn,
CuMn etc.),
Previous crop species there is some evidence that the mineralization products
of some plant species can render certain micronutrients less available in the soil.
An example of this is Cu deficiency in wheat following oil seed rape (canola).
Based on: [2, 7, 9, 12, 13, 19, 22]
7.6
Concluding Comments
This short chapter has been included in this latest edition of Heavy Metals in Soils
to draw attention to the importance of many heavy metals such as Cu and Zn which
are micronutrients in both plants and animals and the metalloid Se, a vitally important
micronutrient in animals and humans (see Chap. 16, Sect. 16.4). More details are
given in Chaps. 917 and 21 dealing with the respective heavy metal(loid)s, but it is
useful to see them dealt with as a group, to allow comparisons to be made between
them. Ongoing and future research may increase the number of heavy metal(loid)
s classed as micronutrients.
References
1. Alloway, B. J. (2005). Copper deficient soils in Europe. New York: International Copper
Association Ltd.
2. Alloway, B. J. (2008). Micronutrients in crop production: An introduction, Chapter 1.
In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop production (pp. 140).
Dordrecht: Springer.
3. Alloway, B. J. (2008). Zinc in soils and crop nutrition. Brussels/Paris: International Zinc
Association/International Fertilizer Industry Association.
4. Asher, C. J. (1991). Beneficial elements, functional nutrients and possible new essential
elements. In J. J. Mortvedt, F. Cox, L. M. Shuman, & R. M. Welch (Eds.), Micronutrients in
agriculture (Soil Science Society of America book series 2nd ed., Vol. 4, pp. 703724).
Madison: Soil Science Society of America.
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5. Barker, A. V., & Pilbeam, D. J. (2007). Introduction. In A. V. Barker & D. J. Pilbeam (Eds.),
Handbook of plant nutrition (pp. 318). Boca Raton: CRC/Taylor & Francis.
6. Bell, R. W., & Dell, B. (2008). Micronutrients for sustainable food, feed, fibre and bioenergy
production. Paris: International Fertilizer Industry Association.
7. Brown, P. H. (2007). Nickel. In A. V. Barker & D. J. Pilbeam (Eds.), Handbook of plant
nutrition (pp. 395410). Boca Raton: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.
8. Fageria, N. K. (2009). The use of nutrients in crop plants. Boca Raton: CRC/Taylor &Francis.
9. Fageria, N. K., Baligar, V. C., & Clark, R. B. (2002). Micronutrients in crop production.
Advances in Agronomy, 77, 185268.
10. Gao, X. P., Kuyper, T. M., Zou, C. Q., Zhang, F. S., & Hoffland, E. (2007). Mycorrhizal
responsiveness of aerobic rice genotypes is negatively correlated with their zinc uptake when
nonmycorrhizal. Plant and Soil, 290, 283291.
11. Graham, R. D. (1984). Breeding for nutritional characteristics in cereals. In P. B. Tinker &
A. Lauchli (Eds.), Advances in Plant Nutrition, Vol. 1, pp. 57102.
12. Graham, R. D. (2008). Micronutrient deficiencies in crops and their global significance,
Chapter 2. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop production
(pp. 4161). Dordrecht: Springer.
13. Graham, R. D., & Rengel, Z. (1993). Genotypic variation in zinc uptake and utilization by
plants, Chapter 8. In A. D. Robson (Ed.), Zinc in soils and plants (pp. 107118). Dordrecht:
Kluwer Academic.
14. Humphries, J. M., James, C. R., Stangoulis, J. C. R., & Graham, R. D. (2007). Manganese,
Chapter 12. In A. V. Barker & D. J. Pilbeam (Eds.), Handbook of plant nutrition
(pp. 351374). Boca Raton: CRC/Taylor & Francis.
15. Kabata-Pendias, A. (2001). Trace elements in soils and plants (3rd ed.). Boca Raton: CRC
Press.
16. Kabata-Pendias, A., & Mukherjee, A. B. (2007). Trace elements from soil to human. Berlin:
Springer.
17. Loue, L. (1986). les Oligo-Elements en Agriculture. Paris: SCPA, Agri Nathan International.
18. MacNicol, R. D., & Beckett, P. H. T. (1985). Critical concentrations of potentially toxic
elements. Plant and Soil, 85, 107129.
19. Marschner, H. (1995). Mineral nutrition of higher plants (2nd ed.). London: Academic Press.
20. Martens, D. C., & Chesterman, D. T. (1991). Fertilizer applications for correcting micronutrient deficiencies. In J. J. Mortvedt, F. Cox, L. M. Shuman, & R. M. Welch (Eds.),
Micronutrients in agriculture (Soil Science Society of America book series 2nd ed., Vol. 4,
pp. 549582). Madison: Soil Science Society of America.
21. Mertens, J., & Smolders, E. (2012). Zinc. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Heavy metals in soils (3rd ed.,
pp. 465494). Dordrecht: Springer, this volume
22. Moraghan, J. T., & Mascagni, H. J., Jr. (1991). Environmental and soil factors affecting
micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities. In J. J. Mortvedt, F. Cox, L. M. Shuman, &
R. M. Welch (Eds.), Micronutrients in agriculture (Soil Science Society of America book
series 2nd ed., Vol. 4, pp. 371425). Madison: Soil Science Society of America.
23. National Academy of Sciences. (2002). US dietary reference intakes: Elements. www.
nationalacademies.org/IOM/10MHome.nst/pages/Food+and+Nutrition+Board
24. Neilssen, F. H. (2006). Boron, manganese, molybdenum and other trace elements, Chapter 40.
In B. Bowman & R. M. Russell (Eds.), Present knowledge in nutrition (9th ed., pp. 506526).
Washington: International Life Sciences Institute.
25. Prasad, R., & Power, J. E. (1997). Soil fertility management for sustainable agriculture. Boca
Raton: CRC Lewis Publishers.
26. Rashid, A., & Ryan, J. (2004). Micronutrient constraints to crop production in soils with
Mediterranean-type characteristics. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 27, 959975.
27. Reddy, T. Y., & Reddi, G. H. S. (1997). Mineral nutrition, manures and fertilizers.
In Principles of agronomy (pp. 204256). Ludhiana: Kalyani Publishers. (www.plantstress.
com/Articles/min_deficiency_i/impact.htm)
209
28. Reilly, C. (2004). The nutritional trace elements. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
29. Sillanpaa, M. (1990). Micronutrient assessment at the country level: An international study
(FAO soils bulletin, Vol. 63). Rome: FAO.
30. Srivistava, P. C., & Gupta, U. C. (1996). Trace elements in crop nutrition. Lebanon: Science
Publishers.
31. Welch, R. M. (2007). Linkages between essential trace elements in food crops and human
health, Chapter 12. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop production (pp. 287309). Dordrecht: Springer.
32. Whitehead, D. C. (2000). Nutrient elements in grassland: Soil-plant-animal relationships.
Wallingford: CABI Publishing.
33. World Health Organisation (WHO). (1996). Trace elements in human nutrition and health.
Geneva: WHO.
Chapter 8
Critical Loads of Heavy Metals for Soils

Wim de Vries, Jan Engelbert Groenenberg, Steve Lofts,
Ed Tipping, and Maximilian Posch
Abstract To enable a precautionary risk assessment for future inputs of metals,

steady-state methods have been developed to assess critical loads of metals
avoiding long-term risks to food quality and eco-toxicological effects on organisms
in soils and surface waters. A critical load for metals equals the load resulting at
steady state in a concentration in a compartment (e.g. soil solution, plant, fish) that
equals the critical limit for that compartment. This chapter presents an overview of
methods to assess critical limits and critical loads of metals, with a focus on
cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in soils in relation to impacts
on: (i) agriculture (food quality and crop health) and (ii) ecology (plants,
invertebrates and soil organisms involved in nutrient cycling processes). Results
are presented using generic input data. Furthermore, examples of national and
European applications are shown. Results are discussed in view of the uncertainty
and applicability of the critical load concept for heavy metals in future agreements
on the reduction of metal emissions. It is concluded that for policy applications,
dynamic models are also needed to estimate the times involved in attaining a certain
chemical state in response to input (deposition, fertilisers or manure) scenarios.
W. de Vries (*) J.E. Groenenberg

Alterra, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 47,
6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
S. Lofts E. Tipping
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre,
Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
M. Posch
CCE, RIVM (National Institute for Public Health & the Environment),
P.O. Box1, NL-3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
211
212
W. de Vries et al.
Keywords Critical loads Critical limits Dynamic models Food quality Soil
organisms ecotoxicological impacts Human health impacts
8.1
8.1.1
Introduction
Ecotoxicological and Human Health Impacts
of Elevated Metal Inputs
Concern about the input of metals to terrestrial ecosystems is related to: (i) the
ecotoxicological impact on soil organisms and plants [12, 46] and on aquatic
organisms due to runoff to surface water and (ii) the uptake via food chains into
animal tissues and products, which may result in health effects on animals and
humans [16]. Effects on soil organisms, including micro-organisms/macrofungi and
soil fauna, such as nematodes and earthworms, are reduced species diversity,
abundance and biomass and changes in microbe mediated processes [8, 31, 72].
More information on these effects are also given in Chap. 5 [39]. Effects on
vascular plants are reduced development and growth of roots and shoots (toxicity
symptoms), elevated concentrations of starch and total sugar, decreased nutrient
contents in foliar tissues (physiological symptoms) and decreased enzymatic is activity (biochemical symptoms) [18, 51]. A review of these phytotoxic effects is given
by Balsberg-Pahlsson [7]. Effects on aquatic organisms, including algae, crustacea
and fish, include effects on gill function [58], nervous systems [6], and growth
and reproduction rates [42]. Environmental quality standards or critical limits
(often also denoted as Predicted No Effect Concentrations or PNECs) for metals
in soils and surface waters related to those effects serve as a guide in the environmental risk assessment process for those substances.
Next to effects on soil organisms, metals may be transferred via food chains
to cause effects on animals and humans (secondary poisoning). This may affect
(i) humans by reducing food quality of crops and animal products and (ii) animal
health through accumulation in organs of cattle, birds and mammals (secondary
poisoning). Heavy metal accumulation in food chains is specifically considered
important with respect to Cd and mercury (Hg), and to a lesser extent for Pb, for all
of which no biological functions in terrestrial organisms are known [16]. In several
countries, there is also concern about the excess input of Cd, Cu and Zn in agriculture
[43]. An excess of these metals may cause reduced crop production and in case of
Cd it may lead to agricultural products violating food quality criteria [3, 30].
8.1.2
Risk Assessment Approaches for Metal Contamination

and the Critical Load Approach
Common practice in risk assessment of metal contamination is to compare present

concentrations with critical concentrations at which adverse effects are to be
expected. With this approach it is impossible to assess future risks due to metal
8 Critical Loads of Heavy Metals for Soils
213
inputs which may cause accumulation and possibly leads to future exceedance of
critical limits. A method to assess future risks is the critical load approach.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on
Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) defines a critical load as the
highest total input rate of a potential pollutant below which significant harmful
effects on defined receptors (e.g. human health, ecosystem structure and function)
will not occur in a long-term perspective (at steady state), according to current
knowledge [71]. In defining a critical load, the aim is to achieve long-term
sustainability of the ecosystem. In this context, sustainability can be defined as
the situation where accumulation of heavy metals does not exceed critical limits in
defined ecosystem compartments (e.g. soil solid phase, soil solution, groundwater,
plant, sediment, fish etc.). According to its definition, a critical load of a metal
equals the load resulting at steady state in a concentration in a compartment that
equals the critical limit.
A critical load can be used to optimise the protection of the environment for a
given international investment in pollution control by minimising the difference
between present loads and critical loads on a regional scale. The concept has been
applied successfully in international negotiations on the reduction of atmospheric
emissions of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S). Its use in international negotiations on
the reduction of metal emissions is still under debate.
The method to calculate critical loads of metals is based on the balance of all
relevant metal fluxes in and out of a considered ecosystem in a (distant) future
steady-state situation. First approaches were described in Manuals for Calculation
of Critical Loads of Heavy Metals in Terrestrial Ecosystems [19] and aquatic
ecosystems [21]. These methods were discussed at various international workshops
within the framework of the Coordination Centre for Effects (CCE) of the ICP
Modelling & Mapping under the LRTAP Convention [32, 33]. A state-of-the-art
methodology manual, developed under the LRTAP Convention, has been adopted
for the priority metals Cd, Pb and Hg [23, 71]. The focus was on these metals as
they are part of the 1998 Heavy Metals Protocol to the LRTAP Convention that has
been ratified by 29 countries, and came into effect at the end of 2003. The attention
focuses not only on ecotoxicological risks to terrestrial ecosystems, where metal
deposition is the only external source, but it also includes human toxicological risks
by including agricultural systems. In these systems, the load refers to the input
by fertilisers, animal manure (sometimes also sewage sludge) and atmospheric
deposition. Until now, the approach has mainly been applied within Europe
[e.g. 56] and Canada [28].
8.1.3
Aim of This Chapter
This chapter discusses approaches to derive critical metal loads and presents
examples, limiting ourselves to terrestrial ecosystems (soils). We first present an
overview of methods to assess critical limits for metal concentrations in soil or soil
solution related to ecotoxicological impacts, to human health impacts (food quality
214
W. de Vries et al.
criteria for crops and animal products) and animal health impacts (Sect. 8.2).
We then describe the methodology to compute critical loads and target loads
(Sect. 8.3) followed by results on a local scale, using generic input data, national
scale and European scale (Sect. 8.4) Finally, limitations of the approach are
discussed in view of the applicability of the critical load concept for heavy metals
in future negotiations on the reduction in metal emissions (Sect. 8.5).
8.2
Assessment of Critical Limits for Metals in Soil

and Soil Solution
8.2.1
Relevant Receptors and Related Critical Limits
8.2.1.1
Relevant Receptors
With respect to risks on terrestrial ecosystems, a distinction can be made between

risks/effects on the health of: (i) soil organisms/processes and plants (primary
ecotoxicological risks) and (ii) animals, including both domestic and wild animals
and humans that use ground water for drinking water or that consume crops, meat or
fish (secondary poisoning). A description of major pathways of metals in terrestrial
ecosystems, including the link with aquatic ecosystems, is given in Fig. 8.1.
Relevant receptors in terrestrial ecosystems, distinguishing arable land, grassland and non-agricultural land (forest, heath lands, uplands and peat lands) are
presented in Table 8.1. Possible effects on soil organisms and plants (phytotoxicity)
and terrestrial fauna are of concern in all types of ecosystems. Food quality criteria
are, however, of relevance for arable land and grassland (limits for animal food),
whereas possible secondary poisoning effects on animals are relevant in grassland
(cattle) and non-agricultural land (wild animals).
8.2.1.2
Related Critical Limits
A critical limit concentration defines the threshold of potential risk to a defined

receptor. For most of the receptors or compartments indicated in Table 8.1, critical
limits have been defined related to ecotoxicological or human-toxicological risks,
such as:
Soil: critical limits related to effects on soil organisms (micro-organisms and soil
invertebrates) and plants (mg kg1).
Plants/terrestrial fauna: critical limits in plant tissue, animal products (meat) or
target organs, such as kidney, related to effects on plants and/or animals and on
humans by consumption (food quality criteria) (mg kg1).
215
Fig. 8.1 Overview of the fluxes and impact pathways of metals from the soil to other
compartments in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Boxes are key pools and ovals are key
receptors [24]
Table 8.1 Receptors of concern in three main types of terrestrial ecosystems
Type of ecosystem
Receptors of concern
Arable land
Grassland
Ecosystem
Soil micro-organisms
+
+
Soil invertebrates
+
+
Agricultural plants
+
+
Wild plants
Human health/animal health

Plants
Food crops (human health)
+
Fodder crops (animal health)
+
+
+
Ground watera (human health)
Animals
Cattle (human and animal health)
+
Birds/mammals (animal health)
+
+
a
This refers specifically to ground water used as drinking water
Non-agricultural land
+
+
+
+
+
Ground water: critical limits in drinking water related to effects on humans by

consumption (mg L1).
Humans: acceptable daily intake or ADI (mg kg1 day1). This dose is the
quantity of a compound to which man can be orally exposed, on the basis of
body weight, without experiencing adverse effects on health.
Critical limits related to ecotoxicological effects on soil organisms and plants are
limited to metal contents in the soil, based on No Observed Effect Concentrations
(NOECs) from laboratory studies with plants and soil organisms, such as soil
216
W. de Vries et al.
Fig. 8.2 Overview of relations between metal concentrations in soil solid phase and soil solution
microbiota and soil invertebrates [70]. The risks from heavy metal pollution,
however, depend on their availability which is influenced by soil properties such
as pH, clay and organic matter content [9, 35, 55]. The use of a single soil metal
concentration as a critical limit for ecotoxicological effects upon soil organisms has
therefore been criticized [2], since it does not account for observed variations in
the toxicity of cationic metals among soils of differing chemistry [59]. The impacts
of soil properties on the bioavailability and toxicity of metals thus have to be
accounted for in critical limits assessment.
Effects on microorganisms, plants and, to a large extent, also to invertebrates
occur through the soil solution [52]. In accordance with the principles of the free ion
activity model (FIAM) [15, 44] and the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) [27, 60], metal
uptake leading to toxicity can be considered to occur by interaction of the free metal
ion (FMI) in soil solution (e.g. Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+) with the organism.
The extent of this interaction, and thus the degree of toxic effect due to a given
FMI concentration, will also depend upon the concentrations of solution cations
(e.g. H+, Na+, Ca2+) that in the BLM framework compete with the toxic metal for
binding to the organism. Thus, an approach to set critical limits for FMI is in
particularly appropriate to evaluate the risks of effects. Furthermore, in view of
critical load assessments for terrestrial ecosystems, there is a need for critical metal
concentrations in soil solution since the critical metal leaching rate is the most
important term in deriving critical loads. Since free metal ion concentrations in soil
solution are hardly ever measured, such concentrations need to be derived using
models for solid-solution partitioning and speciation of metals in soil solution
(Fig. 8.2). The use of empirical models for solid-solution partitioning which relate
metal concentrations in solution to metal concentrations in the solid phase and soil
properties (so called transfer functions) and the approach to use them in deriving
critical limits for Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in soil and soil solution is presented below

Table 8.2 Values for aCRIT
and gCRIT used to calculate
critical limits for FMI
concentrations in soil solution
217
FMI concentration
Metal
aCRIT
gCRIT
Cd
Cu
Pb
Zn
0.32
0.91
1.23
0.31
6.34
3.80
2.05
4.63
(Sect. 8.2.2). Furthermore, critical limits related to human-toxicological risks are

mainly accounted for by quality criteria for metals in food crops, animal products
(cows/sheep), fish and drinking water (ground water) consumed by them. These
critical limits need to be converted to critical soil metal concentrations as described
in detail in Sect. 8.2.3.
8.2.2
Critical Limits for Soil Metal Concentrations Related

to Ecotoxicological Impacts
8.2.2.1
Critical Free Metal Ion Concentrations in Soil Solution
Critical free metal ion (FMI) concentrations in soil solution can in principle be
derived from critical reactive metal concentrations (see also below) using a transfer
function (see Fig. 8.2). Lofts et al. [41] applied such a transfer function and directly
derived critical dissolved FMI concentrations based on available NOEC data for
soil organisms and plants, together with soil properties affecting its availability
(pH, organic matter content). The critical FMI concentrations were derived as a
function of soil solution pH, according to a procedure described in Lofts et al. [41]
and De Vries et al. [24]:
logMfree;crit acrit pH ycrit
(8.1)
where [M]free,crit is the critical FMI concentration (mol L1). The pH dependence
of the critical FMI concentration is considered to result from a protective effect
of H+ against toxicity, resulting from the competitive interactions of solution
cations with the organism, as noted in Sect. 8.2.1. Values used for the empirical
coefficients aCRIT and gCRIT are given in Table 8.2. These critical FMI functions
are based on: (i) data sets with both NOEC or EC10 (Effect Concentrations affecting 10% of the organisms) toxicity data for soil from major organisms
including information on soil properties affecting bioavailability, (ii) transfer
functions, describing the relation between FMI concentration and reactive metal
content (assumed to equal the added metal content in the toxicity test) and (iii)
statistical approaches for deriving limit functions and applying a 95% protection
level (HC5). The data set included (i) decomposers, comprising micro-organisms
218
W. de Vries et al.
or microbe-mediated soil processes (e.g. enzymatic activity), (ii) consumers, such

as invertebrates (earthworms and arthropods) and (iii) primary producers, specifically plants, drawn from several draft reports on EU Risk Assessment procedures
for these metals. More information on the approach and the data sets used is given
in Lofts et al. [41] and De Vries et al. [24].
8.2.2.2
Critical Total Metal Concentrations in Soil Solution
When the critical limit is defined in terms of a critical FMI concentration, the total
metal concentration in soil solution has to be determined as the sum of the
concentration of (i) the FMI, [M]free, (ii) dissolved inorganic complexes, [M]DIC,
such as MOH+, MHCO3+, MCl+, and (iii) metals bound to dissolved organic matter,
[M]DOM, according to:
Mtot Mfree MDIC MDOM DOM
(8.2)
where [M]tot is the total metal concentration (mol m3), [M]DOM is the metal
concentration bound to dissolved organic matter (mol kg1 DOM) and [DOM] is
the concentration of dissolved organic matter (kg m3). By assuming geochemical
equilibrium, the partitioning and speciation of metals over the various fractions can
be calculated. Given the free metal activity the concentrations of the other metal
species can be estimated with a equilibrium speciation model. A model often used
is the Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM) model VI, further denoted as
WHAM-VI [61, 62]. The calculation takes into account the dependence of metal
binding to DOM on pH and competitive effects due to major cationic species of Mg,
Al, Ca and Fe [64, 66]. A customised program (W6-MTC), based on WHAM-VI was
used; in one of the model application examples (Section 8.4.1) for a detailed description of the calculation procedure see De Vries et al. [23]. Binding of metals to DOM is
calculated assuming that 65% of DOM acts as fulvic acid and 35% of DOM is not
involved in metal binding. This fraction is based on application of WHAM-VI to field
and laboratory data for waters and soils involving Al [65, 66], Cu [14, 29, 73], and
Cd [63]. DOM is calculated as 2DOC, assuming a carbon content of 50%.
8.2.2.3
Critical Reactive and Total Metal Concentrations

in the Soil Solid Phase
Critical reactive soil metal concentrations related to ecotoxicological effects on

soil organisms and plants have also been derived by Lofts et al. [41] on the basis
of NOECs for the concentration of added metal in laboratory experiments.
These added metal concentrations are assumed to equal reactive soil metal
concentrations that are potentially available for exchange with the soil solution.
It excludes metals that are incorporated in mineral lattices which are not directly
219
Table 8.3 Values for the coefficients b0b2 to compute the

critical limit for the reactive soil metal content (in mg kg1) for
Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn as a function of soil properties [24]
b1
b2
Metal
b0
Cd
2.27
0.33
1.00
Pb
0.58
0.11
0.66
Cu
0.26
0.02
0.68
Zn
0.74
0.14
1.07
Units converted from mol g1 to mg kg1
available for dissolution. For field soils, the reactive fraction is generally
established by an extraction using 0.43 M HNO3 solution or by using an EDTA
extraction. The impacts of soil properties affecting the bioavailability and toxicity
of metals, have been accounted for by relating the critical value to soil solution pH
and soil organic matter content, using a procedure described in Lofts et al. [41] and
De Vries et al. [24]:
log ctMre;crit b0 b1 pH b2 log OM
(8.3)
where ctMre,crit is the critical reactive metal concentration in the soil (mg kg1); pH
is the soil solution pH and OM is soil organic matter content (%). Values derived
for b0, b1 and b2 are given in Table 8.3. Results are based on the same data sets
as those for which the critical FMI concentrations were derived. Critical total
metal concentrations, which are relevant for the assessment of target loads, can be
derived by a relationship with concentrations of reactive metal according to
R
omkens et al. [53]:
log ctMtot;crit c0 c1 log ctMre;crit c2 log OM c3 log clay
(8.4)
where ctMtot,crit is the critical total (added) metal concentration in the soil (mg kg1)
and clay is the clay content (%); and values for c0c3 are given in Table 8.4.
Regression relations were derived from a Dutch dataset containing 630 soil samples
which were both extracted with 0.43 M HNO3 and aqua regia [53].
8.2.3
Critical Limits for Soil Metal Concentrations

Related to Health Impacts
Critical total metal concentrations in soil related to agricultural impacts can be

derived from critical metal concentrations in plants or animal organs in terms of
food quality or crop/animal health, combined with relationships for soil-plant
transfer, soil-animal transfer and plant-animal transfer [26]. Food quality criteria
for metals in crops or target organs (liver and kidney) of grazing animals are
available for Cd and Pb only, whereas data for the toxic impacts on the crop or
animal itself can be derived for all metals based on an acceptable daily intake (ADI).
220
W. de Vries et al.
Table 8.4 Values for the coefficients c0c3 in the relationship between reactive, (0.43N HNO3),
and pseudo-total (aqua regia) soil concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn (8.4), using a Dutch dataset
[53]
c1
c2
c3
Radj2
se-yesta
Metal
c0
Cd
0.028
0.877
0.009
0.081
0.96
0.10
Pb
0.323
0.810
0.035
0.136
0.92
0.13
Cu
0.318
0.761
0.044
0.191
0.94
0.10
Zn
0.614
0.753
0.107
0.275
0.96
0.12
The relationships hold for both Mtot and Mre in mg kg1
a
Standard error of the y-estimate on a logarithmic basis
Table 8.5 Values for the coefficients a0a3 and n in the soil plant relations for Cd in grass,
maize, wheat, potatoes and sugar beet
a1
a2
a3
n
R2
se-yesta
Crop
a0
Grass
1.45
0.38
1.22
0.63
0.23
Maize
0.90
0.21
0.32
1.08
0.50
0.28
Sugar beet
1.33
0.22
0.13
0.62
0.83
0.15
Wheat
0.22
0.12
0.33
0.04
0.62
0.64
0.20
Lettuce
2.55
0.33
0.39
0.19
0.85
0.71
0.08
a
Standard error of the y-estimate on a logarithmic basis
8.2.3.1
Critical Soil Metal Concentrations Related

to Food Quality Criteria for Crops
Critical soil metal concentrations can be derived from critical metal contents
in plants, related to food quality or crop health, from a non-linear relationship between both metal concentrations, accounting for the impact of soil properties that control the (bio)availability of metals in soils [1, 13], according to De
Vries et al. [25]:
log ctMplant;crit a0 a1 pHKCl a2 log OM a3 log clay n log ctMtot;crit
(8.5)
where ctMplant,crit is the critical limit for metal concentration in plant (mg kg1) and
n is a coefficient describing the non-linear relationship between the metal concentration in plant and in soil. Values for the various regression coefficients in Eq. 8.5
have been derived for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in grass, maize, sugar beet, wheat,
potatoes, lettuce, endive and spinach [54]. The relationships obtained for Cd and
Zn were much better than those for Cu and Pb. For the majority of crops, soil-plant
relationships for Cu and Pb are not statistically significant and can therefore not be
used. Furthermore, the critical limit of Zn related to phytotoxic effects by far
exceeds the measured plant values in the database, which limits the application of
the regression model (strong extrapolation). Critical soil concentrations related to
food quality criteria are thus mainly relevant for Cd. Values for a0a3 and n for Cd,
derived for Dutch soils, are given in Table 8.5. More information on soil-plant
relationships is also given in Chap. 6 [17].
8.2.3.2
221
Critical Soil Metal Concentrations Related to Food Quality Criteria

for Animal Products and Impacts on Animal Health
The derivation of critical soil metal concentrations from acceptable daily intakes
(ADI) by animals is relevant for grazing animals (specifically cows). Acceptable
daily intakes (ADI) of metals can be related to critical metal contents in fodder
(grass) and soil according to:
ctMplant;crit Iplant ctMtot;crit Isoil ADI
(8.6)
where ADI is acceptable daily intake of metals (mg d1); Iplant is intake of plants
(fodder) (kg d1) and Isoil is intake of soil (kg d1). The critical soil metal
concentration can be derived by combining Eqs. 8.5 and 8.6, in which ctMtot,crit is
solved iteratively using a given ADI and given coefficients in the soil-plant
relationship (see Table 8.5 for grass). As with food quality criteria for plants, the
derivation of a critical soil metal concentration from ADI values is mainly relevant
for Cd. Information on the derivation of ADI values for Cd, using food quality
criteria for Cd in the kidney of cows, and data on the intake of plants and soil are
given in De Vries et al [25].
8.3
8.3.1
Concepts and Calculation Methods to Compute

Critical Loads and Target Loads
Concepts
A critical metal load equals the input rate that will in the long run at steady state
lead to the critical metal concentration (critical limit) for a defined receptor.
A critical load does not consider finite buffers for the metal and thus neglects the
delays between the (non-exceedance) of the critical load and the (non-violation) of
the critical limit. To gain insight into this temporal behaviour, dynamic models are
needed. The various possibilities that can occur are graphically illustrated in
Fig. 8.3, showing the change in metal concentration as a function of time for
various combinations of initial concentrations, the critical concentration and
steady-state concentrations for a constant input. In the left figure, the initial metal
concentration is below the critical limit. A metal input below the critical load results
in a steady-state concentration below the critical limit. An input above the critical
load results in a steady state above the critical limit and it takes a finite time to
exceed this critical limit, called the damage delay time (DDT). In the right figure,
the concentration is initially above the critical limit (in other words, the system is
already potentially at risk). An input equal to the critical load results (technically,
after infinite time) in a steady state, with the concentration equalling the critical
limit. Again, inputs above/below the critical load eventually result in steady states
222
W. de Vries et al.
Fig. 8.3 Schematic diagram showing the change in metal concentration at constant input as a
function of time with the initial concentration below (left) and above (right) the critical concentration (DDT damage delay time, RDT recovery delay time). The dotted/solid/dashed lines are for
metal inputs above/at/below the critical load
above/below the critical limit. And the time it takes to reach the critical limit from
above is called the recovery delay time (RDT). An in-depth discussion and illustrative examples of these concepts can be found in Posch and De Vries [49].
8.3.2
Steady-State Model to Compute Critical Loads
Critical loads are calculated from a simple mass balance of all relevant metal fluxes
into and out of the relevant soil compartment at steady state. As in the Mapping
Manual [71] and its background document [23], the metal fluxes considered are
limited to the metal input, Min, the net metal uptake by the harvested parts of plants,
Mu, (both in g ha1 a1) and the metal leaching/runoff, which balance at steady state:
Min Mu Q Mtot
(8.7)
where Q is the drainage water flux and [M]tot is the total soil water concentration of
the metal (mg m3). Various assumptions are made in this steady-state model: (i)
the soil is homogeneously mixed, (ii) the soil is in an oxidised state and metal
partitioning can be described with equilibrium sorption and complexation with
DOC, (iii) the transport of water and metals only occurs vertically (no metal gain
or loss by seepage flow, surface runoff or bypass flow), (iv) metal weathering and
erosion are not considered, (v) the internal cycling of metals is neglected, and (vi)
the metal input is chemically reactive and 100% available for exchange with the
solution phase. The limitations due to these assumptions are discussed in De Vries
et al. [23] and in De Vries and Groenenberg [20]. The critical load of metal M for a
given effect, CL(M), is the input flux at which the steady-state metal concentration
is at its critical value:
CLM Mu Q Mtot;crit
(8.8)
223
where [M]tot,crit is the critical total soil water concentration (mg m3). A critical
limit is either given directly (e.g., for drinking water quality) or converted from
e.g. a food or soil quality criterion by methodologies specific to each indicator, as
described in Sects. 8.2.2 and 8.2.3. These methodologies may require additional
input variables. For example, the calculation of critical total soil water
concentrations for Cd and Pb, relating to ecotoxicological effects, uses a geochemical speciation model (e.g., WHAM-VI) and requires inputs of soil water pH,
dissolved organic carbon, % soil organic matter, and partial pressure of CO2 in
the soil atmosphere. A full description of methodologies for calculating [M]tot,crit
for the different indicators can be found in the Mapping Manual [71] and its
background document [23].
8.3.3
Simple Dynamic Models to Compute Target Loads
Critical loads are by definition a tool for quantifying the potential risk in the long
term, where long term means the length of time to (approximately) reach steady
state. Dynamic modelling of metal cycling in terrestrial systems [20, 45, 49]
indicates that, starting from the current situation, it may take decades to millennia
to reach a steady state. Consequently, in a soil in which the critical limit is currently
exceeded, an input of metals equal to the critical load would cause the system to
remain at potential risk for a (very) long time. This time could be reduced by
requiring a load below the critical load, termed a target load. A target load is
defined as the deposition for which a pre-defined chemical or biological status is
reached in the specified target year and maintained (or improved) thereafter [50].
Target loads are currently quantified under the LRTAP Convention for acidifying
pollutants; and an approach for metals has been described by Posch and De Vries
[49]. Target loads might also find application in maintaining concentrations of
essential trace elements, such as copper and zinc, where this is important for
agriculture and livestock rearing.
The computation of target loads requires that the changes in the solid and liquid
metal pools are included in the model, which thus becomes:
rz
d
d
ctMtot y z Mtot Min Mu Q Mtot
dt
dt
(8.9)
Where ctMtot is the total content of heavy metal in the soil solid phase (mg kg1), r
is the bulk density of the soil (kg m3), y is the water content (m3 m3) and z the
thickness of the soil layer (m). Setting the time-derivatives in Eq. 8.9 to zero yields
the steady-state equation (Eq. 8.7). To solve Eq. 8.9, a relationship between the
total content and the total concentration in solution is required. In general, this is
assumed to be in the form of a Freundlich isotherm:
ctMtot K Mntot
(8.10)
224
W. de Vries et al.
with a metal-dependent exponent n and a site-specific constant K. In the case of a

linear relation between the metal content in the solid phase and the concentration in
solution (n 1), Eq. 8.9 can be solved analytically in terms of elementary
functions (exponentials) and the concentration as a function of time t is obtained as:
Mtot t Mtot;ss Mtot;0 Mtot;ss et=tc
(8.11)
where [M]tot,ss (MinMu)/Q is the steady-state concentration for the constant

input Min, [M]tot,0 is the initial concentration in soil solution, and tc is given by:
tc
rKzyz
Q
(8.12)
The quantity tc has the dimension of a time and is characteristic for the system
under consideration; tc is also called e-folding time, i.e. the time required to
decrease a quantity to 37% of the original amount. It is the total metal pool in
the soil at steady state divided by the steady-state net metal input, Q[M]tot,ss. The
characteristic time tc is thus the time needed to completely fill the soil metal pool
with (steady-state) net inputs. From Eq. 8.11 also the time to reach a pre-scribed
concentration can be easily derived. For example, for [M]tot,ss > [M]tot,crit > [M]tot,0
(see left panel in Fig. 8.3) the damage delay time, DDT, is obtained as:
DDT tc log
Mtot;ss Mtot;0
Mtot;ss Mtot;crit
(8.13)
The same formula holds for the recovery delay time, RDT; in this case
[M]tot,ss < [M]tot,crit < [M]tot,0 (see right panel in Fig. 8.3). In the linear case also
an explicit expression for the target load, TL(M), can be derived for any given target
year ttar:

Q
ttar =tc
TLM Mu
M

M

e
(8.14)
tot;crit
tot;0
1 ettar =tc
This equation has been used to compute target loads of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn for a
generic deciduous forest on five major soils in the Netherlands differing in texture
and organic matter content [20]. The amount of metal in the soil solution is in most
cases small compared to the total amount of metals in the solid phase. Therefore the
change in the liquid phase is often neglected in simple dynamic models (this can be
done by setting y 0 in Eq. 8.10). For example, Posch and De Vries [49]
investigated the solutions of Eq. 8.9 for y 0 for the general non-linear case of
metal partitioning (Eq. 8.10). Also in this case a characteristic time can be defined
which, however, is also dependent on the constant net metal input:
rzK
tc
(8.15)
n
Q Min Mu 1n
A comparable approach is the CEH Simple Dynamic Model for Metals
(SDMM) [4, 5].
8.4
225
Examples of Critical Load and Target Load Calculations

for Terrestrial Ecosystems
8.4.1
Critical Loads and Target Loads of Cadmium, Lead,

Copper and Zinc for Generic Soil Types
De Vries and Groenenberg [20] presented calculation examples for Cd, Cu, Pb
and Zn for a deciduous forest on five major soils differing in texture and organic
matter content, including a non-calcareous sandy soil and a loess, clay and peat
soil. The influence of soil type on the critical loads and target loads for Cd, Pb, Cu
and Zn in the mineral layer is shown in Table 8.6 using the approach described
in this chapter (Eq. 8.8 for critical loads and Eq. 8.14 for target loads). The small
differences that occur are the result of differences in hydrology, forest growth, pH
and DOC concentrations. Critical loads for Cd and Zn do not differ too much for
the different soils, but for Cu and Pb a larger variation is found. This is due to the
fact that the total concentration of these metals (including metal bound to DOC)
depends much more strongly on pH and DOC concentration than the Cd and Zn
concentrations. The highest CLs are calculated for peat soils because of the high
DOC concentration. The target loads are significantly larger than the critical
loads, specifically for Cu and Pb. This implies that the present metal content is
not yet in equilibrium with deposition levels for the different soils. The impact
of soil type on the target loads is limited. For Cd the target loads are highest for
clay soils whereas the reverse is true for Cu and Zn. For Pb the lowest target loads
were calculated for loess soils.
The examples by De Vries and Groenenberg [20] assume a linear relationship
between soil and dissolved metal. Posch and De Vries [49] computed characteristic
times for sand, clay and peat soils using average Dutch data for grasslands and a
uniform soil depth z 0.1 m, while accounting for non-linear speciation
(Table 8.7). As can be seen, Pb shows by far the slowest response for all soil
classes, whereas Zn shows the widest variability among different soils. In general,
the characteristic times for all metals and soils listed show that steady state is
reached very slowly, and that they are far beyond the time horizons usually
considered in (environmental) policies.
Table 8.6 Critical loads and target loads for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn for different soil types
Critical load (mg m2 year1)
Target load (mg m2 year1)
Soil type
Sand
Loess
Clay
Peat
Cd
1.5
1.0
2.7
1.9
Cu
12
5.0
14
28
Pb
9.6
5.0
5.6
20
Zn
47
39
53
62
Cd
1.7
1.6
3.1
1.9
Cu
65
75
38
72
Pb
38
17
71
59
Zn
64
73
49
62
226
W. de Vries et al.
Table 8.7 Characteristic times tc of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn for sand, clay and peat soils computed
from the average data for grasslands in the Netherlands
Characteristic time tc (year)
Soil type
Sand
Clay
Peat
8.4.2
Cd (n 0.50)
297
1,179
648
Pb (n 0.67)
2,002
5,435
4,234
Cu (n 0.51)
225
643
491
Zn (n 0.61)
148
1,296
342
Critical Loads and Exceedances of Cadmium, Lead,

Copper and Zinc for Natural and Semi-natural Habitats
in the United Kingdom
Critical loads and limits and their exceedances of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb have been
calculated and mapped for the entire United Kingdom to assess potential environmental effects in different habitats [4, 5, 38]. The results are summarised in
Table 8.8. Critical loads are highest in the north and west, and at higher altitudes,
where soils tend to be acid and runoff is high. The total area of critical load
exceedance is greatest for Pb, followed by Zn and Cd, most instances occurring in
the south and east of the country, where critical loads are lower. Forested ecosystems
are most vulnerable, due to the greater scavenging effects of the vegetation. It is
difficult to generalise about current soil metal levels in relation to critical limits.
The total area of critical limit exceedance is greatest for Zn, the main areas affected
being near to the old industrial centres of south Wales, northern England and the
Central Lowlands of Scotland. Cadmium is the least problematic of the four metals.
Considering all four metals together, only in a very few locations are both critical
loads and critical limits exceeded. The low degree of critical limit exceedance for
Pb, despite the fairly high critical load exceedance, may reflect the long times
required to approach steady state (see the aspect of time scales in Sect. 8.5).
8.4.3
Critical Loads of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury

at the European Scale
The methodological manual, developed under the LRTAP Convention, has been
adopted for the metals Cd, Pb and Hg [23, 71]. Critical loads of these metals have
been derived for European ecosystems using human and environmental endpoints
in the framework of activities under the LRTAP Convention. Altogether, 18
countries submitted critical loads of heavy metals. Critical loads of Cd, Pb and
Hg were computed by 17, 17 and 10 countries, respectively, addressing either
ecotoxicological effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems or human health
effects. Table 8.9 presents the indicators used in the computation of critical loads,
limited to ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial ecosystems and human health
effects. Critical loads were not calculated for animal products nor a CL(Hg) for
227
Table 8.8 Exceedances of critical loads and critical limits for UK natural and semi-natural
habitats, expressed as percentages of total area
Exceedances (%)
Type of exceedance
None
Metal
Forests
Grasslands
Heathlands
Bogs
Total
Cu
57
79
98
99
80
Zn
36
51
74
74
56
Cd
91
92
95
99
92
Pb
60
96
99
99
86
Critical load
Cu
13
3
0
0
5
Zn
17
5
0
0
6
Cd
0
0
0
0
0
Pb
40
3
0
0
13
Critical limit
Cu
12
13
2
1
8
Zn
29
40
26
26
31
Cd
9
8
5
1
8
Pb
0
1
1
1
1
Critical load and
Cu
18
5
0
0
7
critical limit
Zn
18
4
0
0
7
Cd
0
0
0
0
0
Pb
0
0
0
0
0
15,709
14,144
18,934
4,019
52,806
Area (km2)a
a
Areas for Cd are 10,295, 7,971, 3,222, 1,015 and 22,503 km2 respectively because data for
Scotland are lacking
Table 8.9 Overview of indicators used in the computation of critical loads
Heavy metals Land cover types to
Endpoints
of concern
be considered
Indicator/critical limit
Human health Cd, Pb, Hg
All ecosystems
Total concentration in soil water below
effects
the rooting zone (to protect ground
water)
Cd, Pb, Hg
Arable
Content in food, fodder and crops
Cd, Pb, Hg
Grassland
Content in grass and animal products
(cows, sheep)
Ecosystem
Cd, Pb
Arable land, grassland, Free ion concentration in view of
functions
non-agricultural
effects on soil micro-organisms,
plants and invertebrates
Hg
Forest soils
Total concentration in humus layer in
view of effects on soil micro
organisms and invertebrates
food crops. Critical loads maps of the metals have been published, based on
results by the various European countries, as presented in Slootweg et al. [56].
The European synthesis of the country submissions was done by first taking the
minimum critical load of health effects and of ecosystem effects for each ecosystem. Then for each grid cell and for each metal, the fifth percentile of the distribution of these minimum critical loads was calculated for health effects and
ecosystem effects separately. Figure 8.4 shows the fifth percentile of the minimum
228
W. de Vries et al.
Fig. 8.4 Critical loads of cadmium (top), lead (middle) and mercury (bottom) aiming to protect
95% of the terrestrial ecosystems from risks for human health (left) and ecosystem health (right)
(see Table 8.9). The darker the shade the more sensitive the area
229
critical loads for human health (left) and ecosystem health (right) of Cd (top), Pb
(middle) and Hg (bottom), while limiting the results to terrestrial ecosystems.
Depositions were compared to critical loads to identify areas where ecosystems
are at risk, i.e. where deposition exceeds critical loads. Depositions were computed
with a long-range atmospheric dispersion model by the EMEP Meteorological
Synthesizing Centre East under the LRTAP Convention. The methods used are
described in Ilyin and Dutchak [40]. Results showed that the risks of effects of Pb
are more widespread than those of Cd.
8.5
Issues for Consideration in Deriving Critical Loads
8.5.1
Choice of Receptors and Exposure Pathways

and Derivation of Critical Limits
The choice of receptors of potential concern is crucial in quantifying critical limits.

The prioritization of these receptors and identification of important exposure
pathways should occur a priori based on factors such as land use and societal/
political considerations. Such analysis should include identification of exposure
pathways, apportionment of total exposure to different pathways including via
the food chain, and interactive effects of contaminants on exposure. Exposure pathways and quantification of exposure are crucial in quantifying critical limits.
Transfer along food chains needs to be considered in the context of the speciation
of metals within organisms and the likelihood of their becoming available higher
up the food chain. The approach to derive critical soils limits and related critical loads,
in view of human and animal health aspects (including the occurrence of bioaccumulation) is presented in Sect. 8.2.3 and reviewed in detail in De Vries et al. [25].
8.5.2
Reliability of the Critical Loads and Target Loads
8.5.2.1
Parameters Influencing the Reliability
The reliability of critical loads and target loads mainly depends on the reliability of
the various parameters determining these loads. Both loads are influenced by metal
uptake (yield and metal content in stem wood) and the water flux leaving the root
zone. In the case of CLs, the uncertainty is further influenced by the critical
dissolved metal concentration, while target loads are also influenced by the present
metal content in soil and the Freundlich adsorption constant, Kf, which in turn is
influenced by the uncertainty in the transfer function coefficients and soil properties
(specifically pH and soil organic content). Ashmore et al. [4] concluded from an
uncertainty analysis that the uncertainty in the terms aCRIT and gCRIT in the critical
230
W. de Vries et al.
Table 8.10 Mean absolute errors of dissolved total metal
concentrations (mg m3) calculated with W6-MTC compared to measured concentrations using measured and
default values for DOC
Mean absolute error (log-concentration)
Metal
Cd
Cu
Pb
Zn
DOC measured
0.32
0.40
0.45
0.11
DOC default
0.38
0.57
0.55
0.13
limit function dominates the uncertainty in critical loads. As mentioned by these

authors, this reflects the limited database available for the derivation of the critical
limit function. The uncertainty in the critical dissolved total metal concentration is
further determined by the uncertainty in the chemical speciation model, such as
W6-MTC, calculating total metal concentrations from free metal ion concentrations. With respect to target loads, the uncertainty in Kf is most relevant. Both
aspects are discussed below.
8.5.2.2
Speciation Modelling in Soil Solution
The uncertainty of the calculation of total metal concentrations from free metal
concentrations with a chemical speciation model, such as WHAM-VI, is due to
uncertainties in the model approach, the model inputs (DOC, Al and Fe concentrations in solution) and the parameterisation of the model. Especially the variable
fraction and binding properties of fulvic acids in dissolved organic matter contribute to substantial uncertainty in predicted metal speciation [36]. To get an idea of
the adequacy of such an approach, De Vries and Groenenberg [20] used the
WHAM-VI model to calculate total metal concentrations from FMI activities,
similar to the approach in the CL calculations, for datasets in which both total
and FMI concentrations in solution were measured [47, 48, 74]. The input data to
WHAM-VI were the FMI activity, the organic matter content, the pH and DOC.
Because DOC is usually not available for CL mapping, they also made calculations
in which DOC was set to standard values from to the mapping manual [23]. The
Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of the log-concentration (Table 8.10) varied between
0.11 for Zn and 0.45 for Pb when using the measured DOC concentrations. This
means that the concentrations on a linear scale vary by a factor 1.32.8. The error is
largest for the strongly complexing metals Cu and Pb, for which calculations are
also most sensitive to variation in estimated DOC concentrations (compare DOC
measured and DOC default in Table 8.10).
8.5.2.3
Uncertainties in Partition Relationships Between

Soil and Soil Solution
Unlike critical loads, target loads are strongly influenced by the transfer functions
for solid solution partitioning of metals. Sorption and ion exchange are reasonably

Table 8.11 Calculated and
measured dissolved total
metal concentrations in the
mineral topsoil of 56 soil
samples in five land-use
types in the UK
231
Dissolved total metal concentration (mg m3)
Metal
Calculated
Measured
Cd
0.6 (0.14.3)
0.6 (0.075.7)
Cu
5.5 (0.971)
8.2 (2.528)
Pb
53 (6.7599)
12 (1.2125)
Zn
216 (33723)
44 (12195)
Values are medians with the range between the 5th and 95th
percentile between brackets
well understood under laboratory conditions, but measurements of the partition

coefficient in the laboratory may differ from those needed for robust application to
field modelling. To get an indication of the adequacy of the combined use of all
relationships used in modelling metal speciation in and between soil and soil
solution (see Fig. 8.2: reactions 13), De Vries and Groenenberg [20] compared
results for calculated total dissolved metal concentrations, based on present total
soil metal concentrations, with results of the measured metal concentrations in soil
solution obtained in the field situation from 56 soil samples of five land-use types
(acid grassland, heathland, upland and lowland coniferous forest and deciduous
woodland) collected from background sites in the UK [4]. Table 8.11 shows that
the ranges (595% percentile) of calculated total metal concentrations correspond
well with measured ranges for all Cd and Cu. Median values were, however,
overestimated by a factor 45 for Pb and Zn. The MAE of the log-concentration
is mostly between 0.3 and 0.5 (a factor 24 on a linear scale), which is within the
error ranges calculated for the transfer function relating metal activities in solution
to the reactive soil metal content [35].
8.5.3
Relevance of Dynamic Model Assessments

in View of Time Scales
By definition, a critical metal load equals the load resulting at steady state in a
metal concentration in a compartment (e.g. soil solution, plant, fish) that equals
the critical limit for that compartment. As shown above, the time period before a
critical limit is reached can be very long and dynamic modelling provides insight
into the build-up in soils of anthropogenic inputs of metals over past centuries and
future changes. Such dynamic assessments give crucial additional information to
critical loads.
Tipping et al. [67, 68] used the CHUM-AM model to simulate combined
acidification and metal behaviour for catchments in Cumbria (north-west England).
The model includes WHAM-VI and can therefore account for the competitive
binding of protons and major and minor metallic cations by soil organic matter.
Representations are also included of hydrology, speciation in soil solution, adsorption by Al and Fe oxide phases in the deeper soil, chemical weathering, dissolved
232
W. de Vries et al.
and particulate transport, and speciation in surface waters. Catchment soils were
estimated to have retained 90% or more of previously-deposited anthropogenic Cu
and Pb, but the proportions of metals that sorb relatively weakly to the soil (Ni, Zn,
Cd) were smaller. Retention is lowest in acid soils. Model outputs suggested that
the weakly-sorbing metals will respond on timescales of decades to centuries to
changes in metal inputs or acidification status, while timescales for Cu and Pb will
be centuries to millennia. Similar conclusions were drawn from applications of
CHUM-AM to the Lochnagar catchment in Scotland [69] and a number of other
catchments in England [4]. Soil metal levels in the future will depend particularly
upon current soil metal levels (reflecting historical deposition), future metal deposition, acidification status, and changes in soil organic matter content [5].
Broader-scale application is possible through the Simple Dynamic Model for
Metals (SDMM) [4, 5], which operates at constant metal deposition rate and soil
pH. The SDMM calculates the time required for soil metal concentrations to rise
or fall from their current level to within 10% of the concentration associated with
the critical limit (defined in terms of free metal ion concentration). The model was
applied to managed broad-leaved woodland soils in the UK, with Cu and Zn
concentrations below the limit values, and for which the critical load is exceeded;
most of the soils in question were in southern, central and eastern England.
For soils with already high metal concentrations, very little time is needed to
come to within 10% of the limit. At the other extreme, i.e. soil metal concentrations
presently quite low and only slight exceedance of the critical load, the model
predicts that up to 5,000 years are required. The median time was similar for the
two metals, about 400 years.
De Vries et al. [22] and Groenenberg et al. [34] used a one layer mass balance
model to estimate the impacts of Zn and Cu inputs, respectively, in Dutch agricultural systems on metal concentrations in soil and soil solution in the root zone/
plough layer. The metal inputs considered included the application of animal
manure and fertilizers, the use of organic material and atmospheric deposition.
Metal outputs included uptake by plants (grass, maize and arable land were
considered) and leaching to deeper soil layers. Metal uptake was calculated as the
product of yield and plant metal contents, which in turn were calculated from soilplant relationships (Zn) or using average plant metal contents (Cu) [26]. Metal
leaching was calculated from the yearly average downward water flux and the total
metal concentration in solution calculated from the metal content in soil using a
transfer function which relates total solution concentrations to reactive metal
content and soil properties (soil organic matter content, pH, oxalate extractable
Al and Fe) [53]. Soil metal contents were compared with critical metal contents
(i.e. Predicted No Effect Concentrations PNEC) derived according to the method
developed in the European risk assessment [RAR, 56]. The model was applied to
the whole of the Netherlands using 4647 STONE plots which cover all the
agricultural land. The plots consist of one or more 500 500 m grid cells with a
unique combination of land use, soil type and ground water table class. Available
data include basic soil properties (pH, organic matter and clay content and oxalate
extractable Al and Fe content) and hydrology [75]. Initial soil metal contents
233
were calculated with a geostatistical approach [13]. Geo-referenced data on annual

metal inputs were derived for all individual STONE plots according to a method
described in De Vries et al. [22]. Recently the model was extended to a multi layer
model to enable the calculation of leaching fluxes to ground- and surface water
[11, 37]. Metal contents at various depths for the whole soil profile were estimated
using a depth dependent relation, using the metal content in the topsoil and the pH,
organic matter and clay content at the subsequent depths [10].
Results of the one-layer mass balance models show that Cu and Zn inputs exceed
the uptake and present leaching for 97% and 81% of the plots respectively, which
consequently leads to accumulation of these metals in soils [22, 34]. Present Cu
concentrations are all below the PNEC, whereas for Zn, PNEC values are only
exceeded in historically contaminated sites (<1% of the area). Future metal contents
will ultimately exceed PNEC values in 18% of the area for Cu and for 53% in case of
Zn. The time to reach these levels however, takes about 1004,000 years with
average times of 800 and 1,660 years for grassland and arable land in case of Cu
and average times of 250 and 650 years in case of Zn [22, 34].
8.5.4
Relevance of the Approach in Policy Making
As with their use for N and S, critical loads and targets loads for metals are a
potential policy tool to optimise the protection of the environment for a given
international investment in pollution control. However, unlike N and S, the time to
reach steady state can be hundreds to thousands of years and this makes the approach
less useful, unless used in addition to a dynamic modelling approach. The reason for
this is that variations in metal transformation and transport, moderated by climate
change and soil acidification over time, may influence exposure and effects more
than the magnitude of the metal input. Climate change influences the soil water
balance, changes vegetation types and drive land use change, thus affecting the
carbon cycle, and thereby the concentration of dissolved organic carbon. Soil
acidification, in terms of a change in pH, will influence complexation, sorption,
precipitation and ion exchange processes. Such changes are not included in the
assessment of target loads. Dynamic modelling is therefore important to assess the
future risk of metal inputs, in addition to the use of critical loads and target loads.
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Part II
Key Heavy Metals and Metalloids
Chapter 9
Arsenic
Walter W. Wenzel
Abstract Arsenic (As), an ubiquitous element known for its toxicity to biota
naturally occurs in several oxidation states between III and +V. Total As concentrations in the soil solid phase range between 0.1 and 55 mg kg1 in uncontaminated
soils but may be as high as several percent in soils contaminated by mining, smelter
and other industrial activities. In aerobic mineral soils, As is primarily associated
with iron (Fe) (oxy)hydroxides whereas As sulphide minerals may precipitate in
anaerobic conditions. In the presence of Fe (oxy)hydroxides only minor amounts
of As are associated with (oxy)hydroxides of aluminium (Al) or manganese (Mn),
clay minerals or organic matter. There is no evidence for significant association of
As with calcium (Ca) minerals below pH 9.5. Binding of As to organic matter
appears to be important in organic soils such as forest floors of peat, but the nature
of this association is largely unknown. The main control of both As(III) and As(V)
solubility in soils is sorption to Fe (oxy)hydroxides, mainly as inner-sphere bidentate
(mononuclear and binuclear) and monodentate surface complexes, with a greater
share of monodentate complexes at low As loads and increasing pH (at pH values
>8), and predominance of binuclear bidentate complexes at highest As loads. The
main As species in soil pore water are arsenate in aerobic soil and undissociated
arsenous acid in anaerobic conditions, with little contribution of organic forms. Soil
pore water in organic soils may also contain substantial amounts of organic As,
primarily in methylated forms. Biological transformations of As include oxidation
reduction and methylation demethylation reactions triggered by soil bacteria and
fungi. Plant roots take up As(V) via phosphate transporters and As(III) by
aquaporins and release As(III) back into their rhizospheres after internal reduction
of As(V) to As(III). Arsenic pollution is a global phenomenon with a major
W.W. Wenzel (*)

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, Institute of Soil Science, University & Research Centre
Tulln (UFT), Konrad Lorenz Strae 24, A-3430 Tulln, Austria
241
242
W.W. Wenzel
contribution of anthropogenic emissions to the global As cycle. Large-scale risks to

ecosystems and human health arise not only from (ancient) mining and smelter
activities, but more recently also from of the use of As-contaminated water as a
source of drinking water and for irrigation of crops, in particular paddy rice.
Keywords Arsenic Soil Iron (oxy)Hydroxides Carbonate Sorption
Pollution Contamination Pore water
9.1
Introduction
Arsenic, the twentieth most abundant element in the earths crust, is a metalloid
with the atomic number 33 and atomic mass of 74.9216 g mol1. Its outer electron
configuration is 4s24p3. Together with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), antimony (Sb)
and bismuth (Bi), As belongs to the fifth main group of the periodic table. The name
arsenic is derived from the old Persian word zarnikh, which means yellow
orpiment, As2O3 [152]. As with other metalloids, As has semiconductor properties
and occurs in nature in various oxidation states including +V, +III, 0, and III.
Arsenic shares chemical similarity with P and therefore acts as an analogue in
various biological processes such as uptake in plants and micro-organism, and in
terms of its chemical behaviour in soils. However, the soil chemistry of As is more
diverse than that of P as As exists in more than one oxidation state, forms bonds
with sulphur (S) and carbon (C) more readily, and undergoes biological
transformations resulting in volatilisation from soil [136, 157].
In very small concentrations, As appears to be essential in animals [184] and
beneficial in plants [42]. However, As is most renowned for its toxic effects in the
environment. While its high toxic potential has been known and employed since
ancient times, it received new and global attention when the large-scale disaster of
As-poisoned drinking and irrigation water became known in the mid 1990s,
stimulating substantial research on As and its fate in the environment.
This chapter is intended to provide an up-to-date overview on the behaviour and
biogeochemistry of As in soils.
9.2
9.2.1
Geochemical Occurrence of Arsenic

Global Pools and Cycling
Estimates of global pools and cycling (fluxes) of As are depicted in Fig. 9.1. Arsenic
in the soil reservoir globally amounts to 1.72.5 109 t which is 45 orders of
magnitude less than the amount of As stored in the earths crust and 2530% of the
As present in sea water (oceans) (Fig. 9.1). However, the As soil pool exceeds those
in the atmosphere, freshwaters and terrestrial plants by 46 orders of magnitude.
243
Sea spray
27
Atmosphere
0.8 1.74 x 103 t
Combustion
3.35 x 104
Wind erosion
1.98 x 103
Low-temperature volatilisation
0.0162.62 x 104
9 Arsenic
Deposition
4.3-8.2 x 103
Deposition
2.27.4 x 104
Return
5.7 x 105
Marine Plants
3.9 x 104 t
Terrestrial Plants
1.84 x 105 t
Uptake
1.1 x 104
Freshwater
0.3 5.4 x 104 t
Erosion
1.0 - 1.5 x 104
Emissions
2.54 x 104
Landfills
?? t
Disposal
5.5 x 104
Anthroposphere
??
Terrestrial volcanism
1.7 x 104
Weathering
4.0-9.0 x 104
Groundwater
0.77 - 1.4 x107 t
Residues
2.9 x 104
Soil
1.7 2.5 x 109 t
Production
3.04 x 104
Particulate
1.0-1.5 x 104
Uptake
5.7 x 105
Oceans
2.8 x 109 t
Dissolved
0.40-6.75 x 104
Submarine volcanism
4.8 x 103
Lithosphere
0.8 - 1.4 x 1014 t
Sedimentation
4.6 x 104
Subduction
3.8 x 104
Accessory extraction
> 7.9 x 104
Fig. 9.1 Global pools and cycling of As. Data are obtained from Matschullat [120] unless stated
otherwise. The total arsenic pool in soil was calculated using an estimated global soil mass (to
100 cm depth) of 3.3 1014 t [81] and average As concentrations of 5 and 7.5 mg kg1 soil
(Table 9.1). The pool of As in the lithosphere was calculated using an estimated pool mass of
5.7 1019 t [81] and average As concentrations of 1.5 and 2 mg kg1 [120]. The pool of dissolved
As in oceans was calculated using an estimated pool mass of 1.4 1018 t [81] and an average
concentration of 2.0 mg L1 [38]. The dissolved arsenic pool in freshwater was calculated using an
estimate of the global pool masses of 3.2 1,013 t [81] and As concentrations of 0.1 (lower value)
and 1.7 mg L1 [120]. The annual flux of dissolved As via rivers to the oceans was estimated using
the same As concentrations and an annual water flow of 3.97 1013 t [101], the flux of particulate
As was calculated by assuming the same Arsenic concentrations in particulates as in soil (5 and
7.5 mg kg1) and a particulate (sediment) flux of 2 109 t year1. The As pool and annual uptake
in marine plants were calculated using estimates for the global marine phytomass of 3.9 109 t,
annual marine phytomass production of 5.7 1010 t year1 [199] and an average As concentration in marine plant biomass of 10 mg d.m. kg1 (based on data compiled in [151]). Arsenic pool
and annual uptake in terrestrial plants were calculated using estimates for global terrestrial
phytomass of 1.84 1012, annual terrestrial phytomass production of 1.13 1011 t year1 [199]
and the world reference arsenic concentration in plants of 0.1 mg d.m. kg1 Markert [118]. The As
fluxes back to the soil and ocean water is assumed to be in the same order as the respective uptake
fluxes in plants (not depicted). The lower estimate of global Arsenic input to soils via weathering was
estimated using the global mechanical and chemical weathering rate of 2 1010 t year1 estimate
given by Garrels and Mackenzie [55] and an average As concentration in the lithosphere of 2.0 mg
kg1 [120]. The higher estimate was taken from Nriagu [134]
Soil is not only an important compartment of As storage, but has a significant

role in the global As cycle (Fig. 9.1). Using the input and output fluxes depicted in
Fig. 9.1, the global net balance of As in soils is clearly positive, ranging between
9.38 104 (lowest inputs, highest outputs) and 1.77 105 t year1 (highest inputs,
244
W.W. Wenzel
lowest outputs). This As accumulation can be related to anthropogenic inputs and

its generally low mobility in soils (see Sect. 9.4), with an estimated retention time of
1,0003,000 years [120]. Based on the analysis of As/Sc ratios in a Swiss peat bog
profile relative to that in the earths crust, Shotyk et al. [164] calculated enrichment
factors of As varying between 7 and 10 around 2,100 years ago (Roman times),
indicating substantial inputs of As to soils from mining and smelter activities.
A dramatic increase of the enrichment factor was encountered from the early/mid
1900s with a distinct peak (ca. 140) around 1920, corresponding to an increase of
Swiss coal imports and their use for combustion. The subsequent steady decrease of
the As enrichment factor to present levels of about 20 can be related to the gradual
substitution of coal by heating oil in Switzerland [164]. The present local enrichment factor of 20 for Switzerland compares to a global ratio of about 1.5 between
the annual amount of As released into the atmosphere through anthropogenic
activities and the amount released by terrestrial volcanism (Fig. 9.1) [24]. The
annual rate of anthropogenic mobilisation of As from the earths crust through
mining activities (production + by-production) is estimated to be of the same order
as natural mobilisation rates through weathering and volcanism (Fig. 9.1), further
illustrating a substantial anthropogenic impact on the global arsenic cycle.
9.2.2
Total Arsenic Concentrations in Soils
Estimates of the global average concentration of As in soils are in the range of

about 57.5 mg kg1 (Table 9.1) [120], with a common range between 0.1 and
55 mg kg1. This is supported by data from major regions (continents) of the world
(Table 9.1) [151]. Larger arsenic concentrations found at regional or local scale
(Table 9.1) can generally be attributed to geogenic anomalies (bedrock) or anthropogenic activities (see section below).
9.3
9.3.1
Origin of Arsenic in Soils

Soil Parent Materials
Arsenic concentrations in source materials determining its concentration in soils are

compiled in Table 9.2. The main natural source is weathering from parent materials
(bedrock). Shales, clays and phosphorites (phosphates) commonly contain elevated
concentrations of As whereas sandstones, limestones and igneous rocks show
typically lower concentrations of As than the world average for soils (Table 9.2).
Locally, mineralised bedrocks (ores) can contain extremely high As concentrations,
resulting in geogenic anomalies in soil.
Table 9.1 Arsenic concentrations in soils of various world regions

Region/Location Site/Soil information
N
World
Uncontaminated soils
Estimate
USA
Uncontaminated
USA
Topsoils (020 cm)
1,260
China
All soil types
4,100
Japan
All soil types
358
European Union
Topsoils (020 cm)
784
European Union
C horizons
784
European Union
Topsoils
1,590
Northern America A horizons
254
Northern America C horizons
263
Canada
Ap horizons
1,270
Argentina
All soil types
20
Austrian Alps
Geogenic and anthropogenic anomalies
186
South-East Italy
Uncontaminated soils
51
(Apulia)
South-East Spain Topsoils (020 cm), including
106
(Almera)
contaminated
South-East Spain Subsoils (2040 cm), including
90
(Almera)
contaminated
Central Victoria
Surface horizons (010 cm) under
85
(Australia)
different land use
Czech Republic
Various major soil groups
162
Netherlands
Topsoils (020 cm) from semi-natural
land covering normal and elevated
arsenic levels
Finland
Organic layers from Satakunta region
41
Finland
Organic layers from Pirkanmaa region
39
39.0
28.4
2.02
2.26
21.8
17.8
0.15
27.6
19.7
Median Mean
7.2
5
7.4
7.0
9.6
11.2
11
6
5
6
5
6
6.6
5
77.1
236
30
22
3,000
22.0
0.8
1
0.12
1.05
0.59
0.01
7.44
3.1
11.2
12.0
3,030
0.67
396
102
214
410
2.5
3.1
93
626
70
<0.1
0.01
0.4
[143]
[172]
[165]
Reference
[1,37]
[99]
[37]
[162]
[206]
[79]
[160]
[160]
[100]
[170]
[170]
[56,57]
[207]
[198]
[144]
HNO3
HNO3
[85]
[85]
(continued)
Total
[139]
Aqua regia [139]
Total
Total
Aqua regia
Aqua regia
Aqua regia
Aqua regia
Total
Total
Total
Total
Geometric mean Minimum Maximum Method

0.1
55
9 Arsenic
245

Region/Location Site/Soil information
N
Median Mean Geometric mean Minimum Maximum Method
Reference
Finland
Topsoils (025 cm) from Satakunta and
120
0.1
16.2
Aqua regia [85]
Pirkanmaa region
Finland
Subsoils (unweathered C material) from
120
0.1
22
Aqua regia [85]
Satakunta and Pirkanmaa region
Australia
Urban soils (Adelaide, Hobart,
<0.2
45
[178]
Melbourne, Sidney)
USA (Missouri)
Topsoils (10 cm) from three undisturbed
62 3.77
6.56
Total
[80]
residential areas in Missouri
246
W.W. Wenzel
Aerosol
4.7
0.7
ng m3
ng m3
Table 9.2 Arsenic concentrations of various source materials

Unit
Estimate
Mean
Median
1
Parent
Igneous rocks
mg kg
1.53.0
materials Granites,
3
mg kg1
granodiorites
1.5
Limestone
mg kg1
1.7
Limestone
mg kg1
Sandstone
mg kg1
0.51.0
2
Sandstone
mg kg1
Shales, schists
mg kg1 13
Shale and clay
mg kg1
14.5
0.71.0
Mafic (gabros,
mg kg1
basalts)
0.7
Ultramafic
mg kg1
Phosphorite
mg kg1 21
22.6
Phosphates
mg kg1
Atmospheric Air
ng m3
deposition
ng m3
ng m3
<0.000021
ng m3
15
ng m3
Bulk (total)
ng L1
deposition
120
490
188
9.8
0.6
0.3
0.4
1.6
Range for four non-urban

U.K. sites
0.008
1
Remote areas
Remote areas
<d.l.
0.16 Urban areas
Contaminated areas
0.0009
80
Remote areas
240
370
Rural areas
900
12,300
Urban areas
Annual concentration average
19791980; rural forest
plantation in Denmark
Annual concentration average
20022005; rural forest
plantation in Denmark
20
0.1
Minimum Maximum Comments

0.06
113
Various igneous rocks
(continued)
[73]
[120]
[86]
[86]
[120]
[120]
[120]
[120]
[73]
[99]
[16]
[86]
[68]
[99]
[86]
[99]
[86]
[99]
[86]
[99]
Reference
[86]
[99]
9 Arsenic
247
Waste/
resused
materials
Agricultural
materials
Groundwater
15.7
6.9
88.6
mg kg1
mg kg1
mg kg1
mg kg1
mg kg1
Poultry litter
Poultry litter
Sewage sludge
Coal ash
23
mg L1
Livestock
wastewater
Feed additives
88
mg L1
7.7
320
Mean
Irrigation water
0.50.9
0.1230
Estimate
mg kg1
mg kg1
mg L1
mg L1
mg L1
mg L1
mg L1
Unit
mg L1
Rock phosphate
Lime

Minimum Maximum Comments
1.6
6.8 Range for selected areas in
South Korea
World background estimate
World range estimate
1.25
5,114
Shallow groundwaters in
Southern Thailand (Asian
tin belt)
1
1,032
Deep groundwaters (caronate
aquifers) in Southern
Thailand (Asian tin belt)
<50
1,250
Groundwater from six districts
in West Bengal (India);
Average for U.K.
0.9/1.69/ <0.4
5.02 Medians and range for three
2.85
Austrian regions
General irrigation water in
South Korea
Used for irrigation of paddy
soils in South Korea
10
15
Addition rate to feed of
chicken, turkey and pigs
14.8
1.2
39.4 Poultry litter from U.S.A.
(Alabama, Georgia, South
Carolina); water solubility
on average 71%
0.0
70.0
0.45
52
Various sewage sludges from
Japan
65.4
2.3
513
Coal ashes of various origin
Median
[32]
[167]
[25]
[82]
[136]
[208]
[208]
[136]
[136]
[30]
[200]
[4]
[4]
[200]
Reference
[208]
248
W.W. Wenzel
Wood ash
Wood fly ash
Wood bottom
ash
Wood
preservatives
(chromated
copper
arsenates,
CCA)
mg kg1
mg kg1
mg kg1
mg kg1
220,000
10
1
0.2
60
3
CCA-C (most common CCA
type in North America)
36 birch ash samples
[210]
[151]
[142]
[142]
9 Arsenic
249
250
9.3.2
W.W. Wenzel
Atmospheric Deposition
Another important source of soil As is atmospheric deposition, especially in the

vicinity of mining operations and metal smelters, and in urban areas. Concentrations of As in air from remote areas are very low with mean values typically
<0.01 ng m3 but may increase by several orders of magnitude in urban areas and
mining districts. Arsenic is deposited on to soil surfaces via dry and wet deposition,
together constituting the total atmospheric As input to soils of which 5080% is
typically present in soluble form [68]. Arsenic concentrations in total (bulk)
deposition vary widely with values down to 0.0009 ng L1 in some remote areas
and up to 12,300 ng L1 in urban environments (Table 9.2).
9.3.3
Groundwater
Soil in contact with (e.g., Gleysols) or under irrigation by groundwater (e.g., paddy
soils) may receive additional input of As, especially where the aquifer is in contact
with As-rich sediments [30] or (mine) waste materials [200]. The estimated world
background for As concentrations in groundwater is in the range of 0.50.9 mg L2
but As concentrations may exceed 1,000 mg L1 due to geogenic or anthropogenic
influences (Table 9.2). The probably most well-known case is the As calamity in
West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh where not only hundred thousands of people
suffer from diseases related to the use of contaminated tube well waters [30, 133],
but irrigation of (paddy) fields has resulted in substantial As accumulation in soils
[3, 17] and transfer into the food chain [126].
9.3.4
Agricultural Materials
In managed agricultural soils, As inputs may arise from the application of inorganic
and organic fertilisers, lime, pesticides (insecticides, herbicides), defoliants (e.g., in
potato crops), desiccants, soil sterilants, livestock wastes (where As compounds
are used as a fodder addititive) and biosolids such as composts or sewage sludge
(Table 9.2) [9, 136]. These materials are also in use for the management of non-crop
areas such as turfs, lawns, and roadsides.
In 1600, early uses of inorganic As as an insecticide (in rice crops) were
documented in the Chinese Encyclopedia of Medicine [9]. Long-term excessive
use of inorganic arsenical pesticides, in particular arsenic acid (H3AsO4), Ca
and Pb arsenates, from the early 1860s until the introduction of DTT and other
organic substitutes in the 1940s [9, 135] has left behind As accumulation in many
(apple) orchard soils [50, 91, 127, 140, 188, 204]. Organoarsenical compounds,
9 Arsenic
251
in particular monosodium, monoammonium and disodium methanearsonates, and

dimethylarsinic (cacodylic) acid (CA) have been in use since the mid 1970s as
selective herbicides for post-emergence control in cotton and citrus crops as well
as for weed control in non-crop areas such as turf, for lawn renovation and along
highways [1, 9]. Their repeated high application may lead to As accumulation
in soils [90].
Most fertilisers and lime materials contain only low concentrations of As
(Table 9.2). However, depending on the source of phosphate rock and the production process, phosphate fertilisers may be a significant source of As in heavily
fertilised soils [136; Table 9.2]. At high livestock density and where inorganic As
compounds are used as growth promoters in animal feeding (feed additive),
recycling of organic manures and livestock waste waters to soils may contribute
to As contents in soil. Arsenic concentrations in poultry litter of up to 77 mg kg1
[167] and water solubility around 70% along with high land application rates in the
U.S.A. suggest a potential detrimental effect in soil and water quality in the long
term [7, 82].
9.3.5
Wastes, Biosolids and Other Sources of Arsenic
Biosolids such as composts and sewage sludge are partly recycled to agricultural
and forest soils and are increasingly used in landscaping. Depending on the origin
(industrial, communal), the collection (e.g., separated or mixed sewer system) and
processing technology, some biosolids may contain high levels of As (Table 9.2).
However, such materials are commonly banned from recycling to soil in some
countries and progress has been made towards the production of clean biosolids,
e.g., through separation of industrial and communal (household)-derived waste
flows and separate sampling of metallic wastes. Therefore, biosolids are not a
major source of As in soils where effective regulations are in place. Disposal and
agronomic re-utilisation of some communal and industrial wastes, including
biosolids, are another potential source of As in soils.
Coal and wood ashes may contain high As levels (Table 9.2) which if applied
repeatedly may locally increase As concentrations in soil. The extent of As
pollution depends largely on the quality of feed coal or wood and the ash fraction
(bottom ash, coarse and fine fly ash) considered [32]. In Australia and New Zealand,
Na arsenite has been widely used as cattle dip for controlling ticks, resulting in local
As accumulation in the surroundings, with soil As concentrations as high as
14,800 mg kg1 [122]. Chromated Cu arsenate (CCA) and ammoniacal Cu Zn
arsenate (ACZA) has been widely used as wood preservative in the United States,
Canada and many developing countries such as Bangladesh, resulting in widespread but very local (up to 0.5 m distance) As accumulation (and leaching) in soils
around wooden utility poles [17, 131, 210].
252
9.4
W.W. Wenzel
Chemical Behaviour of Arsenic in Soil
9.4.1
Chemical Forms and Speciation of Arsenic in Soils
9.4.1.1
Solid Phase
Arsenic in soils is most commonly associated with its primary minerals derived
from the parent material, secondary minerals (primarily Fe oxy/hydroxides;
sulphides) formed in the course of mineral weathering, and As adsorbed to mineral
surfaces. Association of As with soil organic matter and Ca (minerals) has been
repeatedly claimed, mainly based on unquestioned interpretation of the Chang and
Jackson [22] procedure for P extraction, but seem to be of minor importance in
most mineral soil horizons. Organic As present in forest floor, peat, and other soil
materials high in organic matter are typically derived from plant residues and
throughfall. Relevant association with Ca (minerals) is likely to occur only in
extremely alkaline environments and has only been inferred from studies with
pure phases such as calcite [15, 44, 130, 148].
Primary Minerals of Arsenic in Soils

Primary minerals of As that have been detected in soils using scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) combined with electron diffraction spectra (EDS) include:
arseniosiderite (Ca2Fe3(AsO4)3O23(H2O)) in soils from Carinthia (Austria) developed on calcareous schist [109], and arsenopyrite [17]. Secondary minerals and
other weathering products of As minerals identified in a range of (Austrian) soils
include: FeAs oxides such as scorodite (Fe3+(AsO4)2H2O), hydrous FeS
minerals of As sarmientite/zykaite (in soils developed on ancient mine tailings
in the Austrian Alps), both derived from arsenopyrite, accumulation of As in the
weathering rinds of As-free pyrite, indicating sorption rather than release by
weathering from this mineral, and most commonly accumulation of As in Fe oxy/
hydroxides films/precipitates on mineral surfaces such as quartz [17, 109]. Using
SEM/EDS analysis, Sultan [172] identified FeAsS minerals in Australian soils with
weathering rinds depleted of As. Generally, As seems to be associated with distinct
mineral particles or Fe oxy/hydroxide coatings on such particles in the sand and
silt fraction but was found to be homogenously distributed in clay fractions [196].
In weathered soils, primary minerals of As are typically scarce [17]. Filippi et al. [45]
identified the secondary As minerals pharmacosiderite (KFe4(AsO4)3(OH)467
(H2O)), arseniosiderite, and scorodite, and associations of As with Fe oxy/hydroxides
and jarosite (KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6) in soils on gold (Au) deposits in the Czech Republic.
Evaluation of ion products determined for a number of metal arsenates in two
contaminated orchard soils with a history of Pb arsenate treatment indicated stability
of Pb and Mn arsenates under the measured pH and redox conditions [69].
9 Arsenic
253
Association of Arsenic with Carbonates and Calcium

Detailed SEM/EDS analysis of numerous samples from the Austrian Alps provides
no evidence for association of As with Ca minerals. Moreover, in soils where the
calcite content decreased from the sand to the clay fraction, As concentrations
displayed the opposite trend [196]. Further evidence for the negligible role of Ca
minerals is available from chemical extraction studies, where Ca carbonates where
efficiently removed by 1M NaOAc/HOAc buffer solutions without significant
concurrent extraction of As [197]. Using electron spin echo spectroscopy, Di
Benedetto et al. [34] demonstrated that arsenate ions may substitute for CO32 in
calcite from travertine, suggesting that As may be immobilised by this mechanism
where Fe oxy/hydroxides are not operating. Expansion of the unit cell volume of
calcite (at pH 7.5) and gypsum (at pH 4.0, 7.5, and 9.0) minerals synthesised in the
presence of either As(III) or As(V) also reveal a similar substitution mechanism
without providing information on the initial Ca : As ratios in the slurries from which
the minerals were precipitated [44]. However, even in highly calcareous soils,
As seems to be mainly associated with Fe oxy/hydroxides [109]. Precipitation of
basic Ca arsenate from As-doped Ca(OH)2 pastes was demonstrated at highly
alkaline pH in the presence of dolomite [148]. Using XRD analysis, Moon et al.
[130] identified a number of CaAs minerals precipitated from Ca(OH)2 suspensions (solid : solution ratio 1:10, by weight; pH 1213) spiked with As(III) or As(V)
at molar Ca : As ratios between 1 and 4 in the absence and presence of kaolinite. In a
similar study, Bothe Jr. and Brown [15] found Ca-Arsenate minerals precipitated
from Ca(OH)2 o-arsenic acid slurries at molar Ca:As ratios between 0.8 and 4 and
alkaline pH. None of these studies is indicative for the occurrence of these minerals
in soils which hardly would have Ca:As and solid:solution ratios as used in the
experiments. Moreover, the majority of soils, unless having sodic properties, would
not meet the extremely alkaline experimental conditions. Interestingly, Reardon
et al. [149] could not even confirm tricalcium arsenate (which is stable in extremely
alkaline conditions) as solubility control of As in highly alkaline fly ash and
proposed precipitation of AsFe oxides and/or adsorption of As to Fe oxide phases
as an alternative mechanism. Calcite precipitation from 0.5 N CaCl2/Na2CO3
solutions (pH 7.5) in the presence of As(III) showed that solid solutions formed
only at As concentrations >1.5 103 M, and that co-precipitation of As with
calcite in natural environments is limited by As availability rather than by the
ability of the mineral to incorporate As in its bulk structure during crystal growth
[153]. However, the largest ever reported As concentration in pore water collected
from a heavily contaminated field soil (total As >2,000 mg kg1) is only 171 mg L1
[46, 198]. In the presence of Fe oxy/hydroxides, As incorporation in calcite is thus
unlikely to be significant even in highly contaminated soils. This conclusion is also
supported by batch and dynamic laboratory experiments as well as field
experiments addressing the role of carbonates in As trapping at hydrothermal spring
outlets in the presence of iron oxy/hydroxides [102]. The results of this study
suggest that As was trapped during the precipitation of Fe oxy/hydroxides with
subsequent control of desorption by these minerals whereas calcite was of minor
254
W.W. Wenzel
importance for As immobilization. In another study, Juillot et al. [95] showed that
Ca arsenates may precipitate from highly acidic waste pile leachates once they
get in contact with carbonate subsurface layers. However, the high solubility of
these Ca arsenate compounds do not make them relevant candidates for As immobilization in contaminated surface-near environments [95]. This is also supported
by findings of Sadiq [156] showing undersaturation of 19 calcareous soils from
Saudi Arabia even with respect to the thermodynamically most stable arsenic
minerals (Ca3(AsO4)2 and Mn(AsO4)2) expected in such environments [158].
Association with Organic Matter

Because 0.025 M NH4-EDTA (pH 4.6) had been shown to extract metal fractions
associated with soil organic matter, this agent was tested for its suitability to extract
organic forms of As from various soils collected across the Austrian Alps [197].
However, the low extraction yields (27% of total As) and the lack of correlation
with soil organic matter suggested only marginal importance of organically-bound
As in (mostly) aerobic mineral soils. Dobran and Zagury [36] studied As solubility
and speciation in four almost identical synthetic soils with organic matter (i.e., a
mixture of peat moss and poultry manure) contents varied between 0.5% and 15%,
and corresponding DOC between 0.02 and 0.30 g kg1. The soluble As concentrations increased along with soil organic matter and DOC, indicating that As
mobilisation by DOC was more effective than sorption to organic matter in the solid
phase. Moreover, organic matter and DOC have been shown to decrease arsenate
sorption to goethite [64], hematite [150] and soils [88, 89, 106, 190].
Using sequential extraction (H2O, 0.05 M (NH4)2SO4 and 0.05 MNH4H2PO4),
Huang and Matzner [74] showed that only 5% the total As in highly-organic forest
floor horizons (Oe and Oa) beneath Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was
readily soluble or exchangeable, with little contribution (ca. 1%) of the last two
fractions. This indicates very weak sorption of As in these organic horizons. As the
binding form of the residual 90% of As in the forest floor remained unclear, Huang
and Matzner [74] speculated that in analogy to P, arsenate mono- and di-esters
might make up most of the residual As fraction in litter layers. Arsenic species most
commonly found in plants are primarily inorganic arsenate and arsenite [123, 128,
147, 154, 195], whereas organic species such as monomethylarsonate (MMA(V)),
dimethylarsinate (DMA(V), also cacodylic acid (CA)), trimethylarsine oxide
(TMAO), tetramethyl arsonium ion (TETRA), arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenocholine
(AsC), and glycerol ribose have been detected in smaller amounts [123, 147].
However, after reduction to As(III) and co-ordination with glutathione and/or
phytochelatins (PCs), most of the As appears to be sequestered in cell vacuoles
[123, 161]. Arsenic-PC complexes may dissociate readily at pH >7.2 [123]. Even
though all organic As compounds commonly detected in plants may be readily
soluble [195], the extraction efficiency of methanol/water extracts ranged between
3.0% and 41.4% for a number of plant species [154], indicating that a substantial
proportion of As may be bound in less soluble form to cell walls and other cell
9 Arsenic
255
structures. It remains unclear in which form As is bound in this residual fraction and
how it might be incorporated in soil humic substances in the course of humification.
Based on studies of model systems such as humic or fulvic acids, peats and
composts, several authors suggested that As sorption to (solid) soil organic matter
may be an important feature of As biogeochemistry in soils [132, 177]. The main
mechanisms of As sorption to both solid and dissolved organic matter may include
the formation of inner-sphere complexes of As with at pH 7 positively-charged
humic acid amine groups [155] and ternary complexes via metal cation bridging
(e.g., to fulvic acids), primarily with Fe, Al, Mn, Ca and Mg [104]. Mukhopadhyay
and Sanyal [132] suggested the participation of both phenolic and carboxylic
groups in the inner-sphere complexation of As by fulvic and humic acids. Dialysis
(cut-off 500 and 3,500 Da) of water extracts obtained from five golf course soils
with varied peat content revealed that spiked As was primarily bound to (dissolved)
peat-derived organic compounds of molecular size between 500 and 3,500 Da,
which contained virtually no Fe, Al or Ca [23]. These findings indicate the existence of As-DOM rather than of ternary complexes in the investigated golf-course
soils. Arsenic complexes formed with fulvic and humic acid fractions isolated from
two West Bengali soils as evaluated by the ion exchange method were found to be
quite stable [132]. The stability constants (LogK) were approximately inversely
related to molecular weight and to properties that correlate with hydrophobicity of
the organic acids. Exchange isotherms suggested a 2-phase exchange of As from its
organic complexes by phosphate and nitrate, possibly indicating the existence
of both outer-sphere and inner-sphere complexes of As with humic and fulvic
acids [132]. However, the extent of exchange with both ions (i.e., nitrate and
phosphate) was small [132], which is in accord with the low extractability of As
from forest litter [74].
Surface-Bound Arsenic and Sorption

There is multiple evidence that As (arsenate and arsenite) sorption in soil is mainly
controlled by the content and nature of Fe oxy/hydroxides such as amorphous
or poorly crystalline ferrihydrite and crystalline goethite (a-FeOOH). Indirect
(and early) evidence has been derived from correlation of As sorption with extractable Fe fractions in soils. Arsenate was more efficiently adsorbed in Indian soils
containing larger amounts of sesquioxides; addition of Fe oxy/hydroxides to these
soils enhanced arsenate adsorption, with a more pronounced effect of freshlyprecipitated (amorphous) than of aged (higher degree of crystallinity) material
[129]. After equilibration of 24 Wisconsin soils with different amounts of added
arsenate, As retention against extraction with ammonium acetate or Bray-1 reagents
increased with the content of citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite extractable Fe (referred
to as free Fe oxides) in soil [83]. Arsenic solubility in three soils from the U.S.A
after equilibration with three different amounts of arsenate was inversely related
to the ammonium oxalate extractable Fe and NaOH-extractable Al content of the
soils [205]. The role of Fe oxy/hydroxides was further substantiated in experiments
256
W.W. Wenzel
conducted by the same researchers showing that removal of amorphous Fe oxides

by treatment with ammonium oxalate considerably reduced the soils sorption
capacity for arsenate. In a kinetic study, both arsenate and arsenite were adsorbed
more readily and completely by soils rich in ammonium oxalate extractable Fe [108].
Similarly, the rate of arsenite adsorption was related to the Fe oxide content of 5
soils from West Virginia [39, 40] and 15 Japanese soils [159]. De Brouwere et al.
[31] found that 63% of the variation of measured solid-liquid distribution
coefficients (Kd values) in 30 uncontaminated grassland soils was explained by
the content of ammonium oxalate extractable Fe, indicating that arsenate sorption
and solubility in these soils was related to the availability of binding sites on
amorphous Fe oxy/hydroxides. Citrate-dithionite extractable Fe explained 83%
and 68%, respectively, of the variation of the maximum arsenate sorption capacity
of low and high energy surfaces (calculated using a two-surface Langmuir equation) in 16 Chinese soils [89]. Finally, the work of Fordham and Norrish [49]
combining autoradiography using arsenate-73, electron microscopy and microprobe analysis to study arsenate adsorption by various soils components in acidic
Australian soils provides direct evidence that Fe oxy/hydroxides are clearly more
effective than any other soil component in taking up arsenate on a unit mass base.
Predominant association of sorbed As with Fe (oxy)hydroxides was also shown by
XANES analysis and sequential extraction in a paddy, seasonally flooded soil in
Japan [174]. In ferromanganese coatings (i.e., alternate layers of ferrihydrite and
vernadite, Mn oxide) on quartz grains, As was selectively associated with the
Fe-bearing phase [116].
Mechanisms of arsenate binding on Fe oxy/hydroxide surfaces have been
studied on synthetic model compounds including freshly precipitated and aged
ferrihydrite [51, 84, 194], goethite [43, 66, 111, 117, 173, 194], akaganeite [194]
and lepidicrocite [194] by employing indirect (IR, FTIR, kinetic experiments e.g.
using pressure jump relaxation technique, H+/OH release stoichiometry; electrophoretic mobility measurements for determination of the point of zero charge) and
direct methods (EXAFS, XANES). In summary, speciation of both As(III) and
As(V) on surfaces of Fe oxy/hydroxides includes mainly inner-sphere bidentate
(mononuclear and binuclear) and monodentate surface complexes, with a greater
share of monodentate complexes at low As loads and increasing pH (at pH values
>8), and predominance of binuclear bidentate complexes at highest As loads
[43, 111, 117, 194]. At low pH the FeOAs(III) bonds appear to remain partly
protonated (e.g., FeO(H)As(OH)2 or FeO2(H)2AsOH) and are electrically neutral
[84]. Deprotonation of As(V) surface species has been implied from the observed
large increases in negative surface charge [117]. There is no evidence for precipitation of ferric arsenates or formation of As-bearing surface precipitates or solid
solutions [107, 194]. The first step of As(V) adsorption involves an initial ligand
exchange reaction of the aqueous arsenate species with OH ligands at the oxy/
hydroxide surface, forming an inner-sphere monodentate surface complex, followed
by a second ligand exhange reaction, resulting in the formation of an inner-sphere
bidentate surface complex [66]. The initial rapid adsorption reactions on the exterior
of Fe oxy/hydroxide aggregates are followed by diffusion of As to interior surface
9 Arsenic
257
sites [51, 186]. As the chemical sorption step for arsenate is rapid [65], sorption-related
non-equilibrium observed in breakthrough experiments of arsenate in soil columns
are likely to be related to limited pore, film, and/or intraparticle diffusion [29].
This needs to be considered when using rate parameters obtained in batch environments in modelling the transport of As in soils over a range of pore water velocities
[29]. Especially at low pH and in dry conditions, As(III) adsorbed to Fe oxy/
hydroxides is less stable than in solution as indicated by higher As(V)/As(III) ratios
at goethite surfaces. The conversion of As(III) to As(V) on oxy/hydroxide surfaces
as well as in solution may be further enhanced and mediated by the presence of Mn
oxides such as birnessite (d-MnO2) [173].
It has been claimed that Al oxy/hydroxides and clay minerals might also play an
important role in As sorption in soils [1, 157]. Indeed, Livesey and Huang [107] and
Wauchope [193] found better correlations of arsenate adsorption maxima in four
Saskatchewan soils with ammonium oxalate extractable Al than for Fe. However,
these findings are in contrast to most other studies, including those based on a larger
number of soils [31, 89] and may be related to greater abundance of Al oxy/
hydroxides relative to those of Fe [49]. Direct evidence for the minor role of
gibbsite compared to Fe oxy/hydroxides for arsenate sorption by nine acidic
Australian soils is available from autoradiography using arsenate-73 combined
with electron microscopy and microprobe analysis [49]. These authors showed
that on a unit mass basis, gibbsite was much less effective than Fe or titanium
(Ti) oxides in adsorbing arsenate and could only contribute significantly to arsenate
sorption if present in sufficiently large amounts. Recently, it was shown by means
of XAS and XRF that in podzolic B horizons arsenate may be effectively sorbed to
proto-imogolite allophanes [72].
Likewise, it has been suggested that clay minerals may be involved in As sorption
in soils. The parabolic adsorption envelope of As(V) on a montmorillonitic, calcareous Vertic Torrifluvent soil after removal of the carbonates was similar to those on
the main constituents in the clay fraction, montmorillonite and kaolinite [62].
However, the sorption maxima on the clay minerals were near pH 5 but close to
7 on the soil, indicating that other minerals contributed to As(V) adsorption on the
Torrifluvent. Fordham and Norrish [49] showed that clay minerals, including
kaolinite, illite, vermiculite, and muscovite, as well as potassium-feldspar and
quartz were taking up little arsenate when they were free of surface deposits of
finely-distributed Fe oxy/hydoxides.
Significant adsorption on As on carbonate minerals phases has been demonstrated in pure systems [62, 153]. In contrast to oxy/hydroxides of Fe and Al,
carbonate minerals such as calcite exhibit positively charged (protonated) surfaces
in the pH range between 7 and 9 and have therefore been claimed to control sorption
of As in calcareous soils [157]. Goldberg and Glaubig [62] found that in a
montmorillonitic, calcareous soil, the adsorption maximum at pH near 10.5 was
much reduced after removal of the carbonates, indicating that carbonates may play
a major role in arsenate adsorption at pH above 9, corresponding to the adsorption
maximum on pure calcite. However, these researchers also concluded that adsorption of arsenate on carbonates in field situations may be of minor significance,
258
W.W. Wenzel
as Suarez [171] reported a mean pH of 7.41 0.13 for a calcareous soil in the field
under different moisture conditions. In general, calcareous soils exhibit pH values
ranging mainly between 7 and 8. Moreover, Oscarson et al. [138] report substantially decreased adsorption (at pH 7) of As(III) on birnessite (d-MnO2) coated
with CaCO3 as compared to pure birnessite. They explain this finding with low
(if any) sorption capacity for As which was also demonstrated by the extremely low
sorption of As(III) on pure CaCO3 in their study. All together, these findings
suggest that carbonate minerals are of minor importance for arsenic sorption
in soils with pH <9.
Sorption of As to organic compounds has been demonstrated in pure systems
[177, 191]. Formation of inner-sphere complexes of As with amine groups which
are positively-charged at pH >7 [155, 177], carboxylic and phenolic groups [132],
and of ternary complexes with polyvalent bridging cations, in particular Ca, Al,
and Fe [104, 150, 177] has been proposed as mechanisms of As sorption on organic
matter. However, in mineral soils it appears that organic matter often does not
significantly contribute to [31, 209] or may even decrease As sorption to the soil
solid phase [88, 89]. This has been explained by occupation of (high-energy)
sorption surfaces on Fe oxy/hydroxides by organic matter due to formation of
organo-mineral complexes, organic matter coatings on minerals [150], and competition of dissolved organic carbon [64] for sorption sites.
Comparative investigations of As sorption on pure mineral phases and related
organo-mineral complexes (or minerals coated with organic matter) suggest a rather
complex interaction. Both arsenate and arsenite sorption on colloidal hematite
(a-Fe2O3) were reduced on samples pre-treated with natural organic matter in the
presence of Na as background electrolyte or desorbed upon addition of these
materials [150]. Similar results were obtained with synthetic goethite (a-FeOOH)
and Na as background electrolyte; humic and fulvic acids decreased arsenate and
arsenite sorption on goethite over a wide range of pH values when added either
before, during, or after reaction of the arsenic species with the iron mineral [64].
Independent of pH, humic acid-coated kaolinite also adsorbed less arsenate than the
crude mineral in the presence of Na electrolyte [27, 155], but arsenate sorption was
greater on the crude kaolinite at pH >5 when Na was replaced by Ca electrolyte of
identical ionic strength (0.01 M) [27]. Decreasing the Ca concentration to 0.0005 M
resulted in lower arsenate adsorption on both the crude and humic acid-coated
kalolinite [27]. In an earlier study, arsenate sorption on humic acids varied with pH,
adsorbate concentration and the ash content of the samples [177]. Reduction of the
ash content by acid washing, sample purification, or addition of fluoride or EDTA
resulted in lower As sorption, suggesting a role of Ca and other polyvalent cations
in As binding to humic substances [177]. From the cited work it appears that Ca
can enhance arsenate sorption on minerals and organic-mineral complexes, and in
a certain range of pH and Ca concentration (partly) reverse the apparent negative effect of organic substances on As sorption on soil minerals. This effect of
Ca may be related to increased positive surface charge [168] and/or Ca-bridging
[104, 150, 177].
9 Arsenic
259
Factors Affecting Arsenic Sorption

Effect of pH: Arsenic adsorption to a variety of model compounds has been shown
to be more or less dependent on the pH of the system, with typically less variation
for As(III) compared to As(V) adsorption. The shape of pH-dependent sorption
envelopes and corresponding maxima not only depend on the type and nature of
adsorbent but also on experimental conditions such as strength and index ion of the
background electrolyte and relative As load compared to the maximum sorption
capacity.
Arsenic adsorption in soils appears to be generally less affected by changes in
pH than found for some model compounds. Upon varying the pH of topsoil and
subsoil horizons from two New Zealand soils between 3 and 7 using 0.01 M Ca
(NO3)2 background, Carey et al. [20] found virtually no effect on As(V) adsorption
apart from small increases at pH >5. The latter effect was attributed to the use of Ca
as background electrolyte (see discussion further below). Similarly, pH did not
contribute significantly to explain the variation of As(V) distribution coefficients
(Kd) in 30 uncontaminated grassland soils from Belgium obtained in a 0.005 M Ca
(NO3)2 background electrolyte [31], and was found unimportant in explaining
variation of As(V) adsorption in 16 Chinese soils (0.02 M NaNO3 background
electrolyte) [88, 89] and 36 soil representing the major soil orders of the U.S. Soil
Taxonomy (0.001 M Ca(NO3)2 background electrolyte) [209]. In a 0.1 M NaNO3
background electrolyte, Goldberg and Glaubig [62] found a more distinct variation
of As(V) adsorption on a montmorillonitic, calcareous Vertic Torrifluvent, with
adsorption increasing from pH 2 to around 10.5, and a decrease above this pH.
Adsorption of As(V) was considerably less in the pH range >9 after removal of the
carbonates, indicating a role of these minerals for As(V) sorption in highly alkaline
soils (compare also discussion further above) [62]. In the absence of carbonates,
the adsorption maximum was close to pH 7. In a study of As(V) adsorption to 49
surface and subsurface soil horizons belonging to six different soil orders of the US
Soil Taxonomy, As(V) adsorption (background electrolyte 0.1 M NaNO3) generally
increased with increasing solution pH, showing a maximum around pH 67, and
decreased as pH further increased [63]. However, variation of As(V) adsorption
with pH was small or virtually nil in most of the soils for which details are presented
in the article. In contrast to the findings of Goldberg et al. [63], As(V) adsorption
(0.01 M KCl background) on seven soils from Italy and China decreased when pH
was increased from 4 to 8 [190]. Changes were generally small below pH 5 but
more notable for some soils above this pH. Likewise, As(V) adsorption on four
Australian soils (0.03 M NaNO3 background electrolyte) generally decreased as pH
increased from 2 to 8.5, with less variation in highly oxidic soils [168]. The findings
were explained by two interacting factors, the increasing negative surface potential
on the plane of sorption, and the increasing amount of negatively-charged As(V)
species in soil solution [168]. The same authors reported a considerable increase of
As(III) adsorption in two of the soils as pH increased. These results were obtained
in a 0.03 M NaNO3 background electrolyte. Varying the electrolyte concentration did not change the principal shape of the adsorption envelope of As(III),
260
W.W. Wenzel
but resulted in a parabolic As(V) adsorption edge with a maximum at pH around

6 if the background concentration was lowered to one tenth (0.003 M) and in a
much more pronounced decrease with increasing pH if raised to the tenfold (0.3 M)
[168]. The possible reasons for the observed effects of ionic strength are discussed
further below.
Arsenic adsorption on model compounds has been studied extensively under
various experimental conditions. At high As loads, As(V) adsorption on goethite
has been shown to decrease with increasing pH [35, 66, 71, 117, 173, 190]. This
pattern becomes less pronounced at lower As(V) loads [35, 53] with virtually
no variation of As(V) adsorption across the entire range of pH as the As(V)
load becomes very low [35, 64]. A similar pattern of As(V) adsorption has been
observed for ferrihydrite/amorphous Fe oxides [35, 54, 61]. Adsorption of As(III)
on both goethite and amorphous iron oxide typically shows a more or less pronounced maximum between pH 59 at high As loads but virtually no variation with
pH at lowest As(III) loads [35, 61, 64, 173]. Adsorption of As(V) on amorphous Al
oxides shows little variation in the lower range of pH but decreases considerably
above a certain pH [6, 54, 61] that may depend on the initial As load, background
electrolyte and properties of the specific Al oxide investigated. At low As load,
Goldberg [61] observed a parabolic adsorption edge for As(III) on amorphous Al
oxide with a pronounced maximum between pH 8 and 9. Adsorption of As(V) on
gibbsite tends to increase in the most acidic range of pH (up to 4.55), followed by a
steep decrease above pH 6 [71, 117]. The pH-dependent adsorption edges of As(III)
and As(V) on clay minerals such as illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite tend to
follow more complex shapes, often with more than one maximum [61, 62].
Adsorption of As(V) on calcite steeply increases between pH 5 and 12, followed
by a decrease above this pH [62]. Adsorption of As(V) on purified humic acid
shows a pronounced maximum between pH 67 at high arsenic loads which levels
off as the As load is decreased [177].
In summary, the effect of pH on As(V) adsorption in soils appears to be
generally small. However, contrasting As(V) adsorption envelopes (steady decrease
versus sorption maxima around pH 67) have been reported where pH effects
were observed. As shown for one soil, these patterns may be further modified in
the presence of carbonates with As sorption increasing up to pH 10.5 [62], however,
this finding was not confirmed in other studies including calcareous soils. Divergent
results may be partly explained by the use of different background electrolytes in
terms of index cation (divalent Ca versus monovalent Na, K) and ionic strength
(ranging from 0.001 to 0.3 M), as Smith et al. [168] observed a steady decrease of
As(V) adsorption with increasing pH at very low and moderate ionic strengths
(0.0030.03 M) but a parabolic adsorption envelope in the presence of a 0.3 M
background electrolyte. Studies on the adsorption of As(III) on soils are generally
scarce, with only one article presenting adsorption envelopes as function of
pH [168], suggesting that As(III) adsorption may markedly increase at pH >5.
Differences in arsenic load relative to the sorption capacity (surface coverage) are
another source of contrasting findings between different studies and among soils.
This is indicated by adsorption envelopes of As(III) and As(V) on model
9 Arsenic
261
compounds (goethite, amorphous Fe oxy/hydroxide) determined for differential

arsenic loads, indicating that the pH effect is less pronounced or disappears at
low surface coverage.
Effect of ionic strength: The effect of ionic strength on As(V) adsorption has been
investigated by Grossl et al. [66] for goethite and by Smith et al. [168] for two
Australian soils. Whereas no effect of ionic strength (0.01 versus 0.1 M NaNO3)
was observed for As(V) adsorption on the goethite across the entire pH range
investigated, a pronounced decrease of As(V) adsorption with increasing ionic
strength (0.0030.3 M NaO3) occurred in the soils at pH >33.5, the inflicting
point of the adsorption envelopes. Below this point of zero salt effect, an opposite
trend was observed. The effect of ionic strength on As(III) adsorption in the same
soils was much smaller and inverse to the pattern observed for As(V), indicating
that As(V) was forming outer sphere complexes on these soils whereas As(V)
adsorption on the goethite and As(III) adsorption on the soils was dominated by
the formation of inner sphere complexes [66, 168]. It appears that in soils, the
mechanisms of As(V) adsorption on oxide surfaces is modified by the presence of
other compounds and factors, resulting in the occupation of specific surface sites
and thus a greater contribution of outer-sphere complexes than observed in model
systems.
Effect of Calcium: Calcium present in the background electrolyte or soil solution
may increase arsenate adsorption on model compounds [27, 177] and soils [20, 129,
169] which has been attributed to increased positive charge near negatively-charged
surfaces [20, 169]. This effect was more pronounced for adsorption of As(V)
compared to As(III) and varied with the availability of sorption sites in the soil,
i.e., the effect was greater where sorption capacity was small or sorption sites were
occupied. Moreover, the effect of Ca is expected to become more important where
Coulomb forces are significantly involved in As binding (i.e., for arsenate and
low availability of specific sorption sites) to the surface and in variable charged
soils [169].
Effect of Anion Competition: The presence of other anions competing for the same
sorption sites generally results in decreased As (arsenate) adsorption or enhanced
desorption of previously adsorbed As. Owing to their chemical similarities, phosphate and arsenate effectively compete for sorption sites on model substances and
soils [11, 60, 71, 107, 117, 169, 190, 205]. At equimolar concentrations, the relative
competitiveness of the two oxyanions varies with the mineral or soil considered [190]
and as a function of anion load and pH. Generally, arsenate appears to be more
competitive than phosphate on oxy/hydroxides of Fe, Mn and Ti and Fe-rich
phyllosilicates whereas phosphate is sorbed more strongly than arsenate on oxy/
hydroxides of Al and other Al-rich minerals such as allophanes, kaolinite and soils
containing large amounts thereof [169, 190]. Arsenate is becoming more competitive at low pH and with increasing residence time [190]. Other inorganic anions
which are commonly present in soil solutions at higher concentrations such as
chloride, nitrate or sulphate have generally little effect on As sorption in soils [107].
Another interaction of environmental importance occurs with anions of low
molecular organic, fulvic and humic acids that are commonly present in soil solutions.
262
W.W. Wenzel
The efficiency of these dissolved organic substances at decreasing As sorption to soil

mineral surfaces has been demonstrated in batch [64] and column studies [105] and
has been inferred in the interpretation of field observations of enhanced As leaching
from organic soil layers [198].
9.4.1.2
Soil Pore Water
Information on As concentrations in soil pore water is generally scarce. Arsenic

concentrations in pore waters obtained from 49 Dutch topsoils (020 cm) by
centrifugation after equilibration with 2 mM Ca(NO3)2 solutions (moisture adjusted
to pF 2) ranged between 0.75 and 2,160 mg L1 (mean 50.2). Corresponding total
As concentrations ranged between 0.75 and 62 mg kg1 (mean 14.2). The soils
varied widely in their properties and were collected from sites with no or little
agricultural impact covering the Netherlands. The high maximum is explained by
spiking of this particular soil in the laboratory [139]. Solid-liquid distribution
coefficients in 30 uncontaminated grassland topsoils from Belgium determined
with isotope exchange ranged between 14 and 44,301 L kg1 [31].
Arsenic concentrations in soil solutions obtained with tension lysimetry at various sites in Austria [198] and Germany [76] are compiled in Table 9.3. For the forest
sites, comparison of soil solution data with As concentrations in throughfall below
the tree canopy (Table 9.3) indicates that As is being mobilised from forest floors and
readily fixed in the mineral soil [76, 198]. The exceptionally large concentrations in
the subsoil at site St. Margareten are related to weathering of the primary mineral
arsenosiderite and the high pH (7.5) of the calcareous soils [198]. Huang and
Matzner [75] report As concentrations ranging between 0.2 and 2.5 mg L1 in
field-collected pore water (dialysis chamber method) from an acidic fen profile
located in the German Fichtelgebirge mountains. The concentrations increased
from April to June, indicating mobilisation by microbial methylation in the growing
season [75]. Arsenic concentrations in soil pore water of a paddy soil in Japan
measured using tension lysimetry ranged up to 2.35 mg L1 in the top layers
(01 m) subject to water table fluctuation, and up to 0.8 in the underlying clay
sediment [174]. Seasonal variation of As solubility and speciation indicates that As
was quickly released by reductive dissolution from Fe oxy/hydroxides (ferrihydrite)
and reduction of As(V) to As(III). The contribution of reductive As dissolution was
suggested by concomitantly increased Fe concentrations, whereas As(V) reduction
was supported by increased As/Fe ratios in soil pore waters and the solid phase
(XANES analysis) during the flooded periods [174].
Arsenic speciation in the truly dissolved phase (<0.45 mm) of soil pore waters
is generally dominated by its inorganic forms, i.e. arsenate and arsenite as confirmed both in microcosm and field studies [36, 59, 76, 77, 98, 146, 175, 179], with
organic forms being present only in traces in most mineral soils [77, 146]. Whereas
inorganic As forms dominate even in highly organic soils and soil horizons, such as
peat soils/fens [75] and forest floors [74, 76], organic As may constitute an
appreciable proportion of total soluble As in such soils [74, 76]. Organic As species
Table 9.3 Arsenic concentrations in bulk precipitation, throughfall and soil solutions collected using tension lysimetry from sites in Austria, Germany and Japan
Total soil
Soil solution
Bulk
arsenic
Forest floor
Irrigation
Source of
precipitation
Location
Land use
mg As kg1 pollution
Throughfall
percolate
water
Topsoil
Subsoil
Reference
mg As L1
Lend
Alpine
10911
Mining/
0.6 (0.26.8)
2.4 (1.07.4)
1.3 (0.56.1)
[198]
pasture
smelter
St. Margareten
Alpine
2,1802,070 Lithogenic 5.45
101 (69.1147) 98.4 (64.1171) [198]
pasture
(1.928.6)
St. Margareten
Norway
1,400387 Lithogenic
(0.54.1)
25.7
14.0
13.1 (8.624.5) [198]
spruce
(12.134.4)
(11.516.7)
Seetal
Norway
(43) 26338 Mining/
0.4 (0.25.0)
4.3 (1.56.9)
0.9 (0.32.7)
0.5 (0.12.3)
[198]
spruce
smelter
Brixlegg
Norway
(326)
Smelter
2.2 (1.37.6)
68.8
2.8 (0.56.7)
0.4 (0.054.0)
[198]
spruce
65016
(14.5110)
Lehstenbach
Norway
Air
0.31
0.46
3.65
1.36
0.22
[76]
spruce
pollution
(0.141.21)
(0.182.86)
(2.377.65)
(0.272.02)
(0.030.63)
Tsukuba-Inashiki Paddy rice ca. 9/235 Irrigation
0.4
ca. 0.02.35
ca. 00.8
[174]
plateau
field
water
264
W.W. Wenzel
that have been identified and detected in soil pore waters and extracts primarily
include AsB, MMA, and DMA, [36, 59, 77], and smaller amounts of TMAO and
TETRA [59, 74]. Huang and Matzner [74, 76, 77] also detected traces of up to four
unknown organic As species some of which appeared to be derived from input to
the soil with throughfall, while others were probably produced by/released from
soil biota. From laboratory-scale studies, there is indirect evidence for As complexation by dissolved fulvic and humic acids [23, 132], and the formation of ternary
complexes of As with DOM via bridging cations such as Fe, Al, Mn or Ca [104,
150], but their contribution to As speciation in field soil pore waters remains to be
elucidated.
Speciation of inorganic As is thermodynamically controlled by pH and redox
potential, and, at equilibrium, can be predicted from pe (Eh) pH diagrams [14, 18,
69, 157]. In the common pH range of soils (pH 39), dissociation products
(H2AsO4 at pH <7, HAsO4 at pH >7) of As acid (H3AsO4) are predicted to
predominate in pore waters of aerobic (oxic) soils (pe + pH > 10), undissociated
As acid (H3AsO30) in anaerobic (unoxic; pe + pH < 8) conditions [157]. Thermodynamic predictions are well in line with speciation measurements of As(V) and As
(III) at laboratory scale [108, 119, 146] and in soil pore waters collected from field
soils [7477, 174, 198].
Apart from truly dissolved constituents, soil pore waters may also contain
colloids [1], very fine, suspended particles with dimensions between diameter 0.001
and 1.0 mm [70] that act as carriers of metal transport in aquatic environments [121]
and soils [58]. These mobile particulate phases typically include clay minerals, oxy/
hydroxides (distinct particles or as coatings on clay minerals), and humic substances
[121]. As the transition from the truly dissolved phase to colloidal fractions
is a continuum rather than defined by a clear cut-off [5], analytical partitioning
(e.g., using centrifugation, dialysis or sequential filtration) of elements among the
dissolved and colloidal fraction is operationally defined [58, 121]. In a dialysis
study, Chen et al. [23] found virtually no association of As with Fe-, Al - and Cacontaining colloids (>3,500 Da) released from the soils upon peat addition to five
golf-course soils. However, sequential filtration (employing 0.45, 0.2, and 0.1 mm
membrane filters) of solutions from two contaminated soils (Austrian Alps)
revealed substantial association (ca. 65 %) of As with Fe-bearing colloidal phases
(0.10.45 mm) in a soil with pH 5.8, and lower but still significant contribution of
colloids in soils with pH 3 (ca. 11%) and pH 6.7 (ca. 28%) [185]. Colloid-facilitated
transport (fraction 0.220 mm) of As(III) in two soils from Louisiana and New
Hampshire (pH 6.6 and 5.3) was generally small in column experiments if the ionic
background of the input solution (0.01 M NaCl) was maintained constant, but
increased upon replacement of the electrolyte solution by deionised water [211].
Concomitant peaks of colloid generation and Fe concentrations suggest mobilisation of Fe oxy/hydroxides and colloidal transport of As(III) sorbed to oxy/
hydroxides surfaces, whereas organic matter coatings appeared to stabilise aggregates
of colloidal particles [211].
9 Arsenic
9.4.2
265
Biogeochemical Transformations of Arsenic in Soils
Arsenic solubility, bioavailability, toxicity and volatilisation in soils are subject to

changes due to chemical reactions and biochemical processes controlled by changing environmental conditions such as wetting (flooding) drying cycles (e.g., in
paddy soils), seasonal variation in temperature and soil moisture, input of organic
materials, among others. The main processes involved are oxidation/reduction and
methylation/demethylation of As [191]. Microbial metabolisms play a major role
even though abiotic redox transformations of As may occur in soils, albeit at
slower rates [2, 115]. Root activities not only create a specific environment for
microorganisms but may directly contribute to As transformation and speciation in
the surrounding rhizosphere soil [46].
9.4.2.1
Microbial Mechanisms Involved in Arsenic Transformation
Mechanisms employed by bacteria capable of either oxidising As(III) or reducing

As(V) include energy generation/conservation and detoxification [115, 152].
In anaerobic growth conditions, arsenate is used by respiratory enzymes of strict
or facultative anaerobes of the domain Bacteria as a terminal electron acceptor to
generate energy, resulting in the production of arsenite (dissimilatory reduction, As
respiration). Arsenite oxidases are used by both heterotrophic (e.g., Agrobacterium
tumefaciens) and chemotrophic bacteria to use the reducing power from As(III)
oxidation for growth. However, reduction of As(V) to As(III) by various soil
microorganism (e.g., Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp.) occurs via detoxification
activities encoded by a variably organised ars operon resulting in intracellular
reduction of As(V) and subsequent excretion of As(III) via efflux pumps into the
surrounding soil [87, 115, 152]. This As(III) efflux may explain apparent nonequilibrium conditions [115] indicated by the presence of significant levels of As
(III) in aerobic (oxic) soil environments [114, 196]. Generally, bacteria with As(III)
oxidising capabilities co-exist with As(V) reducers in soil environments and are
considered important controls of inorganic arsenic speciation in soil pore waters.
9.4.2.2
Redox Transformations of Inorganic Arsenic
In a column study under aerobic (unsaturated) conditions, Macur et al. [115]

observed rapid oxidation of arsenite to arsenate in a calcareous soil from California.
From the same soil, these workers isolated bacterial strains with oxidising and
reducing capabilities. Interestingly, two Agrobacterium tumefaciens isolates with
100% identical 16SrDNA sequences displayed opposite redox phenotypes. In a
similar column study, Macur et al. [114] found arsenate as the predominant arsenic
species in leachates from mine tailings under aerobic, sterile conditions but arsenite
became predominant in the presence of microorganisms (non-sterile column),
266
W.W. Wenzel
indicating that microbial reduction of As(V) in As-contaminated soils may occur in

aerobic conditions within relatively short time.
The nature, surface area and arsenate surface coverage of hydrous oxy/
hydroxides appear to determine the rate of As mobilisation during reduction. In a
controlled Eh/pH chamber experiment (pH maintained at 7.5) where a microbial
population extracted from an agricultural soil was inoculated to arsenate solutions,
dissolved total As decreased by about 30% while As(III) concentration increased
when the redox potential was lowered from 500 to 0 mV in the presence of goethite
with high (molar As: Fe ratio 0.04) As surface coverage but increased seven fold
at low (molar As: Fe ratio 5.3 104) surface coverage [92]. Arsenic solubility
increased 100-fold faster in the presence of ferrihydrite (molar As: Fe ratio 0.012)
than in goethite suspensions at similar initial arsenate concentrations in solution [92].
Based on their findings, Jones et al. [92] suggested diverse mechanisms controlling
As solubility during reduction: (1) reduction of As(V) to As(III) at initially high redox
potentials may be related to microbial detoxification, subsequent reduction to As(III)
may have been due to both detoxification and As(V) respiration; (2) decreased arsenic
solubility upon lowered redox potentials at high As:Fe ratios may be explained by
stronger adsorption of As(III) than As(V) to goethite at the experimental pH (7.5)
(compare also [173]); (3) the opposite trend observed at low As:Fe ratios may be
a result of weaker sorption of As(III) than As(V) on Fe oxy/hydroxides at low
surface coverage (compare also [141]); aqueous As(III) formation in the presence
of goethite was considerably slower than in solution only, and was probably controlled by desorption of As(V) with only little contribution of co-dissolution of
arsenic from the goethite; (4) in the presence of ferrihydrite, increased iron solubility
indicated co-dissolution of arsenic when the redox potential was decreased.
Huang and Matzner [75] investigated the dynamics of As speciation in fieldcollected pore waters from an acidic fen in Germany. Arsenic solubility and the ratios
of As(III):As(V) increased substantially during the growing season, but were not
correlated with concurrent changes of the redox potential, indicating the biological
nature of reduction. Larger As(III):As(V) ratios in soil pore water compared to
methanol-water (20% v/v) extracts suggest that reduction of As(V) mainly occurred
in the aqueous phase [75]. Similarly, Takahashi et al. [174] provide evidence that
reduction of As(V) to As(III) in the aqueous phase explained most of the As(III)
formation observed during flooding periods in a paddy rice soil in Japan, along with
some contribution of reductive co-dissolution of iron (oxy)hydroxides indicated by
concurrent increase of iron solubility. Based on measured distribution coefficients
of As(III) and As(V) and their speciation changes in the solid phase during flooded
and non-flooded periods, Takahashi et al. [174] calculated that the reduction of
As(V) to As(III) and the weaker sorption of the latter accounted for about one half
of the observed increase of As solubility during flooded periods.
In an incubation experiment, flooding of two Texas soils for sixty days resulted in
substantially increased solubility of native As, however, apart from the observed drop
in the redox potential below +100 mV, all As was present as As(V) [137]. When As
was added either as arsenite or arsenate, decreased As solubility was observed
probably due to adsorption or precipitation of insoluble As compounds [137].
9 Arsenic
267
In contrast, Deuel and Swoboda [33] observed clearly increased As solubility upon
decreased redox potentials, along with increased Fe solubility. They explained their
findings by reductive co-dissolution with Fe oxy(hydroxides) rather than reduction
of As(V) to As(III).
9.4.2.3
Biotransformation Processes Involving Organic Arsenicals
It has been suggested that methylation of As in soil follows the so called Challenger
pathway [21] of alternate steps of reduction and oxidative methylation, ultimately
producing volatile trimethylarsine (TMA(III)) (Fig. 9.2) [152]. However, other
organic arsenicals have been measured in soil environments and alternative
pathways of demethylation have been proposed in the literature (Fig. 9.2).
In laboratory conditions, the formation of volatile dimethylarsine and trimethylarsine (TMA(III)) was encountered in both aerobic and anaerobic soils; the rate
of volatilisation was greater in aerobic conditions and affected by the arsenical
compound (sodium arsenate, monosodium methanarsonate or cacodylic acid (CA))
applied to the soil [202]. Volatilisation losses of CA were found to depend also on
the applied amount, soil type and soil moisture [203].
Gao and Burau [52] systematically studied the effect of As form and concentration, soil moisture and temperature, and cellulose amendment on microbial
reduction, methylation and demethylation/mineralization of added inorganic and
organic arsenical compounds in a non-calcareous silty clay soil from California.
Arsine evolution increased in the order: sodium arsenate sodium arsenite <
methanearsonate (MAA(V)) < sodium cacodylate (CA). The rate of arsine formation from CA was generally small (0.0010.4% within 70 days) with a maximum
at soil moisture contents between 250 and 350 g kg1 soil, and increased with
temperature (25 C vs. 5 C) and addition of cellulose. Methylation of arsenate or
MAA(V) to CA was negligible.
Arsenate formed as the main product of demethylation of CA and MAA(V),
with higher mineralization rates observed for CA. Based on their data, Gao and
Burau [52] suggested direct demethylation of CA to arsenate rather than MAA(V)
as an intermediate. Demethylation of CA increased with CA amended, and with soil
moisture content increased from 50 to 550 g H2O kg1 soil. Cellulose addition
(05% w/w) resulted in suppressed CA mineralization. The percentage of CA and
MAA(V) mineralized within 70 days ranged between 3% and 87% [52].
In synthetic chromated Cu arsenate (CCA)-contaminated soils inoculated with
microorganisms from a surface field soil collected adjacent to a CCA-treated pole,
Dobran and Zagury [36] could not detect any As(V) reduction or biomethylation
within 40 days of aerobic conditions (80% of field capacity), irrespective of the
amount of organic matter (peat moss, poultry manure) added.
In a microcosm study under anaerobic conditions, Deuel and Swoboda [33]
found no detectable formation of volatile arsines from a number of Texas soils.
No detectable amounts of organic arsenicals were found in field-collected pore
water from an acidic fen at the end of the dormant season (April) whereas during the
268
W.W. Wenzel
AsB
CH3
DMAA
CH3
O
+ H2
As C C
OCH3
TETRA (V)
CH3
CH3
+
CH3 As CH3 X-
O
+ H2
As C C
OCH3
2
O
CH3
CH3
H
8
MMA (III)
Arsenate (V)
OH
OH
As
DMA (V) = CA
CH3
CH3
OH
OH
As
OH
OH
As
As
OH
OH
Arsenous acid (III)
OH
As
CH3 As
CH3
As H
Arsine
CH3
OH
1
9
TMA (III)
CH3
10
H
CH3
Dimethyl
arsine
CH3
As
CH3
OH
O
MMA (V)
OH
As
CH3
CH3
DMA (III)
CH3 As
CH3
O
TMAO = TMA (V)
Fig. 9.2 Biotransformation pathways of As in soil. Reactions of the Challenger pathway [21] are
depicted by solid arrows, other suggested biotransformation pathways are indicated by dotted
arrows (1 methylation of DMA(III) to TETRA(V); 2 rapid demethylation of AsB to
dimethylarsenoyl acetate [78]; 3 rapid demethylation of DMAA to DMA(V) [78]; 4 demethylation of TMAO to DMA(V) (this work, based on data of [183]); 5 demethylation of DMA(V)
to MMA(V) [78]; 6 slow demethylation of MMA(V) to arsenate [78]; 7 direct demethylation
of DMA(V) to arsenate [52].; 8 reductive pathway of DMA(V) metabolisaton, i.e. bacterial
reduction of DMA(V) to volatile dimethyl arsine [1, 13]; 9 anaerobic pathway of TMA(III)
metabolisation, i.e. demethylation with dimethyl arsine as stable end product [28]; 10 arsine
formation from DMA(V) [52]). Legend for compounds: MMA(V) monomethylarsonate, methane
arsonic acid or (mono)methyl arsonic acid; MMA(III) monomethylarsonite; DMA(V) dimethylarsinate, dimethylarsinic acid or cacodylic acid (CA); DMA(III) dimethylarsinite; TMAO TMA
(V) trimethylarsine oxide; TMA(III) trimethylarsine; TETRA(V) tetramethylarsonium ion; AsB
arsenobetaine; DMAA dimethylarsenoyl acetate ( demethylarsinyl acetate)
growing season (June) organic species made up to 70% of total soluble As, with
substantial variation in the depth profile [75]. The predominant organic species
were MMA(V), DMA(V) and AsB whereas TMAO, TETRA and three unknown
species were present in lower concentrations. These findings provide evidence for
in-situ microbial methylation of arsenic [75].
Huang et al. [78] observed rapid (half-lives: 3.612 days) demethylation of
arsenobetaine (AsB) added to 0.1% pyrophosphate extracts obtained from a forest
floor (incubated aerobically) and an acidic fen soil (incubated aerobically or unaerobically) whereas DMA(V) demethylation was rather slow (half-lives: 187 days
for forest floor, 46 days for the aerobic fen extract) or negligible (un-aerobically
incubated fen extract). As they found dimethylarsenoyl acetate (DMAA) but no
9 Arsenic
269
TMAO as intermediate, they suggested that microbial metabolisation of AsB to

DMA(V) occurred via this intermediate rather than TMAO (compare with Fig. 9.2).
Anaerobic demethylation of TMA(III) was shown to proceed only to dimethylarsine as this compound is stable in the absence of oxygen but readily oxidised in
aerobic conditions [28].
9.4.2.4
RootRhizosphere Processes Involved in Arsenic Transformation
Similar to microorganisms, plants are able to detoxify As(V) via root uptake,
subsequent intracellular reduction to As(III) and As(III) efflux into the surrounding
rhizosphere [213], which may explain the co-existence of As(III) and As(V) in aerobic
rhizospheres [182, 183, 189]. Reductive co-dissolution from Fe oxy/hydroxides has
been suggested as another possible mechanism of As(III) production in the rhizosphere [48]. Both mechanisms may contribute to the build up of As(III) even in
aerobic rhizospheres as found in a semi-hydroponic study for corn (Zea mays L.)
[189]. Increased As solubility (As(V) and As(III)) may further be attributed to
proton- and/or ligand-promoted co-dissolution of As and Fe oxy/hydroxides due to
root exudation of protons and low-molecular organic compounds [46, 48, 189].
Exudation of organic anions may release adsorbed As into soil pore water via ligand
exchange mechanisms [46]. Evidence for substantial As mobilisation by root
activities, in particular enhanced DOC concentrations in the rhizosphere, is available for Chinese Brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), a hyperaccumulator of As [48, 166,
181]. The efficiency of some low molecular weight organic anions for mobilising
both arsenate and arsenite from soils was also demonstrated in batch experiments
[176, 212]. Strong correlations of organic anions with dissolved Fe, Al and Mn
may suggest co-dissolution of As from oxy/hydroxides [212].
In addition to root activities, microorganisms may be involved in As transformations in plant rhizospheres. In a hydroponic study, inoculation of Azospirillum
brasilense Sp245 to the sterile plant-growth medium was shown to increase the As
(V):As(III) ratio by a factor of 1.5 [112], possibly indicating a role of rhizobacteria
in oxidation of As(III) derived from root efflux. Indirect evidence for As mobilisation by rhizosphere microorganisms may be derived from experiments where As
uptake in plants was enhanced upon inoculation of rhizobacteria or rhizofungi to
sterile soil or plant-growth medium [26].
Biotransformation of inorganic As species to DMA(V) was shown in rhizobox
and rhizobag experiments to occur in the rhizosphere of sunflower (Helianthus
annuus L.) only upon inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus
aggregatum) [182, 183]. However, TMAO was only found in the presence of the
native soil microbial community (non-sterile soil), irrespective of inoculation and
root activities [182]. In contrast to the conclusion drawn by Ultra et al. [182, 183],
their findings suggest demethylation rather than methylation of TMAO by the
inoculated arbusular mycorhizal fungus in the mycorrhizosphere, resulting in the
formation of DMA(V), as TMAO was detected in the non-sterile rhizosphere and
bulk soil compartments independent of inoculation; TMAO may have been
produced through methylation of inorganic As species by the native soil microbial
community or derived from plant material.
270
W.W. Wenzel
Root mineralization may contribute to the release of As to the soil pore water
[187], but the forms of As are not known. However, based on information on As
speciation in plant tissues [123, 161], it is reasonable to assume that As released
from decomposing roots is mainly inorganic (arsenite, after oxidation also arsenate)
and associated with PCs. Apart from microbial degradation, As-PC complexes are
expected to dissociate readily if released to near neutral and alkaline soil pore water
as they become instable at pH >7.2 [161].
9.5
SoilPlant Relationships of Arsenic
Plants can take up As from soils both in the form of arsenate or arsenous acid. It is
generally accepted that arsenate, an analogue of phosphate, is taken up via phosphate transporters [8, 125]. More recently it was shown that arsenous acid may enter
the plant via aquaporins owing to its similarity to silicic acid [113, 124]. There is no
evidence for essentiality of As to plants [213] even though low levels may be
beneficial for root development [42]. Once taken up, arsenate in root cells is rapidly
reduced to arsenite which is released back into the external medium (As-III efflux),
complexed by thiol peptides or transferred to shoots [213]. Arsenite efflux is
thought to occur via anion channels as known for phosphorus or via bidirectional
aquaporines [213].
Arsenic concentrations in plants are largely species/cultivar/ecotype-specific
[47] and range between 0.009 and 1.5 mg kg1 for most plants growing on noncontaminated soil [97]. However, on polluted sites even excluder plants may
accumulate several thousand mg As kg1 DM in shoots and more than 10,000 mg
As kg1 DM in root tissues [46]. Arsenic hyperaccumulation has been found in
12 species belonging to the Pteridaceae family of ferns [213], with arsenic
concentrations in fronds up to >20,000 mg As kg1 DM [67, 192].
Phytotoxic levels of As in soil vary primarily depending on the source of As and
soil texture [163]. Based on a review of 60 datasets (cropsoil pairs) available in the
literature, Sheppard [163] established geometric means of toxicity thresholds for
sand and loam soils (40 mg kg1 total As), and clay soils (200 mg kg1). The higher
toxicity of As in light-textured soils is consistent with its higher solubility owing to
lower specific surface area and Fe oxy/hydroxide content [109]. Tolerance limits
for As hyperaccumulator ferns have been reported to range between 5,000 and
10,000 mg As kg1 d. wt. [110, 180].
9.6
Polluted Soils
Arsenic-polluted environments are abundant in many major regions of the world

[17]. Most of the highly-impacted areas are related to (abandoned) mining, smelter
or metal processing activities (e.g. [10, 12, 19, 93, 94, 96, 103, 198, 201]). Total As
concentrations in polluted soils were found to be as high as 360,000 mg kg1
9 Arsenic
271
measured at an industrial site in Belgium [19], but more commonly range between
several hundreds and thousands mg kg1. Arsenic solubility in polluted, well aerated
mineral soils containing common levels of Fe oxy/hydroxides is comparably low,
rarely exceeding a few mg As L1 [76, 198]. Again, the Belgium site studied by
Cappuyins et al. [19] displays exceptionally high pore water concentrations up to
38,000 mg As L1.
Historical As depositions accumulated in forest floors continue to leach into the
mineral soil for long periods after ease of the pollution source [41, 76, 198] where
As is readily immobilised by Fe oxy/hydroxides [198]. Therefore even highly
polluted soils have been observed to act as net sinks of As [41, 76, 198] except
two sites in the Czech Republic [41] where the retreat of soil acidification through
atmospheric deposition has been identified as a possible explanation of enhanced
As leaching in recent years. In these soils, As may be mobilised due to the
competition of hydroxyl anions.
Based on the analysis of 38 contaminated sites in the Austrian Alps and soil pore
water measurements in selected locations, Wenzel et al. [198] established threshold
levels for total As in aerobic mineral soils that may be considered safe in terms of
groundwater protection. They found that for total soil As of <200 mg kg1 soil pore
waters are expected to contain <10 mg As L1, i.e. below the current drinking water
standard of the WHO.
Surface soil contamination is often associated with enhanced uptake of As in
plants even though most plants are As excluders [17]. Whereas As concentrations
in plants normally range well below 0.5 mg kg1 d.wt. [151], pasture herbage, crop
plants and wild plants growing on As -contaminated soil have been reported
to contain slightly elevated As levels up to several mg kg1 [10, 17, 96, 103].
However, there are also reports of plants grown on extremely polluted mine
land may contain several hundreds or thousands mg As kg1 even in shoot tissues
[12, 94, 145, 201].
9.7
Concluding Comments
A wealth of new information on the fate of As in soils has become available during
the past two decades since the first edition of this book. With the availability of
novel techniques to study As interactions with mineral surfaces on a molecular
scale, our understanding of As sorption in soils has much improved. The general
interest of our societies and researchers in the environmental behaviour of As and
in particular in soils has been tremendously raised by large-scale calamities such
as the As poisoning of drinking and irrigation water in the Bengal region and
the accidental spill of As-rich material in Spain. Without doubt, this has further
stimulated research activities to understand pathways of risks associated with Aspolluted soils. Nevertheless, our understanding of some aspects of As in soil
environments is still poor, in particular little is known about the chemistry and
fate of As in organic soils and soil layers or in plant rhizospheres. The years to
come will hopefully elucidate some of the remaining white spots on the landscape of As in soil.
272
W.W. Wenzel
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Chapter 10
Cadmium
Erik Smolders and Jelle Mertens
Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is naturally present in soils at concentrations 0.11 mg

Cd kg1. Cadmium is readily available for uptake by food crops and food chain
contamination with Cd from contaminated soil has led to effects on kidney functioning in humans, even reaching fatal levels in subsistence farmers who consumed
rice from a contaminated area in Japan. Diffuse Cd sources, notably P-fertilisers
and atmospheric depositions have increased soil Cd concentrations by about
0.10.3 mg Cd kg1 above pre-industrial levels and actions have been taken
worldwide to limit Cd emissions or Cd exposure to humans. Emissions of ZnCd
smelters have been cut in numerous places but residual soil Cd contamination is still
present. Cadmium retention in soil is controlled by sorption reactions and soil pH is
the main determinant. Soil Cd availability for crop uptake varies by about a factor
10 among soils and generally increases 1.5-fold by decreasing soil pH with one unit.
Crops differ in Cd uptake and hard wheat and potatoes have a considerable impact
on the dietary Cd intake. Contrasting views exist on the food chain risk of Cd as
both soil Cd and food Cd bioavailability may have been larger in the Japanese case
study than in the general environment. In Europe, a generic Cd risk assessment in
2007 led to the conclusion that risk cannot be excluded for the general population
environmentally exposed to Cd. However, limits on P fertilisers, as main determinants of Cd emissions, are not yet in place.
Keywords Cadmium Kidney P-fertiliser Sorption Bioavailability Dietary
Itai-itai Guano Sewage sludge CdCln2n DOM Isotopically exchangeable
Biosolids BCF NOEC PNEC Creatinine Phytoremediation
E. Smolders (*) J. Mertens

Division Soil and Water Management, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven,
Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
283
284
10.1
E. Smolders and J. Mertens
Introduction: The Environmental Significance

of Cadmium in Soil
Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential metal that is naturally present in all soils.

Cadmium occurs in soil as a divalent cation (Cd2+) at concentrations typically
ranging 0.11.0 mg kg1. Current Cd concentrations in soils are somewhat higher
than pristine (geogenic) values because of the historical additions through atmospheric deposition and the use of P-fertilisers (see Sect. 10.3). The Cd concentration
in soil represents only minute fractions (104106) of the total soil exchangeable
cations or of soil solution cations. Hence, the presence of Cd is unlikely to affect
the chemistry of the soil. In contrast, Cd can affect the ecosystem function at trace
levels because of its pronounced toxicity. Additionally, the toxicity of Cd in soil is
persistent, not only because its residence time exceeds decades but also because its
bioavailability does not decrease in the long term [54]. For these reasons, several
actions have been taken worldwide to reduce environmental emissions of Cd. The
industrial production and the use of Cd has declined sharply in USA and Europe as a
result of the environmental concerns about Cd although the global numbers show
only a weak negative trend due to increased use in China [63].
Risk of soil Cd to humans occurs at soil Cd concentrations well below those
required to cause frank and visual effects on plants or soil biota. Human health
effects are related to exposure via the food chain, i.e. the consumption of Cd
contaminated crops. The dietary intake of Cd constitutes generally >90% of the
human exposure to Cd in the general population and most of dietary Cd is derived
from soil via uptake in main food items, i.e. cereals or potatoes. The chronic
(lifetime) exposure matters far more than single high intake events because Cd has
a long biological half-life of 1520 years in humans and the effects manifest
themselves mainly in older people (>50 years). This means that a rare consumption
of a high Cd containing food item grown in a local Cd contaminated soil has less
effect than the lifetime consumption of moderately contaminated food. For these
reasons, risk of point soil Cd contaminations may be low if there is sufficient
dilution with food items grown elsewhere. Local soil Cd is at risk if people use
the same soil to grow major food for an appreciable time of their life. This situation
has occurred in subsistence farmers in Japan. The identification of the Cd toxicity to
humans was already discovered before the end of the nineteenth century but it was
not until the 1960s before risk of soil Cd became clear when an endemic bone disease
in the Toyama prefecture (Japan) was related to Cd in soil [47]. The so-called itaiitai disease is a bone disease with fractures and severe pain that was identified in the
early 1950s in that prefecture. Patients were mainly women who had delivered
several children and who consumed locally grown rice. The rice paddies (110 mg
Cd kg1 soil) had been irrigated with Cd contaminated water of the Jinzu River that
drained a metal mining area. The chronic Cd intoxication induced tubular dysfunction of the kidney, leading to increased excretion of Ca and of low molecular weight
proteins and finally to osteomalacia (softening of the bones). In the Jinzu basin,
188 cases of this disease were officially recognized [47]. Current understanding of
10
Cadmium
285
the itai-itai disease shows that the cumulative (life-time) exposure is the best index
for estimating the effects and that a total lifetime intake of 210 g of Cd led to severe
intoxication and even death of the patients [32].
Table 10.1 shows the contrast between the human exposure at background
(ambient concentrations) and that at the point of severe poisoning. The severe
poisoning is identified at an estimated daily Cd intake via the food of about
300 mg day1. Such an intake was obtained by a combination of a large daily rice
consumption with rice containing about 0.75 mg g1. Table 10.1 reveals a number
of features that are typical for Cd. First, the fatal Cd toxicity in humans occurs at a
dietary exposure that is only about 1020-fold above natural background. Moderate
to tolerable health impacts at population level are logically found well below those
fatal impacts and can be expected closer to background concentrations. The most
recent re-evaluation of the food chain risk of Cd by WHO (2010) has defined a
tolerable monthly dietary intake value of 25 mg Cd kg1 body weight, about
58 mg day1 which is only about three to seven times the average intake value of
the general population (Table 10.1). Along the same lines, broad agricultural
surveys often find significant percentiles exceeding current crop Cd limits, even
in soils well away from point sources [1]. A second observation is that Cd effects
occur in the mg kg1 range, i.e. accurate and precise monitoring of these concentrations is an analytical challenge. No Cd monitoring programme may be trusted
without adequate quality control with certified reference materials. The relatively
late identification of the cause of the itai-itai disease has been ascribed to the lack of
good analytical facilities to identify Cd in the 1950s. As a final note, it must be
realised that exposure and effects of Cd are not simply proportional to the total Cd
concentration in soil. This is related to the large difference in Cd soil and food
bioavailability and large differences in land use and dietary habits. The Cd bioavailability in soil and in the diet obviously complicates the risk assessment of Cd,
but may be also taken as an advantage, i.e. Cd risks can be managed by reducing its
bioavailability on its route from soil to humans as will be illustrated below.
10.2
Geochemical Occurrence of Cadmium
There are only a few specific Cd minerals in the environment such as greenockite
(CdS) and otavite (CdCO3). Cadmium does more commonly occur in Zn minerals
and Cd was also first discovered in 1817 by purifying it from a ZnO sample.
Cadmium has always been produced as a by-product of Zn and typical weight
Cd:Zn weight ratios are 1:200. Cadmium concentrations are generally higher in
sedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks (Table 10.2) and their concentrations
generally rise with increasing P, S and C concentrations in rocks. Soil Cd
concentrations (Table 10.2) are typically found in the 0.11.0 mg kg1 range and
the average or median values of different large scale surveys settle in the range
0.10.3 mg Cd kg1 (Table 10.2). The Cd concentrations in non-contaminated soils
generally increase with decreasing % sand since Cd is associated with the finer
0.11
0.010.10 wheat
820
0.10.4
0.020.20 rice
Contaminated (Fuchu, Japan)
110
0.202.0 rice
160600
210
Limits
0.839
0.100.40
70 (WHO 19922009a)
Various legislations
Cereal grain, wheat and rice
25 (EFSA opinion, 2009b)
FAO/WHO (CODEX, 2010)
58 (WHO 2010c)
The lifetime Cd intake that is associated with severe Cd disease onset for 50% of the itai-itai patients is 3.8 g Cd and is 5.4 g Cd at death [32] Environmental
exposure to soil Cd mainly occurs via the intake of contaminated food; grains or potatoes are the major contributors to the human Cd diet. Numbers have been
compiled by the author based on [22] and [19]
a
Provisional tolerable weekly intake of 7 mg Cd kg1 body weight and converted here for an adult of 70 kg
b
Opinion of the European Food Safety Authority defined as 2.5 mg Cd week1 kg1 body weight and converted here for an adult of 70 kg
c
Adopted in the 73th meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) June, 2010 and defined as a provisional tolerable monthly
intake (PTMI) of 25 mg kg1 body weight and converted here for an adult of 70 kg [34]
Non-contaminated (ambient)
Table 10.1 The human exposure to soil Cd at ambient conditions (away for point sources) and in the region where the Cd related itai-itai disease was first
observed in the 1960s
Dietary intake for adult
Cumulative lifetime
Grain Cd (mg kg1, fresh weight basis)
(mg Cd day1)
intake (g Cd)
Exposure conditions
Soil Cd (mg Cd kg1)
286
10
Cadmium
287
Table 10.2 Background concentrations of Cd in rock and in soils sampled away from industrial
point sources
References
Cd concentration (mg Cd kg1 soil or rock dry weight)
Rocks
Igneous
0.070.25
[57]
Metamorphic 0.111.00
Sedimentary
0.012.60
Soils
Europe
0.060.330.87: min, mean and max of regional means/medians [19]
0.200.671.40: min, mean and max of regional P90s
0.050.140.48: P10, P50 and P90, n 840
[52]
USA
<0.010.200.56: P10, P50 and P90, n 3045
[29]
Australia
0.050.97: range of means in rural soils
[43]
China
0.07 (geomean), 0.10 (average); n 3,947
[11]
Jamaica
4.078: P50P90
[37]
Data for Jamaica refer to geogenic (natural) Cd. Median or mean values are in bold
particles [2] and, therefore, soil texture may be used to better estimate the baseline
Cd values of soil [64]. Soil Cd concentrations exceeding 1 mg Cd kg1 may occur
naturally, for example in soils developed on shales or in organic soils [29] (see Sect.
2.3.1.1). Unusually large soil Cd concentrations are widespread in Jamaica
(Table 10.2) where the country median Cd concentration is 4 mg Cd kg1 and
concentrations up to 900 mg Cd kg1 have been found [36]. The high Cd soils
are found in highly weathered bauxitic soils and the source of Cd is attributed
to dispersal of guano (sea bird droppings) deposits that formed in the Late
Miocene or Pliocene [24]. Phosphorite concretions in Jamaican soils containing
>1.1% Cd have recently been found [24] and are probably the highest reported
concentrations ever in rock phosphates. Guano deposits are naturally high in Cd
(high Cd:P ratio) and reflect the marine food web transfer of Cd from water into
pelagic birds.
10.3
Cadmium Emissions to Soil and the Soil Cadmium

Mass Balance in Agricultural Soils
Soil Cd is enriched by human activities via atmospheric deposition and through

applications of P-fertilizers and sewage sludge. Cadmium mining, production, use
and disposal are a net source of Cd that may end up in soil. Over 80% of the current
Cd consumption is used for the production of rechargeable batteries [63]. Other
uses such as PVC stabilizers, pigments and plating have declined sharply as a result
of environmental regulations. The World Bureau of Metal Statistics (2009)
estimates that the world annual consumption of Cd was about 18,000 tons in
2008, which is 1020% lower than in 1991. Consumption of Cd has risen in
China while it decreased in western countries. The reduced use of Cd and the
288
Fig. 10.1 Temporal variations of trace element contents (mg kg1) in treated sewage sludge from
the Seine Aval treatment plant in Paris, France (eight million people). The Cd concentrations
decrease faster than Zn concentrations, likely due to reduction in use of Cd products and lower Cd
concentrations in galvanised structures such as roof sheets. The shaded period represents the time
of metro line construction [26]
Table 10.3 Total anthropogenic Cd emissions in the EU-16 (tons y1) from Cd/CdO industry and
its downstream users and diffuse Cd emissions from other sources estimated in 2002 [19]
To air (t year1) To soil (t year1)
Cd/CdO production and processing
4.7
Other non-ferrous metals production

9.7
Production of iron and steel

31
Oil/coal combustion
54
Processing phosphates
0.7
Municipal waste incineration

3.2
Other (cement, glass prod., traffic, municipal wastewater) >20.7
Phosphate fertilisers
231
Sludge application on soil
>13.6
Totals
>124
>244.6
Emissions to air largely return to soil via atmospheric deposition, i.e. a considerable fraction of the
124 t Cd y1 must be added to the emissions to soil
shift in use towards batteries that are increasingly recycled has generally decreased
fugitive Cd emissions to water and to sewage sludge in the western world. For
example, Cd concentrations in the sewage sludge from the worlds second largest
sewage treatment plant of Seine Aval (Paris) have decreased >tenfold between
1980 and 2000 while Zn concentrations decreased to a much smaller extent in the
same period (Fig. 10.1) [26].
The emission of Cd from Cd/CdO producers and processors only form a minor
part of the total emissions of Cd as illustrated for the European data (Table 10.3).
10
Cadmium
289
Fig. 10.2 Soil Cd increases with cumulative application of P-fertilisers in experimental plots in
Australia. The HCl soluble Cd increases from 0.03 to 0.06 mg kg1 soil [62]
Current emissions of Cd from the Cd/CdO producing industry and its downstream
users (including recycling plants) have strongly reduced in EU since estimates of
about 20 years ago. The major sources of the net Cd input at the large scale are P
fertiliser application, production of iron and steel and oil combustion. Table 10.3
suggests that the EU average ratio of Cd input in soils via P fertiliser (231 t year1)
to that by atmospheric deposition (124 t year1 air emission) is about 2:1.
The contribution of P-fertiliser to the accumulation of Cd in soil is well established,
with earliest records in Australia (Fig. 10.2) where soil Cd of experimental plots
was found to increases with cumulative P applications to the plots [62]. Numerous
long-term studies in UK, Denmark, France and Australia have demonstrated the
gradual build-up of Cd in soil with typical increases of 0.10.3 mg Cd kg1 soil
over >100 years (Table 10.4 and see [19] and for a compilation). Such concentration changes are only detectable in long term (>50 years) observations due to
analytical and sampling error.
The contribution of P-fertilisers to soil Cd has logically led to proposals to limit
Cd in P-fertilisers. Mass balance modelling has been used to estimate allowable
fertiliser Cd concentrations, i.e. concentrations at which annual losses balance the
input and at which soil Cd concentrations are not further increasing. A considerable
fraction of European fertilisers has Cd concentrations >60 mg kg1 P2O5
(Fig. 10.4). Table 10.4 illustrates the input-out Cd balance of Europe in 2002 and
Fig. 10.3 illustrates the estimated trends for different proposed Cd limits in Europe
based on mass balance modelling for different EU countries with site specific
information. This assessment showed that 100 years of ongoing use of P-fertilisers
with an average Cd/P ratio of about 140 mg Cd kg1 P (60 mg Cd kg1 P2O5) would
increase soil Cd by 20% with the 90th percentile of the scenarios predicting up to
60% increase. This would also increase food chain Cd by about the same factor
since added Cd does not show pronounced Cd fixation (see below Sect. 10.4).
290
Table 10.4 The Cd input-output (in g Cd ha1 year1) balance in European agricultural soils
estimated for 2002 [19]
Range
EU average
Input
P fertiliser
1.14.5
2.5
Atmospheric deposition
0.63 (measured)
0.4 (assumed net deposition)
Animal feed
0.050.1
0.05
Total
2.95
Output
Crop offtake
0.30.8
0.5
Leaching
0.15.7
2.0
Total
2.5
0.32 mg Cd kg1
Soil Cd
0.30 mg kg1
Current
After 60 years with 2.952.50 0.45 g
Cd ha1 year1 net input
Input of Cd via compost and animal manure was not considered as a net source of Cd on the
regional scale (in contrast with field scale) although import of animal feed represents a small net
source of Cd.
Including other Cd sources
% increase in soil Cd
60
40
20
0
-20
-40
-60
20
mg/kg P205
40
mg/kg P205
60
mg/kg P205
Fig. 10.3 Predicted change in soil Cd in European soils after 100 years at three concentrations of Cd
in inorganic P-fertilisers. Means (1090th percentile) of different EU scenarios that assume various
values of fertiliser rates, soil properties, climatic condition and included other diffuse Cd sources. This
mass balance calculation was made by this author based on the EU-wide questionnaires on fertiliser
Cd risks and was used to propose limits of Cd in EU (not yet adopted in 2011)
10.4
The Fate of Cadmium in Soils
10.4.1 Soil Chemical Reaction Mechanisms

Cadmium in soils is almost invariably present in soil at the Cd(II) oxidation state.
The Cd2+ cation has an electronic configuration of Pd with completely filled
d-shell (4d10), i.e. Cd is not a transition metal. However, the electron cloud of
this cation is polarizable and is considered as a class B metal in Schwarzenbach
Cadmium
Frequency distribution (%)
10
291
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0
100
150
200
250
50
Cd concentrations on P basis (mg Cd kg-1 P)
300
Fig. 10.4 Frequency distribution of Cd concentrations in European fertilisers expressed per unit P
(Note: 137 mg Cd kg1 P is equivalent to 60 mg Cd kg1 P2O5, the latter being a proposed generic
limit in EU but not yet adopted in 2010 [48])
classification of metal (A hard as Ca2+, C soft as Cu2+), therefore Cd2+

participates in covalent binding with surfaces and is, therefore, less soluble than
harder cations. Class B cations such as Cd2+ form inner spheres complexes with
high selectivity onto surfaces whereas harder cations may bind as outer sphere
cations. Below we will illustrate that Cd2+ forms definitively stronger bounds with
soil particulates or soil colloids than Ca2+, however these bounds are not as strong
as for transition metals such as Cu2+.
Soil solution Cd concentrations in uncontaminated (total Cd ~0.2 mg Cd kg1),
pH neutral soils range <0.15 mg l1 ([12] and Sect. 10.4.3). This means that only a
very small fraction of total Cd is present in soil solution and that annual losses of Cd
by leaching are generally negligible. The precise binding mechanisms of Cd in soil
are almost impossible to detect with current spectroscopic techniques at environmentally relevant concentration. Therefore, solubility data or chemical extraction
data are used to indirectly infer Cd binding mechanism. Christensen [14] suggested
that sorption and not precipitation controlled solution Cd in the environmentally
relevant concentration range in soil (0.110 mg Cd kg1 soil); the solution Cd
increases almost proportionally to Cd addition (Fig. 10.5) whereas precipitation
reactions would infer constant solution concentrations with increasing Cd additions.
Precipitation is unlikely to control Cd solubility unless at excessive Cd contamination and at pH values >7.0. For example, the solubility product of CdCO3 (Ksp
1012), the most insoluble possible Cd form in aerobic soils, predicts that Cd
precipitates in calcareous soil at pH 7.5 only above 55 mg Cd2+ L1. Sorption and
solution complexation reactions in whole soil (see below for some data) typically
reduce Cd2+ at that pH to < 10 mg l1 for soils up to 10 mg Cd kg1. This means that
soil Cd concentrations should exceed >100 mg Cd kg1 for this precipitation
reaction to occur, clearly beyond the range of soil Cd concentrations.
Further empirical evidence on Cd sorption revealed that soil texture has a weak
effect on Cd sorption (somewhat more sorption on sandy loam than loamy sand,
Fig. 10.5), that sorption strength at low Cd concentrations is markedly larger than at
292
Fig. 10.5 Sorption isotherms of Cd determined in 103 M CaCl2 for two soils at different pH
values. The soil Cd concentrations (Y-axis) cover the range from background (<1 mg Cd kg1) to
contaminated soils (110 mg Cd kg1). The typical soil solution Cd concentrations are also
illustrated: <10 mg l1 for soils above pH 6 and up to 50 mg l1 in contaminated, acid soils
(From [14])
high concentrations (site-heterogeneity), and that pH has a marked effect on Cd

sorption (factor 35 stronger sorption per unit pH increase [14, 17]) whereas a
tenfold increase of solution Ca2+ (almost the spectrum of contrasting soils)
decreases Cd2+ sorption only by factors 23. Cadmium solubility data in contrasting
soils reveal that pH is generally the primary statistical factor associated with Cd
concentrations in solution (often more important that total Cd), followed by soil
organic matter content [7, 17].
10
Cadmium
293
Table 10.5 The sorption strength of Cd2+ and other metals at trace levels on isolated humic acid
and Fe-oxides at pH 6 and a background Ca2+ of 10 mM typical for an agricultural soil
Humic acids
Fe-oxides
Kd (l kg1)
logKMH
Kd (l kg1)
logKMA
Ca2+
0.7
100
7.3
0.6
Cd2+
1.3
20,000
4.0
1,000
1.5
80,000
3.8
1,600
Zn2+
2.0
3.E+08
1.8
2.50E+05
Cu2+
The Kd is the solid-liquid concentration ratio (mg kg1 divided by mg l1). The KMA is the average
sorption constant on free sites of humic acids and the KMH is sorption constant on Fe-oxides in
competition with H+. Cadmium binds stronger than Ca2+ but much weaker than Cu2+ and organic
matter is the preferred sorbent for Cd at pH 6. At pH >7, oxides become more preferential
adsorbents (not shown). Constants and calculation made with WHAM 6 speciation code
Soil organic matter, oxyhydroxides of Fe, Al and Mn and clay minerals are the
three main Cd adsorbents in soil. Numerous sorption data on these isolated soil
constituent have been collected and are now embedded in speciation codes. Protons
are the main competing cations for Cd2+ sorption on organic matter or
oxyhydroxides because Cd2+ binds to surface oxygen atoms of carboxylic or phenolic groups of humic substances or to surface hydroxyl groups on oxyhydroxides.
A general sorption equation reads:
SOH Cd2 SOCd H
(10.1)
in which SOH is the surface hydroxyl group. This simplified equation already
predicts that increasing H+ decrease sorption drastically. The sorption constants
of Cd2+ to humic acids (major sorptive phase of soil organic matter) and
Fe-hydroxides are shown in Table 10.5 and illustrates that Cd2+ binds orders of
magnitude more selective than Ca2+ (example: about 200-fold on humic acids at
environmental conditions) but somewhat less than Zn2+ and orders of magnitude
less than Cu2+. Note, however, that Ca is present at 103102 M whereas Cd is
present at 109107 M, i.e. Ca2+ is a competing cation for Cd2+ sorption despite the
pronounced Cd:Ca selectivity. The Cd2+:Ca2+ selectivity for sorption on clay minerals
is typically less than five at relevant conditions [21], therefore clay minerals are
unlikely to be important adsorbents for Cd in most soils. Speciation modeling
predicted that the majority of Cd is bound to organic matter in soils with pH < 6.5
whereas Fe-oxides become most important adsorptive constituent at pH >6.5 [10].
Cadmium may form complexes in solution with soluble ligands, i.e. inorganic
ligands or dissolved organic matter (DOM). These complexes have reduced charge
and mobilize Cd in soil. A well known example of that is the increases Cd solubility
in saline soils if chloride (Cl) or, to a lesser extent, sulfate salinity is present.
The formation of CdCln2n complexes increase Cd mobility by more than a factor
5 at 120 mM Cl compared to corresponding non-saline soils [53]. In non-saline
soils, solution speciation data and modeling shows that more than half of Cd is
present as the free cation unless at high pH where Cd-DOM complexes contribute to
increased Cd mobility (Fig. 10.6). Hence, DOM transport is not a major route by
which Cd is mobilized from soils to ground- or surface water.
294
Fig. 10.6 Free-ion fractions of Cd, i.e. Cd2+ concentrations relative to total dissolved Cd
concentrations, in soil solution measured with Donnan dialysis (symbols; different authors) and
values predicted by modeling for uncontaminated and contaminated soils (lines). Most data and
model predictions show >50% free Cd in solution unless at pH > 7.0 (From [17], Data do not
include saline soils where Cd complexation can be significant)
10.4.2 Slow Reactions

Slow reactions and/or sorption irreversibility have a large environmental consequence for Cd since these reactions may gradually lower Cd bioavailability and
counteract the ongoing diffuse Cd emissions to soil. Laboratory studies have shown
that Cd sorption in soil reaches equilibrium within hours [14] and that sorption is
quasi fully reversible, even after >1 year ageing after adsorption [13]. This
pronounced reversibility may be related to the relative large ionic radius of Cd2+
) that limits intraparticle diffusion in oxyhydroxides and that does not allow
(0.95 A
isomorphic substitutions in octahedral sites occupied by the smaller Al3+ or Fe3+
cations in minerals. However, long-term sorption data are always difficult to
interpret since small changes in pH may already explain changes in mobility.
Isotopic exchange has been subsequently used to more sensitively detect the
reversibility in soils to which Cd has been added for longer periods. This method
is based on the addition of a Cd2+ isotope (e.g. radioactive 109Cd2+) that is
equilibrated for a short period (17 days) after which the specific activity (SA) of
Cd in solution is measured. The SA is the 109Cd/Cd ratio. If this ratio is larger in
solution than in the entire soil, then a fraction of the Cd in soil has not equilibrated
with the freshly added 109Cd, i.e. some (old) Cd is bound stronger than (freshly
added) 109Cd. The Cd in soil that is fully isotopically exchangeable is also termed
labile Cd and is the fraction of total Cd that is equally mobile (available) as freshly
added Cd. Hence, isotopic exchange allows detecting which fraction of long-term
added Cd has been immobilized with slow reactions and which fraction remains
10
Cadmium
295
Labile Cd (mg Kg-1)
0
2
5
Soil pH
Fig. 10.7 Long-term reactions of Cd in soil: the concentration of radio-labile Cd after 11 () and
818 () days of incubation in 23 soils amended with 3 mg Cd kg1 at day 0. Note that ageing does
not reduce Cd availability more than about 20% unless at pH > 6.5 [58]
reversible. In a study of 23 contrasting soils, amended with Cd and aged for

>2 years, the labile Cd was >80% of added Cd at pH <6.5 but was lower at higher
pH (Fig. 10.7), hence ageing reactions are unlikely environmentally relevant unless
at large pH [58].
10.4.3 Models and Data of Cadmium Solubility in Aerobic Soils

The number of data on Cd concentration in soil solution (in situ data) are much less
documented than that of Cd concentrations in soil extracts. Soil extracts with dilute
salts (e.g., CaCl2 0.01 M) may be used as a surrogates but give somewhat lower
concentrations due to dilution of ligands than mobilised Cd [17]. The in-situ data,
therefore, match soil extract based sorption models reasonably well (Fig. 10.8).
Sorption of Cd is quasi linear with almost no intercept within the environmental
concentration range (Fig. 10.8). Therefore, Cd solubility data in soil can be
normalised to total soil Cd in the Kd expression, i.e. the ratio of total concentrations
of Cd in soil (mg kg1, typically dry weight based) to the concentration in soil
solution (mg l1). The range of Kd values is 105,000 l kg1 in soil, and mainly
depends on soil pH. At an average background soil Cd concentration of 0.2 mg kg1,
the soil solution concentrations hence ranges 0.2/100.2/5,000 mg l1,
i.e., <0.120 mg Cd l1 and 0.4200 mg l1 in contaminated environments. Such
data, combined with solution speciation data predict that Cd2+ activities in soil
solution range 109107 M in non-contaminated soils, increasing one or maximally two orders of magnitude in strongly contaminated soils, i.e. 109105 M is
the almost widest range that can be observed [58]. Recently, a review was
made about Cd solubility in soils and the different empirical or multi-surface
models were evaluated [17]. It was concluded that empirical models are more
296

10000
1000
Kd (l/kg)
Fig. 10.8 Symbols: in situ Kd

values of Cd [15, 16] and
McGrath (personal
communication) and lines
from various empirical
adsorption studies reviewed
in [17]
100
10
1
3
6
pH
calibrated than the multi-surface model, and a best fit empirical model for different
independent data reads:
logKd 1:04 0:55 pH 0:70log%OC
(10.2)
in which OC is the organic carbon content in %. This equation predicts a Kd 300

l kg1 at pH 6 and 2% OC and that the Kd increases about factor 4 (100.55) per
unit pH increase.
Numerous claims have been made that Cd added by biosolids such as sewage
sludge or compost is less available than Cd salts because sludge particles also carry
sorption sites [4]. Cadmium salts are non-environmentally relevant sources, but
are often used to identify dose-response data for risk assessments. Figure 10.9
illustrates that this claim is not justified for Cd solubility (in contrast to bioavailability, see below), at least not for the initial years after biosolid application where
larger solubility is found in sludge amended soils [44]. The larger solubility is
attributed to higher concentrations of competing cations (e.g., trace metals). Equation 10.2 also predicts that the effect of %OC on Kd is indeed relatively weak:
increasing soil organic C from 2.0% to 2.5% by adding biosolids (requiring large
doses!) increases the Kd only from 300 to 350 l kg1. This means that increasing
organic matter (OM) doses does not immobilise Cd strongly, unless in soil where
the %OM is extremely low.
10.4.4 Fate of Cadmium in Reduced Soils

Soil pH increases upon waterlogging soils and this may explain immobilisation of Cd
when soils are submerged. Sulphides that form in strongly reduced soil may
10
Cadmium
297
Fig. 10.9 The Kd for Cd (soil Cd to soil solution Cd concentration ratio) in soil amended with
Cd2+ salts or biosolids (sewage sludge. . .) across several experimental field sites in Australia. The
fitted lines were significantly different and show that biosolid Cd was surprisingly more soluble
than Cd salts, a factors that was attributed to higher concentrations of competing cations in biosolid
amended soils [44]
precipitate Cd2+ as CdS and render solubility well below 0.1 mg l1, concentration that
can never be lowered by sorption [3]. These sulphides are rarely present as pure
sulphides and it is more likely that mixed Zn/Cd sulphides are formed. Solid solution
theory predicts a lower solubility for Cd substituted in ZnS than for pure CdS. Despite
lower solubility of CdS than ZnS, the oxidation rate of Cd is much faster than that of
Zn by several hours. Rice plants growing in a submerged soil have an aerobic
rhizosphere where such CdS may oxidize readily. Oxidation kinetics show that high
Zn:Cd sulphides (i.e. Zn:Cd molar ratio >4), are relatively resistant to oxidation [3].
10.5
Cadmium in Agricultural Crops
10.5.1 Soil-Plant Transfer of Cadmium

Cadmium has no known physiological role in higher plants, but is readily taken up
from soil and is translocated to above ground plant tissues. Figure 10.10 illustrates
soil-plant relationship of Cd for rice grown in the area where the Cd related human
health impact was first identified (see also Sect. 10.1). Figure 10.10 is selected to
illustrate three main features of Cd uptake.
1. relatively large bioavailability. In this case, crop Cd concentrations are 0.5-fold
soil Cd concentrations. Dry weight based Cd concentrations of other crops/plant
tissue range 0.05-fold to 2-fold the total Cd concentrations of soil (Table 10.6).
2. unregulated uptake. Zinc is the chemical analogue of Cd, and Fig. 10.10
shows that Zn concentrations in tissues are relatively constant in contrast
298
Cd
5
(ppm)
Concentration in unpolished rice
Concentration in unpolished rice
(ppm)
Concentration in soil (ppm)
10
Zn
50
40
30
20
10
0
200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Concentration in soil (ppm)
Fig. 10.10 Effect of soil Cd and Zn concentrations, on Cd and Zn in brown rice grain grown at
Toyoma, Japan. Note that grain Zn was not increased by high soil Zn, but Cd had large increase [23]
Table 10.6 Crops differ in Cd concentrations. A summary of average (or median) crop Cd
concentrations of different surveys and compilations
Dry weight
Fresh weight
(mg kg1)
Notes
Plant
(mg kg1)
Non-durum wheat
2280
2592
Means/medians of five surveys
(n 1,733) [20]
Green bean (pod)
7
67
n 47 [33]
Durum wheat
~90
~100
[40]
Grassland (mainly drygrass)
14
116
n 900 [33]
Potatoes
23
117
n 239 [33]
1532
75160
Means/medians of three surveys
(n 296) [20]
Fodder maize (entire shoot)
23
195
n 197 [33]
Leek (edible part)
20
200
n 139 [33]
Tomato (fruit)
10
210
n 57 [33]
Onion
13
270
n 83 [20]
Carrots
31
282
n 172 [33]
3244
290400
n 191 means/median of two
surveys [20]
Lettuce
39
780
n 170 [33]
Spinach
76
850
n 95 [33]
If soil Cd data and/or soil pH data were available, crop Cd were calculated for a soil Cd
concentration of 0.40 mg kg1 ( 400 mg kg1) and pH 6.5. Crops are sorted in increasing
order of dry weight based concentrations
10
Cadmium
299
Fig. 10.11 Statistical distribution of cadmium concentration in grain crops [40]. The German
Richtwert (RW) for crops shown with horizontal dotted lines. The limits of the FAO codex
alimentarius are 0.1 mg g1 for cereal grains and 0.4 mg g1 for polished rice (CODEX, 2010)
with those of Cd. This is because Cd uptake is not regulated by physiological

limits (plant demand) and the Cd uptake does increase with increasing soil Cd
concentrations. Experimental studies in which Cd is administered as a Cd2+ salt
show that uptake increases linearly with soil Cd provided that all other soil
properties remain constant [8].
3. Cd bioavailability varies largely and total soil Cd concentrations poorly predict
Cd uptake. At identical total soil Cd, crop Cd varies typically >tenfold. Total
soil Cd typically explains less than 50% of the variance of crop Cd
concentrations in surveys and country-wide surveys show that crop Cd
concentrations typically vary more than tenfold (Fig. 10.11). This means that
total soil Cd concentrations are poor predictors of Cd risks.
10.5.1.1
Soil Cadmium Bioavailability
Surveys of crop Cd concentrations and associated soils generally show that crop Cd
concentrations increase with increasing total Cd and with decreasing pH and, in
some cases, with decreasing %OM at constant total Cd (example: [18]). Chloride
salinity markedly increases crop Cd concentrations [39, 42] above about 50 mM
Cl in soil solution (about 500 mg Cl kg1 soil). Zinc deficiency stimulates Cd
uptake [41]. Such information has assisted the development of countermeasures to
reduce Cd in plants, i.e. soil liming, organic matter amendment and Zn fertilization.
The successes of these countermeasures are variable as will be discussed below.
Soil chemical and plant physiological studies have revealed the major
mechanisms explaining the variable Cd bioavailability among soils. These mechanisms have recently been reviewed [45] and will be briefly summarized without
reference to the original studies. Short-term ion uptake studies with roots demonstrate that Cd is actively absorbed and follows a concentration-dependent pattern
300
similar to enzyme kinetics. Since most Cd concentrations are below the so-called
Michaelis constant, uptake increases almost proportionally with increasing solution
concentrations. Similarly, plant tissue concentrations rise as soil concentrations
rise. This pattern is the basis of using the BioConcentration Factor (BCF) concept
(also termed Transfer Factor concept) in risk assessment, i.e. a constant plant
tissue:soil concentration relationship. In the environment, BCFs vary because of
different bioavailabilities of Cd. Variable bioavailability is related to differences in
metal or metalloid speciation, interionic effects on ion uptake from pore water and
indirect effects of soil properties on translocation within the plant. The general
paradigm on metal uptake from soil is that roots absorb elements through pore
water and the concentration of the dissolved elements affects the uptake rate. This
would suggest that soil Cd bioavailability increases as the Kd decreases, for
example as pH decreases. While decreasing soil pH indeed increases Cd bioavailability as mentioned above, the relative effects are generally smaller than that what
can be expected from a pure chemical point of view. Indeed, recent large-scale
surveys of plant metal concentrations and speciation of metals in the associated
soils demonstrated that pore water Cd concentrations or free ion activities of the Cd
did not explain the crop concentrations [12, 31]. Two processes may be invoked
here that complicate the analysis in practice, i.e. rhizosphere processes that alter the
pore water composition compared to the solution that can be sampled, and ion
competition effects which affect the uptake rate of the free ion. Concentrations
gradients of Cd in the rhizosphere are the result of the balance between the ion
uptake rate and resupply by the uptake of water. Simple calculations have
illustrated that Cd is strongly depleted in the rhizosphere because the root uptake
rate exceeds the transport to roots by mass flow and diffusion [45]. Under such
conditions, Cd bioavailability is controlled by the maximal transport which is a
complex function of solution Cd concentration, labile Cd on the solid phase
(the dynamic buffer pool) and the tortuosity of the water filled pores. Cadmium
ion uptake is furthermore affected by interionic effects, i.e. the uptake rate of the ion
decreases or increases as the concentration of an ion competing with the same
uptake site is increased or decreased, respectively. Solution culture studies have
shown that Cd uptake increases when H+ activity is lowered (pH increases), for
example shoot Cd increased factors of 413 in unbuffered nutrient solution between
pH 57 for ryegrass, lettuce, cocksfoot (Dactylus glomerata) and watercress [28].
This ion interaction effect counteracts the soil chemical effect: the soil chemical
interactions predict that soluble Cd decreases by about a factor of 12 between
pH 57 whereas the ion interaction reduce uptake of Cd2+ by factors of 413.
These counteracting interactions were also found in a pot trial with contrasting soils
grown by ryegrass and showed that the soil chemical reaction slightly outweigh the
ion uptake reactions, i.e. the net effect of increasing soil pH on decreasing crop Cd
is smaller than a factor of 1.5 per unit pH increase [31]. Field data on Cd uptake by
numerous plants also show that the net effect of increasing soil pH on reducing
cadmium bioavailability is, on average among plants, only a factor of 1.6 per unit
pH increase [45].
10
Cadmium
10.5.1.2
301
Variability in Crop Cadmium Concentrations

Among Different Crops
Plants differ in Cd concentrations when grown in similar soils (Fig. 10.10 and
Table 10.6). Grain and potato Cd concentrations have received considerable
attention because of their large impact on the dietary Cd intake by humans. For
example, a daily consumption of 300 g wheat grain products at 40 mg kg1
contributes 12 mg Cd whereas one daily portion of leafy vegetables such as lettuce
of 100 g fresh weight (5 g dry weight) at 800 mg kg1 dry weight only contributes
4 mg. Grain Cd contributing to the diet is typically largest for durum wheat (about
twofold above bread wheat, see Fig. 10.11) and agricultural products that exceed
limits are often durum wheat, sunflower kernels and peanuts. Translocation is an
important process in determining trace metal concentrations in plant tissues and
explains genotypic variations in crop Cd concentrations. For instance, it was
shown that the root-to-shoot Cd translocation via the xylem is the major process
determining shoot and grain Cd accumulation among rice cultivars for which
>tenfold variation exists in rice Cd concentrations when grown in identical
conditions [60]. That study explained the generally higher Cd concentrations in
indica cultivars than in japonica cultivars in rice. The transport from leaves to
other plant tissues (e.g., grains, tubers) can occur in phloem only. For instance, Cd
in potato tubers is not directly taken up from the soil, but is first transported in the
xylem to the shoot, and then back down through the phloem [51]. A compilation
of shoot-root Cd concentration ratios [45] revealed that Gramineae (maize,
barley, oat, ryegrass, cocksfoot, rice) are often shoot cadmium excluders (shoot:
root concentration ratio <0.05), with some exceptions. For instance, some maize
inbred lines or rice cultivars show large cadmium translocation to shoot (shoot:
root concentration ratios >0.25). Also for the Leguminosae (pea, beans, etc.), the
translocation of cadmium to the aerial parts is usually small, whereas the
Solanaceae (potato), Asteraceae (lettuce) and Brassicaceae (watercress) show in
general relatively large translocation to the shoot (shoot:root concentration ratios
>0.25). Recently, a gene (OsHMA3) was described that explains low Cd translocation to the above-ground parts of rice by coding for a transporter that sequesters
Cd in root vacuoles [59]. This transporter is present, but is not functional, in high
grain Cd cultivars. Similarly, genotypic effects of Cd concentrations in durum
wheat cultivars are related to a single gene that is responsible for root-shoot
translocation [25].
Plant-breeding can be an important tool to reduce the concentrations of Cd.
Low-Cd durum wheat cultivars and sunflower hybrids have been developed [25].
The high and low Cd near-isogenic lines of durum wheat differ about a factor 2.5 in
grain Cd concentrations when grown at the same location. This selection helps to
achieve crop Cd concentrations below legal limits without yield loss or effects
on grain quality, including grain Zn concentrations when grown in Zn deficient
soils [25].
302
Table 10.7 A sensitivity analysis of predicted atmospheric contribution to plant Cd

concentrations, using current air Cd concentrations in rural and contaminated areas
BCF
Air conc
Soil metal conc
Predicted plant metal conc
Airborne
AAF
(-)
(ng m3)
(mg kgdw1)
(mg kgdw1)
(%)
(m3 g1)
20
1.5
0.2
0.2
0.3
1
20
1.5
20
0.2
0.7
57
20
1.5
0.2
2
3.0
0.1
20
1.5
20
2
3.4
12
The assumed air accumulation factors (AAF: plant:air concentration ratio, m3 g1 dry weight) and
soil-plant bioconcentration factors (BCF, dry weight based) for lettuce are based on experimental
data of [27]. The four scenarios of soil and air concentrations are based on expert judgement,
reflecting current air concentrations in rural areas in EU and background soil concentration for
lowest values, and air concentrations near metal smelters and contaminated soils, for high
concentrations. Adapted from [45]
10.5.2 Uptake of Cadmium from Air

A fraction of Cd that is measured in plants is airborne, even after washing, in belowground parts and in plants that have been grown in rural areas away from air
pollution. Cadmium is associated with small particulates (<10 mm) that can be
deposited on plants. These aerosols may adsorb to plants or eventually also be
absorbed. A recent compilation of the restricted number of studies show that
the fraction airborne Cd in plant Cd varies <460% with some remarkable numbers
that 20% of grain Cd of wheat grown in rural areas (air Cd <1 ng m3) is airborne
[45]. Based on this compilation, a prediction was made on the fraction airborne Cd.
This fraction is obviously larger when air Cd concentrations are higher and when
soil Cd concentrations are lower (Table 10.7). The contribution of airborne Cd to
crop Cd is often neglected, but may explain the weak association of crop Cd with
soil properties. In addition, risk of historic air Cd pollution may be still detectable
in humans (biological half life is about 20 years) but may not be reflected any more
in crop Cd concentrations, obscuring relationships between human biomonitoring
and food chain Cd (see Sect. 2.3.2.1).
10.5.3 Models and Data of Cadmium Concentrations in Crops

Average Cd concentrations in crops, based on worldwide compilations, are given in
Table 10.6 and soil factors explaining these crop Cd concentrations have been
removed by modeling. Models on crop Cd uptake from soil range from empirical
(statistical) ones that relate crop Cd with soil properties (e.g. [18]) to fully mechanistic ones, coupling soil chemistry, rhizosphere transport and ion uptake/translocation studies [56]. The latter models are undoubtedly most challenging and reveal
the rate limiting factor, however they are complex to use and have less validation
than the former. The most simplest empirical model is the normalization of crop Cd
10
Cadmium
303
b
0.6
plant tissue Cd content (mg.kg-1 fw)
a
exp. fields
veg. gard.
liming exp.
farms
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
4
5.5
Soil pH (CaCl2)
0.8
1.2
exp. fields
veg. gard.
liming exp.
farms
0.7
0.6
prediction soil Cd content
prediction plant tissue Cd
exp fields
veg. garden
liming exp.
farms
0.5
Soil Cd concentration (mg kg-1)
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
95% confidence
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
4.5
5
pH
Fig. 10.12 Concentrations of Cd in leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.) as a function of soil cadmium
concentration (0.43 M HNO3 extraction) (a), as a function of soil pH (b), predicted versus
measurements (c), and predicted soil concentrations (Eq. 10.3) as a function of pH where the
limit value for cadmium in leek is exceeded (d). Results are from several studies in The
Netherlands. The dotted line is the European limit value for cadmium in leek (Adapted from[45])
concentrations to soil Cd concentrations, yielding the BCF expressed as the ratio

between the Cd concentration in the vegetable (mg kg1) and that in soil (mg kg1).
To account for soil factors explaining the BCF and for non-linearity between soil
and crop Cd, Freundlich type function are often used instead, i.e.

log Cdplant a blogCdsoil cpH dlog%OM
(10.3)
with Cdsoil the total Cd concentrations in soil and OM the organic matter content in
soil. Most compilations show that b <1.0, i.e. there is some non-linearity, that c is
only 0.050.40 and that d is often not statistically significant [20, 45]. Predictions of
these models and the 95% confidence intervals of the mean predictions are
illustrated for leek in Fig. 10.12.
304
10.6
Ecotoxicity of Cadmium in Soil
The toxicity of Cd on soil dwelling biota is generally found at higher soil Cd

concentrations than those at which human health is being affected (see Sect. 10.1).
Therefore, the ecotoxicological risk of Cd to plants and soil invertebrates or
microbiological processes is somewhat less document than the foodchain risk
and, arguably, less relevant. It is logical, however, that risk of soil Cd to mammalian
wildlife species that are exposed via the foodchain may be as large as human health
risk since the long half-life of Cd in mammalians also leads to a gradual increase of
body-burden of Cd on the long-term.
A compilation of toxicity thresholds of Cd for soil dwelling biota (higher plants,
invertebrates and soil microbial processes) was made in Europe. Most of the
thresholds were estimated based on laboratory tests in Cd2+ salt spiked soils.
Adverse effect concentrations in laboratory and field tests are found at total Cd
concentrations between 2.5 and >1,000 mg kg1 with a tendency to find lowest
thresholds for plants grown in potted soil applied with Cd2+ salts. About 160 toxicity
tests were reviewed and reliable highest No Observed Effect Concentrations
(NOECs, i.e. the largest soil Cd concentration at which the biota were unaffected)
were collated. A soil Cd limit (PNEC Predicted No Effect Concentration) to
protect soil organisms was proposed in Europe in 2007 [19] as the fifth percentile
of the NOEC values yielding PNEC 2.3 mg Cd kg1 (Fig. 10.13). Quite in
contrast are the ECOSSLs (Ecological Soil Screening Limits) that have been derived
Cumulative frequency distribution (%)
100
80
HC5
terrestrial
ecosystem
60
40
soil microflora
soil invertebrates
higher plants
distribution curve RI 1-3
20
0
1
10
100
1000
10000
Cd soil (g g-1)
Fig. 10.13 The cumulative frequency distribution of the highest No Observed Effect
Concentrations values of Cd toxicity tests of soil microflora, invertebrates and higher plants.
Observed data and logistic distribution curve for the whole RI 1-3 data (a high quality data group)
fitted on the data. The safe soil Cd concentration is defined as the 5th percentile of the species
sensitivity distribution (HC5, indicated) and is 2.3 mg g1 ( 2.3 mg kg1). Figure extracted from
the European risk assessment of Cd-metal [19]
10
Cadmium
305
by US-EPA in 2005 that are 32 mg Cd kg1 (plants) and 140 mg kg1

(invertebrates). The differences between the EU and US-EPA limits are mainly
related to the data treatment and not the underlying data themselves.
Risk of soil Cd to mammals and birds via the food chain is difficult to assess in
the environment. Wildlife has a wide foraging habitat and cause-effect relationships
are always unclear for wildlife. There is currently only little field evidence that
attributes pathological injury in wildlife to Cd [6]. Tissue Cd concentrations such as
kidney Cd concentrations have suggested risk to moles, shrews and beavers in
highly contaminated soils (see [19]). In predators such as owl and kestrel, kidney
Cd concentrations are below assumed limits. White tailed ptarmigan (Lagopetus
leucurus) have been found with kidney Cd concentrations up to about 200 mg g1
fresh weight (as observed in a mining area in Colorado, U.S.A.) which is twofold
above the toxic threshold and is a known case of Cd poisoning to birds [38]. The
risk assessment for Cd to protect wildlife typically estimates the effects indirectly
from feeding tests in the laboratory with surrogate species and with an estimated
food chain model. Without going into detail, it is of note that the relaxed ECOSSLs
described above for plants and invertebrates are remarkably stringent for mammals
(0.4 mg Cd kg1) and birds (0.8 mg Cd kg1). In the European Cd risk assessment
of 2007 [20], standard assessments predicted risk at soil Cd concentrations more
than tenfold below soil background values. An alternative approach for terrestrial
wildlife was proposed based on measured tissue residues in field collected
mammals and on renal thresholds yielding a generic critical soil Cd concentration
to protect mammals of 0.9 mg Cd kg1 dry weight. This soil limit is triggered by
data on moles and shrews (both carnivorous) dwelling in acid soils. Excluding data
from soils with pH <4.2, a critical soil Cd of 3.3 mg kgdw1 was derived.
10.7
Risk Assessment of Cadmium and the Management

of Cadmium-Contaminated Land
There is a myriad of soil Cd limits that are in place in various legislations and limits
differ in the risk pathways considered, in the margins of safety adopted (e.g. soil
screening values<soil clean-up values) and limits may be affected by political
choices. Table 10.8 illustrates the wide range of soil limits that are found.
To illustrate a risk assessment, some background information is given about the
risk assessment of Cd in Europe [19-20] which led to the conclusion that current
exposure of Cd in the EU is above acceptable limits and that countermeasures have
to be taken to reduce exposure. The most stringent risk pathway is the human health
assessment. In theory, the risk assessments has to evaluate the entire chain:
emissions-environmental concentrations-human exposure via the environment
(including food chain)-transport and disposition inside the body-concentrations in
target organs. This long and variable chain has been circumvented by contrasting
current human biomonitoring data in humans (urinary Cd concentrations, CdU in
1.34.4 clean up value
Range for different soil pH values

affecting food chain risk[19]
[50]
Note
[61]
[61]
Range reflecting different EU regions
with different soil Cd availability
and dietary habits[19]
[19]
[19]
EU countries, Switzerland, USA and

Mainly human health
0.437 clean up values for soils or
Canada
residential areas
EU-sewage sludge limits 86/278/EEC
Unknown
13
Valid for soils with pH 67
Cumulative sludge loading limit
US-EPA 1993 (biosolids)
Human health
39 kg Cd ha1 (about 13 mg Cd kg1)
Ecological Soil Screening Limits (ECOSSLs) or predicted no-effect concentrations (PNEC) are derived to evaluate current emissions and should not be
considered as clean-up values since the degree of protection is large (i.e. conservative limits).
Belgium (Flemish region)-2009
0.9
2.3PNEC
EU-risk of chemicals-2007
EU-risk of chemicals-2007
Mammals+birds
Plants, invertebrates, soil
microorganism
Human health
Limit (mg Cd kg1 soil) and name

0.4 ECOSSL
0.8 ECOSSL
0.61.3
Table 10.8 A selection of soil Cd limits (mg kg1) and their basis
Legislations
Protection goal
US-EPA-2005
Mammals
US-EPA-2005
Birds
EU-risk of chemicals -2007
Human health
306
10
Cadmium
307
mg Cd g1 creatinine) to acceptable limits. The bone and kidney tissues are
considered as the most sensitive target organs for the general populations exposed
to Cd. For reference, population mean CdU values are about 0.20.3 mg g1
creatinine for the non-smoking population. The CdU values are most importantly
affected by smoking (doubled for smokers compared to non-smokers), gender
(women>men) and age (concentrations peak at age 50). Adverse health effects
on bone or kidney function due to Cd in the general population have been identified
at 13 mg Cd g1 creatinine. There is, however, a lingering scientific debate about
the health significance of the changes observed at CdU levels <5 mg g1 creatinine
and this was reflected in the contrasting views expressed during the evaluation for
this EU risk assessment. For example, The Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level
(LOAEL) for CdU was agreed at 2 mg Cd g1 creatinine in the EU risk assessment
while the latest JECFA(WHO) evaluation of Cd for the general population used a
threshold of 5.2 mg Cd g1 creatinine to derive tolerable dietary Cd intake [34]. The
ratio of actual concentrations of CdU to the LOAEL is called the Margin of Safety
(MOS). A MOS value >3 was considered acceptable for the European assessment,
leading to risk when CdU exceeds 0.67 (2/3) mg g1 creatinine. When
confronted with the measured data in the general population, the amplitude of the
MOS appear >3 for more than 90% of the population, but risk could not be
excluded for smokers and iron-deficient individuals (based on the theoretical
scenarios) as the latter have higher Cd uptake from food [20].
Derivation of a limit value for Cd in soil is far more complex than assessment
direct biomonitoring, as it requires an evaluation of food chain transfer (e.g. models
as Eq. 10.3), dietary preferences of the general population and of highly exposed
individual and the food Cd bioavailability issues (not covered here but also variable
by at least factor 2). The variability (not uncertainty) of the transfers soil-plant,
plant-diet and diet-body burden are factors 210 for the general environment and
conservative evaluations that multiply worst case estimates, yield soil Cd limits
below background. For site-specific assessments, human biomonitoring may be
defensible to circumvent the uncertainties, i.e. if CdU<limit values, risk may
be excluded. However; it must be realised the CdU values reflect life-time intake
and, given the half-life of 1520 years in humans, there is always a considerable
delay between external exposure and body-burden. Blood Cd reflects current
exposure, however no generally accepted reference values exist.
10.7.1 Managing the Risk of Cadmium

Reducing diffuse Cd emissions will only yield effects on reducing food chain Cd in
the very long-term as the residual effects of soil Cd is prevalent. For example, Cd
concentrations in P-fertilisers do not generally affect crop Cd concentrations in the
first years after application [46]. From a theoretical perspective, smoking is the first
factor that should be regulated to lower human exposure to Cd. Daily smoking of 20
cigarettes contributes 0.52 mg Cd d1 for systemic uptake, which is at least
308
equivalent to the daily Cd uptake via the diet at background. Reducing food Cd
bioavailability by managing the Fe status of consumers is probably the second best
theoretical option, given that Fe status is the second factor explaining interindividual CdU values in the general population [5]. Managing smoking and Fe-status
(food habits!) are not directly possible for regulators and, therefore, options to
reduce Cd emissions such as fertiliser Cd limits or sludge Cd limits have been
proposed (Fig. 10.3) or are in place (Table 10.8). For site-specific cases, i.e.
managing contaminated land, land use is probably the most efficient way to lower
food chain risk. For example, food crops may be replaced by non-food crops
(biofuel, cotton) or cropping systems in which transfer to consumers is limited
(sugar cane and even dairy farming). Soil liming has surprisingly no consistent
effects on crop Cd concentrations [55] although the effects are generally beneficial
if crop Cd concentrations are high, such as in high Cd or very low pH soils [30, 49].
Removal of Cd by phytoremediation is only an option in the very long-term.
For example, a field trial in a Cd contaminated, pH neutral soil (soil Cd about
2 mg Cd kg1) with different plant species yielded annual above-ground Cd
removal with harvested crop ranging between 1 and 179 g Cd ha1 year1, the
largest flux found for the Cd hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens [35].
The plough layer contains about 7,000 g Cd (025 cm, density 1.4 kg dm3),
i.e. annual removal is less than 5% of the total stock. Numerous studies have
shown successes of soil Cd immobilisation strategies by, for example, addition of
organic matter, Fe or Mn-oxyhydroxide based products can be effective in high Cd
contaminated environments. Control of soil pH is known to be a critical factor in all
such studies [9].
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Chapter 11
Chromium and Nickel

Cristina Gonnelli and Giancarlo Renella
Abstract Nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) are elements naturally present in all rock
types and present in the pedosphere in a range from trace amounts to relatively high
concentrations, as compared to other trace elements. Particularly high Ni and Cr
concentrations are found in serpentine rocks and soils, originating from this rock
type and colonized by a specialized flora that may present some curious species
capable of hyperaccumulating extraordinary high concentrations of Ni in their
above-ground parts. In recent decades, the large release of Cr and Ni by industrial
activities, mainly the manufacture of stainless steel, as well as the use of sewage
sludge as soil amendment in agricultural soils, have caused an impressive increase in
the levels of these two metals in the pedosphere and other environmental matrices.
This has led to increasing environmental concern as, while relatively low concentrations of Ni and Cr are essential for plants and other living organisms including
humans, both the elements are toxic for all living organisms if present in excessive
concentrations. This chapter reviews the distribution and the geochemical behaviour
of Ni and Cr, their main dynamics in the soil environment, with regards to the natural
and anthropogenic sources. The relationships of Ni and Cr with the plants, in
particular with some Ni hyperaccumulator species are also discussed.
Keywords Nickel Chromium Solubility Pollution Ultramafic rocks
Serpentine Hyperaccumulators
C. Gonnelli (*)
Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Florence,
via P.A. Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy
G. Renella
Department of Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence,
P.le delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy
313
314
11.1
C. Gonnelli and G. Renella
Introduction
Nickel (Ni) is positioned between cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu) in Group 10 of the
periodic table, the so-called ironcobaltnickel group of metals. Ten isotopes
of Ni exist in nature and the most abundant stable isotope has atomic number 28,
atomic mass of 58.71 g mol1, electron configuration [Ar]3d84s2, electronegativity
value of 1.8, density of 8.9 g cm3 at 20 C, ionic radius of 0.069 nm for Ni(II)+
and 0.06 nm for Ni(III)+, van der Waals radius of 0.124 nm, standard potential
0.25 V and melting and boiling points at 1,453 C and 2,913 C, respectively.
Normally, the Ni oxidation states are 0 or +2, although the +1 and +3 states can
exist under certain conditions. The dominant inorganic species is Ni(II) throughout
the pH and Eh range of most natural waters as it readily loses two electrons and,
in any case, Ni(I) and Ni(III) ions are not stable in aqueous solution [3].
Elemental Ni is a silvery white, hard, malleable metal. Even though the use of
Ni can be traced back to the beginning of the Bronze Age in Mesopotamia in
3500 BC, the identification of Ni as an element is relatively recent. In 1751
the Swedish chemist and metallurgist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt isolated a white
metal from minerals originating from a CuCo mine, while he was attempting
to extract Cu. The Ni containing mineral, from which Cronstedt extracted this
metal, was probably now called Niccolite (NiAs). The name nickel was derived by
the German word kupfernicke used for Niccolite, meaning Devils copper or
St Nicholass (Old Nicks) copper. Although the aspect of Niccolite is that of a Cu
mineral, no Cu can be extracted from it and for this reason the Saxon miners had
named the mineral according to the spiteful dwarf Nickel, who had apparently
turned the Cu in the ore into a non-available form.
Nickel is a transition element with a broad range of applications in modern
industry, being used in everything from coins to automobiles to jewellery. The
largest Ni use by far is the manufacture of stainless steel, an alloy consisting of 8%
Ni, 18% Cr and 74% Fe. Moreover, Ni is an excellent catalyst for many reactions
and so it is used for a large number of industrial and research applications alone or
in combination with other metals.
A primordial, but still conserved today, role of Ni in a different scenario, that is
the biological one, accounts for the industrial chemistry of this metal. In fact,
some industrial processes, such as hydrogenation, desulfurization, and carbonylation are based on some chemical properties of Ni just as the corresponding
Ni-dependant enzymes, i.e., hydrogenase, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, and
methyl-coenzyme M reductase [81]. So, Ni is well known as an essential trace
element for plants and cyanobacteria [77, 118]. Furthermore, Ni can be regarded
as a catalyst of early life [65]. In fact, the environment in which life began was
most likely electron-rich, and gases, such as H2 and CO2, and metal sulphides were
available [97, 98]. Thus, special catalysts were needed to handle these gases and so
this element was employed for a rich biochemical role by early-life forms [84].
The mineral greigite [Fe5NiS8], an FeNi sulphide, could be regarded as a possible
candidate for an early Ni catalyst as its molecular structure is very similar, for
11
Chromium and Nickel
315
example to that of the thiocubane [4Fe4S] unit of the ferredoxins [96]. The relative
importance of Ni for primordial forms of life most likely decreased following the
changes in the atmospheres chemical composition, particularly the massive photosynthetic O2 production [35].
While Ni is essential in certain bacteria, plants, and domestic animals, its
essentiality for humans is still not very clear and the toxicity and carcinogenicity
of high doses of Ni are well documented and depend mainly on its potential to
damage proteins and nucleic acids [58].
Chromium (Cr) was first discovered in a Siberian red lead (Pb) ore in 1798 by the
French chemist Louis Nicholas Vauquelin, who obtained metallic Cr from crocoite
(PbCrO4). Chromium is a steel-grey, lustrous, hard, brittle metal of Group 6 of the
transition series.
The most abundant stable isotope has the following physico-chemical properties: atomic number of 24, atomic mass of 51.996 g.mol1, electronic configuration [Ar]3d54s1, electronegativity value of 1.6, density of 7.19 g cm3 at 20 C, an
ionic radius of 0.061 nm (Cr III) or 0.044 nm (Cr VI), a van der Waals radius of
0.127 nm, standard potential 0.71 V (Cr III/ Cr), and melting and boiling points at
1,907 C and 2,672 C, respectively. The trivalent Cr(III) and the hexavalent Cr(VI)
species are the stable forms of this element, other oxidation states can transiently
exist in living organisms [107].
The origin of the name comes from the Greek word chroma meaning color as
many of its compounds are intensely and variously colored. Its use can be dated
back to the third century BC from the analysis of weapons found in some Chinese
burial pits from more than 2,000 years ago. Such archaeological finds showed no
sign of corrosion, because the bronze was coated with Cr.
Chromium is used on a large industrial scale including metallurgy, electroplating,
production of paints and pigments, tannery, wood preservation, chromium chemical
production, and pulp and paper production. Due to its high corrosion resistance and
hardness, chromium is largely used to form stainless steel. This application and
electroplating are currently the highest volume uses of the metal. Wastes from
Cr industries (e.g., sludge, fly ash, slag, etc.) have been employed as a fill material
at numerous locations [100] at which leaching and seepage of Cr(VI) from the soils
into the groundwater poses a considerable health hazard. Water resources can also be
contaminated instead by Cr mainly from the tanning industry [25].
Chromium(III) is essential for humans and Cr deficiency can have detrimental
effects on the metabolism of glucose and lipids (e.g., impaired glucose tolerance,
elevated fasting insulin, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and hypoglycaemic
symptoms) [5, 6]. On the other hand, ingestion of large amounts of Cr(III) may
cause health problems such as lung cancer [34, 121]. Cr(VI) is toxic to biota at
concentrations in the order of 10100 times lower than Cr(III) [59], being a carcinogen and may cause death to animals and humans if swallowed in large doses [110].
Human exposure to Cr-containing substances includes ingestion of food and water,
inhalation of airborne particulates, and contact with numerous manufactured items
containing Cr compounds [110]. The limit concentration for drinking water
established by the World Heath Organization is 50 mg L1 of Cr(VI) . This value
316
can be often exceeded in drinking waters of areas with ophiolitic rocks such as
California, Italy, Mexico and New Caledonia [44].
This chapter describes the main natural and anthropogenic sources of Ni and Cr
in soil, their main chemical forms and reactions, and the interactions of these two
elements with plants, with special emphasis on the so-called nickel-plants, peculiar
plant species adapted to serpentine soils and also used for phytoextraction and
phytoremediation of Ni contaminated soils.
11.2
Origin of Nickel and Chromium in Soils

(Geochemical and Contamination Sources)
The environment reservoir of Ni is the Earths FeNi molten core (10% of global Ni),
followed by the Ni dissolved in the sea (ca. 8 109 t). Considerable amounts of Ni
are also present in coal and oil. The abundance of Ni in the Earths crust is about
80 mg kg1 [3] and it is generally distributed with other siderophilic elements, such
as Co and Fe. Nickel is located in the igneous rocks and it can be found associated
with all the geochemical phases of mineralogical cycles, i.e. metamorphic and
sedimentary rocks, soils and sediments [113].
Geochemically, Ni is siderophilic and also has great affinity for sulphur (S); this
leads to the formation of many different sulfides, arsenides as well as antimonides
in nature, such as millerite (NiS), niccolite (NiAs) and breithauptile (NiSb). Nickel
can be also associated with carbonates, phosphates, and silicates.
The ionic properties of Ni allow it to substitute for several alkaline and metallic
cations, such as Mg, Al, Li, Fe(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Mn(III), Cu, in primary
minerals [75]. Nickel in minerals can substitute for Fe even in pyrite. However,
among the metallic rock forming elements, the Ni isotopic fractionation has
been relatively less studied as compared to other elements.
In igneous rocks, Ni forms mainly octahedral coordination in silicate minerals
such as olivine, hornblende, augite and biotite and magnetite. Such minerals are
poorly stable and undergo rapid weathering. For this reason, Ni in developed
soils is generally associated with clays such as vermiculites and chlorites, saponite
in the serpentine soils, and Fe or Mn (hydro)oxides and concretions, and its concentrations decrease with increasing acidity of rocks down to 515 mg kg1 in
granites [57]. Sedimentary rocks contain Ni in the range of 590 mg kg1, with the
highest range being for argillaceous rocks and the lowest for sandstones.
Nickel contents are particularly high in ultramafic rocks (in the order of
2,000 mg kg1). The two main types of commercially exploitable Ni deposits are
laterites, where the principal ore minerals are nickeliferous limonite (Fe, Ni)O(OH)
and the hydrous Ni silicate garnerite ((Mg,Ni)3(OH)4[Si2O5]) formed during tropical weathering, and sulfide ores, with pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite and
especially pentlandite ((Ni, Fe)9S8) as the main Ni-containing minerals.
The total content of parent rocks greatly affects the Ni content in soils, although
the concentration of Ni in surface soils also depends on soil-forming processes
11
Chromium and Nickel
317
and pollution. The Ni content of the pedosphere varies within a broad range, mainly
from 0.2 to 450 mg kg1, with a calculated world mean of 22 mg kg1 [104], or a
range of 0.2 and 5,000 mg kg1 and an average value varying between 20 and
50 mg kg1, if ultramafic soils are included. However, the concentration ranges
found the in literature depend on the surveyed areas, and also on the soil texture,
with clay soils being richer in Ni than coarser textured soils [69].
In a comprehensive report on the metal background concentrations of European
soils on the basis of the parent material and independently on the soil use, Utermann
et al. [114] reported Ni background values ranging between 3 and 48 mg kg1, with
the lowest concentrations in soils formed on sandy materials and higher values
in soils originating from volcanic rocks. Nickel concentrations in the soil depend
more on its concentration in the parent material in the less developed soils, whilst its
concentration in the most developed soils depends on the predominant pedogenic
factors [112]. In particular, high intensities of leaching and erosion deplete soils
in Ni. In natural ecosystems, soil enrichment with Ni occurs in alluvial soils or in
soils subjected to the deposition of volcanic ashes. Total Ni concentrations up to
7,000 mg kg1 can be found in ultramafic; soils originating from igneous ultramafic rock [18]. Clay and loamy soils, e.g. rendzinas, cambisols, and kastanozems,
typically contain total Ni concentrations in the upper range of the mean values quoted
above. Relatively high Ni concentrations have been also found in soils originating
from basic and volcanic rocks, in some organic-rich soils and in soils of arid and
semi-arid regions.
Anthropogenic sources of Ni have resulted in a significant increase in the Ni
content of soils. Main Ni sources are emissions from metal processing operations and fumes from combustion of coal and oil. The application of sludges and
phosphate fertilisers also may be important sources of Ni in agricultural soils.
Nickel concentrations in the rain have been reported to vary between 0.17 and
17 mg L1 [10], representing an annual input of 0.0020.2 mg kg1 in the topsoil of
areas with 1,000 mm of annual rainfall [113].
Nickel in sewage sludge, where it is present mainly in organic chelated forms, is
readily available to plants and therefore may be highly phytotoxic. Nickel concentration in the solution of heavy metal polluted soils is generally higher and it can
be in the order of mg L1, depending on the soil total concentration, Ni source and
age of pollution.
Chromium presents an average concentration of 100 mg kg1 in the Earths crust
[41] whereas the concentration range in soil is between 1 and 3,000 mg kg1 [61].
Chromium is mainly associated with mafic and ultramafic rocks in which it can
reach values of 3,000 mg kg1. Acid igneous and sedimentary rocks display much
lower Cr contents, commonly ranging from 5 to 120 mg kg1, with the highest
content in argillaceous sediments.
Chromium (III) has ionic properties close to those of Fe(III)+ and Al(III)+ and
therefore similar geochemical properties. Chromium substitutes for Fe or Al in
chromite (FeCr2O4), the primary geological source for Cr. Chromite is relatively
resistant to weathering, diagenesis, and metamorphic reactions [85]. Under progressive oxidation, the chromate ion (CrO42) is formed; this form of Cr is more mobile
318
and also readily sorbed by clays and hydrous oxides. Though native Cr deposits are
rare, some metallic Cr has been discovered in the Russian mine Udachnaya Pipe
that is a kimberlite pipe rich in diamonds, where the reducing environment helped
produce both elemental Cr and diamonds.
The main source of Cr in natural soils is the weathering of their parent materials.
Total Cr concentration in soil varies from 0.5 to 250 mg kg1, with average
values varying between 40 and 70 mg kg1, depending on the surveyed areas
[33, 93]. The Cr background concentrations of European soils on the basis of the
parent material and independently on the soil use, are in the range 568 mg kg1,
with the lowest concentrations in soils formed on sandy materials and higher
values in soils originating on volcanic rocks [114]. Higher Cr concentrations, up
to 10,000 mg kg1, are present in soils formed from mafic and volcanic rocks.
In fact, in mafic and ultramafic rocks the Cr concentrations can be higher than
3 g kg1, typically in the form of chromite, associated with variable amounts of
MgO, Al2O3 and SiO2.
Sandy soils and organic-rich Histosols usually show low Cr concentrations,
containing an average of 47 and 12 mg kg1, respectively. Total Cr concentrations
are generally positively correlated with the fine granulometric fractions [57].
Chromium total concentrations higher than the local background values originate
from atmospheric fallout and inputs of Cr from Cr-rich sludge and wastes from
industrial activity incorporated into soils.
Chromium in natural soils from the weathering of the parent material is present mostly as insoluble Cr(OH)3 or as Cr(III) adsorbed to soil colloids [12]. The
most common Cr form is Cr(OH)2+, bound to clays and humic substances, which
are negatively charged at pH >5.5 [94]. In neutral-alkaline soils, with pH values
>7.0, Cr precipitates as Cr(OH)3, also in combination with alkaline metals and
heavy metals. In strongly acidic soils (e.g. pH <4), Cr(H2O)3+6 is the predominant
Cr form.
The Cr(VI) is typically associated with oxygen as chromate (CrO42) or dichromate (Cr2O72) oxyanions. The Cr(III) is less mobile, less toxic and is mainly found
bound to organic matter in soil and aquatic environments [107]. The relation
between Cr(III) and Cr(VI) strongly depends on pH and oxidative conditions, but
in most cases, the Cr(III) is the dominating species [61].
High concentrations of about 2,000 mg kg1 of both Ni and Cr can be found in the
so-called serpentine soils [18]. Serpentinization is a geological low-temperature
metamorphic process, in which low-silica mafic and ultramafic rocks are oxidized
and hydrolyzed into serpentinite. The process can be described by the following
reaction:

6Mg1:5 Fe0:5 SiO4 7H2 O3 Mg3 Si2 O5 OH4 Fe3 O4 H2 :
(11.1)
In this process, Ni may be released from the olivine and co-precipitate with
magnetite. However, when layered silicates or trioctahedral lattices are present
(e.g. saponite, chlorite), Ni may preferentially react with them.
11
Chromium and Nickel
319
The name derives from the Latin word serpens meaning snake as
serpentine-rich rock has an olive greenish-grey colour, striped in different shades,
that looks like the skin of a snake [15]. Serpentine soils are derived from the
weathering of ultramafic rocks (ma stands for Mg and f for ferrum, or Fe),
igneous or metamorphic rocks that comprise at least 70% hydrous Mg Fe phyllosilicate, or mafic, minerals with the general formula Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 and including
antigorite and chrysotile [18, 63]. Serpentine rocks originate from metamorphic
alterations of peridotite and pyroxene with water and they may form in the upper
part of the earth mantle or near the earths surface during subduction events.
The strong enrichment in siderophile (Fe-loving) elements, such as Cr and Ni,
of ultramafic rocks derives from the fact that the ionic radii of Ni(II)+ and of Cr(III)+
are respectively very close to those of Mg(II)+ and of Fe(III)+, so that ionic
substitution easily takes place into Mg-rich minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene
which are dominant in these rocks [18]. Even though Ni and Cr concentrations
in serpentine soils are often similar, Cr is less soluble than Ni. Although only about
1% of the total Ni in soils is available to plants, this far exceeds the percentage
of available Cr [18].
Apart from their anomalously high concentrations of Ni and Cr, serpentine
soils are characterized also by elevated levels of Fe and Co, they also contain low
Ca: Mg ratios and are often deficient in essential plant nutrients such as N, P and
K [18]. These peculiar chemical properties, along with elevated soil temperatures
and drought, make serpentine soils particularly toxic and unsuitable for most
plant species [17, 31, 63] and for many microorganisms [70]. Ultramafic rocks
and serpentinites of ophiolite complexes constitute about 1% of the terrestrial
landscape [86]. Nevertheless, their study allows a better understanding of Ni and
Cr enrichment of surface water and Ni and Cr transfer to living organisms.
11.3
Chemical Behaviour of Nickel and Chromium in Soils
Nickel has a relatively high affinity for soil organic matter (SOM), with 5% of
total soil Ni being generally associated with this soil component. The main SOM
electron donors are O, and N and S to a lesser extent, with Ca, Mg and Cu as main
competitors. Nickel(II) organic complexes in soil can be formed with low molecular weight organic ligands (LMWOLs), humic substances or particulate organic
matter. Association of metals, including Ni to humic substances has been mainly
studied by chemical extractions with strongly alkaline solvents (e.g. NaOH) [109].
These data are questionable because Ni solubility strongly depends on pH, with
maximum ionic Ni(H2O)62+ concentration at pH values below 6, whereas at
alkaline pH, Ni may precipitate as hydroxides such as Ni(OH)3 or Ni4(OH)44+,
with very limited solubility. Extractions with strong alkaline solutions followed by
acidification and classical SOM fractionation may also cause artefacts due to
Ni re-distributions among the various SOM fractions. However, currently no
chemical extraction method distinguishes between the forms of metals in soil.
320
Anyway, complexes with LMWOLs are labile, whereas formation of inner sphere
complexes with soil solid phases form less reversible complexes. Among the identified organic complexes, Ni has been reported to be present also in porphyrin-like
compounds, likely originating by reactions of Ni with chlorophyll and co-factors of
methanogenic bacteria [29].
Due to its high affinity for organic and inorganic ligands, Ni concentrations in
the soil solution are relatively low. Nickel concentrations in the solution of uncontaminated soils are in the range of 0.0351 mg L1, whereas in serpentine soils from
various locations the range is in the order of 500900 mg L1 [55].
Chromium can exist in oxidation states varying from 0 to VI, but only Cr(III) and
Cr(VI) are sufficiently stable in the soil environment, whilst Cr(IV) and Cr(V) are
generally unstable intermediates in Cr(III) oxidation and Cr(VI) reduction reactions.
Reduction of Cr(VI) depends on its high positive redox potential in both acidic and
alkaline solutions [36] in the presence of electron donors, according to the following
chemical equations:

3

HCrO
4H2 O and CrO2
4 7H 3e Cr
4 4H2 O 3e CrOH3 5OH
(11.2)
However, as the Cr(VI) oxidizing capacity decreases on consumption of H+ and
also on the Cr(OH)3 hydrolysis forming Cr(OH)2+H2O and Cr(OH)2+H2O [78],
its oxidation potential in soil normally deviates from the theoretical Eh/pH
diagrams [61].
Chromium chemical reactivity in soil varies as a function of soil pH , redox
potential, presence of potential electron donors and Cr adsorption on colloids. In
neutral or sub-neutral soil pH and natural Cr concentrations, both Cr(III) and Cr(VI)
may form various hydrolysis and deprotonated products, which may dominate over
the others. In fact, although the Cr(OH)3 is sparingly soluble at pH 5.512.0 [90],
the dominant species of Cr(III) should be the product of the hydrolytic product
Cr(OH)2+. However, with increasing Cr(III) concentration, polynuclear hydrolytic
products (e.g., Cr2(OH)42+, Cr3(OH)54+ and Cr4(OH)66+) may also be formed [90].
In acidic (e.g. pH value <5.5) and strongly acidic soils (e.g. pH value <4),
Cr(OH)2+and Cr(H2O)63+, respectively, may be the predominant forms of Cr(III) [94].
The hydrolysis products of the Cr(III) are commonly adsorbed onto clay
minerals, and the strength of this adsorption generally increases upon alkalinization
of the soil pH, also due to the increase of negative charge on the clay surfaces and
deprotonation of organic ligands such as humic substances [53], whereas at neutralalkaline pH precipitation of Cr(OH)3.H2O prevents the organic Cr complexation.
Hexavalent Cr in soils may naturally originate from chromite weathering processes in the presence of Mn minerals (e.g. birnessite), which may act as potential
oxidants of the released Cr(III) [86]. For Cr(VI), the relative proportions among the
various forms mainly depend on soil pH and total Cr(VI) concentration, being the
HCrO4 and CrO42 the prevailing forms at acidic and alkaline pH values,
respectively. Condensed dichromate (Cr2O72) may be formed at Cr concentrations
11
Chromium and Nickel
321
higher than 102 M [78]. In neutral-alkaline soils, the Cr(VI) may form soluble Na
or K chromates or less soluble Ca and Ba chromates [53].
Hexavalent Cr can be lost from soil by leaching, or be retained in soil by
adsorption onto Fe (hydro)oxides such as goethite, Al oxides and other positively
charged colloids, whereas in acidic soils, chromate is soluble and is more easily
leached [54]. It has been reported that adsorption of Cr(VI) onto Al- and Fe-oxides
causes a kinetic 53Cr/52Cr isotope effect between the soluble and the adsorbed
species [40], and that the microorganism-mediated dissimilatory Cr(VI) reduction
discriminates between 53Cr and 52Cr isotopes, reducing preferentially the 52Cr(VI)
isotope [108].
Chemical oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) can occur in the presence of Mn oxides
(e.g. buserite), involving Mn(III, IV) (hydr)oxides, reduced to Mn(II) [11].
This reaction depends also on the redox conditions, soil pH and presence of intermediate reducers [54]. Chemical reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by magnetite and
Fe(II)-containing minerals has been reported [39]. The Cr(VI) reduction by hematite and biotite over a wide range of pH has been reported by Eary and Rai [38],
in the presence of dissolved Fe(II), not necessarily occurring with solid Fe-bearing
phases. For the above mentioned ionic properties, Cr in soil is strongly retained by
the solid phases, and is generally poorly soluble and not mobile. However, soil
acidification, as well as increase of Cl or F concentrations may drastically
increase Cr solubility [102]. Increase of Cr(VI) in soil pore water by phosphate
following P fertilisation of ultramafic soils of New Caledonia, possibly due to a
Cr(VI)-phosphate ligand exchange mechanisms has been reported [13].
Trivalent Cr forms complexes with organic and inorganic ligands containing the
electron donors O, N, S such as ammonia, urea, ethylenediamine, sulphide. However, partition of organo-Cr(III) complexes between the soil solid and solution
phases depends on the molecular dimensions of the ligand. Relatively small ligands
such as LMWOLs, increase the Cr solubility, whereas relatively large or particulate
organic ligands such as humic substances may immobilize Cr(III). Relatively high
abundance of fulvic acids or LMWOLs such as citrate may promote the Cr
redistribution among goethite, FeO(OH), Al oxides and other soil colloids, through
the formation of soluble Cr(III) complexes and transient oxidation to Cr(VI) [53].
In the soil environment, the Cr(VI) chemical reduction by S2 can be increased
in the presence of clay minerals such as montmorillonite and kaolinite [22]. Lan
et al. [66] reported that in the presence of sulphide, illite promoted the Cr(VI)
reduction, Al oxides had no effect, whereas kaolinite, montmorillonite, amorphous
SiO2 prevented the Cr(VI) reduction. The reason for the kaolinite to prevent the Cr
reduction was the elemental S sorption onto its surface.
11.4
Soil Plant Relationships
Nickel has been proven to be essential for the fundamental metabolism of soil
bacteria, fungi and algae, although its precise function has not always been
elucidated [71]. A fundamental role of Ni in microbial metabolism may be the
322
function of Ni in the synthesis of urease. Theoretical calculations by Zantua and

Bremner [119] demonstrated that ultra-trace amounts of Ni (in the order of
2 mg kg1) are sufficient to let the soil urease activity work at the maximum
velocity, therefore Ni total content cannot be considered a limiting factor for soil
urease activity.
Nickel is an essential element for plants, ranging generally from 0.05 to
10 mg kg1 DM [67, 81]. Nickel deficiency is very rarely found in plants, due
to the very small amount needed for normal metabolism, whereas, with increasing
Ni contamination, excess Ni is more commonly found in these organisms [28].
Symptoms of Ni deficiency, such as leaf tip necroses [42, 43], interveinal necrosis
and patchy necrosis of younger leaves [21] are a result of the lack of urease, which
leads both to urea accumulation to toxic levels and to N deficiency.
With regard to Ni toxicity, threshold concentrations are commonly reported
to be less than 100 mg g1 [3, 80]. Responses to toxicity differ significantly according to plant species, growth stage, cultivation conditions, Ni concentration and
exposure time [57, 67]. In general, critical toxicity levels are >10 mg g1 DM
in sensitive species and >50 mg g1 DM in moderately tolerant species (as reviewed
in Chen et al. [28]). Among the toxic effects of high Ni concentrations in plants,
retardation of germination, inhibition of growth, reduction of yield, induction of leaf
chlorosis and wilting, disturbance of photosynthesis, inhibition of CO2 assimilation
and diminution in stomatal conductance [28] are the most frequently reported.
Soil Ni toxicity thresholds to plants are difficult to predict because, as for all
the other elements, only a small fraction of the total metal is bioavailable, and
the phytoavailability of Ni varies greatly depending on soil properties [65].
Soil toxicity threshold concentrations for Ni are commonly reported to be in the
order of 100 mg kg1 [3, 80]. In view of this, the maximum admissible Ni
concentration established for agricultural soils on the basis of the 86/278/EEC
directive of 30 mg kg1 for acidic soils and 75 mg kg1 for neutral alkaline soils
seems to be protective for plants.
Nickel is quickly taken up by plants from soils in the form Ni(H2O)62+ and, until
toxic concentrations in plant tissues are reached, this absorption is positively
correlated with the soil Ni concentrations [57].
The solubility of Ni in the rhizosphere may be affected by the release of
LMWOLs by plant roots [32, 67]. There are several examples showing that the
presence of particular compounds in the substrate can either increase or decrease
Ni uptake, depending on their quantity, quality, and the characteristics of the plant
in question. The presence of organic acids or inorganic ligands in soil solution
results in the formation of Ni complexes with different characteristics that may
inhibit or enhance root uptake [81]. In this context, Molas [74] showed that Ni(II)EDTA was less toxic and less accumulated than Ni(II)-citrate or Ni(II)-Glu in
hydroponically-grown cabbage plants.
In contrast to animals, the essentiality of Cr for plant metabolism has not been
definitively proven, although stimulatory effects on plant growth and yield from
the addition of small amounts of Cr have been reported [120]. The positive effect of
Cr(III) on plant growth was suggested to be related to influence on the levels of
11
Chromium and Nickel
323
plant growth hormones, such as cytokinin, interaction with nucleic acids or

chromium-induced increase in polyamine levels [88].
Chromium concentrations in shoots of plants living on non-contaminated soils
are usually in the range of 0.020.2 mg kg1 DM and rarely higher than 5 mg g1
DM [57, 120]. These very low Cr concentrations are mainly due to the relative
immobility of this element in both soils and plants, probably because of the
predominance of the more insoluble Cr(III)+ form. The low Cr availability, from
0.01 to 4 mg kg1, also leads to poor correlation between Cr concentrations in plant
tissues and soils [120]. Plant Cr uptake in non-contaminated soils may be partially
explained by natural Cr(III) oxidation in the presence of Mn-rich minerals, particularly due to the peculiar reactivity (e.g. metal concentration, acidification) in the
rhizosphere [79]. Nevertheless, different plant species show differences in their
ability to accumulate Cr in their tissues, being the highest in members of the
cabbage family (Brassicaceae). These plants, known to be sulfurophile, if supplied
with CrO42, can accumulate large amounts of Cr, possibly due to the chemical
similarity between chromate and sulfate ions [120]. However, Cr concentrations in
edible plant parts are so low that they rarely meet the nutritional requirements for
the human diet.
In most plants the range of critical leaf Cr concentrations is 110 mg g1
DM [120]. Stunted growth, poorly developed root system, curled and discoloured
leaves [89], leaf chlorosis, narrow leaves [52], chlorotic bands [57], yield reduction [50] are the most common visual symptoms of Cr toxicity in plants. Under field
conditions, Cr is hardly ever toxic to plants, with a few exceptions [3], and
75100 mg kg1 is thought to be the total soil Cr concentration above which
plant toxicity can occur [117]. It is noteworthy to underline that while the 86/278/
EEC directive established no maximum limits for total Cr concentrations, individual member states included maximum values or concentration ranges for total
Cr for agricultural soils in their national statutory values. The range of total Cr
permitted in various EU Countries varied from 30 (Netherlands) to 300 (Portugal)
and 400 (United Kingdom) mg kg1, although the British limit was not statutory.
The Italian legislation established limits for Cr(VI) at 1 mM. As for the available
form, 15 mg kg1 of available Cr estimated by soil extractions with various
electrolytes, is supposed to be toxic for most plant species [2]. Factors such as
soil properties, plant species, soil characteristics, and Cr species may greatly affect
the level at which Cr is phytotoxic; for example Cr is more toxic to plants growing
on sandy soils compared with peat soils [73].
11.4.1 Serpentine Soils

Both Cr and Ni are present at phytotoxic concentrations in serpentine soils. In fact,
although these soils are characterized not only by a high metal content, but also by
other unfavorable conditions (e.g. low water retention) for plant growth, they are
colonized by plant species adapted to survive in such an extreme environment [17].
324
These species have often become endemic to such substrates and actually the tight
relationship between serpentine soils and its flora was documented as long ago
as the sixteenth century [115]. In fact, serpentine endemic plants can act as flag
species, faithfully indicating the presence of such mineralized substrates and thus
have been used for mineral prospecting already from a long time [19].
The relationship between serpentine soils and plants finds expression not only in
a particular flora composition, but also in the so-called serpentinomorphoses [82],
which are unusual and characteristic features showed by serpentine species, such as
xeromorphic foliage, development of a large root system, dwarfism, plagiotropism,
glabrescence or pubescence, glaucescence and erythrism [17, 116], that concur
to plant adaptation to the serpentine factor [63].
Metal tolerant plants are often excluders [7], limiting uptake and root-to-shoot
translocation of trace metals. They are more rarely accumulators, concentrating
metals in their tissues [7]. Serpentine plants evolved a variety of physiological
strategies to accumulate and tolerate a wide range of concentrations of Ni and Cr in
their tissues, from typical values of the non serpentine plants to values far higher
than the typical toxicity thresholds [see for example 60, 87, 106]. Among accumulators, a group of bizarre plants shows extraordinarily high metal concentrations
in their above ground parts, exceeding 2,000 mg g1 DM [8], and they are the
so-called hyperaccumulators [20]. Whatever the reason for the evolution of this
particular phenomenon was, probably a defense strategy against natural enemies
[16], metal hyperaccumulators can surely be one of the most representative emblem
of the indissoluble relationship between serpentine soil and plants because of their
inability to compete in non-serpentine environments.
The term metal hyperaccumulator was first coined by Brooks et al. [20] to
define plants living on serpentine soils with Ni concentrations higher than
1,000 mg kg1 DM in their above-ground parts. The discovery of a large number
of taxa (more than 400) that accumulate Ni in their tissues suggested that the
concentration of this metal can be one of the main factors in determining the flora
and vegetation in many serpentine areas [18, 95, 115], whereas no serpentine plants
are known that hyperaccumulate Cr [18, 30, 95]; which is likely to be due to its low
solubility in these soils.
The first metal hyperaccumulator discovered was the Tuscan nickel plant Alyssum bertolonii [72] and the well-known connection between serpentine soil and this
cruciferous plant was already recorded in the sixteenth century by Cesalpino [24].
The soil-plant relationship for A. bertolonii is peculiar as, to our knowledge, so far it
is the only hyperaccumulator plant that is not only a faithful indicator of serpentine
soils for geobotanical prospecting, but also a useful tool for biogeochemistry as it is
representative of the degree of Ni mineralisation of the soil [47].
In metal hyperaccumulator plants the metal is quickly taken up by roots, rapidly
transported into shoots and leaves, and sequestrated in the vacuole [62]. For this
reason, these plants have been used as solar-driven ion-pumps for removing the
metal from polluted soils in phytoextraction experiments [92, 99]. The benefits of
this green technology relies on the low costs of growing and harvesting crops, and
low impact compared to the dig and dump approach to soil remediation [26].
11
Chromium and Nickel
325
Phytoextraction, also protects polluted soils from erosion [105] and may provide
financial returns thanks to phytomining practices [91], which is the recovery of
metals from hyperaccumulator plants. Phytomining of Ni has more potential than
other metals [27] because most of the known hyperaccumulators are able to concentrate 13% Ni in dry matter, providing 12% to >20% in the ash; these values are an
order of magnitude higher than lateritic ores [37], which, based on the Ni economic
value, may balance the costs of crop production.
11.5
Soils Contaminated with Nickel and Chromium
Nickel contamination of soils is a serious problem as a result of anthropogenic

activities. Generally, localised Ni contamination occurs near to a smelter or
plating works or is associated with mining activity [4]. A significant source of Ni
in soil can be represented also by the use of both P -containing fertilisers and wastes,
such as sewage sludge and pulverised fuel ash. For example, coal can contain up to
70 mg kg1 Ni which can become highly concentrated in ash residues [4]. Moreover,
the burning of oil and coal account for the widespread atmospheric deposition of
Ni. Worldwide production of Ni has increased from about 20,000 t year1 in 1930 to
about 800,000 t year1 in 1985 [103] and to about 1.25 Mt year1 in 2000 [49].
In both naturally rich and Ni contaminated soils, Massoura et al. [68] through
isotope equilibration experiments reported that the labile fraction ranged between
0.1% and 50% of total soil Ni. The Ni solubility in contaminated soils is likely to
be controlled by the contents of crystalline Fe oxides [46]. A large body of literature
exists on the occurrence and importance of slow reactions between Ni and Fe
oxides (e.g. goethite), due to the slow diffusion towards the interior of the goethite
particles [76], although the formation of Ni-enriched phases cannot be excluded
[101]. In a recent experiment, Fischer et al. [45], reported that slow reactions of
Ni and Cr with goethite have a different dynamic as compared to those of Cd, Co,
Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn. This experimental evidence highlights the importance of
the FeAl bearing minerals in controlling sorption in NiCr contaminated soils.
As for the bioavailability of Ni in soils polluted by long term sludge application,
Hooda et al. [51] reported that the potential phytoavailable Ni estimated by the
DGT technique in ten consecutive deployments, accounted for 0.7% of total
Ni (56 mg kg1), which was a higher proportion as compared to Cd, Co, Cu, Pb,
but lower than that of Zn (3%) in the same soil.
Soil Cr contamination arises mainly from the uncontrolled emissions from
metallurgical industries, improper disposal of dye, tannery and textile industrial
wastes, and incorporation of sewage sludge into agricultural soils [83]. Chromium
production worldwide has increased from about 500,000 t year1 in 1930 [103]
to about 3 Mt year1 in 1985 and to about 4.5 Mt year1 in 2000 [49]. Although the
predominant industrially emitted form is Cr(III), significant levels Cr(VI) have been
detected in soils of various world regions (e.g. India, China), especially where no
soil protection legislation is enacted. A particular form of Cr contamination is found
326
at former wood treatment plants where chromated copper arsenate (CCA) has been
used for decades as a wood preservative. In these peculiar industrial sites, the
Cr accumulation into the surface soil may vary depending on the pedo-climatic
conditions. In a sandy acidic CCA polluted soil from northern Sweden, Kumpiene
et al. [64] reported soil Cr total concentrations in the range of 34,000 mg kg1
(plus As and Cu in the order of 56,000 and 1,500 mg kg1, respectively), whereas
in a sandy neutral French soil, Bes and Mench [14] reported no Cr and As accumulation, but only Cu enrichment (1,5002,600 mg kg1) of topsoil from a wood
impregnation plant.
The presence of Cr(VI) in soils incorporated with Cr-rich residues may be due
to mineral-mediated (e.g. Mn oxides) chemical oxidation described in the previous
paragraph. Notwithstanding the extensive research on the speciation of Cr in soil,
the complex behaviour of the various Cr species in different forms still results in
a high level of uncertainty on the prediction of Cr mobility and potential risks for
humans and ecosystems posed by Cr contamination of soils.
In volcanic soils affected by repeated Cr-polluted river flooding, Adamo et al. [1]
reported that among the several trace elements (Cu, Ni, Zn) exceeding the local
background values, Cr soil contamination was the only metal clearly related to
flooding events, and was mainly associated with short-range-order aluminosilicates
and organo-mineral complexes, and progressive Cr insolubilization with ageing
was also observed. In this study, soil micromorphology/SEM/WDS analyses also
revealed Cr and Cu enriched silt and clay coatings in surface and subsurface soil
horizons, suggesting a transfer of metal-rich sediments along the soil pore network
with water movement [1].
While Cr forms in contaminated wastewater have been characterized, less
information is available on Cr in the atmosphere. It is known that both Cr(III)
and Cr(VI) are generally present in the atmosphere in which Cr is dissolved in
aerosol or associated with particles of various radii. In the atmospheric aerosol, the
main Cr forms are: Cr(H2O)36+, Cr(OH)2+, HCrO4 and Cr2O72. Therefore, the
air-borne Cr is expected to be the form of chromium that undergoes to major
transformations in the soil environment.
In an interesting comparative experiment, Jones [56] evaluated the sorption of
Cr with that of other trivalent ions (Y, Rh, La, Pr, Gd) in two acidic soils with
different soil organic matter content. The main result of the study was that more
than 99% of the metals were associated with the exchangeable phase, and that
the main factors controlling the Cr solubility were the Al(III)+ release at acidic
pH (<4.5) and the organic matter dissolution at pH >5.0. In the same study, the
competitive binding of carboxylic acid was also shown [56]; this may have implications for the assessment of Cr phytoavailability in contaminated soils, due to the
relatively high concentrations of bi- and tri-carboxylic acid in the rhizosphere.
In a survey of six French soils polluted by atmospheric metal inputs, Gandois
et al. [48] reported that among several measured heavy metals Cr was larger than
Ni contamination, whereas Ni was more soluble than Cr using 0.01 M CaCl2 as
extractant, with soil pH and dissolved organic matter having the most significant
effect on Ni and Cr partitioning. This paper also well illustrates the differences in
11
Chromium and Nickel
327
the chemical behaviour of Ni and Cr in terms of solubility in relation to soil pH.

In fact, for acid soils soluble and exchangeable Ni, but not for Cr, was negatively
correlated with soil pH [48].
An important emerging aspect of soil pollution by trace elements is related
to the properties and environmental behaviour of the so called nanoparticles,
i.e. discrete entities with size in the order of 108107 m, today largely used for
production of new materials such as polymers, textiles, fuel and solar energy cell
liners, composite materials, biomarkers, diagnostics and sensors. Nanoparticles
behave differently from elements or polynuclear molecular aggregates, due to
their surface physico-chemical properties and reactivity.
Nickel and Cr nanoparticles are produced in large amounts mainly by
manufacturing and smelting activities. Their inhalation can lead to asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and ultimately lung cancer [23].
Nickel in bimetallic commercially available Ni/Fe nanoparticles, has been demonstrated to have catalytic properties towards LMWOCs and chlorinated organic
xenobiotics, mainly altering the reducing capacity of Fe in aqueous solutions [111].
However, information on the stability of these bimetallic nanoparticles in soil and
the eventual Ni leaching and toxicity is still poor. Among the fundamental properties, Cr containing nanoparticles of 20200 nm size may exhibit a net magnetic
moment at the surface [9], which influence their behaviour in the soil environment,
where magnetic minerals are largely present. Even for Cr-containing nanoparticles,
knowledge of their reactivity and stability in the soil environment is still scarce.
11.6
Concluding Comments
Nickel and Cr concentrations in soils and sediments have increased worldwide

during the last century due to mining, smelting and industrial activities. So, a
continuous research effort is needed not only to check the spread of these metals
in the environment, but especially to assess their real environmental mobility.
In this context, the study of the mechanisms responsible for the transfer of Ni and
Cr from environmental matrices to living organisms has fundamental importance in
order to clarify metal exposure routes to all biota and predict the relative
consequences. Furthermore, much research has to be dedicated both to the reduction of emissions of Ni and Cr into the environment during anthropogenic activities
and to the remediation of metal polluted soils, taking into account of the great
advantage of the availability of the naturally evolved Ni hyperaccumulating plants.
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107. Shanker, A. K., Cervantes, C., Loza-Tavera, H., & Avudainayagam, S. (2005). Chromium
toxicity in plants. Environment International, 31, 739753.
108. Sikora, E., Johnson, T., & Bullen, T. (2008). Microbial mass-dependent fractionation of
chromium isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72, 36313641.
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110. Syracuse Research Corporation. (1993). Toxicological profile for chromium. Prepared for
U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease. Registry, under Contract No. 205-88-0608.
111. Tee, Y.-H., Grulke, E., & Bhattacharyya, D. (2005). Role of Ni/Fe nanoparticle composition
on the degradation of trichloroethylene from water. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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Chromium and Nickel
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112. Tiller, K. G. (1963). Weathering and soil formation on dolerite in Tasmania, with particular
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Chapter 12
Cobalt and Manganese

Nicholas C. Uren
Abstract Cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) are closely associated in soils because
they have similar chemical properties. The main forms of Mn in soil are the watersoluble and exchangeable forms of Mn(II) and the insoluble Mn oxides, mainly
Mn(IV) and to a lesser and more uncertain extent as Mn(III). The concentration of
water-soluble plus exchangeable Mn(II) (WS+Exch Mn) is determined by the relative rates of the chemically independent and physically separate reactions, the
microbial oxidation of Mn(II) and the chemical reduction of the Mn oxides
(by organic matter). The solubility and availability of Co to plants is influenced
greatly by the activity of the Mn oxides and the reactions which affect Mn. The Mn
oxides also participate in sorption and oxidation reactions which impact on soil
health in that the former affects the availability of trace metals and the latter oxidises
organic moieties, of which some are phytotoxic.
Keywords Cobalt Manganese Attenuation Biogenic Mn oxides Microbial
oxidation Soil health Sorption
12.1
Introduction
Cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) are two heavy metals which have little of the
notoriety afforded to other heavy metals such as lead (Pb), for example. Their lack of
notoriety is a result of their lower potential to exert any toxic properties that they may
have and to the lack of appropriate situations, particularly in soils. Nevertheless, the
ability of Mn oxides to sorb preferentially heavy metals and to act as oxidants means
that they play significant roles soil health. Sometimes though their role as oxidants of
arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) may be deemed good (oxidation of As(III) to As(V))
N.C. Uren (*)

Department of Agricultural Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, VIC, Australia
335
336
N.C. Uren
or bad (oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI)). The close association of Co with Mn oxides in

soils is illustrated strikingly in electron micrographs of Mn accumulations in soils
(e.g. [88, 108]).
Rarely is Co of concern in the environment other than in agricultural situations
where its low availability in soils leads to disorders in ruminant livestock [153].
On the other hand, both Mn deficiency and toxicity occurs in plants and Mn may
be of environmental concern in a few situations associated with water quality and
the mining of Mn ores. Both Co and Mn are closely associated in primary minerals,
soils and sediments, but not so closely associated in biological systems although
both are essential to some organisms, Mn to nearly all and Co for animals and
prokaryotes; Co is still regarded as a beneficial element for plants [116].
This chapter will concentrate on some aspects of the behaviour of these two
elements in soils and on practical aspects in relation mainly to the environment and
plant growth.
12.2
Geochemical Occurrence
In igneous rocks both Co and Mn are present in the divalent state and are found
mostly in the ferromagnesian minerals where their respective divalent radii allow
them to substitute readily for Fe(II) and Mg(II) [41]. As a result, the concentrations
of Co and Mn are greatest in the ultrabasic and basic rocks such as serpentine and
basalt respectively and least in acidic rocks such as granite (Table 12.1).
During the weathering of igneous rocks and soil development, the Co(II) and
Mn(II) are released concomitantly as soluble Co2+ and Mn2+ from the ferromagnesian minerals early in the weathering cycle following the oxidation of Fe(II)
and acid attack on the silicate framework. Under some soil conditions, e.g., poor
drainage, their mobility is relatively high and they may be transported by leaching
to depth in the developing soil profile or lost in drainage waters. Thus, some Co and
Mn may move into groundwater and subsequently into streams and eventually the
oceans, although some Co may be retained in resistant minerals such as ilmenite
and magnetite [98]. However, predominantly both the Co2+ and Mn2+ are retained
in soil in association with layer silicates, organic colloids and mostly in oxides of
Mn, although the smaller ratio of Co to Mn in soil than in igneous rocks (Table 12.1)
suggests that Co is less well retained during soil formation than Mn.
In sedimentary rocks the concentrations of Mn and Co are highly variable, but as
a rule they are highest in fine-grained sediments e.g., shales, and lowest in coarsegrained sediments e.g., sandstones. The variations in concentrations of Mn and Co
in metamorphic rocks are as great as those in the parent rocks and so the variations
are as great as those found in igneous and sedimentary rocks.
Ultimately deficiencies of both elements are found primarily on sandy soils
and some peats whereas toxicities of Mn occur on soils derived from rocks which
contain high proportions of ferromagnesian minerals. The occurrence of Co deficiency in ruminant livestock grazing pastures on pumice soils in New Zealand is a
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337
Table 12.1 Total concentrations (mg kg1) of Co and Mn in soils and rocks
Earths crust Ultramafic Basic Granodiorite Granite Shale Limestone Soil
Co
25
Mn
950
Co/Mn ratio 0.026
150
1,300
0.12
50
10
2,200 1,200
0.023 0.0083
1
500
0.002
20
4
850
1,100
0.023 0.00036
140
850
0.000120.0047
From Levinson [65]
unique situation but not surprising since the most recent showers of rhyolitic pumice
contain mainly glass (>95%) and only traces of ferromagnesian minerals [136].
In soils, pedogenic accumulations of Mn occur as stains, cutans, nodules and
concretions, often in association with Fe and usually in soils which are poorly
drained or have been exposed to excessive wetness in a previous age. Thus, nodules
are complex objects, of which some are relics formed in a previous age, others are
forming while others may be dissolving; as Taylor and Pohlen [138] commented
Some have had a long and complicated history. Some aspects of their formation
and the Co associated with them shall be discussed later (Sect. 12.6).
12.3
Forms of Cobalt and Manganese in Soils
The forms and associations of both Co and Mn with phases of soil have been
summarised in Table 12.2.
12.3.1 Soluble Forms of Cobalt and Manganese

The hydrated ions of Mn(H2O)62+ and Co(H2O)62+ are the primary forms of interest
in the soil solution where they tend to form labile outer sphere complexes with
various ligands as the pH increases (Table 12.2). The ligands include the usual
anions found in the soil solution (e.g. OH, Cl, HCO3 etc.) and low molecular
weight organic moieties. The molar ratio given in Table 12.3 indicates the severe
competition that Mn2+ faces with respect to Ca2+ and Mg2+ as the pH increases even
though the dissolved organic carbon increases with increasing pH and the tendency
of Mn2+ to form complexes increases; the same applies to Co2+.
Mn2 Hn L $ MnL2n nH
(12.1)
The soluble forms of Co in the soil solution form labile outer sphere complexes
in the same manner as Mn (Table 12.4); little or no evidence of soluble Co(III)
exists [7, 171].
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N.C. Uren
Table 12.2 Forms and associations of Co and Mn with phases of soil

Phase of soil Form or association
Soil solution Soluble M(H2O)62+, MOH+, M(Ln)(2n)+
Organic
Exchangeable M2+ (Ca2+)a
Nonexchangeable M2+ (Ca2+); exchangeable M2+ (Cu2+)b
Nonexchangeable M2+ (Cu2+):
Mixture of Mn oxides and microbial cells
Inorganic
Exchangeable M2+ (Ca2+)
Nonexchangeable M2+ (Ca2+); exchangeable M2+ (Cu2+)
Nonexchangeable M2+ (Cu2+): lattice forms (occluded)
Primary minerals: danaite (Fe,Co)AsS, cobaltite CoAsS,
olivine, pyroxenes, amphiboles, biotite, ilmenite,
magnetite
Secondary minerals: hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn
M represents both Co and Mn where appropriate
a
Exchangeable with respect to Ca2+
b
Exchangeable with respect to Cu2+
c
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)
Notes
pH dependent
Outer sphere
Outer sphere and inner
sphere respectively
Inner sphere
Includes EPSc
Table 12.3 Effect of soil pH on concentrations of Mn, Ca, and Mg in the soil solution of a sandy
loam [50, 51]
Mn
Molar
ratio
Dissolved

Mn
Ca
Mg
Soil pH (1:5 Soil solution Removed by
organic C
CaMg
(mM)
Chelex 100 (%)
(mM) (mM)
H2O)
(mg L1)
4.5
217
52
94
15.3 9.4
9 103
4.9
32
50
84
19.0 8.6
1 103
5.6
3.1
83
96
19.5 6.6
1 104
6.7
0.41
91
196
27.6 6.1
1 105
7.5
0.34
95
245
32.4 6.2
9 106
Table 12.4 Effect of soil

solution pH on concentrations
of Co in soil solutions
displaced from a sandy loam
[124, 125]
Dissolved organic C
Co
pH
(mg L1)
(mM)
(Co2+)/(Co) ratio
4.75
5.40
5.80
6.15
6.60
35
45
59
70
75
0.13
0.05
0.07
0.06
0.03
0.5
0.5
0.2
0.1
<0.05
12.3.2 Insoluble Forms of Cobalt and Manganese

Exchangeable and non-exchangeable forms of Co2+ and Mn2+ are, in essence,
insoluble forms. The readily exchangeable Co2+ and Mn2+ are associated with
colloidal layer silicates and organic matter; one expects that their behaviour is not
greatly different to that of Ca2+ and Mg2+ [23, 38, 112]. McBride [80] agrees
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339
although he believes that Mn forms inner sphere complexes with surface groups on
organic matter at high pHs. Also, Tiller [145] discussed the specific adsorption of
Co2+ on layer silicates and although there is a propensity for it to occur as the pH
increases, implying less competition from H+ and an increasing tendency for
CoOH+ to be adsorbed, the Mn oxides would seem to take over in soil.
12.3.2.1
Oxides and Hydrous Oxides of Manganese
Most of the oxides of Mn which have been identified in soils are macroscopic
forms and are relatively unreactive towards mild reducing agents. The more finely
divided Mn oxides are more reactive towards mild reducing agents, but these oxides
are difficult to identify because of the low concentrations and because they tend
to be amorphous. Of the identifiable oxides and hydroxides of Mn which are found
in soil, the two most common forms are birnessite [(Na0.7Ca0.3)Mn7O14.2.8H2O]
and vernadite [d-MnO2] [39, 91]; there are others, e.g. lithiophorite [(Al, Li)
MnO2(OH)2], but they are less common.
Few of the naturally occurring oxides contain high proportions of Mn(III) and
most Mn present is Mn(IV); for soils the most common Mn oxides, birnessite
and vernadite, contain primarily Mn(IV) [91]. Although Mn(III) appears to be an
essential intermediate in the pathways of both the microbial oxidation of Mn(II) and
the reduction of Mn(IV), its persistence and behaviour in natural compounds and
environmental systems has been ignored [74].
The zero points of charge, ZPCs, of these Mn oxides are generally low, about 3
or even less for d-MnO2 while the specific surface area (SSA) ranges widely from
values as low as 1 or 2 and may be as high as between 130 and 300 m2g1 for
d-MnO2 [139]. Tebo et al. [141], in summarising the properties of microbial
Mn oxides produced in cultures, state that they are typically high average oxidation
state [i.e., structural Mn(IV)] layer-type oxides with very high specific surface areas
and poor crystallinity, most closely resembling d-MnO2 or H+-birnessite. Thus, it
would seem that given time and persistence the product of microbial oxidation in
soils changes to more crystalline versions. For an extensive review of the
mechanisms of formation and properties of biogenic Mn oxides the reader is referred
to Tebo et al. [140].
In the context of this chapter, as indicated earlier, there are two forms of Mn
oxides which can be crudely divided into chemically reactive and unreactive.
The former oxides are a valuable source of Mn to plants while the latter are unreactive
towards mild reducing agents (e.g., quinol) and reducible in stronger reducing agents
(e.g., dithionite), but nevertheless of great interest for example as sinks for heavy
metals. The reducibility of Mn oxides depends upon their crystallinity, SSA, degree
of hydration and composition [166]. These physicochemical attributes in the synthetic
oxides are determined by the way in which they are prepared, where wet way preparations are usually reactive while dry way preparations are of low reactivity [87].
Since a main interest in Mn oxides is their ability to oxidise organic compounds,
340
N.C. Uren
i.e. their reducibility, a standard test of their reducibility under standard conditions
as suggested by Fatiadi [33] would be appropriate.
12.4
Behaviour in Soils
Probably for too long the strict adherence to predictions afforded to us by thermodynamics have let us down when it comes to the behaviour of Mn in soils. The
predictions are indications of what might happen given time, but they do not give
any indications of reaction rates, catalysed or not. Also, molecular oxygen (O2) in
spite of its high redox potential is a sluggish oxidant such that in soils soluble reducing
agents persist but may react with Mn oxides. The competition between O2 and
Mn oxides in soils is between a mobile gas with low solubility and low diffusion
rate in water and an insoluble but strong oxidant.
12.4.1 Oxidation
The oxidation of Mn(II) can occur through either abiotic means either autooxidation or catalytic oxidation, or by microbial processes. Morgan [100] has
estimated that the relative half-lives of the disappearance of Mn(II) at pH 8 in
aqueous systems are (a) 10 h for bacterial oxidation, (b) 30 days for oxidation by
surface catalysis, and (c) 400 days for auto-oxidation; a relative order of 1:72: 960,
i.e. auto-oxidation is about 1,000 times slower than the rate of microbial oxidation.
Although the primary stable form of Co in the environment is Co2+, its oxidation to
Co3+ can occur; the Co3+ readily hydrolyses and is rendered insoluble.
12.4.1.1
Auto-Oxidation
The best representation of the reaction is probably:

Mn2 0:5x 1O2 H2 O ! MnOx 2H
where 1 < x 2. The Mn oxide (bold print) is insoluble while the other species
are in solution. The thermodynamic prediction is such that one expects oxidation
of Mn2+ to occur readily down to pHs around 4, but because the activation energy of
Mn(II) oxidation is high it doesnt proceed as readily even in the presence of
molecular O2 [139]. In general, reactions with molecular O2 at ambient temperatures
of the environment generally proceed very slowly [32], and because of this both
Mn2+ and organic reducing agents persist in soils of acidic and neutral pHs when one
would otherwise expect them to be oxidised by O2 [83].
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341
Even when alkali is added to a solution of a Mn(II) salt nothing happens to the
faint pink solution until the first signs of precipitation of Mn hydroxide occurs,
but once the buff coloured hydroxide appears at a pH of about 8 or more it very
quickly turns brown due to oxidation by O2 from the solution and the atmosphere.
It would seem, that in the absence of the Mn hydroxide, O2 is an incompetent
oxidant, but when the Mn hydroxide forms, the O2 is transformed into a competent
oxidant, which may due to the sorption of the O2 molecule and its conversion
into a much more aggressive oxidant such as atomic O [32]. The primary product
of autoxidation of Mn(II) in oversaturated solutions is commonly found to be
manganite (g-MnOOH) [56, 101] and measurable rates of oxidation are observed
in such solutions, but the rates are slow when compared with oxidation catalysed by
microbes and some surface catalysts [31, 100].
12.4.1.2
Catalytic Oxidation of Mn2+
The catalytic oxidation of Mn2+ in soil may occur because of the presence of the
diverse array of surfaces, but since humic substances have been found to decrease
the rate of catalytic oxidation of Mn(II) on a variety of surfaces [174], it becomes a
problematic proposition and almost impossible to resolve.
12.4.1.3
Microbial Oxidation of Manganese (II)
A wide range of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, microalgae and even

spores of bacteria, in a wide range of environments, are able to catalyse with ease
the oxidation of Mn(II) such that biogenic Mn oxides are formed rapidly from Mn(II)
at all pHs of environmental systems greater than 4. The mechanism by which
microbes oxidise Mn(II) has been discussed in detail by Tebo et al. [140]. In all
cases the Mn oxide is found outside the cell, sometimes on the cell or in the biofilm
of EPS surrounding the cell [150], and in some cases Mn oxides are observed in
agar culture quite remote from the site of microbial growth (e.g. [20]). In the former
cases similar extracellular enzymes have been identified for a number of different
species of bacteria, while in the latter case a mobile oxidant or promoter of oxidation
has diffused into sterile regions of the agar and caused oxidation, but nothing is
known about the oxidant responsible. Nevertheless, it is likely that such a compound
is rapidly reduced in the soil environment and so any impact it might have would be
near its source.
Because soil is a different and more complex system than water alone, and
surfaces may catalyse Mn(II) oxidation, some doubt has been expressed about the
role of microorganisms in the oxidation of Mn in soils (e.g. [82, 120]). Nevertheless,
the weight of evidence for microbial oxidation is strong [36].
Abiotic oxidation of Mn2+ is favoured, one would expect, by (a) increasing the
activity of Mn2+, (b) increasing the pH, and (c) increasing the partial pressure of O2.
Respectively, there is much evidence (a) that the microbial oxidation of Mn2+ is
342
N.C. Uren
inhibited by high concentrations of Mn2+ in cultures (e.g. [15]) and agar (e.g. [62]);
(b) that microbial oxidation for a Mn-oxidising microbe from soil usually has an
optimum pH for oxidation so that increasing the pH can inhibit microbial oxidation
of Mn2+ (e.g. [16, 17]) which may explain the seemingly incongruous result where
liming increases Mn availability on a Mn deficient soil of neutral pH [52, 53]; and
(c) that microbial oxidation in soils and other environments has been observed in
microaerophilic environments near an oxic/anoxic interface (e.g. [143, 161]).
Ross and Bartlett [120] claim that there are few cases where successful
re-inoculation of an isolated Mn-oxidising microbe has been recorded. There are a
few reasons why that may be so. Firstly, the introduction of microbes into soil is
not favoured with a high rate of success [4], and secondly, autoclaved soils are no
longer the soils they used to be [128]. Nevertheless Thompson et al. [143] successfully re-inoculated an autoclaved soil with a Mn-oxidising fungus isolated from the
same soil and were able to observe vigorous and extensive deposition of Mn oxides
around the hyphae. They also found that the optimum temperature for oxidation by
fungi in soil was 21oC, while oxidation was totally inhibited at 3oC and 52oC.
Thus, it is known that the oxidation of Mn(II) in soils:
(a) is brought about by a diverse array of Mn(II)-oxidising microbes;
(b) occurs at all soil pHs even as low as 4;
(c) is inhibited by soil sterilisation with poisons, desiccation, dry heat, steam, and
irradiation;
(d) produces a poorly crystalline form of layered Mn oxide, similar to birnessite or
vernadite (d-MnO2), with a high SSA and oxidation state (i.e. x in MnOx 2);
(e) produces an insoluble oxide which is a strong oxidant and easily reducible;
(f) produces an oxide which is enveloped with a mass of cells in a biofilm or matrix
of EPS; and
(g) produces an oxide which has a strong capacity to sorb trace metals.
The presence of EPS or biofilms has been noted in some investigations
[37, 149, 164], but what may happen in soil has not been considered. The highly
hydrated EPS would shrink considerably on drying, drawing the oxide particles
together. The reversibility of rehydration and swelling and the biodegradability of
the EPS are significant issues also.
Further, no attention has been given to the fact that microbial oxidation of
Mn (II) in soil would be restricted to soil pores large enough to accommodate
the colonies of Mn-oxidising microorganisms and where conditions are favourable
to their existence. This means that the microbial Mn oxides will be found predominantly in mesopores (330 mm) and on the surfaces of macropores such that the
oxides are unevenly distributed throughout soil and tend to be found between
aggregates and on their surfaces, a situation which would favour availability to
plant roots (see Sect. 12.7).
However, with time and in certain situations, Mn oxides accumulate in relatively
unreactive forms, the mechanism of which is uncertain. The longer a biogenic
Mn oxide persists, the less reactive it is likely to become because of ageing, a process
associated with increasing crystallinity, decreasing hydration, decreasing SSA and
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343
progressive exclusion and replacement of metals with less affinity for sites within the
lattice than others such as Co [166]. The first step in this process may be a decrease in
SSA associated with microbial oxidation and accumulation at select spots [157], the
relatively lower SSA decreases reducibility which then allows the physico-chemical
processes of ageing to proceed; only strong reducing agents (e.g. dithionite) or
waterlogging can release the Mn from such forms. When autolysis occurs and
enzymes and cell constituents are released, some products may reduce the Mn oxides.
12.4.2 Reduction of Manganese Oxides

The general reaction for the reduction of insoluble Mn oxides is:
MnOx 2xH 2x 1e ! Mn2 xH2 O
where 1 < x 2 and in soil the source of electrons (e) could be any appropriate reducing agent, usually an organic moiety such as a phenol, or reducing
agents produced by microbes, or microbes utilising the MnOx as an alternative
electron acceptor in their metabolism. The latter reaction is only of significance
in poorly drained anoxic situations where O2 and other alternative electron acceptors such as NO3 are scarce.
The form of the Mn oxide will determine its reducibility. The microbial
Mn oxides, because they are usually poorly crystalline and have a high specific
surface area, are readily reducible. Other forms are less easily reducible and require stronger reducing agents (e.g. dithionite) and conditions (e.g., anaerobiosis) to
be reduced and for the Mn to come into solution as Mn (II).
In soil, the organic compounds which can reduce Mn oxides range from low
molecular weight compounds such as pyruvate to large polymeric compounds.
The range of phenolic compounds in soils is extensive and mostly are chemically
bound to surfaces [132] so that their reducing capability with respect to reactive
Mn oxides is only expressed when they desorb into the soil solution. More complex
oxidative polymerisation of polyphenols by Mn oxides has been investigated by
many (e.g. [131]), and discussed at length by Whelan et al. [173], such that one
appreciates the important role that the microbial oxidation of Mn(II) plays in the
regeneration of Mn oxides. The fact that insoluble Mn oxides can oxidise organic
compounds in the passive presence of molecular O2 illustrates their effectiveness
as an oxidant.
The situation is complex, probably far beyond what we can imagine, because for
example, products of the reduction reaction e.g. polymerised products and adsorbed
Mn2+, inhibit further reduction [76] in mixed batch reactors. In soil, the same
inhibitions may occur but the extent will depend on conditions such as activities
of reactants, products and ambient electrolytes, and the physical access of the
344
N.C. Uren
Mn oxides and their reactivity. Although many organic compounds identified in

soils have been shown to reduce Mn oxides, the forms of organic matter actually
present in the soil solution have not been explored with respect to their ability to
react with Mn oxides. However, with GCMS and HPLC one could easily investigate the forms in the soil solution, particularly with respect to their relative reducing
ability and the products which are formed; the same changes could be investigated
with root exudates.
Other organic molecules with reducing ability are produced by roots in solution
cultures [159]. For example, Park et al. [110] isolated root exudates of sunflowers
(Helianthus annuus) and found hydroquinone, vanillic acid, caffeic acid and other
organic compounds capable of reducing Mn oxides. Most allelochemicals are
largely phenolic and are oxidised by Mn oxides [64, 81] and so their effectiveness
and persistence in soil may be determined by the status of the Mn oxides in soil; also
many phytoalexins are phenolic compounds [106] and would probably behave in the
same way. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by soils and their
proclivity to react with Mn oxides have not been investigated. One hundred VOCs
were derived from [28] soil and 12 litter samples from a wide range of ecosystems in
the USA [63]. A study of their oxidation by Mn oxides at ambient temperatures
would be interesting and may indicate whether or not VOCs contribute to the release
of Mn2+ when soils are air-dried.
The reduction of Mn oxides can be brought about by microbes by indirect means,
most commonly by the production of acid and reducing agents [36]. Under waterlogged conditions, where the pH usually rises, the Mn oxides are reduced by
metabolic by-products from microbial metabolism and by their use as an alternative
electron acceptor in microbial respiration. Much is known about the microbial
reduction of both Fe and Mn in those environments where anaerobic respiration is
active [73, 103].
The reduction of Co(III) has not been studied with respect to soil but presumably
its chemical reduction is brought about by similar compounds and in similar circumstances to the reduction of Mn oxides, perhaps less easily.
12.4.2.1
Redox Potential
The redox potential of a soil is discussed often as if it is a significant property and

that it represents a delicately poised equilibrium between the oxidised and reduced
species present. Well it might be except that there are a few problems which make
it difficult to have much faith in it, so much so that one cannot regard measured
redox potentials as little better than ball park figures and that They are useful to
classify soils as oxic, suboxic, or anoxic, but little beyond that. Sposito [135].
Part of the problem is that molecular O2 as discussed above is a feeble oxidant of both
Mn2+ and organic reductants, and that some of the significant couples are of soluble
and insoluble species e.g. Mn2+/MnOx.
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345
12.4.3 Equilibrium
Microbial oxidation

!
Mn2

MnOx
Reduction
The equilibrium between microbial oxidation and reduction in soils is best

represented as above where the microbial oxidation of Mn2+ (forward reaction) is
favoured by increasing pH whilst the reduction of MnOx (back reaction) is favoured by decreasing pH. In a moist and aerobic soil under a certain set of circumstances, say field capacity and at a constant temperature, there is a balance between
the rates of microbial oxidation and reduction by organic moieties; the reactions,
as depicted earlier, take place simultaneously and somewhat independently of one
another, particularly in space. The concentration of water-soluble plus exchangeable Mn2+ (WS+Exch Mn) remains constant and it is an average concentration of
many independent microsites that contribute upon extraction. One cannot call it
an equilibrium in a true chemical sense since the reactions are independent of each
other particularly in space where reduction of Mn may be occurring in pores of all
sizes including those which are too small to accommodate microbes including
Mn-oxidising microbes. If either reaction is favoured over the other, the balance
will be affected and the concentration of WS+Exch Mn will change appropriately.
The temporal variation in the concentration of WS+Exch Mn in the field arises
from various causes [25, 133, 134], but primarily from changes in water potential
and temperature insofar as they affect microbial activity [24]. Reduction is favoured by the addition of both acid and readily biodegradable organic matter and by
waterlogging. Also, anything which inhibits microbial oxidation such as drying will
favour reduction and the WS+Exch Mn will increase. Much less is known about
what factors favour microbial oxidation other than it occurs most rapidly at near
neutral pHs under constant conditions of moderate temperatures, although oxidation
has been measured in acidic soils down to pHs of 4 and down to a temperature of 10
[133]. The complexity is high because several different species of microbes may be
responsible, each of which has its own set of optimal conditions for oxidation with
respect to factors such as pH, temperature and ambient O2 supply.
Air-drying of paddy soils, both in the laboratory and in the field, has shown
concomitant increases in WS + Exch forms of Co and Mn, whereas Cu was not
affected greatly [77, 78]. Li et al. [68] also found that air-drying of soils increased
the concentration of Co extracted by 0.05 M CaCl2 but air-drying did not affect the
concentration of Co extracted by 0.02 M EDTA (pH 7). The apparent discrepancy
can be explained by the fact that the CaCl2 extracted largely WS+Exch Co which
increases on air-drying as a result of the reduction of easily reducible Mn oxides,
whereas EDTA (pH 7) does not discriminate between Co associated with easily
reducible microbial Mn oxides [18] and the WS+Exch Co in the air-dry soils and in
the field moist soils.
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Air-drying usually leads to increased concentrations of WS+Exch Mn(II) measured

upon extraction. Logically, during desiccation the physical disruption of cells and
release of contents is proceeding, but in the virtual absence of water and of volatile
reactive compounds, there is no opportunity for the potential reactants to move and
so physical separation prevents change. Upon extraction as soon as water is added to
the soil the potential reactants can move and, aided by the mixing that occurs upon
extraction, the Mn oxides are quickly attacked by what reactants are there, albeit
in limited amounts. Since Ross et al. [121, 122] found, using x-ray absorption near
edge structure spectroscopy (XANES spectroscopy), no difference between single
scans of moist samples and their air-dried (3 weeks) counterparts then it would appear
that the reduction takes place on re-wetting when the air-dry soil is extracted. Whether
or not the technique is sensitive enough to detect the relatively small changes in Mn(II)
concentrations on air-drying is uncertain, although Guest et al. [43] claim that the
method gives a semi-quantitative measure.
Complete or partial sterilisation by steam, heat, drying, g-irradiation, biocides,
fumigants etc. cause an increase in WS+Exch Mn(II) because each of these
treatments inhibit the microbial oxidation of Mn(II) while at the same time chemical
reduction by organic matter continues at various rates determined by the conditions
in the soil imposed by the treatment. For example, some fumigants not only inhibit
the microbial oxidation of Mn(II) but also are reducing agents in their own right.
Upon air-drying, as discussed above, drying inhibits the microbial oxidation of
Mn(II) but reduction is favoured in the short time it takes for extraction.
12.5
Oxidation of Cobalt (II) to Cobalt (III)
Auto-oxidation of Co2+ does not occur readily, but observations suggest that some
Mn oxides oxidise Co2+ to Co3+ [86]. McKenzie [90] observed that the colour of
Mn oxides changed from brown to black after adsorption of Mn2+ and Co2+, a change
which can be interpreted as a change in oxidation state. Crowther et al. [28] confirmed
by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy that sorption of Co2+ by a synthetic birnessite
was accompanied by the oxidation of the Co2+ to Co3+ by Mn(IV), possibly by way of
the reaction:
2Co2 aq 2MnO2s 3H2 Ol ! 2CoOOHs Mn2 O3s 4H aq:
The oxidation occurred at pHs from 4 to 7 while at pHs of 8 and 10 Co(OH)2
precipitated on the oxide surface.
Biogenic Mn oxides have been shown to oxidise Co(II) to Co(III) with incorporation of Co(III) into the lattice [102, 126]. In soils the Co associated with oxides
of Mn is most likely trivalent so that both concomitant reduction of the Mn
oxides and the Co(III) needs to occur before Co and Mn are in divalent forms
which plants can use.
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12.6
347
Nodular Forms of Manganese
Nodular forms of Mn that are found in soils have been studied with increasing vigour
in recent years because they represent sinks for heavy metals and because now the
combined use of synchroton-based analytical techniques offer a lot with respect to
the study of Mn accumulations in soils with greater analytical and crystallographic
resolution than in the past (e.g. [79]). As a result, much is now known about FeMn
nodules, their morphology, composition and mineralogy but little is known about
their formation other than they form in soils under alternating periods of waterlogging and drying, reduction and oxidation respectively. The concentric rings in the
cross-sectional view of so many FeMn nodules represent periods of oxidation of
Mn2+ and Fe2+ mobilised from insoluble oxides during the periods of waterlogging
(e.g. [71, 109]).
It is difficult to devise a satisfactory theory which explains the formation of relict
nodules. The only satisfactory dating of Mn oxides requires the use of 40Ar39Ar
ratios which in turn is based on the decay of naturally occurring 40 K to 40Ar [27].
However, of the Mn oxides only cryptomelane has sufficiently high K concentrations and since it is not a common Mn oxide found in soils [91], the usefulness of
this method of dating is restricted. Also, because many relict nodules have formed
under conditions which existed in paleoenvironments [42] the uncertainty is high.
However, assuming that contemporary Mn accumulations develop in the same
way as the relict nodules then one would expect that the greatest degree of certainty
about mechanisms and processes of formation could come from systematic investigation of the formation of Mn accumulations in paddy soils where cycles of wetting
and drying have been regulated for centuries. These redoximorphic soils are no
older than about 2,000 years old, their history and recent pedologic evolution are
known, and much of the uncertainty surrounding dating should not arise.
Studies of the pedogenic evolution of the paddy soils coupled with the analytical
techniques referred to above and other studies of the microbial populations inside Mn
nodules and the surrounding soil [19, 20, 45, 176] provide an opportunity to advance
the science of the genesis of nodular concretions. Because they are sinks for heavy
metals, their formation represents perhaps a means by which remediation of soils
polluted with heavy metals may be achieved.
The subject of the sorption and associations of trace metals by and with Mn
oxides respectively is too large to review here (the topic with respect to microbial
Mn oxides has been reviewed recently [99, 165]), and so only the association
between Co and Mn oxides will be discussed. Tiller [144] observed the strong
association between Co and Mn in krasnozems (ferrosols) formed on dolerite in
Tasmania; in some profiles Mn and Co were found in pockets and veins of
lithiophorite. Further investigations of manganiferous accumulations in a diverse
array of Australian soils by Taylor and McKenzie [137] showed that about 80% of
the total Co in the soils was associated with Mn oxides, primarily lithiophorite and
birnessite. Similar investigations have found the association to be strong in most
FeMn nodules (e.g. [22]), some soils [35] and less obviously so in some others
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(e.g. [49, 68]). However, in a study of soil nodules McKenzie [88] found that although
all high concentrations of Co were associated with moderate to high concentrations
of Mn, there were many spots with high concentrations of Mn which had low concentrations of Co. The close association between the total Mn concentration in soils and
Co uptake of applied Co by clover further confirmed the connection and the indicated
the practical problem of fixation of recently applied Co [2, 89].
12.7
Availability of Manganese to Plants
In the field, both Mn deficiency and toxicity occur throughout the world [119, 127],
but in a practical sense deficiency is easily dealt with by the use of tolerant species
and varieties, foliar sprays and fertilisers [44]. Similarly, Mn toxicity is found
worldwide on acidic soils, either naturally or induced, and is managed by the
selection of tolerant species and varieties and by the application of lime; where
episodes of infrequent waterlogging lead to Mn toxicity liming may not be sufficient
to overcome the toxicity and some measures to improve drainage may be required.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the solutions to the practical problems of Mn
deficiency and toxicity, there are issues of understanding which need to be resolved
with respect to availability and some of these are dealt with below.
12.7.1 Factors Influencing Manganese Availability

A simplified representation of the basic transformations of Mn in soils and uptake
by plant roots is given thus:
MnOx
Insoluble & Reducible
Reduction !
Microbial oxidation
uptake
Mn2 ---------> Roots
Watersoluble
exchangeable
The main soil factors which have been shown to influence the availability of Mn
are WS+Exch Mn(II), reactive Mn oxides, structure and pH (Table 12.5). While the
plant factors are less clear, it is well known that some plant species are better at
deriving Mn from soils and some genotypes of the same species are better at deriving
Mn from the same soils. The situation is made even more complex by the impact of
environmental factors, particularly those that affect plant growth and microbial
activity such as temperature and rainfall.
The uptake of Mn from soils by plants is dominated by the effect of pH on the
solubility of Mn2+ in the soil solution and as a readily exchangeable cation. The forms
utilised by plants depend strongly upon pH [155, 158]. At neutral to alkaline pHs
where the concentrations of WS+Exch Mn are low and bear no relationship to availability, Mn uptake takes place by a mechanism called contact reduction [61, 162],
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Table 12.5 Factors influencing the availability of Mn (and Co) to plants growing in soil
Soil
pH
Sorption of Mn2+ (and Co2+)
Oxidation of Mn2+ (and Co2+)
Reduction of MnOx (and Co3+)
Microbial activity
Reducibility of Mn oxides
Specific surface area
Crystallinity
Composition
Hydration
Structure
Contact
Aeration
Water potential
Aeration
Plant
Species
Variety
Root growth and surface area
Length
Thickness
Total surface area
Reducing capacity of roots
Environmental
Climate
Rainfall: amount and distribution
Temperature
where roots contact and reduce Mn oxides to Mn2+ under the right set of circumstances [162]; the Mn2+ thus formed then moves through the mucilage at the soil-root
interface and is absorbed by the root. As the soil pH decreases, the concentration of
WS+Exch Mn increases, and Mn uptake by contact reduction occurs but
it is increasingly overtaken quantitatively by uptake by diffusion and convection
(mass flow). At strongly acidic pHs, where Mn toxicity may occur, uptake by convection predominates. In the soils where uptake by convection and diffusion predominate measures of WS+Exch Mn such as 0.01 M CaCl2 give reasonable estimates
of availability.
When Jones and Leeper [54, 55] started to investigate the role of Mn oxides in
plant nutrition they realised quickly that there were many different oxides of Mn, so
that adding a Mn oxide to a Mn-deficient soil was not necessarily guaranteed to be
successful. The Mn oxides prepared by wet way methods (e.g. d-MnO2 usually)
were found to be the most effective sources of Mn because they are most reactive
whereas dry-way preparations (e.g. b-MnO2usually) were ineffective.
The optimal rates of Mn applied to deficient soil of neutral to alkaline pH, either
broadcast or banded, range from 5 to 50 kg ha1 [119]. Apart from Walter [169]
there has been little interest in the development of fertiliser forms of Mn because of
the rapid fixation/attenuation in soils of high pH, particularly calcareous soils.
The fertiliser forms of Mn, which are usually soluble sources of Mn2+, are quickly
oxidised microbially to insoluble oxides and they lose their usefulness with time
such that a new addition needs to be made with the next crop. For example, Brennan
et al. [14] found that the residual value of previously applied Mn to two acidic sands
in Western Australia was not as effective as current soil applications to prevent split
seed in lupins, and that the effectiveness decreased with increasing time. In contrast,
the residual value of Cu and Zn on similar soils may be 10 years or more [12, 13].
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Attenuation of soluble Mn(II) applied to soil may simply be due to the conversion
to an insoluble oxide of Mn and subsequent ageing processes. However, because
reactive Mn oxides added to soil can cure Mn deficiency [54, 55] there must be
processes in addition to microbial oxidation which contribute to the decrease in
availability. The tendency of Mn to accumulate in spots [157] will decrease the
surface area available to roots much more than if the oxides were evenly distributed
throughout the soil. Although the presence of a hydrated biofilm surrounding
a biogenic Mn oxide appeared not to interfere with the reductive dissolution of the
oxide [149], dehydration and shrinkage of the biofilm, particularly if not readily
reversible, may cause a decrease in the surface area available to reducing agents
and hinder the reaction. Also, the shrinkage of the biofilm may withdraw the Mn
oxide into pores that are physically inaccessible to root surfaces and thus decrease
the opportunity for contact reduction. Repeated cycles of wetting up and dehydration
are likely to lead to an increase in crystallinity and anhydrous character of the
Mn oxides, which in turn lead to lower reactivity.
Apart from foliar sprays, fertiliser application and appropriate selection of Mn
efficient species and genotypes, the severity of Mn deficiency can be overcome to
some extent by the use of seeds with a high Mn content. For example, Longnecker
et al. showed that barley with an increased Mn content in the seed can increase grain
yield under conditions of extreme Mn deficiency [72].
12.7.2 Estimation of Plant Availability

The estimation of plant availability is not easy because of the numerous factors
involved (Table 12.5). Nevertheless with an understanding of the factors involved
and armed with appropriate soil and plant analyses, the experienced farmer or
agronomist can manage Mn deficiency and toxicity with relative ease. The same
also applies to Co deficiency.
12.7.2.1
Plant Analysis
Availability of an element in a soil to plants can only be measured properly by the

total uptake of that element by the plant in the soil in question i.e. uptake total
yield concentration. However, because the whole plant cannot be sampled for
analysis (e.g. perennial plants), compromises are made and for the most part a
particular plant tissue (e.g. youngest expanded leaf blade, petiole) at a certain stage
of growth can be used as a fairly reliable indicator of the need or otherwise for Mn
fertilisation, usually by foliar sprays and soil application [40, 119].
12.7.2.2
Routine Soil Analysis
Soil tests are really a very crude estimate of availability, albeit quick and easy
[118]. This seemingly unsatisfactory situation arises because the availability of Mn
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is a function of the interaction between plants, roots in particular, and soils, such that
the situation cannot be solved simply by soil analysis alone [158]. The inadequacy of
soil tests on their own is well illustrated by the fact that some varieties show no
deficiency symptoms on some soils, whereas on the same soil other varieties are
deficient; also an abnormally high rainfall event may cause the onset of Mn toxicity
in a crop. The soil factors which most influence Mn solubility in soils are pH,
microbial activity, and the reducibility of Mn oxides, yet factors such as soil structure are known to affect availability [40, 113]. The routine sampling and testing of
soils disregards the significance of structure and the localisation of Mn oxides in
mesopores as discussed above. It should be noted here that any shortcomings of soil
tests with respect to Mn will be equally relevant with respect to Co in lieu of their
close association, chemistry and behaviour.
12.7.2.3
Sequential Fractionation Schemes
Sequential fractionation schemes have been used to chemically identify various

forms of elements and their associations (e.g. [75, 146, 147]). However, there are
difficulties that arise from the conflict between the different aims (e.g. chemical
speciation vs. bioavailability) and the level of understanding, particularly of the
forms and behaviour of Mn. Also, the schemes are criticised (e.g. [59, 84]) because
they are indirect, resorption can occur with some extractants, and they can
have limited specificity when compared with physical techniques such as microprobe analyses and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Beckett [9] clearly indicated
many problems associated with the choice of extractants, and how an extractant
such as sodium pyrophosphate, because it acts as a complexing agent, a peptizing
agent and a solvent, it solubilises soil organic matter which in turn acts as a
reducing agent [97]. In spite of all these shortcomings and its lack of specificity,
sodium pyrophosphate continues to be used.
Other issues that are commonly overlooked in both routine soil tests and fractionation schemes are: (i) extraction with a simple salt such as CaCl2 causes
desorption of H+ which gives rise to a decrease in pH and may increase the
concentration of WS+Exch Mn(II) because the pH decrease favours the reduction
of readily reducible Mn oxides by organic matter; (ii) 0.05 M Na2H2EDTA at pH 4.6
will dissolve Mn oxides and as the pH increases less Mn is dissolved, but even at
pH 7 dissolution still occurs [18]; (iii) H2O2 can reduce reactive Mn oxides in mildly
acidic media (e.g. [60]); (iv) Na hypochlorite can dissolve reactive Mn oxides by
oxidising Mn to permanganate [5, 60, 163]; (v) 0.5 M CuSO4 at pH 3 [43] will
dissolve soil active Mn oxides through reduction by soil organic matter, a reaction
facilitated by the displacement of Mn2+ by Cu2+; and (vi) sodium acetate at pH 5,
as used by Tessier et al. [142] and many others, will displace H+ from most soils,
cause reduction of readily reducible Mn oxides, and thus release metals associated
with the oxides, not just carbonate bound.
A continuous-flow sequential extraction scheme was used by Tongtavee
et al. [151] to evaluate the chemical associations between Co and Mn, but
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unfortunately the first two extractants they used are 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 and
0.11 M CH3COOH, both of which would acidify the suspension and cause the
reduction of active Mn oxides and the release of Mn and associated elements
into solution. Otherwise the method shows promise to investigate relationships
between elements.
12.8
Other Availability Issues
12.8.1 Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae

There is evidence which suggests that inoculation of sterilised soil with vesicular
arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) may decrease the acquisition of Mn by plants [24],
although the effect may only be observed in some soils, with some plant species and
with some, but not all VAM [6, 10, 57, 107]. Because the VAM inoculum used
may contain propagules other than spores, and may contain contaminating microbes
capable of oxidising Mn(II), it is likely that oxidation occurs and alleviates Mn
toxicity that may have arisen from the sterilisation procedure. The outcome is that
the apparent success of VAM to stimulate plant growth in some experimental
systems is not necessarily due to improved P nutrition, for example, and the possibility
of Mn toxicity was not considered to have an impact on the growth of the plant species
under consideration.
In much research into the effects of VAM on plant growth, every attempt is made
to obtain an inoculum of spores free of contaminating microorganisms [148],
but such stringent requirements may be superfluous since VAM have been found
to contain endobacteria [11]. The species of endobacteria present represent a wide
range including species from the genera Bacillus, Burkholderia, and Pseudomonas.
All of these genera contain species capable of oxidising Mn(II), and Cahyani
et al. [20] recently found Burkholderia species were the most common bacterial
strains isolated from Mn nodules from paddy subsoils. It would seem that it is
impossible to produce a reliable inoculum of a VAM free of other microbes.
12.8.2 Zinc-Induced Manganese Deficiency

Zinc-induced Mn deficiency has been observed in a number of situations where soils
have become contaminated with Zn [30, 114, 152, 154]. When a strongly acidic
sandy loam was limed and up to 400 mg kg1 of Zn as ZnSO4 was added, symptoms
of Mn deficiency in oats were found in plants at pH 6.1 (1:2 H2O) and with 100, 200
and 400 mg kg1 of added Zn; no symptoms were observed in any plants at higher or
lower pH or with less Zn than 100 mg kg1 added [154, 160]. The mechanism of the
interaction is not an obvious one but it deserves further investigation. Most cases are
associated with former sewage farms where high concentrations of Zn exist and
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353
where the soils have been depleted of active Mn through leaching with high BOD
water. If the soils are limed to overcome the potential toxicity and mobility of the
heavy metals that have accumulated over the years, then Zn-induced Mn deficiency
may arise.
12.8.3 Mundulla Yellows

A dieback disorder of Eucalyptus species and other native Australian plants called
Mundulla yellows (MY) is found along limestone roads in the south-east of South
Australia. Awareness of MY arose in the 1990s when it was believed to be caused by
biotic agents, herbicide residues, global warming etc., but it was not long before
these agents were discounted. The disorder is found in the same area where Samuel
and Piper [123] investigated what was known locally as road take-all, a disorder
found in oats growing along limestone roads in the region and which proved to
be Mn deficiency. Other trace element deficiencies occur in pine forests alongside
roads in the area [46] and it would seem that MY is caused by multiple trace element
(Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) deficiencies caused by the addition of finely divided limestone
dust to the roadsides and nearby paddocks [111].
12.9
Cobalt Availability, Deficiency, Contamination, Toxicity

and Remediation
Because of the close association between Mn and Co and their decreasing solubility
with increasing pH, one might be excused from thinking that the availability of
Co closely follows that of Mn [35]. However, there are four scenarios where the
low availability of Co in soils can arise: (i) inherited deficiency through low concentrations in the parent material such as on the pumice soils in New Zealand, and peats
in Ireland [168]; (ii) acquired deficiency through losses as a result of pedological
processes over the ages (e.g., granitic soils) and accelerated by hydromorphic
influences [168]; (iii) derived deficiency through its strong association with Mn in
well-drained soils with high Mn status [144]; and (iv) acquired deficiency through the
application of lime to acidic soils covered by the former three situations. The availability of Co closely follows that of Mn in those soils which tend to be poorly drained
[1] and are in the pedological process of becoming deficient, but where the Mn status
of a soil is high then Co availability tends to be low. The Co/Mn ratios in soils
(Table 12.1) tend to be less than parent rocks which suggests that Co is relatively
more mobile than Mn and relies upon the retention of Mn for its own retention.
The mechanisms of Co uptake are most probably the same as described above
for Mn, so that as the pHs of soils decrease from neutral pHs the total uptake
increases strongly, and the proportion of Co uptake from contact reduction barely
increases while the contributions from diffusion and convection increase.
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12.9.1 Cobalt Availability and Deficiency

Cobalt deficiency refers to the scarcity of Co in soils in so far as it affects N fixation
by rhizobia in legumes and the health of grazing ruminants (sheep and cattle), a
situation which occurs when pasture concentrations fall below 0.08 mg kg1 both in
Scotland and New Zealand where most research has been carried out (e.g. [68, 69,
70, 92, 93, 129, 130]). Any Co applied to soil as CoSO47H2O will initially dissolve
and the Co2+ will distribute between the solution and solid phases including Mn
oxides where it will be oxidised to Co3+ and retained within the oxide lattice [28].
If the Co associates with Mn oxides that are difficult to reduce then its availability
will be very low whereas in association with an easily reducible Mn oxide its
availability is virtually parallel to that of Mn. It would appear that once the total Mn
concentration in soil exceeds a certain limit the usual application rate of 350 g of
CoSO47H2O ha1 is inadequate because of immobilisation of the additional Co in
Mn oxides; a limit of 1,000 mg kg1 was proposed by Adams et al. [2] for some
Tasmanian soils and Li et al. [70] came to the same conclusion based on an
investigation of a wide range of soils from New Zealand.
The extractants which have been used to evaluate the availability of Co in soils
have met with mixed results. In Australia where deficiency in ruminants may occur
mostly in the southern states, soil tests are not carried out because those tested have
proved unreliable [115]. On some occasions some extractants gave promising results
but recently Li et al. [70] found that both 0.05 M CaCl2 and 0.02 M Na2H2EDTA
at pH 7 were poor predictors of Co availability to ryegrass in a glasshouse trial
involving 18 grassland soils from New Zealand. Because 0.02 M Na2H2EDTA
at pH 7 will extract Mn from reducible forms of Mn oxides [18] and therefore, Co,
it is unreasonable to suggest that Co associated with soil organic matter is probably an
important source of Co in soils. When Co2+ is added to soil it would first form
predominantly readily exchangeable forms with both inorganic and organic colloids,
then there would be a gradual transfer to the Mn oxides which would involve
desorption from the colloids and sorption, and possible oxidation, by the Mn oxides.
One would expect that if the association of added Co with Mn took place rapidly then
it would be unlikely that organic forms would play a significant part whereas the
latter may play a role if the transfer was relatively slow, but either case does not
support the contention that Co was associated soil organic matter in soils either with
or without added Co. Certainly in experimental soils containing high concentrations
of Mn, either naturally or added, the sudden decrease in Co uptake suggests a rapid
association with Mn [2, 89].
Since Co2+ is the form taken up by plants, any extractant needs to mobilise
WS+Exch forms as with Mn, and thus would probably have some success in soils of
low pH. At higher pH, plants can rely less on the WS+Exch Co in that the
concentrations are less and they must derive Co from the Mn oxides with which
the Co is associated, most probably as Co3+. For success at near neutral soil pHs,
any extractant must reduce reactive Mn oxides and the Co3+ associated with them,
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and a mild reducing agent like quinol may be suitable. The limited success of both
CaCl2 and acetic acid is due to the acidity associated with their action, desorption of
exchangeable acidity and acidity per se respectively, which combined with the mild
reducing property of soil organic matter releases not only exchangeable forms but
also readily reducible forms of Co and Mn. The variable reducing powers of organic
matter between soils contributes to inconsistent results.
12.9.2 Cobalt Contamination and Toxicity

The occurrence of Co contamination of soils is rare, while Co toxicity is even more
so except in highly contrived circumstances. Where contamination does occur it
most probably does so by the addition of either an oxide, or a hydrous oxide or a
sulphide of Co or an arsenide. These forms have not been used in contamination
experiments, but if they had been used then one would expect that no immediate
effect is likely. For example, any oxide of Co may persist for a considerable time and
be unlikely to dissolve rapidly enough to cause toxicity. At the same time, attenuation of the Co (see below) is likely to be taking place, so that well-drained soils may
be able to cope with high rates of addition of these forms of Co, particularly in the
presence of reactive Mn oxides and accompanying applications of lime. Where
smelting of sulphidic ores containing Co causes acidification of surrounding soils,
such as near Sudbury in Canada [47], plants etc. will suffer immediately and greatly
from the acidity per se as well as toxicity from the other metals present in the ore.
In experiments on Co toxicity the main sources of Co used were soluble salts such
as CoSO4. The same salts are used in fertiliser applications to pastures to cure Co
deficiency in grazing ruminants where rates of the order of about 5 kg ha1 are used
and are never likely to have toxic effects. In many experiments investigating
Co toxicity, rates of addition, intended to mimic contamination of soils near industrial
sources, between 50 and 400 mg kg1 Co as Co nitrate were used [117], many times
more than the rates used in Co deficient situations. Similarly in more recent work
even higher rates of application of soluble salts of Co (1602,400 mg kg1) have been
added and assays for Co toxicity carried out after only 7 days equilibration [67, 96];
such experiments, even though they may give some idea of soil solution
concentrations that are toxic to plants in the short term, must be regarded as unrealistic. Also, in similar, but not quite so unrealistic experiments with the same soils,
concentrations of up to 3,281 mg Co kg1 were used and in contrast the soils were
allowed to equilibrate for up to 1 year [171, 172]. It is likely that the addition of Co2+
salts at such high rates would reduce Mn oxides, inhibit the microbial oxidation
of Mn2+, and decrease the soil pH. Such changes and the impact on the Mn
status are relevant where such levels of contamination with soluble forms of Co2+
occur, but as pointed out above Co contamination is rare and when it occurs it is
usually with insoluble compounds.
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12.9.3 Cobalt Remediation and Attenuation

After trace metals such as Co, Cu, Ni and Zn are added to soils in soluble forms
they gradually lose their availability to plants through reactions with soil constituents giving rise to forms of lower solubility and availability. Such attenuation is
desirable when considering a potentially toxic metal such as Cd, but clearly
undesirable with respect to trace metals added as fertiliser.
In the case of Co, Barrow [8] found that, along with Ni and Zn, it became less
soluble more quickly than Cd, and he attributed the observed decreases in solubility
to micropore diffusion into various soil constituents. Probably, with respect to
Co the most effective treatment of polluted soils is to increase the soil pH [172]
and to increase the Mn concentration. Initially the decrease in availability is due to
stronger and increasing association with organic matter, layer silicates as interlayer
sorption as CoOH+, and with Mn oxides. With time, the lattice incorporation of
Co(II) into Mn oxides as they form and its oxidation to Co(III), the attenuation
proceeds and effectively decreases the availability of the applied Co to plants,
although Bakkaus et al. [7] appear somewhat doubtful about the role of Mn oxides.
If phytoremediation by some hyperaccumulator is to be effective then it would
be best to maintain a high state of availability by using acidifying N fertilisers; but
once the Co concentration had been decreased to an acceptable one then, if the
acidification had occurred, liming would probably be necessary.
The failure of a very finely ground crystalline reagent-grade MnO2 up to
concentrations of 2,000 mg kg1 of MnO2 to have any effect on the uptake of
Co from two soils contaminated with 400 mg kg1 [117], is almost certainly due to
the likelihood that the reagent grade of Mn oxide that was used was pyrolusite with
a very low SSA and very high degree of crystallinity; most reagent grade Mn oxides
are pyrolusite which are notoriously unreactive. The addition of the same amount of
Mn as MnSO4 would probably have been much more effective since the microbial
oxidation of Mn(II), and the production of an amorphous highly reactive Mn oxide
would provide an active sink for the fixation of Co. If the concentration of added
Co was high enough to inhibit the microbial oxidation of Mn, the addition of an
active Mn oxide such as birnessite may have had an effect, but even then it might
be temporary since the reduction reaction would prevail; ultimately the Mn-oxidising
microbes might recover.
12.10
Role of Manganese Oxides in Soil Health
Waksman [167] drew attention to what was known as soil sickness, which at the
time was a term used for every ailment of soil-grown plants which could not be
explained by conventional wisdom at the time. Organic complexes were believed
to be involved and in more modern times allelochemicals and similar entities
have been implicated. As indicated earlier, Mn oxides are capable of oxidising
alleged allelopathic compounds and so active Mn oxides in soils may be more
significant than is commonly appreciated.
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357
The remediation of polluted soils has been investigated extensively, but it would
seem that what happens in the laboratory and the glasshouse does not necessarily
happen in the field and that the balance between successes and failures in the field
may be in favour of the latter [94]. With respect to the use of Mn oxides, they are
added usually either to oxidise organic pollutants or to sorb toxic metals.
The success of the former relies not only on destruction of the pollutant, but also
the regeneration of the Mn oxides by microbial oxidation, whilst the success of the
latter requires that the oxide retains its sorption activity in the initial sorption phase
and that subsequently the oxides lose their reducibility such that the metals
are locked away in an unreactive phase. The failure of pure reactive oxides to
achieve successful remediation, as expected from laboratory experiments with pure
oxides, may occur through the adsorption of organic matter, phosphate, silica or
become saturated with metals [84]. Such loss of desired activity may be more likely
for Fe oxides than for Mn oxides although sorption of metals on Mn oxides can
decrease their reducibility and polymerised products from the oxidation of catechol
adsorbed on the surface of a Mn oxide may inhibit further oxidation [76]. The loss
of activity via reduction is unlikely to occur for Fe oxides in well-drained situations
whereas the Mn oxides may be quickly reduced and the Mn quickly involved in
the Mn cycle of oxidation and reduction.
12.10.1
MnOx as an Oxidant
Reference has already been made to the oxidation by reactive Mn of naturally

occurring phytotoxic organic compounds in soil. There are other oxidation reactions that may have some importance: (i) sorption of atmospheric NO2 by soil and
its oxidation to NO3 [3]; (ii) sorption of atmospheric SO2 and its oxidation to
SO4 [156]; (iii) oxidation of xenobiotic organic compounds [173] such as aromatic
amines where Li et al. [66] have shown that Mn oxides oxidise polyaromatic amines
(e.g. a-naphthylamine) with concomitant polymerisation such that both the mobility
and bioavailability are decreased; (iv) oxidation of oestrogens in water at acidic
pHs by synthetic d-MnO2 [175] may occur in soils receiving secondary sewage
effluent; and (v) oxidation of Cr(III) and As(III).
The ability of soils to both oxidise Cr(III) and reduce Cr(VI) [48, 58] may appear
contradictory because reactive Mn oxides and reductants good enough to reduce
Cr(VI) probably could not co-exist in soils. Much of the research investigating the
oxidation of Cr(III) has been carried out in dilute suspensions of soil or Mn oxides
in water to which acidic solutions of Cr(III) are added. If there was preferential
adsorption of Cr3+ onto the surface of Mn oxides then the test may be useful.
However, since hydrolysis and sorption of Cr3+ onto any surface available are most
likely to be rapid, comparable to Al3+, the Cr3+ may not stay in solution long
enough to be effective. Thus, the oxidation of Cr3+ in these tests is as much to do
with the hydrolysis and sorption of Cr3+ as the reducibility of the Mn oxides.
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N.C. Uren
Further, the standard net Cr(III) oxidation test as a measure of the activity of Mn
oxides is an unnecessary and complicated diversion because of the uncertain fate of
Cr3+, and particularly since simple reductants like quinol are available and are
chemically similar to those reductants already present in soil. For example, the use
of Cr(III) as an alternative reductant to quinol, makes interpretation of results unnecessarily complicated [104, 105] and add little to the understanding of the behaviour
of Mn in soils.
Similarly, experiments where FeMn nodules were ground and the resulting
powders ability to oxidise As(III) to As(V) determined [21], may provide evidence
of just that, but have little relevance with respect to the role that such nodules play
in the behaviour of As in soils.
12.10.2
Sorption and Attenuation
The literature is replete with evidence that Mn oxides have exceptional ability
when it comes to the sorption of trace metals. Much of this evidence, is based on
sorption studies in dilute suspensions of Mn oxides, synthetic and natural, which
nevertheless shows that enrichment of many elements occurs in nodular and
concretionary forms of Mn oxides. For example, Palumbo et al. [109] found that
the nodules from two alfisols are significantly enriched in most trace metals relative
to the host soil, with Mn, Co, Ce, Pb, Ba, Cd, and Ni more enriched than Fe, V, La,
Cu, S, and Zn. The enrichment of Cd was surprisingly high in this case and it is
possible that its sorption behaviour has been overlooked since the sorption of Cd
on biogenic Mn oxides exhibited comparable sorption when compared with the
sorption of other heavy metals [34, 95].
The likely steps in the attenuation of Co and other metals are (i) co-precipitation
as the oxide forms, (ii) structural re-organisation during recrystallisation of the
oxide, and then (ii) micropore diffusion. The process is favoured by increasing pH
and by continued integrity of the oxide. The addition of a synthetic Mn oxide to
remediate a Co contaminated soil will bypass the first step but nevertheless it may
rapidly fix Co [89]. However, because biogenic Mn oxides have been shown to
sorb two to three times as much Ni2+ and Zn2+ as synthetic Mn oxides [170], it may
be more effective to add soluble Mn(II) to soil, allow microbial oxidation, and
presumably co-precipitation, to proceed. If an unreactive (but stable) oxide such as
pyrolusite is added to soil then the only way that it can bring about attenuation is by
micropore diffusion and probably only to a limited extent.
However, as shown by McBride and Martinez [85], it is not as simple as just
adding an oxide and some thought has to be given to the potential reversibility of
the sorption process, the persistence of the oxide in both the short and long term,
and how to overcome annealing of the oxide surface brought about by the sorption
of polymeric organic compounds, and the processes involved in the aging process
and their impact on the reactivity of the oxides [166].
12
359
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Chapter 13
Copper
Koen Oorts
Abstract Background copper (Cu) concentrations in soil depend on geology and

typically vary between 2 and 50 mg Cu kg1. The widespread use of Cu has resulted in
significant anthropogenic inputs to topsoils through atmospheric deposition and
agricultural practices (fertilisers, pesticides, sewage sludge etc.). Copper mainly
occurs in its divalent state (Cu2+) and has high affinity for binding to organic matter.
Sorption processes control the solubility of Cu under most environmental conditions,
but Cu precipitates can form in alkaline soils. The solid-liquid partitioning of Cu in soil
is largely controlled by the soil pH and organic matter content, with higher solubility at
low pH and low organic matter content. Except for acidic soils, most (>90%) of the
dissolved Cu in soil is complexed with dissolved organic matter. Copper is an important essential element for all living organisms and deficiency in plants and ruminants
occur in soils with low available Cu. Copper concentrations in plant shoots typically
range between 4 and 15 mg Cu kg1 dry matter (DM) and are well regulated over a
wide soil Cu concentration range. Elevated soil Cu concentrations cause toxic effects
in all terrestrial organisms (plants, invertebrates and micro-organisms). The toxicity of
Cu largely depends on soil properties, which control the bioavailability of Cu in soil
through their effect on precipitation, sorption and complexation processes.
Predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs), protecting 95% of all species or microbial processes, vary between approximately 10 and 200 mg Cu kg1 soil and increase
with increasing cation exchange capacity, clay and organic matter content.
Keywords Copper Adsorption Bioavailability Ageing Deficiency Toxicity
Critical concentrations
K. Oorts (*)
ARCHE (Assessing Risks of CHEmicals), Stapelplein 70, Box 104, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
367
368
13.1
K. Oorts
Introduction
Copper, with atomic number 29, is the first element of group Ib of the periodic table
of elements. It ranks 26th in abundance in the lithosphere. The average abundance
of Cu in the earths crust is 60 mg Cu kg1 [42] and concentrations in soil typically
vary between 2 and 50 mg kg1. Copper was known to some of the oldest civilizations, and has a history of use that is at least 10,000 years old. The name copper
refers to the island of Cyprus, where Cu was principally mined in the Roman era. The
first signs of Cu smelting, i.e. the refining of Cu from simple Cu compounds such as
malachite or azurite, date back to 5000 before Christ (BC). Copper smelting appears
to have been developed independently in several parts of the world: in the Balkans
by 5500 BC, in China before 2800 BC, in the Andes around 2000 BC, in Central
America around 600 BC, and in West Africa around 900 BC. Alloying of Cu
with zinc or tin to make brass or bronze was practiced soon after the discovery of
Cu itself. The use of bronze became so widespread in Europe approximately from
2500 BC to 600 BC that it has been named the Bronze Age.
Although Cu has been in use at least 10,000 years, more than 95% of all Cu
ever mined and smelted has been extracted since 1900. Measured by weight, Cu is
the third most important metal used by man. The total global demand for Cu in 2007
was approximately 24 Mt [27]. About 35% of all Cu used by industry originates from
recycled Cu. The world production of Cu reached more than 15 Mt year1 in 2008.
Copper is mainly used in electrical applications (65%), and construction (25%).
Other uses are transport (7%) and coins, sculptures, musical instruments and
cookware [27]. Various estimates of existing Cu reserves available for mining
vary from 25 years to 60 years. In 2005, Chile was the top mine producer of Cu
with at least one-third world share followed by the USA, Indonesia and Peru.
The long history and widespread use of Cu has resulted in significant anthropogenic
emissions, which have caused increased environmental Cu concentrations [36].
Local Cu concentrations can be far above natural background values because of
agricultural practices (e.g., sludge application, Cu fungicides) and industrial
activities (e.g., mining).
Copper is an essential trace element that is vital to the health of all living
organisms (humans, plants, animals, and micro-organisms). It is found in a variety
of enzymes and proteins, including the cytochrome C oxidase and certain superoxide
dismutases. Soils with low bioavailable Cu can result in losses in crop yield and
deficiency symptoms in livestock, especially in intensive farming systems.The
recommended daily intake of Cu for humans is 12 mg Cu day1 [96]. It has
been assumed that most diets satisfy this requirement because of the ubiquitous
presence of Cu in most foodstuffs and therefore Cu deficiency in humans is rare.
Elevated soil Cu concentrations can cause toxic effects on soil organisms
(plants, invertebrates, micro-organisms) and can affect soil ecosystem functioning.
Copper toxicity to terrestrial organisms strongly depends on its bioavailability
in soil and the sensitivity of the organisms. Secondary poisoning of Cu though
13
Copper
369
the food chain to vertebrates and humans is considered of low risk due to the strong
regulation of internal concentrations of this essential element in plants and
soil-dwelling invertebrates.
13.2
Geochemical Occurrence of Copper
The average natural abundance of Cu in the earths crust is 60 mg kg1 (Table 13.1).
The Cu abundance in rock material is highly variable. Basaltic igneous rocks have a
larger average Cu concentration (90 mg Cu kg1) than granitic rocks (15 mg Cu kg1).
Sedimentary rocks, formed by weathering of igneous rocks, mainly reflect the Cu
concentrations of the igneous rocks. Clays and shales have typical Cu concentrations
ranging between 20 and 200 mg Cu kg1, whereas sand- or limestone generally
contain between 1 and 20 mg Cu kg1 g (see also Sect. 2.3.1).
Copper is one of the few metals to occur naturally as an un-compounded mineral
(i.e., native copper). Minerals such as sulphides (chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite
(Cu5FeS4), covelite (CuS), chalcocite (Cu2S)), carbonates (azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2)
and malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2)) and the oxide cuprite (Cu2O) are other sources of Cu.
Most Cu ore is mined or extracted as Cu sulphides from large open pit mines in
porphyry Cu deposits that contain 0.41.0% Cu. Large Cu ore deposits are found in
the U.S., Chile, Zambia, Zaire, Peru, and Canada.
Typical background Cu concentrations in soils vary between 2 and 50 mg Cu kg1
dry weight, but natural Cu concentrations above 100 mg Cu kg1can also be found
in some soils (Table 13.1). The Cu content in soil shows a positive correlation with
Fe content, reflecting the relative concentration in intermediate to mafic igneous
rocks compared to felsic rocks (granite). The amount of Cu measured in a soil
Table 13.1 Copper background concentrations in parent materials and soils
Cu (mg kg1)
Range
Earths crust
Igneous rocks
Basic igneous rocks (e.g. basalt, gabbro)
Acid igneous rocks (e.g. granite, rhyolite)
Sedimentary rocks
Shales and clays
Black shales
Soils
USA, agricultural soils
China
Europe, natural topsoil (XRF)
Europe, natural topsoil (AR)
Europe, natural subsoil (XRF)
Europe, natural subsoil (AR)
Average
60
Reference
Median
[42]
[56]
30160
430
[56]
18120
20200
<0.6495
29.6
0.8256
1.0239
0.9125
<1.0118
17.3
16.4
17.2
16.5
18.5
23
13.0
12.0
13.9
13.0
[35]
[14]
[77]
[77]
[77]
[77]
370
K. Oorts
strongly depends on the extraction procedure. Soil Cu concentrations reported in

this chapter are expressed as mg Cu kg1 dry soil and are generally near-total
concentrations based on aqua regia or comparable concentrated acid destructions,
followed by Cu analysis by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) or
atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Total concentrations determined by HF
extraction or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) additionally include a Cu fraction built
into the crystal structure of the soil minerals. Differences in soil Cu concentrations
between aqua regia destructions and real total concentrations are however generally
limited (<10%, Table 13.1) and most data from national or international monitoring
programs report Cu-concentrations obtained after destruction with aqua regia
(See also Sect. 4.5.2).
13.3
Origin of Copper in Soils
Because of historical and current anthropogenic inputs from diffuse sources,

the direct measurement of real natural background concentrations for Cu (i.e. the
natural Cu concentration in the environment that reflects the situation before any
human activity disturbed the natural equilibrium) is not feasible in most parts of
the world [23, 73]. For most soils, the Cu concentration measured is the sum of the
natural Cu background concentration and diffuse anthropogenic inputs in the past
or present and therefore the term ambient background is used. These anthropogenic
inputs differ with land-use and the vicinity of point sources (e.g., smelters).
Average ambient background Cu concentrations in European soils away from
point sources vary from 11.4 mg Cu kg1 for forest soils (low anthropogenic
pressure) to 15.4 and 17.0 mg Cu kg1 for agricultural and grassland soils, respectively [26]. These differences in soil Cu concentrations between land uses can be
attributed to both differences in soil properties and differences in Cu inputs. In the
past, loamy and clayey soils were preferred over sandy soils for agricultural
purposes due to their mineral composition. Consequently, many (forest) soils that
were not brought into cultivation have a rather sandy texture, connected with lower
Cu levels than clayey or loamy soils (see Sect. 13.3.1). Secondly, the Cu input and
output also depends on the soil use. The increased Cu concentration in agricultural
soils compared to forest soils may be caused by increased Cu input through the use
of fertilisers and sewage sludge as well as the use of biocides and pesticides
(see Sect. 13.3.3). A part of the Cu present will be removed from the soil through
uptake by crops and harvest. This is less of the case for grassland soils where there
is an input related to cattle manure but only a limited output (grazing), which may
explain the higher Cu concentration compared to the other soil uses.
13.3.1 Soil Parent Material

The most important natural source of Cu is the geological parent material. The spatial
distribution of Cu in soil is mainly related to regional and local geology.
13
Copper
371
Table 13.2 Copper concentrations in soils from different texture classes

Cu (mg kg1)
Texture class
Sandy
Coarse loamy
Coarse silty
Fine silty
Fine loamy
Clayey
Peaty
England and Wales (median) [99]

7.4
15
19
19
19
23
15
Table 13.3 Geometric mean

total Cu concentrations in
various soil orders in USA
and China
USA (geometric mean) [35]

6.0
10.310.8
18.1
28.7
18.622.7
33.637.6
75.897.9
Cu (mg kg1)
Soil order
USA [35]
China [14]
Ultisol
Alfisol
Spodosol
Mollisol
Vertisol
Aridisol
Inceptisol
Entisol
Histosol
Oxisol
6.2
10.9
48.3
19.1
48.5
25.0
28.4
21.1
183.2
No data
17.8
15.1
No data
10.0
19.6
21.7
21.8
22.2
No data
10.9
The background Cu concentration in soil is correlated with texture and organic matter
content. Soils containing high amounts of clay minerals and organic matter generally
have higher natural Cu background concentrations (Table 13.2). Geometric mean Cu
concentrations in mineral U.S. surface soils vary between 6.0 and 37.6 mg Cu kg1,
while organic horizons have mean Cu concentrations up to 97.9 mg Cu kg1 [35].
The effect of soil parent material and texture also reflects in different Cu concentrations across major soil types (Table 13.3). Soil types characterised by high clay
content (e.g. Vertisols) or high organic matter contents (e.g. Histosols and Spodosols)
have generally the highest Cu concentrations.
13.3.2 Atmospheric Deposition

Except for agricultural land, atmospheric deposition is responsible for the main input
of Cu in soil. Country-specific Cu deposition rates vary from 5 to 100 g Cu ha1
year1 for European countries, with a European average of 34 g Cu ha1 year1 [57].
Copper generally exists within the atmosphere as a component of particulate matter.
Copper emissions to air and subsequent atmospheric deposition on land are the
results of both natural and anthropogenic processes. Copper can be released into
the environment from natural sources through a variety of processes including
372
Table 13.4 Global natural
and anthropogenic emissions
(reference year 1983) of Cu to
the atmosphere (103 t Cu
year1)
K. Oorts
Natural sources [59]

Wind-blown dust
Volcanoes
Sea salt
Wild forest fires
Continental vegetation
Marine vegetation
Pollen & Spores
Total natural sources
Anthropogenic sources [61]
Coal combustion
Oil combustion
Non-ferrous metal production
Primary production
Secondary production
Pig iron and steel production
Municipal waste incineration
Sewage sludge incineration
Wood combustion
P-fertilisers
Total anthropogenic sources
Median
Range
8
9.4
3.6
3.8
0.32
0.39
2.6
27.7
0.915
0.918
0.236.9
0.17.5
0.010.62
0.020.75
0.15
2.354
5.2
2.0
23.7
0.11
1.49
1.47
0.11
0.9
0.41
35.4
2.38.1
0.53.4
15.132.4
0.060.17
0.142.84
0.981.96
0.030.18
0.61.2
0.140.69
19.950.9
volcanic eruption, forest and bush fires and wind-blown suspension of dust and sea
salt spray. An evaluation of the global atmospheric natural emissions of metals,
including Cu, identified volcanoes and wind-blown soil particles as the major natural
sources of Cu emissions [59] (Table 13.4). Estimated anthropogenic Cu emissions to
the atmosphere for 1983 are within the same order as the total natural emissions
(Table 13.4). The major anthropogenic emissions of Cu to the atmosphere are from
non-ferrous metal production and fuel combustion (industrial and domestic heating,
power production). During the last decades, Cu emissions due to metal production
significantly decreased, resulting in smaller global Cu emission to the atmosphere
[26, 60] (See also Sect. 2.3.2.1.1).
13.3.3 Agricultural Materials and Sewage Sludge

Agricultural materials are responsible for the majority of Cu inputs in agricultural
soils. Both the Cu content and application rate vary largely across different agricultural materials. The main sources of Cu input to agricultural soils are manure, sewage
sludge, mineral fertilisers, and pesticides (Table 13.5). Copper occurs in manure
through the animals feed, like roughage, concentrate and especially Cu-containing
additives [26]. Copper is especially added to growing pig diets, explaining the large
contribution of pig manure to overall Cu input from manure. Across the inorganic
fertilisers, phosphate fertilisers generally show the highest Cu concentrations and
13
Copper
373
Table 13.5 Copper inputs to agricultural soils in England and Wales in 2000 (data from [57])
Cu concentration Cu addition rate
Total annual Cu
Quantity applied
(mg Cu kg1)
(g ha1 year1)
input in 2000 (t)
Source
103 t DM year1)
Atmospheric
NA
NA
57
631
deposition
Livestock
13.48
16470a
1681679
643
manures
Cattle
10.19
1645
168321
215
Pigs
1.64
168470
14881679
360
Poultry
1.65
3290
175422
70
3210
271
Sewage sludge 0.44
565a
Inorganic
4.91
294
0.412
53
fertilisers
Agrochemicals ND
ND
ND
8
Irrigation
ND
ND
16
2
water
Composts
0.06
25
ND
<1
NA not applicable
ND no data
a
based on application rate equivalent to 250 kg N ha1 year1
they are another important source of Cu in soils. Copper is an essential element for
plants and in cases of deficiency, Cu may also be applied directly to crops and soils,
e.g., with a foliar spray.
Copper-based fungicides (such as the Bordeaux mixture, CuSO4 + Ca(OH)2, Cu
(OH)2, Cu2O, etc.) have been intensively used since the end of the 19th century to
control vine fungal diseases, such as downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola.
Besides vineyards, Cu-based fungicides have also been extensively used in hop fields,
coffee, apple and avocado orchards [24] and during the cultivation of several
vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, potatoes). Copper-based fungicides are even indispensible
for organic vine and fruit cultivation. Typical application rates vary from 2 to 4 kg Cu
ha1 year1 and their long-term application and subsequent wash-off from the treated
plants have resulted in elevated Cu concentrations in some vineyard soils [38, 55, 91].
Sewage sludge is often used as a soil conditioner because of its nutrient and
organic matter content. However, it may be also an important source of metals and
other contaminants. The quality of sewage sludge is largely determined by the
composition of the wastewater (industrial or domestic) and the removal efficiency
in the wastewater treatment plant. The removal of Cu from raw sewage in sewage
treatment plants is usually very effective, with removal rates varying between
80 and >95% [26]. Total Cu concentrations in sewage sludge of various European
countries vary between 190 and 641 mg Cu kg1 dry matter [26].
13.3.4 Traffic and Other Sources

Traffic is responsible for some important local Cu inputs in soil. This is both due to rail
transport (corrosion of overhead wires) and road transport (brake and tyre wear) [26].
374
K. Oorts
Road transport can result in elevated Cu concentrations in the immediate vicinity of

roads [20, 29, 49]. These elevated Cu concentrations can be up to >100 mg Cu kg1,
but Cu concentrations decrease rapidly with both distance and depth and fall back
to ambient background levels within 3050 m distance from the roads. Copper is also
used in wood preservation products (e.g. CuSO4, chromated copper arsenate CCA),
resulting in additional local elevated soil Cu concentrations [31, 52]. Run-off from
external building applications (e.g., Cu roofs) is another, minor, potential local source
of Cu inputs into soil.
13.4
Chemical Behaviour of Copper in Soils
13.4.1 General Soil Chemical Reactions of Copper

Copper is a transition metal and thus has more than one oxidation state. The principal
forms are cuprous (Cu1+) and cupric (Cu2+). The trivalent form (Cu3+) occurs, but
is relatively unimportant in physical and biological systems. Cuprous Cu is unstable
in aqueous media and soluble Cu1+ compounds form Cu2+ ions or compounds and/or
Cu(s) as a precipitate. However, monovalent Cu cations are only susceptible to
such transformation when they are not chemically bound in insoluble compounds or
stabilised in complexed forms.
When Cu2+ is introduced into the soil, the cupric ion typically binds to inorganic
and organic ligands. In the soil pore water Cu2+ binds to dissolved organic matter
(e.g. humic or fulvic acids). The Cu2+ ion forms stable complexes with NH2, SH,
and, to a lesser extent, OH groups in these organic acids. Cupric ions will also bind
with varying affinities to inorganic and organic components in soils. The general
order of Cu adsorption maxima for soil constituents is: Mn oxides > organic matter
> Fe oxides > clay minerals. However, in general, soil organic matter dominates
specific Cu adsorption in soil and is mainly responsible for retaining adsorbed
Cu [51]. The binding affinity of Cu2+ with inorganic and organic matter is dependent
on pH, the oxidation-reduction potential in the local environment, and the presence
of competing ions. Most of the dissolved Cu in soils is complexed with dissolved organic matter [1]. The proportion of free Cu2+ in solution generally
decreases with increasing soil pH (Fig. 13.1). Between 73% and 99.96% of the
total dissolved Cu in pore water of 11 European soils (pH 3.46.8) spiked with CuCl2
up to 3,700 mg Cu kg1 was complexed [70]. In a study of Cu speciation in soil
extracts (0.01 M CaCl2) from 66 field soils with varying levels of contamination,
Sauve et al. observed that for most soils more than 98% of the soluble Cu was bound
to organic ligands [78]. Both the quantity and quality (aromaticity) of dissolved
organic matter control the mobility of Cu in soil [1].
Under most soil conditions, precipitation of Cu will be limited and sorption
processes will control Cu concentrations in soil solution [13]. However, in the
absence of ligands other than OH and depending on the Cu concentration, the
solubility of Cu above pH 78 can be very low, due to the precipitation of
13
Copper
375
Fig. 13.1 Free-ion fractions of metals in soil solution or in a 10 mM Ca(NO3)2 extract measured
with Donnan dialysis or ion selective electrode. The lines show the free-ion fractions predicted
with WHAM6 for a generic composition of solution (50 mg L1 dissolved organic matter, 2 mM
Ca(NO3)2), for either low (5 107 M Cu, solid line) or high (5 106 M Cu, dotted line)
Cu concentration (From Degryse et al. [19])
amorphous Cu(OH)2 or tenorite (CuO). Moreover, in the presence of abundant

carbonate, relatively insoluble Cu2+ carbonate minerals, such as malachite
(Cu2(CO3)(OH)2) and azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2) can precipitate. Copper is highly
insoluble in reduced environments, where it precipitates as metal or as very stable
sulphides. Sulphide formation indeed appeared dominant in determining the mobility
of Cu in flooded soils [21, 94].
13.4.2 Solid-Liquid Partitioning

The solid-liquid partitioning of metals is a critical parameter for assessing their
mobility and availability in soils. Transport of metals to deeper soil horizons
and leaching to groundwater is related to the dissolved metal concentrations and
the amount of metal on the solid phase buffering the metal in solution. The free metal
ion is often considered to be the major determinant of bioavailability and its concentration largely depends on the total metal pool in soil, the solid-liquid partitioning
and the speciation in solution. The partitioning of metals in soil is usually quantified
by a distribution coefficient (Kd), i.e., the ratio of metal concentration on the solid
phase (mg kg1) and in the solution phase (mg L1). There is plenty of information
in the literature on the solid-liquid partitioning of Cu in soils. A sound comparison
of Kd data from literature is however often complicated by methodological
differences among studies. The methods used to characterise the solid and liquid
phases both determine the metal pools (total, labile, free ion concentration, etc.)
analysed and affect the solid-liquid distribution by their effect on the composition of
the liquid phase (pH, ionic strength, concentration dissolved organic matter), which
376
K. Oorts
can influence competition for sorption sites and potential for complexation [19, 79].
Kd values further depend on total metal concentrations as sorption sites become
saturated and Kd progressively decreases with increasing total metal loading.
In a review of over 70 studies on partitioning coefficients, Sauve et al. [79]
identified 452 Kd values for Cu in soil, ranging from 6.8 to 82850 L kg1, with
a median of 2120 L kg1. All Kd values are based on aqua regia soluble soil metal
content and total dissolved Cu concentrations in the actual soil solution or soil
extracts. Kd values were significantly correlated with pH and organic carbon content
of the soil and an empirical regression was derived to predict Kd for Cu in soil:
Log Kd 1:75 0:21 pHsoil solution
0:51 log% Organic Carbon R2 0:42; n 353
Similar equations for Kd values based on aqua regia soluble total Cu concentrations and either total dissolved or free ion Cu concentration in pore-water were
obtained in an excellent review on metal partitioning in soils by Degryse et al. [19]:
Log Kd 0:45 0:34 pH 0:65 log% Organic Carbon R2 0:44; n 128
Log Kd free 1:88 1:05 pH
0:65 log% Organic Carbon R2 0:97; n 32
Compared to other metals (Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn), pH has a relatively limited effect
on the solid-liquid distribution of total dissolved Cu in soils. This can be explained
by the very high affinity of Cu for organic matter. If pH increases, the sorption of
the free Cu2+ ion on solid organic matter increases, but the complexation of Cu
with dissolved organic matter also increases, resulting in a small (or zero) net effect
on the total solution concentration [19]. If Cu binds only on organic matter and
there is no inorganic complexation in solution, the Kd of Cu is expected to reflect
the solid-liquid distribution of organic matter in soils. Figure 13.2 indeed shows
a good correlation between Kd values for Cu and the partitioning of organic matter
between the solid and liquid phase in soils with moderate to high pH, where free-ion
fractions of Cu are small [19]. Land management practices that affect soil pH and
organic matter dynamics will obviously also have a directly impact on Cu mobility
in soil. The application of biosolids can, e.g., increase Cu mobility through enhanced
dissolved organic matter [2, 33].
13.4.3 Ageing Processes: Effect of Time on Fate

of Copper in Soils
Initial partitioning of metals, taking place within hours after addition of soluble
metals to a moist soil, are often followed by much slower reactions, termed fixation
13
Copper
377
Fig. 13.2 The Kd of Cu for soils with pH > 5 (a) as a function of pH, or (b) as a function of the
solid-liquid distribution of organic C, Kd-OC (dotted line is the 1:1 line). Solid lines are
regressions relating logKd of Cu to pH or to logKd-OC (From Degryse et al. [19])
or ageing, that further decrease the bioavailability of added metal with time.
Examples of such ageing reactions for Cu are diffusion of Cu into micro-pores,
precipitation of insoluble Cu phases, occlusion of Cu into organic matter and inclusion
of Cu in the crystal structure of soil minerals. There is substantial evidence for the
decreased extractability with time after addition of soluble Cu to soils [34, 95] or soil
constituents, such as peat [12], oxides [66] and clay [97]. It was also shown that the
extractability of Cu fertilisers in field soils decreased over a period of 6 years after
application [15]. Results from sequential fractionation schemes to partition soil Cu
into various operationally-defined pools confirm that soluble Cu migrates with time
from easily extracted pools to more strongly bound forms, mostly associated with
organic matter and mineral oxides [30, 67].
Next to this chemical evidence for ageing reactions, there also are some
biological indications for decreased availability of Cu with time. In a series of pot
trials with Cu-deficient soils (<3.5 mg Cu kg1), the plant uptake of Cu was
significantly reduced with increasing contact time between soil and Cu. The Cu
fixation rate increased with increasing temperature, increasing pH and addition of
straw [58]. There is however no direct evidence for reduced residual effect of
Cu in non-deficient soils, which may be related to the strong regulation of plant root
uptake of Cu when abundant Cu is available. At higher soil Cu concentrations, it
has been shown that ageing significantly reduces Cu toxicity to plants, invertebrates
and micro-organisms [64, 68, 69, 80, 81]. It must however be noticed that at these
high concentration ranges, the elevated ionic strength and decreased pH in soil
solution of Cu-salt spiked and unleached soil samples also may affect Cu behaviour
in soil (see Sect. 13.6.1).
Ageing of Cu in soil removes Cu from available pools into a pool that is more
strongly retained, from which its desorption is much slower. Consequently, two
Cu pools can be defined in soil, the labile fraction and the fraction of Cu that is
378
K. Oorts
120
21 d
Evaluae (%)
100
90 d
80
180 d
360 d
60
21 d
40
90 d
180 d
20
360 d
0
2
5
Soil pH
Fig. 13.3 The effect of time and pH on lability (E-values, % of total added Cu) of added Cu in
soils incubated for different times. The curves are predicted by a semi-mechanistic model based on
time and pH (Based on Ma et al. [47])
fixed. The labile fraction of Cu contributes to the solid-liquid distribution whereas

the fixed fraction of Cu does not. Isotopic dilution is a convenient method of
measuring the labile pool of Cu in soils. The radiolabile Cu in soil (or the
E-value) is, by definition, that amount of Cu in soil that has the same fate as a
soluble Cu salt after 24 h equilibration in the soil. The fraction labile Cu varies
strongly across soils and is generally lower in uncontaminated soils (between 2%
and 35%) compared to field contaminated soils (2757%) [47, 58].
Ma et al. [46, 47] assessed ageing of freshly added CuCl2 in 19 soils at two total
Cu concentrations, after leaching of the excess salt and 2 years of incubation
outdoors. The lability of Cu added to soils rapidly decreased after addition, especially in soils with pH >6.0, followed by a slow decrease in Cu lability. The shortterm (30 days) attenuation of Cu lability depended on soil pH, organic matter
content, temperature and Cu addition rate [46]. The long-term changes in Cu
lability were well described based on soil pH and time alone, with a semimechanistic model taking into account a slow diffusion process and precipitation/
nucleation of Cu in alkaline soils (Fig. 13.3). There was little difference between
the two Cu concentrations, suggesting that within the relevant range, total Cu
concentration does not greatly affect the rate and extent of fixation [47].
Buekers et al. [10, 11] also studied the fixation of added Cu salt in 28 soils with
varying pH (3.47.7), organic carbon (0.223.5%), clay content (581%) and Fe
oxides (0.17.3 g kg1 oxalate extractable Fe). After 850 days incubation, on
average 43% of the added Cu was fixed. A significant positive effect of pH on the
amount of fixed Cu was observed, but compared to Ni, Zn and Cd, fixation of Cu in
soils was generally poorly related to soil properties. The relatively large fixation of
Cu (approx. 50%) in two organic soils did however suggest that Cu can be fixed in
organic matter [10]. In contrast to Ni, Zn and Cd, fixation on Fe oxyhydroxides does
not well explain ageing of Cu and modelling fixation of Cu requires more information on fixation on organic matter [11].
13
Copper
13.5
379
Soil-Plant Relationships of Copper
Copper is an essential micronutrient for plants and is involved in several metabolic

processes. It plays an important role in photosynthesis, respiration, oxidative stress
responses, cell wall metabolism and hormone signalling [50]. Copper also acts
as a cofactor in many enzymes such as plastocyanin, cytochrome c-oxidase and
amino oxidase. Copper deficiency mainly affects young leaves and reproductive
organs and typical symptoms are twisted or malformed leaves, chlorosis or even
necrosis [50]. Crops known to be highly susceptible to Cu deficiency include wheat,
alfalfa and lettuce. Copper deficiency is mainly related to sandy, light textured
soils with low ambient background Cu concentrations or strong Cu-binding peat
soils with low plant available Cu. High nitrogen levels delay the translocation of
Cu from older leaves to the growing points and may enhance Cu deficiency in
intensive farming systems. In Europe, it is estimated that up to 19% of the arable
land is deficient in bio-available Cu [83]. Despite its essentiality, excess Cu in soil
has a phytotoxic effect, resulting in plant growth retardation and leaf chlorosis.
The first effect of Cu toxicity in plants is rhizotoxicity, resulting in reduction of root
elongation and stunting, abnormal root branching and thickening and dark coloration of the roots [39, 50, 82]. Translocation of Cu towards shoots is efficiently
restricted by the large accumulation of Cu in roots and deleterious physiological
effects (e.g., altered root growth and nutrient uptake) are expected to occur before
shoot Cu concentration reaches abnormal values [69].
Typical Cu concentrations in plants growing in uncontaminated soils vary
between 4 and 15 mg Cu kg1 dry matter [17, 56] and rarely exceed 20 mg
Cu kg1 dry matter [37]. The Cu concentration in plants depends on the plant
species, growth stage and lime or fertiliser applications. In non-deficient soils, plant
tissue Cu concentrations are rather constant over a wide range of soil Cu levels,
reflecting the homeostatic control of Cu content in plants.
The onset of Cu toxicity and reduction in yield is found at shoot and leaf
concentrations between 5 and 40 mg Cu kg1 dry matter (Table 13.6). The small
difference in Cu concentrations in shoots from healthy plants and plants affected
by Cu toxicity again reflects the strong translocation barrier for excess Cu between
root and shoot. Root Cu concentrations are more affected by soil Cu concentrations than shoot Cu concentrations (Fig. 13.4) and critical Cu concentrations in
plant roots are in the range of 100400 mg Cu kg1 dry matter [18, 69, 82].
The efficient homeostatic mechanisms in plants, whereby Cu levels in edible
crops are relatively insensitive to soil Cu, and the translocation barrier of excess
Cu from roots to shoots limit Cu residues in plant shoots to levels chronically tolerated
by livestock and humans [26, 76]. In contrast, Cu deficiency symptoms in livestock
occur and can be caused by either low Cu concentration in herbage (<5 mg Cu kg1
dry matter) or by reduced Cu absorption in ruminants due to elevated dietary Mo
or S uptake [87].
Plant growth affects Cu solubility and bioavailability in soil, especially in
the rhizosphere, due to their effect on pH and dissolved organic matter. Depending
on the pH of the bulk soil, this may result in either increased or decreased
380
K. Oorts
Table 13.6 Critical toxic

Cu concentrations in plant
shoots and leaves (data from
[17, 48])
Plant species
Ryegrass
Barley
Wheat
Maize
Lettuce
Rape
Beans
Cabbage
Sugar beat
Spinach
Critical level (mg Cu kg1 dry matter)

2140
1425
1118
521
823
1522
1530
25
17
2535
Fig. 13.4 Copper concentrations in shoots (closes symbols) and roots (open symbols) of tomato
plants grown in nutrient solutions as function of the free metal activity (From Degryse et al. [18])
total dissolved Cu concentrations. The free Cu2+ activity in soil solution however
generally decreases with plant growth due to enhanced complexation with
dissolved organic carbon [4, 18, 74].
13.6
Toxicity of Copper in Soils
13.6.1 Copper Toxicity to Plants, Invertebrates

and Micro-Organisms
Toxicity of Cu to terrestrial organisms (plants, invertebrates and micro-organisms)
is typically studied by exposing these organisms to an uncontaminated soil recently
13
Copper
381
Table 13.7 Chronic soil Cu toxicity threshold concentrations (NOEC, No Observed Effect
Concentrations, or EC10, concentrations yielding 10% inhibition in response) for plants,
invertebrates and microbial processes [26]
Number of data
Range (mg Cu kg1 soil)
Monocotyledon plants
18537
32; 5 species from 3 families
Dicotyledon plants
36698
Arthropods
311460
Annelida and Nematoda
8.4728
Microbial C transformation
302402
49; 4 processes
Microbial N transformation
311270
26; 4 processes
Microbial biomass
150500
2
amended with increasing doses of a soluble Cu salt (e.g. CuCl2 or CuSO4). From the
resulting doseresponse relationship, toxicity thresholds (NOEC, No Observed
Effect Concentrations, i.e. highest dose at which no significant inhibitory effect is
observed, or EC10 values, i.e. effective concentration yielding 10% inhibition in
response) can be calculated for the effect of Cu on the endpoint studied (e.g., plant
growth or invertebrate reproduction). In total 252 reliable NOEC or EC10 values
for the effect of Cu on terrestrial organisms were identified in the framework of a
European risk assessment of Cu (Table 13.7). These data cover a wide range in
terrestrial organisms and are derived from tests focusing on sensitive life stages
(e.g., plant root elongation, invertebrate reproduction) or from chronic exposure
(e.g., growth, mortality). Data were obtained in a variety of soils with a wide range
in pH (3.07.7), organic carbon (0.338%), clay (560%) and ambient Cu background concentration (2158 mg Cu kg1). Copper toxicity thresholds varied
almost 3 orders of magnitude (32,400 mg Cu kg1) across endpoints and soils
and overlap with the range in ambient background Cu concentrations in soil.
The ecological relevance of standardised laboratory tests immediately or shortly
after freshly spiking with soluble metal salt is however limited (Fig. 13.5).
Standardised toxicity tests result in a sudden disturbance of the soil, while in field
conditions Cu generally accumulates slowly with time due to e.g., industrial
emissions, sludge application or the use of Cu fungicides. Spiking soils with soluble
Cu salts not only increases the Cu content of a soil but also increases the ionic
strength of the soil solution and decreases the soil pH by replacement of protons
from the exchange complex with the metal cations (Fig. 13.6). The higher ionic
strength and lower soil solution pH in freshly amended (spiked) soils compared to
leached or field-contaminated soils (that are naturally leached) may affect the
response of the organisms both directly and indirectly by increasing metal bioavailability. Testing soils immediately after adding Cu also ignores the ageing reactions
that further decrease bioavailability of added Cu beyond the duration of these tests
(Sect. 13.4.3). Standard toxicity experiments in soil result therefore in a potentially
higher bioavailability compared to field conditions and soil metal concentrations
needed to produce toxic effects generally are lower for laboratory contaminated
than for field contaminated soils. Additionally, lower toxicity to microbial processes in field-contaminated or aged soils can also be caused by microbial
382
K. Oorts
Response (% of control)
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
10
100
1000
10000
Response (% of control)
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
10
100
Total soil Cu (mg/kg)
1000
Total soil Cu (mg/kg)
Fig. 13.5 Discrepancy of the microbial response to elevated Cu between standard toxicity
tests (open symbols, full line) and long-term contaminated soils (closed symbols, dashed line).
(a) Toxicity of Cu on nitrification measured 7 days after amending the soil with CuCl2 or after
spiking with CuCl2 and18 months equilibration and leaching. (b) Effect of Cu on respiration of
glucose in a field transect of a contaminated soil (70-year-old CuSO4 spill) and the corresponding
control soil amended with CuCl2 to identical concentrations (Based on Oorts et al. [64])
Soil solution Ca (mM)
Soil solution Cu (M)
400
Spiked
300
Field
contaminated
200
100
75
4.2
50
4.3
25
4.6
250
500
Soil total Cu (mg/kg)
750
4.6
4.4
4.7
4.5
250
500
750
1000
Soil total Cu (mg/kg)
Fig. 13.6 Difference in soil solution properties of a field-contaminated soil (field gradient with a
70-year-old CuSO4 spill) and the corresponding freshly spiked reference soil (amended with
CuCl2 to identical Cu concentrations). Soil pH (indicated in right panel) gradually decreases
with Cu dose in spiked soils (From Smolders et al. [85], data based on Oorts et al. [64])
acclimatization or adaptation of the microbial biomass in the soil to gradually

increased Cu concentrations [3, 28, 54] (see also Sect. 5.6).
Several studies have confirmed the larger Cu toxicity in soils freshly spiked with
Cu salts compared to corresponding laboratory leached and aged soils or field
contaminated soil [64, 68, 69, 80, 81]. The factor for the decrease in toxicity is
expressed as the ratio of EC10 value after ageing to the corresponding value in freshly
amended soil, both based on measured added concentrations. This factor is termed
the leachingageing factor (L/A factor) and is the net result of effects of both leaching
and ageing. Most of the L/A factors based on EC10 values were larger than 1
(i.e. decreased toxicity after leaching and ageing), with a median of 3.4 (Fig. 13.7).
13
Copper
383
Leaching-Ageing factor
1000
100
10
0.1
3
5
6
pH (0.01 M CaCl2)
Fig. 13.7 The leachingageing factors that quantify the difference in Cu toxicity between aged
soils (experimental or field-contaminated) and corresponding freshly amended soils. The factors
are the ratios of the doses resulting in 10% inhibition (EC10 values) in aged to that in freshly
amended soils. Closed symbols are bounded values; open symbols refer to unbounded values
(no toxicity found in a field-contaminated or aged soil and a (lower) estimate for the L/A factor
was selected, based on the ratio of the largest concentration in the aged soil to the ED10 of a
freshly amended soil) (Based on EU [26]
The L/A factors for Cu vary largely among the species or process studied and no
effect of soil pH or other soil properties was observed on the effect of leaching and
ageing on Cu toxicity in soils.
13.6.2 Effect of Soil Properties on Copper Toxicity in Soils

Toxicity thresholds for the effect of Cu on the same endpoint can vary up to two
orders of magnitude among different freshly spiked soils [9, 16, 40, 41, 65, 75]. It is
generally accepted that the total metal concentration in soil is a poor predictor for
toxicity to the environment. However, there is as yet no generally accepted method
for measurement of the bioavailable fraction of Cu or other metals in soil [53, 98].
The free metal ion concentration in soil solution is generally regarded as the most
active Cu species and the determinant of bioavailability. It is however often
observed that toxicity thresholds based on total soluble Cu or free metal ion activity
of Cu are more variable than other indices of Cu doses in Cu spiked soils (Fig. 13.8)
[9, 65, 98]. This observation that free metal ion activities do not explain variability
in toxicity does not necessarily violate the concept that the free metal ion in
solution is the directly available and toxic metal species. This is readily explained
by the concept of the biotic ligand model (BLM), which is an extension of the free
metal ion model. According to the BLM, toxicity depends on the metal bound
to a target location at or in the organism (the biotic ligand), which, in turn, depends
384
K. Oorts
variation coefficient (%)
Total soil Cu(g Cu/kg)
70%
Soil solution Cu (mg Cu/L)
117%
Cu 2+activity (M)
279%
DGT Cu(mg Cu/L)
43%
Total Cu as percent of eCEC(%) 44%
0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
1.0
10.0
100.0
Cu concentration scale (log scaled)
Fig. 13.8 Five different expressions of the toxic Cu concentrations at the 50% effective
concentration (EC50) in 17 freshly amended soils, with shoot growth of tomato seedling as the
measured endpoint. The coefficients of variation (standard deviation divided by mean of untransformed EC50 values) of the EC50 values for the 17 soils are given. DGT diffusive gradients in
thin film technique; eCEC effective cation exchange capacity (i.e. CEC at pH of the soil) (From
Smolders et al. [85], data based on Zhao et al. [98]
on the metal ion activity in solution and the concentrations of competing ions
(e.g. protons, Ca2+, and Mg2+). A BLM has been successfully calibrated with the
data from soils freshly amended with Cu salts and this revealed protective effects of
protons for all endpoints and additionally of Mg for the nitrification assay [88, 89].
A meta-analysis of metal toxicity data also suggested that protons strongly mitigate
the toxicity of the free metal ion on the biotic ligand [43].
Soil properties can explain a significant part of the variation in Cu toxicity
thresholds for plants, invertebrates and micro-organisms based on total soil Cu concentrations and empirical regression models are derived for a wide range of European,
Chinese and Australian soils (Table 13.8). Copper toxicity is generally best related to
the effective CEC (eCEC i.e. CEC at pH of the soil), compared to pH, organic matter
or clay content. The importance of the eCEC may refer to the role of cation exchange
processes in short-term sorption of Cu in soils [92]. Although soil pH generally is
acknowledged as a key factor in determining Cu solubility and speciation in soils,
no consistent effects of soil pH on total soil Cu toxicity thresholds were found. This is
explained by the counteracting effect of soil pH on free Cu ion toxicity at the biotic
ligand (increasing toxicity of free Cu ion with increasing pH because of decreasing
competition of protons) and on Cu solubility and speciation in soil (decreasing free Cu
ion concentration with increasing pH due to increasing sorption) [43, 65]. The similar
pH effect on metal toxicity and metal adsorption suggests that metal binding on the
biotic membrane and on soil components are controlled by the same reactions.
13
Copper
385
Table 13.8 Soil properties best predicting Cu toxicity (EC50 values) in freshly-spiked soils
Endpoint
Soil properties
Reference
Eisenia fetida (earthworm) reproduction
eCECa
[16]
Folsomia candida (springtail) reproduction
eCEC
[16]
Potential nitrification rate
eCEC
[65]
Substrate induced respiration
Organic carbon and clay content
[65]
Maize residue mineralisation
pH and eCEC
[65]
Barley root elongation
eCEC
[75]
Tomato shoot yield
eCEC
[75]
Substrate induced nitrification
pH
[9]
Substrate induced respiration
clay
[9]
Wheat shoot yield
CEC
[93]
Substrate induced nitrification
Total calcium concentration
[41]
Barley root elongation
pH and organic carbon
[40]
a
eCEC effective cation exchange capacity, i.e. CEC at pH of the soil
13.6.3 Toxicity of Copper in Soils Amended with Sewage Sludge

and Manure
Application of sewage sludge and manure to agricultural land is an important
source of Cu in agricultural land (Sect. 13.3.3). The bioavailability of Cu in these
soil amendments is however generally lower compared to Cu salts. The ecotoxicological assessment of Cu added with sludge or manure to soils is different from
Cu added as salt because the application of these products also changes a range of
other soil properties apart from the total Cu content. Application of sewage sludge
or manure to a soil may increase metal binding capacity of the soil as these products
contain organic matter and Fe or Al oxyhydroxides, which all have Cu binding
properties. Additionally, metals present in these materials have a different speciation, and typically lower availability, than metal salts [32, 33, 62]. Both mechanisms
may decrease the risk of increasing total trace metal concentrations. On the other
hand, long-term mineralisation of organic matter from biosolids may again
decrease the Cu binding capacity of the soil and increase bioavailability of Cu.
Results on the difference of Cu bioavailability between biosolids- and CuSO4amended soils in 12 Australian field trials were inconclusive due to the strong
regulation of Cu concentration in plant shoots and the confounding effect of dissolved organic matter on Cu extractions [33]. A comparison of toxicity of added
Cu-salt in 22 paired sets of soils amended with sewage sludge, manure or compost
and corresponding control soils from field trials in Europe, Asia and Australia,
showed that the protective effect of additional metal binding capacity in biosolidsamended soil was limited (average factor 1.4 difference in EC50 for barley
root elongation) [84]. A larger difference was observed in the lability (E-values)
of Cu added via these biosolids compared to soluble metal salts, even after
correcting for ageing. Therefore, it seems that application of biosolids indeed results
in a protection of Cu availability, and that this protection is mainly related to the
386
Table 13.9 Copper limit concentrations in soil according to various legislations
Limit (mg Cu kg1
DM)
Comment
Legislation
Europe
10200
Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC,
(Regulation
95% protection level) for plants,
(EEC) 793/
invertebrates and micro-organisms;
93)
depending on eCEC, pH, clay and organic
matter content
US EPA
70 (plants)
Ecological soil screening level (ECO SSL);
no correction for soil properties
80 (invertebrates)
28 (birds)
49 (mammals)
Australia
8970
Added contaminant level for soils with
varying pH (48) and organic carbon
content (16%).
Based on protection of 95% of plant species
Australia
112078
Added contaminant level for biosolids
amended soils with varying pH (48) and
organic carbon content (16%)
Based on protection of 95% of plant species
Europe (EU
50140
Limit values for Cu in soil
Directive 86/ 10001750
Limit values for Cu in sludge for use in
278/EEC)
agriculture.
K. Oorts
Reference
[26]
[90]
[32]
[32]
[25]
speciation and low availability of Cu originally present in the sewage sludge and
manures and less to the additional Cu binding capacity of a biosolids-amended soil
[84]. The marginal effect of increased binding capacity also explains the lack
of significant release or mobilisation of Cu in biosolid-amended soils due to organic
matter decomposition within the time frame of the field trials studied [63, 84].
13.6.4 Critical Soil Copper Concentrations

Based on the toxicity data available, critical soil Cu concentrations can be derived
for risk assessment purposes. These critical Cu concentrations vary between
legislations as they depend e.g., on the protection goal (organisms covered),
the toxicity data included, the application of normalisation models for the effect
of soil properties on Cu bioavailability, the protection level and the margin of safety
included to correct for remaining uncertainty (Table 13.9).
The incorporation of bioavailability models into the derivation of ecological soil
standards (Predicted No Effect Concentrations, PNEC) in the European risk
assessments of Cu and other metals is described by Smolders et al. [85]. In summary, this European risk assessment for Cu [26] was based on reliable chronic
toxicity data (NOEC and EC10) from standard tests in soils freshly amended with
Cu salts and sufficient information on the soil properties (Table 13.7). In order
Copper
Cumulative distribution
13
387
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
Highly sensitive soil

Medium sensitive soil
Weakly sensitive soil
10
100
1000
10000
Soil Cu concentration (mg/kg)
Fig. 13.9 Species sensitivity distribution (SSD) of species-mean NOEC or EC10 values for
plants, soil invertebrates and micro-organisms, corrected for ageing processes and normalised
for soil properties of a highly sensitive, medium sensitive and weakly sensitive soil according to
the models selected for the European risk assessment of Cu [26]. Properties for these three soils
are, respectively, eCEC, 4, 15, and 35 cmolc kg1; pH, 4.5, 5.5, 7.0; % organic carbon, 1.0, 2.9, and
12% and % clay, 5, 15, and 30%. Corresponding PNEC values, based on a 95% protection level,
are 30, 93 and 162 mg Cu kg1 soil, respectively
to correct for differences in bioavailability and toxicity of Cu between such freshly

amended soils and realistic field conditions due to leaching and ageing processes
(Sect. 13.6.1), all toxicity data based on added Cu concentrations were multiplied
with a generic leaching-ageing factor of 2. This L/A factor is obviously only applied
on the added dose as the bioavailability of the background Cu concentration in
soil is not expected to further change with time. After adding the background
concentration, the total aged NOEC and EC10 values were normalised for
differences in metal availability between the tested soil and the soil to which the
PNEC is calculated, using the slope of the regressions between toxicity and selected
soil properties (eCEC, pH, organic carbon and clay content). Based on these normalised values, a species mean threshold was calculated for each plant, invertebrate
and microbial process covered. A critical concentration protecting 95% of all
species or processes was derived as the 5th percentile of the cumulative distribution
of species mean thresholds (species sensitivity distribution, Fig. 13.9). This results
in soil specific PNEC values for direct ecotoxicological effects of Cu to terrestrial
organisms, between 10 and 200 mg Cu kg1 for the relevant range of soil properties
in European soils. Because plants and invertebrates are good Cu regulators and they
maintain internal Cu levels over a large range in environmental Cu concentration,
the direct toxicological effects on terrestrial organisms are most critical and risks
for secondary poisoning to birds, mammals and humans are absent at PNECs for
direct effects to terrestrial organisms [26, 76].
Clean-up standards for Cu in soils are generally higher than these ecological
standards for risk assessment purposes and clean-up limits for Cu in residential and
industrial land vary between 633,100 and 9141,000 mg Cu kg1, respectively
among individual legislations [71].
388
13.7
K. Oorts
Contaminated Soils
High Cu concentrations, potentially requiring remediation, can be found in

topsoils affected by e.g., mining and smelting activities (up to >2000 mg Cu kg1)
(e.g. [22, 45, 86]), wood treatment facilities (up to >1000 mg Cu kg1) [52], orlong-term application of high doses of Cu pesticides (200500 mg Cu kg1) [38].
When Cu levels affect soil functions or exceed soil clean-up values, Cu contaminated
land can be remediated by either excavation of contaminated soil and off-site treatment or landfilling, or the on-site stabilisation by limiting the mobility and bioavailability of Cu in soil. The first option is very invasive and hence only suitable for small
highly contaminated areas. Decreasing the mobility and bioavailability in soil can be
done by raising the pH by liming or by adding soil amendments, such as organic matter
or oxides, to increase the Cu binding capacity of the soil [44, 86]. It seems however
that the major effect of most soil amendments on Cu bioavailability can still
be attributed to the associated increase of the pH [44]. Because the effect of increased
pH on Cu bioavailability is reversible, a continuous land management is required in
order to prevent re-acidification and corresponding increase in Cu bioavailability.
Phytostabilisation has also some potential in case of large areas of relatively low
contamination levels [72]. A vegetation cover will prevent spreading of the contamination by e.g. air or wind erosion. The low transfer of Cu to aboveground plant parts
further limits Cu dispersion by litter fall or increased exposure to herbivores.
13.8
Concluding Remarks
Copper is probably among the best-studied heavy metals in soil. Although the long
history of global use of Cu resulted in significant diffuse anthropogenic emissions
of Cu to soil, natural processes (e.g., geology) drive the regional and continental
distribution patterns of soil Cu concentrations. At a local scale, the main anthropogenic input comes from point sources (e.g. mining or smelting activities) and
agricultural practices (use of sewage sludge, Cu-pesticides etc.). Soil organic
matter and pH are the main soil factors controlling solid-liquid partitioning of Cu
in soil, with higher solubility at low pH and low organic matter content. Copper is
an essential element and internal Cu concentrations are well regulated in plants and
soil-dwelling invertebrates. Elevated soil Cu concentrations first affect plant root
growth and translocation of excess Cu to shoots is efficiently restricted over a wide
concentration range. Toxicity of Cu to terrestrial organisms varies largely
depending on the species sensitivity and the bioavailability of Cu in soils. Chronic
soil Cu toxicity thresholds even overlap with the range in ambient background
Cu concentrations. However, both background Cu concentration and Cu toxicity
are partly controlled by the same soil factors (organic matter and clay content).
When bioavailability of Cu in soil is taken into account and toxicity data are
normalised for soil properties, there is a factor 210 difference between the ambient
background concentrations and predicted no effect concentration of Cu in soil.
13
Copper
389
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89. Thakali, S., Allen, H. E., Di Toro, D. M., Ponizovsky, A. A., Rooney, C. P., Zhao, F. J.,
et al. (2006). Terrestrial biotic ligand model. 2. Application to Ni and Cu toxicities to plants,
invertebrates, and microbes in soil. Environmental Science and Technology, 40(22),
70947100.
90. U.S. environmental protection agency (2007). Ecological soil screening levels for copper.
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91. Valladares, G. S., de Camargo, O. A., de Carvalho, J. R. P., & Silva, A. M. C. (2009).
Assessment of heavy metals in soils of a vineyard region with the use of principal component
analysis. Scientia Agricola, 66(3), 361367.
92. Vega, F. A., Covelo, E. F., & Andrade, M. L. (2009). The role of cation exchange in the
sorption of cadmium, copper and lead by soils saturated with magnesium. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 171(13), 262267.
93. Warne, M. S. J., Heemsbergen, D., Stevens, D., McLaughlin, M., Cozens, G., Whatmuff, M.,
et al. (2008). Modeling the toxicity of copper and zinc salts to wheat in 14 soils. Environmental
94. Weber, F. A., Voegelin, A., & Kretzschmar, R. (2009). Multi-metal contaminant dynamics in
temporarily flooded soil under sulfate limitation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73(19),
55135527.
95. Williams, J. G., & McLaren, R. G. (1982). Effects of dry and moist incubation of soils on the
extractability of native and applied soil copper. Plant and Soil, 64(2), 215224.
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97. Wu, J., Laird, D. A., & Thompson, M. L. (1999). Sorption and desorption of copper on soil
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98. Zhao, F. J., Rooney, C. P., Zhang, H., & McGrath, S. P. (2006). Comparison of soil solution
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148(1), 221229.
Chapter 14
Lead
Eiliv Steinnes
Abstract Lead (Pb) is among the elements that have been most extensively used
by man over time. This has led to extensive pollution of surface soils on the local
scale, mainly associated with mining and smelting of the metal and addition of
organic Pb compounds to petrol. Other sources of soil Pb pollution are shooting
ranges and sewage sludges. Release of Pb to the atmosphere from various hightemperature processes has led to surface contamination on the regional and even
global scale. Lead is particularly strongly bound to humic matter in organic-rich
soil and to iron oxides in mineral soil, and is rather immobile in the soil unless
present at very high concentrations. Transfer of Pb from the soil to green parts of
plants is generally small, except in cases with extensive surface soil concentration.
Concerns about health effects due to Pb pollution particularly in urban areas and
to Pb uptake in agricultural crops have led to development of a variety of soil
remediation techniques.
Keywords Lead Air pollution Atmospheric deposition Smelters Leaded
petrol Shooting ranges Sewage sludge Sorption Leaching Plant uptake
Surface contamination Soil remediation
14.1
Introduction
Lead (Pb) is believed to be the first metal extracted by man from its ores, and was
extensively used throughout antiquity for a great variety of objects and purposes
[76, 77]. It is estimated that during the Roman Empire about 140,000 workers were
occupationally exposed to Pb each year. Since Pb and its compounds are very toxic to
E. Steinnes (*)
Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology,
NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
395
396
E. Steinnes
man and there is no evidence that deliberate attempts were made to prevent Pb exposure
during the production and use of Pb-based items, it seems evident that a great number
of people may have suffered from acute or chronic Pb poisoning. In modern times,
the primary use of Pb has been in the production of alkyl Pb compounds for anti-knock
agents in gasoline, as pigments in paints and in automobile batteries.
As far as is known, Pb is neither essential nor beneficial for any living organisms
(see also Chap. 7). The various uses of Pb and its compounds have lead to
considerable exposure of large population groups also during recent times, and
there are fears that human body burdens below those at which clinical symptoms of
Pb toxicity appear may cause mental impairment in young children [25]. Concerns
about the toxicity of the metal have led to a significant decrease in the application of
the metal in recent years.
In the environment, Pb and its compounds tend to accumulate in soils and
sediments, where they may remain bioavailable for a long period of time.
14.2
The abundance of Pb in the continental crust is 14.8 mg kg 1 [115]. The Pb2+ cation
replaces K+ in silicate lattices or Ca2+ in carbonates by isomorphic substitution.
In silicate rocks Pb has a tendency to increase with increasing Si content. Lead also
has a strong affinity for S, and therefore concentrates in S phases in rocks. Among
common sedimentary rocks [1] shales have higher Pb abundance (22 mg kg 1) than
sandstones (10 mg kg 1). Black shales are rich in organic matter and sulphide and
tend to have higher Pb contents [70]. The major Pb ore mineral is galena (PbS).
14.3
Origin of Lead in Soils
14.3.1 Soil Parent Materials

The mean content of Pb in uncontaminated soils worldwide has been estimated to
be 17 mg kg 1 [76]. This general level has been confirmed by other extensive
studies [51, 61, 83, 90]. Other large-scale soil surveys have reported higher values
[19, 23], but there is evidence that much of the observed soil Pb in many areas has
originated from anthropogenic emissions [26, 94, 99].

Several compounds of Pb are relatively volatile, and Pb is therefore readily emitted
from high-temperature processes such as Pb ore smelting, coal burning, and the
14
Lead
397
use of leaded petrol in automobiles. Since the outset of the industrial period,
Pb has therefore accumulated in terrestrial surface materials, frequently resulting
in considerable contamination of surface soils. Lead has a tendency to be concentrated on the smaller particle fractions in emissions from high-temperature
sources [35] and may thus become available for long-range atmospheric transport.
Analyses of ice and snow from Greenland and the Antarctica [10, 73] showed that
the contamination of land surfaces from airborne Pb has a global distribution. In the
1970s large-scale contamination of natural surface soils far from major emission
sources became evident in southern Scandinavia [108] as well as in New England
[85]. In Norway the Pb content of organic-rich surface soils decreased regularly
from >120 mg kg 1 in the south of the country to <10 mg kg 1 in the north, and the
main reason for this difference was stated to be long-range atmospheric transport
from more heavily industrialized and densely populated areas elsewhere in Europe
[96, 100]. Studies from other countries have confirmed substantially higher Pb
levels in the surface soil compared to lower soil horizons e.g., [9, 40, 83, 102].
The extent of Pb contamination of surface soils has been demonstrated in several
countries by different ratios of stable Pb isotopes in the indigenous and the supplied
Pb [7, 9, 31, 101]. Steinnes and Friedland [98] reviewed the character and extent of
Pb pollution in boreal forest soils.
Although the main source of airborne Pb in soils has been generally assumed to
be the use of Pb alkyls in petrol (cf. Sect. 14.5.1), studies of the temporal trends in
Pb deposition using dated peat cores from ombrogenous bogs [92] have shown that
a substantial part of the deposited Pb could be derived from emissions that occurred
prior to the introduction of leaded petrol. Some peat studies even showed evidence
of Pb contamination in peat layers corresponding to the Roman period and medieval
Pb production [11, 59, 93]. Similar information on historical Pb deposition in
Europe was obtained from the Pb isotopic record of a sediment monolith from an
Icelandic salt marsh [66].
Another way of illustrating the Pb contamination of surface soils is the application of multivariate statistics on multi-element sets of data [26, 29, 100], where Pb
invariably shows a preference for some factor characteristic of air pollution.
More than for any other metal, human industrial activities have strongly
influenced the extent and fate of Pb in soils, including impacts on human beings
e.g., from soil ingestion or contamination of food crops from surface contamination
or root uptake. A further discussion of different anthropogenic sources and their
influence related to soils is presented in Sect. 14.5.
14.4
Chemical Behaviour of Lead in Soil
Lead in soils exists predominantly in the +2 oxidation state. In reduced soils it

occurs primarily as insoluble PbS precipitated by sulfide generated from sulfate
reduction. Under oxidizing conditions it exists as the Pb2+ ion, but becomes less
soluble with increasing pH in the soil solution due to complexation with organic
398
E. Steinnes
matter, sorption on oxide and silicate clay minerals, or precipitation as the carbonate,
sulfate, or phosphate. In alkaline soils, solubility may increase due to formation of
soluble Pb-organic and Pb-hydroxy complexes [68].
The chemical behaviour of Pb in soil depends very much on the organic matter
content. Lead is strongly adsorbed on humic matter at pH 4 and above [13, 54].
According to Christl et al. [21] the binding of Pb to soil humic fractions is
predominately as a monodentate complex. Only small differences were observed
between different size fractions, and it was generally suggested that Pb binding to
humic substances is almost unaffected by differences in their chemical composition. With the exception of Hg and Cu, the binding of Pb to soil humic matter is
stronger than for the other heavy metals and metalloids discussed in this volume.
The high affinity to humic matter plays a key role in the behaviour of Pb derived
from air pollution, in particular in boreal forest soils and other soils with a high
organic matter content, and the release of Pb to deeper soil horizons depends mainly
on transport of dissolved Pb-organic complexes [8, 108].
In the absence of appreciable humic matter, Pb is strongly adsorbed on clay
minerals [42] and Fe oxides [43, 55]. Lead is generally more strongly sorbed than
other heavy metals, such as Cu, Zn, Cd, and Ni [30, 110]. Lead sorption occurs
primarily on the clay size fraction of the soil [65]. Hooda and Alloway [44] found
that Pb sorption in agricultural soils correlated with pH, CEC, organic matter
content, clay content, and CaCO3. Sipos et al. [95] reported that organic matter in
soils absorbs more Pb than clay minerals. Appel and Ma [4] observed that the Pb
sorption in oxisols was greater than the amount of negative surface charge,
indicating participation of Pb in inner-sphere surface reactions. This was confirmed
by X-ray absorption studies on interactions of Pb2+ with ferrihydrite [106].
At pH > 5 bidentate complexes on the oxide surface dominated, whereas at pH
4.5 a mixture of monodentate and bidentate complexes was indicated.
Alternating aerobic and anaerobic conditions, as observed e.g. by soil flooding,
lead to changes in pH and redox potential and are likely to affect most of the
processes regulating the speciation of metals in soil [14]. In the case of Pb the
reduction of Mn and Fe oxides and induced pH changes may lead to release of Pb
from solid phases to the soil solution but prolonged flooding can lead to fixation
again [18].
14.4.1 Chemical Speciation of Lead in Soil

Different approaches have been applied in order to fractionate different binding
forms of Pb in soils. Reaves and Berrow [83] found that the acetic acid-extractable
fraction of Pb in an extensive series of Scottish soils was positively correlated with
total Pb. The mean value was 1.7% of the total, and the variation was small. There
was little variation with depth and no appreciable difference between organic-rich
soils and mineral soils. More recently applications of sequential extractions
schemes have confirmed that easily releasable forms of Pb in soils constitute a
14
Lead
399
very small fraction of total Pb, although results vary among different studies
[5, 8, 33]) and with extraction time [64]. According to Sauve et al. [86] however,
investigations of the soil solution may seem to be more relevant in order to assess
the mobility and bioavailability of Pb in soils. They showed that the free Pb2+
activity in the soil solution could be predicted simply by means of total soil Pb and
pH with no significant contribution from soil organic matter content and phosphate
in solution. Yet about 608% of the total dissolved Pb was present as organo-Pb
complexes. In organic horizons of forest soils [88] the fraction of total Pb in the soil
solution was on average about 2 orders of magnitude higher than normally observed
in mineral soils, partly due to the low pH and partly because of the high organic
matter content.
14.4.2 Leaching of Lead from Polluted Surface Soil

The extensive Pb pollution of surface soils in many parts of the world, including
vast otherwise clean areas, has raised concern about the possible future contamination of drinking water sources. Tyler [109] first addressed this issue by
performing a field lysimeter study where O-horizon profiles of an organic-rich
soil were exposed to ambient acid precipitation and monitoring the leaching of
metals. Leaching of Pb occurred predominantly under conditions favoring release
of organic matter from the soil. In a lysimeter experiment Bergkvist [8] found
that artificial soil acidification decreased the release of Pb due to lower leaching of
dissolved organic matter. D
orr and M
unnich [28], using atmospheric 210Pb as a
tracer, confirmed that the downward migration of Pb appeared to be associated with
downward migration of organic matter. Brannvall et al. [12] reported that the
largest inventories of anthropogenic Pb in Swedish forest soils were found in the
Bs horizon in spite of higher Pb concentrations in the O horizon. Steinnes and
Friedland [97] pointed out that a larger fraction of anthropogenic Pb is seen at
greater depths in southern Scandinavia compared to the northeastern USA, which
might be related to later onset of Pb pollution in USA.
Wang and coworkers [112, 113] studying mobility of Pb in spodosols (Podzols)
found that a substantial part of Pb downward transport from the O horizon occurred
in the colloidal form, but assumed that these colloids might be completely retained
in lower horizons and not contribute appreciably to the Pb content of streams. Kaste
et al. [52] using sequential extractions found that hydroxylamine hydrochloride in
0.02M HCl extracted 3040% of Pb from organic horizons of contaminated
spodosols, suggesting that inorganic phases play an important role in determining
Pb mobility even in surface soils dominated by organic matter. Use of synchrotronbased X-ray techniques [53] showed the presence of amorphous Pb-enriched soil
grains, and correlations with Fe indicated that Pb is bound to amorphous Fe oxides
by inner-sphere complexes. Following a soil organic matter decomposition experiment, these authors confirmed redistribution of Pb from organic binding sites to
pedogenic Fe oxide sites [89].
400
E. Steinnes
All in all the total residence time of anthropogenic Pb in soils on the catchment
scale may be in the order of centuries to millennia, as indicated by dynamic
modeling [104].
14.5
Sources and Consequences of Lead Pollution in Soils
14.5.1 Lead Derived from Automobile Exhausts

Lead alkyls (tetraethyl and tetramethyl Pb) were introduced as anti-knocking agents
in petrol in the 1920s. During the 1960s several reports occurred in the literature on
elevated Pb concentrations in soil and vegetation near roads, decreasing with
distance from the road [25], and mostly in inorganic forms. Stable Pb isotope studies
confirmed that automobile exhaust was the source of this Pb [20, 38]. Teutsch et al.
[103], using the stable isotopic composition of Pb along with a sequential extraction
procedure, showed that the Pb in roadside soils along a major highway in Israel had
penetrated the soil down to 30 cm depth.
It was generally assumed that background levels were reached within 100 m or
less from the roadside (e.g., Wheeler and Rolfe [116]). From present knowledge
however, it is evident that a substantial part of the emitted Pb is transported much
farther away from the source on airborne ultra-fine particles (cf. Sect. 14.3.2).
14.5.2 Lead Mining and Smelting

Soil infertility problems due to pollution from Pb mining were recognized as a
problem already a century ago [36]. Later on numerous investigations of soils
severely polluted from Pb mining and smelting have been carried out in the UK
[25]. As an example, Colbourn and Thornton [22] reported a mean soil level of
30,000 mg Pb kg 1 within 100 m of an old smelter. Recent studies of dated peat
cores indicate that areas far away from the smelters were also appreciably affected
by long-range atmospheric transport [32].
At the high levels apparent at such sites, the Pb mobility in the soil may be much
higher than in uncontaminated soils. Maskall and Thornton [67] applied sequential
extractions on soil cores from historical Pb smelting sites, and found that the
proportion present in readily mobile forms increased significantly at pH values
below 5, and in one case reached 37%. In a similar study, Kabala and Singh [50]
found that the mobility of Pb in soil profiles from the vicinity of a Cu mine
increased with increasing metal load. Jensen et al. [48] reported that a significant
amount of Pb in severely contaminated soils was present in exchangeable forms.
14
Lead
401
Soils heavily polluted by Pb can exceed their Pb carrying capacity [80], which
could have potential impacts on shallow groundwater systems and represent further
exposure to humans and ecosystems.
14.5.3 Sewage Sludges

Soils amended with sewage sludge generally contain elevated contents of a wide
range of heavy metals and are therefore of interest with regard to their potential
impact on human health [2]. The global discharge of sewage sludge to land was
estimated at 2 1013 kg year 1, amounting to 0.60.9% of the total supply to
terrestrial systems [78]. Typical high concentrations of Pb found in sewage sludge
prior to 1990 were within the range 4962,117 mg g 1 [2].
Nicholson et al. [75], quantifying heavy metal inputs to agricultural soils in
England and Wales, reported a weighted average of 221 mg Pb kg 1 in sludge,
which constituted 77% of the total Pb added to agricultural land. The solubility of
Pb in sewage-sludge-amended soils shows a strong positive correlation to the
solubility of organic matter, particularly at high pH [6]. However, according to
Chaney [17] Pb from sludge does not give rise to an increase in plant Pb unless the
concentration is very high.
14.5.4 Shooting Ranges

Due to its softness and relatively high specific gravity, Pb is a very suitable material
for shotgun ammunition. Hence soil pollution from corroding Pb bullets is a
significant problem in the vicinity of shooting ranges. Although the range of Pb
released from individual bullets may be short [111], the total effect on the
surrounding ecosystem may be significant, and remediation efforts may be needed.
Turpeinen et al. [107] found that in a boreal soil in Finland pine seedlings had a
major role in immobilization of Pb in the contaminated soil, whereas liming did not
reduce the solubility, mobility or bioavailability in the soil. The concentration of
bioavailable Pb, as assessed directly by a luminescent bacterial sensor, was only
46% of total water soluble Pb in humic surface soil and 1343% in mineral soil.
Cao et al. [15], assessing Pb contamination in soil of two shooting ranges in Florida,
found a substantial migration of Pb to the subsoil in one case presumably related to
the presence of organic material, whereas in the other case low organic matter
content and presence of more phosphate retained the Pb in the surface layer,
indicating that phosphate-induced immobilization might be an effective way of
reducing Pb mobility in shooting range soils. Levonmaki and Hartikainen [62]
pointed out that liming of shooting range soils may increase the leaching of
metalloids contained in Pb bullets such as As and Sb. Apparently the most effective
402
E. Steinnes
measures to reduce Pb mobility from shooting range soils differ considerably

depending on the soil properties, and no universal procedure for preventing
leaching of bullet Pb has yet been found.
14.5.5 Urban Soils

High levels of Pb in urban soils have been confirmed in numerous studies [25].
Soil is an important pathway of human lead exposure, in particular to children
engaged in hand-to mouth and pica behavior [71]. Many potential sources of Pb
contamination may contribute to high Pb levels in urban soils such as abandoned
tyre material, coal burning, plastics and rubber production, insecticides, and car
batteries [34]. Two products in particular have added massive amounts of Pb to the
urban environment in modern times, notably Pb-based paint and leaded gasoline
(see also Chap. 2, Sect. 2.3.2.2). In the United States about equal amounts of Pb
have been used in white-Pb based pigment and in leaded gasoline over time.
Epidemiological studies however show that child population blood levels of Pb
are strongly associated with leaded gasoline and Pb in food, but not with Pb-based
paint [71]. Reasons for this difference may be that gasoline Pb is more uniformly
distributed in the urban home environment and is associated with smaller particle
sizes than Pb in paint dust, leading to higher bioavailability.
14.6
Soil-Plant Relationships
Most of the lead in soils appears to be generally unavailable to the plant tops.
Plant-absorbed Pb2+ concentrates in the roots, and very little is translocated from
roots to tops as the plant is growing [49, 63]. Koeppe [58] reviewed the uptake and
translocation in plants, and concluded that translocation is dependent on physiological status. Under conditions of optimal growth Pb precipitates on root cell walls in
an insoluble, amorphous form, which in maize was identified as Pb phosphate.
According to Davies [24, 25], there appears to be a positive relationship between
the concentration of Pb in the soil and that in the plant in broad terms. More recent
work however [86, 87] indicates that the phytoavailability of trace metals may be
more strongly correlated to the free metal ion activity in the soil solution than
to total metal contents of the soil, although Murray and Hendershot [74] found
that neither total Pb, total dissolved Pb, or free Pb in solution were satisfactory
predictors of plant uptake.
A large number of studies have been carried out in order to find chemical
extractants (salt solutions, dilute acids, complexing agents, etc.) separating the
plant-available fraction of heavy metals from soil samples. Menzies et al. [69]
critically reviewed the available literature on extractants for Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Pb
and concluded that there is generally no correlation between the total metal content
14
Lead
403
and the phytoavailable fraction. Similarly, trace metal concentrations determined

by extraction using complexing agents or dilute acids were generally poorly
correlated to plant uptake, and generally neutral salt extractants provided the
most useful indication of metal phytoavailability. In the case of Pb however Qian
et al. [82], studying correlations between extractable Pb in soil and concentrations
in alfalfa and winter wheat, found the highest correlation with DTPA-extracted Pb.
The number of selective extraction studies dealing with Pb is still limited, and more
research is needed.
The extensive atmospheric deposition of Pb observed in many countries over the
last century (cf. Sect. 14.3.2) may complicate studies of Pb translocation to the
green parts of plants, as first pointed out by Chamberlain [16]. The use of radioactive 210Pb or stable Pb isotope ratios as tracers may help to distinguish airborne Pb
deposited on plant surfaces from that supplied from the soil by internal transport in
the plant. Klaminder et al. [56, 57] studied the turnover of Pb in a coniferous forest
in northern Sweden where the 206Pb/207Pb ratio in the soil C-horizon differed
substantially from that supplied to the vegetation and soil surface by atmospheric
deposition. They found that roots and basal stemwood of trees had higher the
206
Pb/207Pb ratio than needles and apical stemwood, and concluded that the latter
are more dominated by Pb from atmospheric deposition. In a similar woodland
study in rural south central Ontario [114] between 65% and 100% of the Pb in
vegetation was estimated to be from anthropogenic sources. Tjell et al. [105] made
a pot experiment in a rural area of Denmark with Italian ryegrass, where they
equilibrated the soil with radioactive 210Pb and measured the specific activity (210Pb
activity divided by stable Pb concentration) in the crop and the soil. From this
comparison it was evident that 10% or less of the Pb in the crop was derived from
the soil and the rest from atmospheric deposition. Recently Hovmand et al. [45]
made a corresponding pot experiment with Norway spruce, and found that less than
2% of the Pb in the needles was due to root uptake.
The substantial influence of airborne Pb to the total Pb content of vegetation was
hardly realized during the early studies of Pb uptake in plants, and in some cases the
conclusions drawn may have been influenced. For instance the finding of Guha
and Mitchell [37] that Pb in leaves of deciduous trees fell over the growth season
but increased again at senescence together with Na might partly be explained by
airborne Pb. Generally the Pb translocation from soil to shoots was probably
overestimated.
According to Antonovics et al. [3] the uptake of lead by a plant is generally
constant with increasing soil lead levels until a certain point is reached when uptake
becomes unrestricted and rises abruptly. Excess above a critical level will impair
the health of the plant or will kill it [39]. In the vicinity of Pb ore deposits where the
surface soil may reach very high levels the frequency and distribution of plant
species is strongly modified. As an example the heather species Vaccinium
myrtillus and Calluna vulgaris are being replaced by the grass species Deschampsia
flexuosa [60, 79]. Reeves and Brooks [84] described some plant species growing on
mine tailings showing Pb levels up to 8,200 mg kg 1.
404
14.7
E. Steinnes
Remediation of Lead Polluted Soils
Over the last 20 years considerable efforts have been exercised in order to reduce
the hazard associated with strongly contaminated soils either by in situ stabilization
or by removal of the major fraction of metal by chemical or biological means.
Various soil remediation techniques described in the literature were reviewed by
Mulligan et al. [72]. In situ stabilization of Pb-contaminated soil by amendment
with phosphate in various forms has been suggested by many researchers [41] and
seems to be favorable in the case of agricultural soils. Other approaches suggested
depend on physical or chemical separation based on soil washing (reviewed by
Dermont et al. [27]) or phytoextraction; growing plant species that can accumulate
high amounts of Pb [46]. Addition of synthetic chelating agents may increase the
plant uptake (e.g., Huang et al. [47], Shen et al. [91]).
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Chapter 15
Mercury
Eiliv Steinnes
Abstract In spite of its low abundance in the Earths crust, mercury (Hg) has
aroused substantial attention, first because of its numerous applications and more
recently because of its toxicity. The extensive use of Hg has resulted in significant
contamination of soils locally and regionally and sometimes to human and animal
exposure at toxic levels. Human use of Hg started already in antiquity and reached
a maximum around 1975. Since then the major applications have been strongly
reduced in many countries. All chemical forms of Hg are toxic to humans and
animals, methyl Hg in particular. In soils Hg may originate from Hg minerals,
diffuse air pollution, and local pollution sources such as chlor-alkali factories and
the use of sewage sludge and organic Hg compounds in agriculture. Elemental Hg
from the atmosphere mainly due to previous human emissions is a dominant
source of soil pollution worldwide. In soils, Hg occurs as various forms of Hg(II),
generally strongly bound to organic matter and sulphides. The Hg content is
generally higher in organic-rich soils than in mineral soils. Root uptake of Hg in
plants is generally low, and Hg in above-ground plant material is mostly derived
from atmospheric deposition. Under reducing conditions in soils methyl Hg may be
formed and subsequently transported to lakes and rivers and accumulated in aquatic
food chains.
Keywords Mercury Contamination Chlor-alkali plants Coal burning
Methyl mercury Agricultural chemicals Sewage sludge Soil organic matter
Volatilisation Toxicity
E. Steinnes (*)
411
412
15.1
E. Steinnes
Introduction
There is archaeological evidence that mercury (Hg) has been known and used by
humans for at least 3,500 years [68]. The ancient Egyptians apparently knew how to
make amalgamations with tin (Sn) and copper (Cu) as early as the sixth century BC,
and uses of Hg metal and cinnabar (HgS) in medicine existed in China and India at
the same time. The Greeks were also familiar with techniques for the extraction of
Hg from ores and with medical applications of the element. The Romans inherited
most of this knowledge and greatly extended the commercial applications of the
metal, mainly by production of the red pigment vermillion. After the fall of the
Roman Empire, Hg consumption was chiefly restricted to medicinal and pharmaceutical uses until the sixteenth century when silver (Ag) mining started in Spanish
America [34]. Somewhat later the invention of scientific instruments such as the
barometer and thermometer involved the introduction of metallic Hg into scientific
research. More recently Hg and its compounds have found a great number of
new applications. The extensive use of Hg has led to large-scale dispersion of the
element in the environment and in some cases to significant human health
problems.
World production of Hg remained at a high level for several centuries [34].
Already around the year 1600 annual production was about 400 t, increasing
gradually to about 1,000 t around 1800, 2,000 t in 1850, 4,000 t in 1900 and
8,000 t during the period 19611980. During the 1990s the annual world production
declined from about 6,000 t to less than 2,000 t, following the increasing concern
about the toxicity of Hg compounds to man and the environment. The total amount
of globally mined Hg over all years may approach 1,000,000 t. The main Hg mines
in Europe were located in Spain, Italy, and Slovenia. In the year 2000, predominant
contributions to Hg mining were from Algeria, Australia, China, Kyrgyzstan,
Spain, Tajikistan, and Tunisia.
15.1.1 Previous and Current Uses of Mercury

The principal uses of Hg have undergone great changes over the last century. At the
turn of the nineteenth century the main uses of the metal were in the recovery of Au
and Ag and the manufacture of fulminate and vermilion [68]. While these uses have
essentially disappeared, a number of new applications of Hg and its compounds
appeared during the first half of the twentieth century; in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, paints, measuring instruments, and electrical components. One
significant industrial application is the Hg-cathode electrolysis cell used in the
production of chlorine (gas) and sodium hydroxide (chlor-alkali process), which
is still leading to significant local pollution problems in some places [74].
The trends in Hg use are illustrated in Table 15.1, which shows the developments
in annual consumption among major areas of use in the U.S.A. for selected years
15
Mercury
413
Table 15.1 Main areas of Hg consumption in USA (metric tons) during the period 19411990
(Jasinski [37])
Areas of use
1941
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
Chloralkali industry
5
45
214
517
326
247
Paint
23
106
146
357
297
22
Pharmaceutical uses
92
207
60
24
na
na
Agriculture
68
155
223
70
na
0
Electrical uses:
Batteries
na
na
na
na
959
106
Total
162
415
319
550
1,106
209
Measuring and control instruments
125
186
225
167
105
106
Dental uses
21
50
61
79
61
44
Other uses
1,041
506
471
294
125
58
Total
1,544
1,697
1,764
2,120
2,033
720
na Not available
during the period 19411990 [37]. Applications of Hg and its compounds have been
strongly restricted in many countries over the last two to three decades, but some
uses continue, such as small-scale Au mining from river sediments in several
developing countries [71].
15.1.2 Release of Mercury to the Environment

The most significant anthropogenic activities giving rise to past and present
emissions of Hg to land, water, and air appear to be the following:
(i) Mining and smelting of ores, in particular Cu and Zn smelting.
(ii) Combustion of fossil fuels, mainly coal.
(iii) Industrial production processes, in particular the Hg cell chlor-alkali process
and cement production.
(iv) Consumption-related discharges, including waste incineration.
(v) Gold production using Hg technology
Primary Hg emissions are to the atmosphere, followed by subsequent transfer
to land and water. The period of highest global anthropogenic emissions was the
late 1970s and the early 1980s [69] when the annual release amounted to around
3,600 t. Over the next two decades there was a decrease to about 2,200 t worldwide.
In Europe emissions in the year 2000 were less than 30% of those in 1980. The global
atmospheric Hg emission in 2000 was estimated to be ca. 2,190 t, about 65% of
which was from fossil fuel combustion. Other appreciable sources were Au production (11%), non-ferrous metal smelting (7%), cement production (6%), caustic soda
(NaOH) production (3%) and waste disposal (3%). More than 50% of the emissions
occurred in Asia, with China as the main contributor. Other countries with high
emissions included South Africa, India, Japan, Australia, and USA.
414
E. Steinnes
15.1.3 Harmful Effects of Mercury

No essential biological function of Hg is known. On the contrary, Hg is among the
most toxic elements to man and many higher animals. All chemical forms of Hg are
toxic to humans [18]. Inorganic forms of Hg show high acute toxicity, with a variety
of symptoms and damage to organs. Some organomercurials, in particular lowmolecular-weight alkyl compounds, are considered even more toxic to humans
because of their high chronic toxicity with respect to various, largely irreversible,
defects of the nervous system. Methyl Hg (CH3Hg+) is particularly significant in
this respect because it is produced in nature by microorganisms where reducing
conditions prevail. Methyl Hg shows strong teratogenic effects, and carcinogenic
and mutagenic activity has also been implied.
Occupational Hg poisoning, e.g. in miners, has been known over the last few
centuries. Environmental Hg poisoning however is probably of more recent date.
The first known case was in Japan during the late 1950s where inhabitants of the
small town of Minamata were poisoned by the consumption of fish containing high
levels of methyl Hg. Several cases of wildlife poisoning from seeds treated with
methyl Hg were documented in Sweden during the period 19481965 [52].
Investigations initiated because of these events and carried out during subsequent
years showed that elevated methyl Hg levels in fish were widespread globally. Thus
methyl Hg is the dominant toxic Hg species in the environment, consumption of fish
and crustacea being the main hazard to humans and higher animals.
On the other hand Hg does not seem to represent a major problem with respect to
phytotoxicity [2]. The levels at which toxicity symptoms are apparent in plants are
far above those encountered under normal conditions. In general the availability of
soil Hg to plants is low, and the roots serve as a barrier to Hg uptake.
Hg2+ is one of the metal ions that are the most toxic to soil biota. Experiments
carried out in forest soil in Sweden showed that adding Hg2+ to a level of 5 mg g1
reduced microbial respiration by 3040% after a period of 60 days [11].
15.2
Although more than 20 principal Hg minerals are known in nature, commercial

production of Hg is made almost entirely from cinnabar, HgS [68]. Mercury also
occurs in the Earths crust as complex sulphides with Zn, Fe, and other metals, but
only to a small extent as the native metal. The major Hg deposits may have formed
from hydrothermal solutions, which transported Hg as sulphide or chloride
complexes. The crustal average content of Hg is of the order of 50 mg kg1 [2] or
perhaps even lower. A further discussion of Hg abundances in different rocks is
given in Sect. 15.3.
Cinnabar is resistant to the normal processes of oxidation and weathering and is
extremely insoluble in water, and therefore enters the geochemical cycle mainly in
15
Mercury
415
the form of mechanically degraded particulate material. A far more important

source for the release of Hg from crustal rocks is degassing of elemental Hg.
Some gaseous Hg is also contributed by volcanic emissions, from vegetation, and
from the ocean. The most significant chemical species of Hg participating in the
geochemical cycling of this element may be classified as follows [52]:
Volatile compounds: Hg0; (CH3)2Hg.
Reactive species: Hg2+, HgX2, HgX3, and HgX42 with X OH, Cl or Br ;
HgO on aerosols, Hg2+ complexes with organic ligands.
Non-reactive species: Methyl mercury (CH3Hg+, CH3HgCl, CH3HgOH) and
other organomercurial compounds; Hg(CN)2; HgS; Hg2+ bound to S in humic
matter.
Typical background concentrations in air [52] are about 3 nM m3 over land
and slightly lower over sea, mostly in the form of Hg0. In aquatic systems representative concentration ranges of dissolved Hg may be considered to be 0.53 ng L1
in the ocean and 13 ng L1 in lakes and rivers, most of which as inorganic
Hg(II) species.
15.3
Origin of Mercury in Soils
The original Hg sources common to all soils are the minerals constituting the rocks
forming the soil parent material. In the case of surface soils atmospheric deposition
is also a significant source, which has become exceedingly important with the
increasing contributions from anthropogenic activities to atmospheric Hg. In the
case of agricultural soils the use of fertilisers (commercial fertiliser, manure,
sewage sludge), lime, and Hg-containing fungicides may sometimes increase
substantially the Hg load.
15.3.1 Soil Parent Materials

Data for Hg in rocks have been produced for more than 50 years, and more data
are available than for most other trace elements present in rocks at similar
concentration levels. Some of the older data reported in the literature however,
may be erroneously high. Nevertheless, there is reasonable consistency in at least
one respect, notably that the Hg content of rocks containing no organic matter is
very low, frequently below 30 mg kg1 [86]. Organic-rich shales can contain
concentrations of >1,500 mg kg1 [16]. Wedepohl [93] estimated the mean crustal
Hg concentration to 40 mg kg1, assuming 56 mg kg1 in the upper and 21 mg kg1
in the lower crust.
416
E. Steinnes

Some of the Hg present in soil and natural waters may be transformed to volatile
species that are emitted to the atmosphere [52], mainly as Hg0 and dimethyl
mercury ((CH3)2Hg), which can both be released by biogenic processes. Around
97% of gaseous Hg in the atmosphere is Hg0. The residence time of Hg0 in the
atmosphere is long, probably as much as 1 year [52].
It is suggested that Hg0 is eventually subjected to atmospheric oxidation
processes that yield water-soluble forms subsequently scavenged by wet or dry
deposition [12]. In industrial areas, air pollutants such as ozone may significantly
influence the formation rate of oxidized Hg species [36]. The extent of Hg removal
from the atmosphere by dry deposition is not well known [52]. As far as wet
deposition is concerned typical concentrations in precipitation at remote sites
appear to be of the order 210 ng L1, whereas levels in more polluted areas may
typically be of the order of 5 times higher, excluding areas in the vicinity of specific
Hg-emitting industries. With an annual precipitation of 1,000 mm and a Hg content
of 20 ng L1 the wet deposition is 20 mg/m2/year, which corresponds to the values
reported by Lindqvist et al. [53] for southern Scandinavia. More recent wet
deposition values in this region are significantly lower, consistent with reduced
Hg emissions in Europe over the same period, whereas the deposition of total
gaseous Hg shows no similar decrease [94].
It has generally been assumed that most of the Hg emitted to the atmosphere
even from anthropogenic sources is in the elemental vapour form [57]. For hightemperature combustion processes at least, this seems questionable. Brosset [13]
found that a fraction of the order of 50% of the emission from a coal combustion
plant was present as forms of Hg[II]. If this is representative the deposition of
Hg from coal-fired power plants or waste incinerators may be more significant
than generally assumed in the past.
Investigations in Scandinavia [32, 87] and USA [66] indicate that long-range
transport from anthropogenic sources is a much more significant source of Hg
to surface soils than previously anticipated, at least for humus-rich natural soils.
In Sweden more than 50% of Hg in the soil humus layer was supposed to be of
pollution origin [32], partly from a small number of domestic point sources, partly
from source regions elsewhere in Europe. Recent studies on dated peat cores from
ombrotrophic bogs indicate that deposition of Hg during recent decades may have
been several times higher than in medieval times [10, 89]. There is evidence that
Hg0 may be retained by soils as an organo-complex [47]. A review on sequestration
of atmospheric Hg in forests and peatlands was published by Grigal [31].
The high content of methyl Hg in fish in several regions of Europe and North
America focused great attention on the widespread atmospheric deposition of Hg even
very far from the source regions. Perhaps the most extensive study on the pathways of
Hg from air via soil to fresh waters was carried out in Sweden [53, 61]. At the deposition
rates observed, about 80% of the supplied Hg was accumulated in the soil humus
layer [1]. The transport of Hg into surface waters was found to occur mainly with humic
matter, and was not appreciably affected by factors such as acidification [42].
15
Mercury
417
Recently a new natural source of Hg deposition was discovered in the Arctic

[78]. During the 3 months following polar sunrise frequent episodic depletion
of gaseous Hg concentrations in air occurred. Presumably this effect is a result of
photochemical activity involving reactive halogen species [51]. An important
consequence of this depletion is increased deposition of oxidised Hg species during
the same episodes, presumably leading to increased Hg loads to surface soils and to
lesund were traced
biota. Mercury depletion episodes at the arctic site of Ny-A
some days later at the north coast of Norway [9], indicating that the increased
Hg deposition may also affect greater parts of the Northern hemisphere.
15.3.3 Agricultural Materials

Considerable amounts of Hg may be added to agricultural land along with
fertilisers, lime, and manures, as evident from the literature figures summarized
by Andersson [5]. Most commercial fertilisers have Hg concentrations less than
50 mg kg1, but considerably higher values occur in P fertilisers. The Hg may be
derived partly from the phosphate rocks and partly from the H2SO4 used for their
dissolution. Samples of lime tend to show values less than 20 mg kg1, whereas
manure typically exhibits Hg levels on the order of 100 mg kg1.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century and several decades afterwards, Hg
compounds were used in agriculture as fungicides and seed disinfectants. During
most of the time organic Hg compounds were used, in particular during the period
19451970. The supply of Hg to the soil by seed dressing could in some
cases be as high as 1 mg m2. A reasonable average from this supply seems to be
100200 mg m2 year1 for cereal-producing soils, which is of the same order as
the Hg already present in the upper 20 cm of the soil, and considerably more than
what may be normally supplied by atmospheric deposition. Mercury fungicides
however are no longer used in most countries.
15.3.4 Sewage Sludge

Sludge from wastewater treatment plants is frequently applied as fertiliser on arable
land. Often restrictions are imposed on the use of sludge because of the high content
of some heavy metals found in this material, including Hg. It appears from the
examples of literature values selected by Andersson [5] that 510 mg kg1 is a
typical level in sludge, and more recent literature values [55, 66] confirm Hg levels
of this order. Assuming that 50 t ha1 of sludge containing 5 mg kg1 of Hg are
applied to the soil, the added amount of Hg is 25 mg m2, which is a considerable
increment with respect to a normal background level. Fortunately, general efforts
to reduce water pollution have led to a significant reduction of the Hg level in
418
E. Steinnes
sludges in some countries [39, 67]. Cappon [14] studied the chemical form of
Hg in sludge and found on average 6.0% methylmercury.
15.4
Chemical Behaviour of Mercury in Soil
15.4.1 Occurrence and Stability of Inorganic

Mercury Species in Soil
Depending on the redox conditions, Hg may occur in three different oxidation
states, namely as Hg(0), Hg(I), and Hg(II), of which Hg(0) and Hg(II) are the states
normally encountered in soil. In addition to the redox potential, pH and Cl
concentration are key parameters in the determining the speciation of Hg in the
soil solution and the chemical transformations occurring. In addition to chemical
reactions, transformations may also be mediated by microbial activity. Knowledge
of the speciation and transformation reactions of Hg is important in order to explain
its retention and mobility in the soil, equilibria between solid phases and soil
solution, and availability for plant uptake.
Due to its strong ability to form complexes, Hg(II) rarely occurs as the free Hg2+
cation under natural conditions. In acid solution Hg(II) is stable at a redox potential
above 0.4 V, and normally occurs as the HgCl20 complex. Above pH 7 the complex
Hg(OH)20 complex is the corresponding stable form. Hg2+ also forms strong
complexes with humic matter where bonding to reduced organic sulphur groups
plays a major role [73, 84].
Another important property of Hg is its ability to bind strongly to the sulphide
anion. Under strongly reducing conditions Hg0 is stable in the presence of H2S or
HS, but at increasing redox potential HgS will precipitate, or in the case of
strongly alkaline soils the soluble HgS22 anion will be formed. Further increase
will bring about oxidation of sulphide to sulphate, but at this point the potential may
still not be high enough to prevent reduction to Hg0. An increase in redox potential
to the level normally found in surface soil may finally oxidise Hg0 to the Hg(II)
state. A more detailed treatment of the physical chemistry of Hg in aqueous solution
is found in Andersson [5]. Schuster [79] reviewed the literature on behaviour of
mercury in soil with emphasis on complexation and adsorption processes.
Only a very minute fraction of Hg2+ occurs in the soil solution, the major
fraction being either bound in soil minerals or adsorbed to inorganic or organic
solid surfaces. Since HgCl20 is only weakly retained by mineral matter it can be
assumed that Hg2+ is mainly attached to organic matter in acid soils, whereas in
neutral or slightly alkaline soil mineral components are also active. According to
Varshal et al. [92] Hg solubility in peat is mainly associated with fulvic acid
complexes, whereas high-molecular-mass complexes with humic acids tend to
immobilize the Hg.
15
Mercury
419
15.4.2 Volatilisation of Mercury from Soil

Some investigators have observed loss of Hg added to soils in the form of inorganic
salts [23, 76, 77] and found that organic matter tended to enhance the loss. The
volatilisation seemed to be mediated by microorganisms [77], but significant losses
were also reported from sterilised soils [23]. These studies were mostly carried out
with Hg concentrations far above naturally occurring ones, and it is hard to evaluate
the significance of the demonstrated reactions and processes for the Hg turnover
under natural conditions [5].
Some of the experimental evidence seems conflicting with regard to the
influence of pH and organic matter on the volatilisation of Hg from soil [97].
For soils low in clay and humus, more was evaporated from a neutral than from
an acidic soil, whereas for two soils with 45% humus content and 1517% clay the
opposite was observed. In acid soil the higher humus content inhibited the
vaporisation of Hg at the 1 mg kg1 level in the surface layer, whereas at 50 mg kg1
the loss was greater with the higher humus content. According to Andersson [5] a
probable explanation might be that at low Hg content the humus exhibits sufficient
complexing capacity to allow only a very small fraction to be present in the soil
solution. At higher Hg contents, a significant fraction may be present in the solution
and eventually be lost after reduction to Hg0.
Under natural conditions the release of Hg0 and possibly also other volatile Hg
compounds from soil is probably very significant in the global cycling of Hg.
Anomalously high concentrations of Hg0 in air are frequently observed in the
vicinity of Hg-bearing ores.
15.4.3 Leaching of Mercury from Soil

The strong ability of soil to fix Hg2+ species means that the removal of Hg from
soils by leaching is in most cases insignificant [24, 33, 54, 96]. In an experiment
where radioactively labelled Hg compounds were applied to soil columns, which
were then leached with sewage effluent [33] neither HgCl2, methyl mercuric
chloride, nor phenyl mercuric acetate was found in measurable amounts below
20 cm depth in the soils. Lodenius et al. [54] studied the leaching of Hg in peat
lysimeters and found that addition of chloride, fertiliser, or steriliser did not affect
the leaching. The only treatment that had an effect was drying of the column, which
resulted in cracks presumably allowing Hg bound to humus colloids to penetrate the
column. Similar transport might occur laterally in surface soil layers during periods
with surface runoff. The annual transport of Hg on humus colloids from forest soils
to lakes in Sweden however is estimated to be less than 1% of the amount stored in
the humus layer of the soil [41].
420
E. Steinnes
15.4.4 Retention of Mercury in Soil Material

Adsorption is apparently dominant in providing the retention of Hg species in soil.
Adsorption of Hg depends on a number of factors, including the chemical form of
Hg introduced, the grain size distribution of the soil, the nature and amount of
inorganic and organic soil colloid, the soil pH, and the redox potential. In addition
Hg2+ may be fixed in the form of low-solubility precipitates, in particular the
sulphide and the selenide.
The retention of Hg2+ may occur as a result of ion exchange, but stronger bonds
are probably involved to a large extent, such as hydroxyligands in the case of
sesquioxides and various ligands in the case of humic substances. Andersson [5]
found the following retention of inorganic Hg under neutral conditions: Al(OH)3
< kaolinite < montmorillonite < illitic clay soil < lateritic soil < organic soils
< Fe2O3.nH2O. Below pH 5.5 where HgCl20 is the dominant species in solution,
organic matter will be mainly responsible for the retention of Hg2+. The maximum
adsorption occurs at around pH 7, where HgOHCl0 is the dominant species [5].
Also organomercury compounds such as methylmercuric chloride and phenylmercuric acetate are strongly adsorbed in soil in the pH range around neutrality [33].
15.4.5 Methylation of Mercury in Soil

Since the observation that microorganisms in natural lake sediments could methylate Hg [40] numerous studies confirming the production of methyl-Hg in the
aquatic and terrestrial environment have been carried out. It appears that methylHg may be formed in soils under a variety of conditions, including purely abiotic
methylation [76] possibly associated with the fulvic acid fraction of the soil.
Matilainen et al. [58], in a lysimeter experiment in pine forest, supplied precipitation containing mercuric chloride labelled with radioactive 203Hg. After a treatment
period of 97 days they measured extractable 203Hg and found significant formation
of methyl 203Hg in the surface soil and particularly in the moss covering the soil
surface. Significant methyl-Hg runoff was observed from forested catchments
subject to logging operations using heavy machinery strongly disturbing the surface
soil [65, 72]. Some of this methyl-Hg, however, may have been derived from
litterfall [80]. Skyllberg et al. [85] studied methyl-Hg in streams draining spruce
forest stands subjected to clear-cut, and found that 4 years after the clear-cut, less
than 20% could be ascribed to enhanced mobilisation from the soil whereas the rest
was due to new methylation of Hg(II) during the intermediate period.
Methylation is generally most likely to occur in water-saturated soils where
anaerobic conditions prevail, and Hg(II) in the soil solution appears to be more
available for methylation than soil bound Hg(II) [83]. The amounts of methyl-Hg
reported for forest surface soils are of the order of one to a few percent of the total
Hg content.
15
Mercury
421
Table 15.2 Selected literature data for Hg contents of surface soils

1
Number of Hg (ng g )
Country
Austria
Soil type
samples
Cultivated and non-cultivated
40
(020 cm)
Belgium
316
(020 cm)
Canada
Virgin soils, A-horizon
65
Cultivated and virgin, A-horizon
170
Cultivated (015 cm)
290
Norway
Forest soil, A0-horizon
700
Ombrogenous peat (05 cm)
21
11
42
Spain
Predominantly cultivated
618
Sweden
273
(020 cm)
UK
51
(015 cm)
Cultivated (015 cm)
305
USA
Surface soils (entire country)
912
Surface soils (Western states)
492
Surface soils (Eastern states)
420
Surface soils (Florida)
600
Surface horizon (Missouri)
1,140
Surface horizon (Colorado)
168
B horizon (Eastern states)
420
B horizon (Western states)
492
Urban and agricultural (05 cm)
264
Cultivated (015 cm)
200
Cultivated (07.5 cm)
96
a
Median value
Range
5340
Average References
95
[90]
304,190
100a
[35]
<5660
13741
101,140
20550
35255
56341
3.334
1216
4920
64
102
110
188
115
188
13.3
34
60
[48]
[77]
[66]
[54]
[17]
[27]
101,780
32
[94]
90a
112
83
147
162
39
35
96
55
110
30
120
[18]
[70]
20400
<104,600
<104,600
103,400
10670
<10800
<10420
103,400
<104,600
50360
[20]
[74]
[36]
[53]
[24]
[44]
[1]
15.4.6 Concentration and Distribution of Mercury in Soils

In most soils the Hg content changes with depth, which means that the sampling
depth is important. In cultivated soils the plough layer (020 cm) is homogenised
due to soil management. Comparison of data from cultivated and non-cultivated
soils is therefore difficult. In the case of comparisons between different virgin soils,
similar sampling depths or the same horizons should be used [5].
In Table 15.2 some selected literature data showing typical Hg levels in presumably uncontaminated soils are listed. Most of the data are from North America,
Scandinavia, and the UK. Few comprehensive data sets seem to exist for southern
and eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Australia. Some of the early
investigations listed in Table 15.2 may have included agricultural soils treated with
organomercurials. By and large, however, the data are thought to be representative
422
E. Steinnes
for areas with no appreciable influence from local anthropogenic sources giving rise
to elevated levels in the surface soil.
Organic soils commonly have higher average Hg contents than mineral soils
[22, 43]. This is also demonstrated by the examples shown in Table 15.2, where
soils rich in organic matter generally show Hg values of 0.10.2 mg kg1 whereas
mineral soils and surface soils from areas poor in organic matter are typically
0.05 mg kg1 or less. Lag and Steinnes [48] found a highly significant correlation
between Hg and organic matter content in the surface layer of forest soils.
Andersson [4] in a study of Hg profiles of virgin soils demonstrated a very close
correlation between Hg and organic matter content in acidic soils, whereas in
neutral soils (pH > 6), where the dominated species are HgOHCl and Hg(OH)2
rather than HgCl2, the co-variation between Hg and Fe was stronger than that of
Hg and organic matter. The distinctly higher Hg content observed in soils in the
eastern compared to the western USA [82] could possibly in part be explained by
differences in soil organic matter.
In some cases, such as the Chernozem and Luvisol soils in Alberta studied
by Dudas and Pawluk [19], Hg appeared to be depleted in the surface layer relative
to lower horizons. In soils with low organic matter content and pH > 6 this trend
might be expected. However, McKeague and Kloosterman [59], in an extensive
survey of soils from all the provinces of Canada, observed that in more than half of
the samples, particularly podzolic and gleysolic soils the highest Hg concentrations
were present in the surface layer.
In cultivated soils the Hg level is normally quite constant within the plough
layer. Below this layer there is a gradual decrease downwards to the background
level in the parent material [5, 95]. In some cases however the content in the surface
horizon is similar to that of the subsoil [63].
Ombrotrophic bogs offer a unique opportunity to study the transfer of Hg
between the atmosphere and organic soil virtually independently of the underlying
mineral material [25, 38]. In a study of 14C-dated peat profiles from six bogs
at different latitudes (5869 N) in Norway [89] the Hg concentration in the surface
peat layer was of the order of 1020 times higher than at 50 cm depth, representing
an age of 22003600 BP. This indicates that the recent atmospheric supply of Hg
in this area may have been an order of magnitude higher than the pre-industrial
level, provided that no re-distribution of Hg in the peat has occurred.
In the survey presented by Ure and Berrow [91], data for the Hg content of 3049
soils averaging 0.098 mg kg1 were reported. No similar calculation is presented
for the data listed in Table 15.2, because the format of reporting is not uniform.
Some investigators include all data obtained on a given material, while others
exclude anomalous values before calculating the average. What seems to be
evident, however, is that the Hg content of surface soils frequently exceeds to a
substantial degree that of the mineral material from which it was derived. Much of
this excess Hg may be present in some form that permits its participation in
exchange processes in the soil and between soil and atmosphere. It also appears
that the surface content is distinctly higher in soils with high organic matter
contents.
15
Mercury
15.5
423
Mercury in the Soil-Plant System
The uptake of Hg in terrestrial plants has been the subject of numerous

investigations [2]. Most of the work has been performed on agricultural crops
under experimental conditions, and almost exclusively with Hg loads far above
those encountered under normal conditions. In general the availability of Hg in soil
to plants is low, and there is a general tendency to Hg accumulation in the roots,
indicating that roots serve as a barrier to Hg uptake [50]. Experiments on the uptake
of Hg2+ in higher plants from a solution culture [8] showed a certain transport to the
shoots at levels exceeding 0.1 mg kg1 of Hg in the external medium. The fraction
of Hg retained in the roots was about 20 times that observed in the shoots. Lindberg
et al. [50] studying the plant uptake of Hg from agricultural soils near a Hg mine
found that the relative Hg content in roots was closely related to the NH4OAcextractable Hg in the soils. The Hg content in above-ground parts of plants, on the
other hand, appeared to be largely dependent on foliar uptake of Hg0 from the
atmosphere. More recent research [26, 29, 30, 62] supports the view that translocation of Hg from plant roots to the foliage is very limited. Ericksen et al. [20] found
that almost all Hg in aspen foliar tissue originated from the atmosphere.
The Hg content in plants grown on soils low in Hg was reported to be in the same
range as for the soils [28]. In the case of cereals the content in grain was about 310
times lower than that of the straw. Other work indicated still lower Hg levels
(12 mg kg1) in grains of barley and wheat [49]. Even at these low levels it may
be assumed that foliar uptake of Hg0 from the air plays a significant role.
15.6
Soils Heavily Polluted with Mercury
Anthropogenic activities giving rise to Hg emissions to the atmosphere may

significantly contaminate soils in the neighbourhood of the emission sources.
These activities include smelting of non-ferrous metals, burning of fossil fuels,
industrial activity such as the chlor-alkali process, and waste incineration. Soil
contents of the order of 110 mg kg1 Hg were found at distances <0.5 km from
a chlor-alkali plant [64]. The highest concentration value ever reported for Hg
in soil appears to be 17,100 mg kg1 (1.71% Hg) at a chlor-alkali plant in
Kazakhstan [74].
In the vicinity of mercury mines, values of the order of 100 mg kg1 have been
observed in agricultural soils [50, 64]. In the Idrija Hg-mine region the total Hg
concentrations in contaminated soils varied between 8.4 and 415 mg kg1 [46], and
fractionation experiments indicated cinnabar to be the predominant Hg fraction,
followed by Hg0. Ferera et al. [21] reported values within the range 90212 mg kg1
in soils at Monte Amiata, a mining area in Italy. Sometimes elevated Hg levels are
observed in soils from volcanic areas [44].
424
E. Steinnes
For a long time the most significant problem of Hg pollution of agricultural

soils was that of organic mercury compounds added in the form of seed dressing
and of foliar spray against plant diseases [5]. These practices have now been
discontinued in most countries, but seed dressing applications have been reported
until recently [70].
15.7
Global Distribution of Mercury
The release of volatile Hg compounds from the land surface and the atmospheric
deposition of Hg acting in the opposite direction are important processes not only
for the Hg chemistry in soils but also for the global circulation of Hg. According
to Mason et al. [56], 7080% of the current Hg emissions to the atmosphere are
of anthropogenic origin. As most of the Hg deposited to the oceans is recycled to
the atmosphere, the terrestrial environment becomes the principal atmospheric
Hg sink. Mason et al. estimated the annual global Hg deposition on land to be
about 1.8 109 g, and a similar deposition to the oceans. Andren and Nriagu [6]
estimated the global Hg store in soils to be 2 1013 g, which may seem slightly
high. Assuming a mean Hg concentration in surface soils (upper 0.5 m) of
0.05 mg g1 worldwide (cf. Table 15.2) and a mean soil density of 1 g cm3 the
total amount of Hg in the Earths surface soils is around 3 1012 g.
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Chapter 16
Selenium
Olav Albert Christophersen, Graham Lyons, Anna Haug,
and Eiliv Steinnes
Abstract Selenium (Se) is both an essential micronutrient for animals and humans
and potentially toxic at relatively low intakes. Total soil Se is usually low
(0.012 mg/kg), but parts of China, India and the USA have toxic soil Se levels.
Available soil Se is poorly correlated with total soil Se and is highly variable, both
locally and globally. The plant availability of Se in soil depends on the major
Se species present and on soil characteristics, including the quantity of sorption
components (aluminium and iron oxide/hydroxides), pH and redox status. Also, the
presence of anions competing for the same sorption surfaces (including sulphate,
phosphate and organic anions) affects root uptake and retention of Se in soil, and
microbial activity is important for Se interactions with organic matter. Depletion of
Se and S is common in soils of Sub-Saharan Africa, due to soil erosion, leaching
and volatilisation through burning. The only viable long-term solution, especially
for farmers who cannot afford commercial fertilisers, is to re-establish agricultural
ecosystems that are closer to the natural ecosystems they replaced. Selenium is not
considered to be essential for higher plants; however, it has numerous health roles
O.A. Christophersen
Pensioned State Stipendiate, Ragnhild Schibbyesvei 26, 0968 Oslo, Norway
G. Lyons
School of Agriculture, Food & Vine, University of Adelaide,
Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
A. Haug (*)
Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences,
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Aas, Norway
E. Steinnes
429
430
O.A. Christophersen et al.
in humans and animals, mostly mediated by Se-dependent enzymes. Although

diseases associated with profound Se deficiency (Keshan disease, Kaschin-Beck
disease and myxoedema) are rare, suboptimal intake is widespread and may
increase risk of heavy metal toxicity, certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases and
HIV disease. It is possible to biofortify food crops using selenate, but a high
proportion is retained in the soil, and more targeted supplementation may be
preferable to conserve this scarce micronutrient.
Keywords Selenium Micronutrient Selenate Selenite Redox pH
Availability Se deficiency Seleniferous Adsorption Selenide
16.1
Introduction
Selenium (Se) is a non-metal (or metalloid) capable of strong antagonistic

biological interactions with a number of potentially toxic metals (depending on
dosage range and time of accumulation), like cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and
silver (Ag); it can thus protect against various toxic effects of these metals [47, 153,
161], although it is less effective against the toxic effects of lead (Pb) [47], perhaps
because PbSe is much more easily oxidized compared to CdSe, HgSe and Ag2Se
(with Pb++ being easily oxidized to Pb+++, while Cd++ and Hg++ are resistant to
oxidation). The biological interaction with some of the metals concerned, as seen in
animal experiments [47, 153, 161], is so strong that it may almost be compared to a
chemical titration process. Selenium belongs to the same group in the periodic
system as sulphur (S) and is similar to S in its general chemical properties, but
somewhat different from the latter in its oxidation-reduction (redox) behaviour at
ambient temperature (with the oxidation number +4 being much more stable for Se
than for S). It is highly chalcophile (in Goldschmidts classification system [54]),
almost more than S itself, with selenide ions substituting for S in sulphide minerals,
and heavy metal selenides are less soluble than the corresponding sulphides
[20, 25]. Like S, Se is also highly siderophile [120].
16.2
Geochemistry of Selenium
The name selenium refers to the Greek Moon goddess Selene. While the Moon is
more depleted than the Earth in several moderately volatile elements including
alkali metals and gold (Au), S and Se are found at similar concentrations in lunar
rocks as on the Earth [120]. This (and also the high FeO concentration of the lunar
mantle) can only be explained if the Moon was formed from matter that had been in
a moderately oxidizing environment, where the H2/H2S and H2/H2O ratios were
two orders of magnitude less than in solar gas. Both S and Se are much less volatile
under these conditions than in a more reducing environment, corresponding to the
composition of the Sun [120]. The Earth must also have been formed from matter
16
Selenium
431
that had been in a similar, moderately oxidizing environment in order to explain the
high total abundance of ferrous iron (Fe) in the Earths mantle while also being
depleted in alkali metals [120], although not as much as the Moon. The low average
abundance of S and Se in mantle and crustal rocks on the Earth can therefore not be
explained by evaporation from planetisimal matter before the Earth was formed
(even though the temperature was high enough that Na and K partially evaporated).
Instead it must be explained as a consequence of the strongly siderophile properties
of these elements; i.e. they must have sunk down as part of an Fe-rich, but also
sulphide-rich melt phase when the Earths core was formed. It is therefore likely
that S must be the principal so-called light element in the Earths core, which is
important for estimation of the temperature regime during core formation.
The average Se/S concentration ratio in igneous rocks like basalts and granites
on the Earth is similar to the Se/S concentration ratio found in the solar system as a
whole with Se being four orders of magnitude less abundant than S, when considering atomic proportions [81, 143]. Thus there seems to have been little fractionation
of Se relative to S both when the Earth itself and when its core were formed. Selenium
must apparently have been highly abundant in the seawater or in the atmosphere at the
time when life originated on our planet and the universal genetic code appeared,
judging from the presence of selenoproteins in all three major subdivisions, or
kingdoms, of living organisms, viz. the archaea, the bacteria and the eukaryotes,
with the amino acid selenocysteine being incorporated during translation and using
the same codon (UGA, or TGA in the DNA molecule) in all three. The use of
selenocysteine as a building block in proteins seems thus to go back to the time
when the universal genetic code originated. It may be speculated that this could have
happened as a result of the different redox behaviour of Se and S at low temperatures,
with both elements released abundantly during volcanic degassing (possibly at the
same time as the Earths core was formed). Sulphur was removed from seawater much
more rapidly than Se both in the form of sulphate (or sulphate/silicate, such as
scapolite) and sulphide minerals, but Se would stay in solution together with phosphate in the form of selenite ions (at a time when the Ca++ concentration was several
orders of magnitude less than in seawater today because of the combination of high
CO2 fugacity and simultaneous equilibrium of the seawater with dolomite and hydrous
Mg carbonate minerals). It is likely that Se, because of its redox, catalytic and metalbinding properties, may have played an important role during the prebiotic evolutionary emergence of the first living systems.
16.3
Selenium Concentration, Behaviour and Plant

Bioavailability in Soils
16.3.1 Origin of Soil Selenium and Variable Levels

in the Earths Crust
Total Se concentrations are low in most soils, usually in the range 0.012.0 mg kg1,
although levels as high as 1,200 mg kg1 can occur in seleniferous soils [45].
432
The average concentration of Se is much higher in some of the common sedimentary

rocks, especially shale and coal, compared to igneous rocks such as basalt, andesite
and granite [4, 81]. The surplus Se found in sedimentary rocks comes partly from
volcanic gases, but perhaps also from hydrothermal exchange processes between
seawater and lava along the mid-oceanic ridges. Topsoil Se concentrations are
often, but not always, much higher than in the local bedrock, which can partly
be explained by Se vertical transport through the plants, but sometimes also by longterm accumulation of Se deposited from the atmosphere. However, available
(soluble or not too strongly adsorbed) soil Se is poorly correlated with total soil Se
and is also highly variable both locally and globally [30, 114]. An example of local
variability in soil available Se is provided from a South Australian field trial, where
four replications of a single wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar were grown in one
field, and the grain Se concentration varied sixfold (0.1100.690 mg kg1) [95].
The mobility and plant-availability of Se in soil is controlled by numerous chemical
and biochemical processes: sorption, desorption, microbial activity, formation of
organic and inorganic complexes, precipitation, dissolution and methylation to
volatile compounds [13, 17, 59, 109].
Sewage sludge is widely used as a fertiliser, being valued for its content of
organic matter, N and P. However, it can also contain high levels of undesirable
elements such as Pb and Cd [109, 119]. Most Se is removed from municipal
wastewater at the first stage and thus concentrated in the sludge, but is generally
found at lower levels than Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn [109]. It is not easy to evaluate the net
biological effect when intakes of Se and Se-antagonistic toxic metals are simultaneously enhanced (as from sewage sludge) because one must take into consideration important differences between Se and the metals both as regards the extent of
intestinal absorption and rates of excretion, with Cd and Pb both having extremely
long biological half-lives in humans [153]. Selenium concentrations in the range
1.78.7 mg/kg were found in a study of sewage sludges from 16 metropolitan areas
in the USA [109], but Se in sewage sludge has been found to be of low bioavailability to plants [76]. In a study in Japan, selenite was found to be the predominant
Se form [144]. Conversely, in a study of Se and As in soil solutions of fly ash-,
poultry litter- and sewage sludge-amended soils, selenate was found to be the main
soluble Se form in all treatments [71].
16.3.2 Role of Atmospheric Deposition as a Source

of Selenium in Soils
The atmosphere constitutes a significant source of Se to surface soils, with atmospheric Se coming from both anthropogenic and natural sources. The major anthropogenic source of Se to the atmosphere is combustion of fossil fuels, responsible for
62% of the worldwide emissions in 1983 [113]. The average Se concentration in
coal is high (because of the combined effects of atmospheric Se deposition from
16
Selenium
433
natural sources and active Se uptake in the plant roots), and coal combustion is
therefore one of the major anthropogenic sources of Se emission to the atmosphere.
However, coal combustion is also a major source of the Se-antagonistic elements
As and S, as well as of various toxic metals. Another 22% is estimated to come from
pyrometallurgical processes (metal production from sulphide ores), and the total
emission is estimated at 5,780 t. Selenium is emitted in volatile form (as SeO2) from
high-temperature sources, including forest fires and garbage combustion, and is
likely to condense preferentially on small particles [52]. This makes it available
for long range atmospheric transport, which may affect land areas far from the
source [139].
Emissions from natural sources must be considered an equally, if not even more
important source of atmospheric Se, especially since they sometimes can lead to Se
accumulation in the soils over very long periods of time (thousands or ten thousands
of years), while much of the anthropogenic emissions (e.g. from large-scale coal
combustion) only go back to the start of the industrial revolution. While Se
deposition from anthropogenic sources can locally be more important compared
to natural deposition (near areas with much industrial activity), the natural sources
are nevertheless equally or more important when considering the planet as a
whole. Natural soils in Norway were shown to exhibit substantially higher Se
concentrations near the Atlantic coast than further inland. In some areas, topsoil
Se concentrations are so high as a result of high deposition rates from the atmosphere, both naturally from the sea and from acid rain, that they approach levels
found in seleniferous areas in the USA [97, 98, 138]. The observations from
Norway indicated that the ocean is a major source of Se to the terrestrial environment, but this remained unexplained until the discovery of biological methylation
of Se in the aquatic environment [33]. Mosher and Duce [107] estimated a mean
global annual emission of Se to the atmosphere of 6,00013,000 t, with 6080% of
marine biogenic origin. Marine biogenic emission in this order of magnitude has
more recently been confirmed by other authors [3].
16.3.3 Speciation of Selenium in Soils: Inorganic Compounds

The oxidation states of Se in soils range from 2 to +6, depending on pH and redox
potential. The dependence of Se speciation on pH and redox potential is illustrated
in Fig. 16.1. At pH levels above 6, which includes most agricultural soils, the
element exists predominantly in oxidation states +4 and +6. However, it can be
reduced to negative oxidation numbers, even in well-oxygenated environments, as a
result of biological processes (e.g. in the form of dimethylselenide). The actual
distribution of different Se species in soil does not correspond strictly to what
should be expected in a situation of thermodynamic equilibrium either in wellaerated or waterlogged soils. Selenide ions can be formed by living organisms even
under conditions where they are not at all thermodynamically stable.
434
Fig. 16.1 pE-pH diagram for the system Se-H2O under the condition SeT 78.96 mg l1
(1 mmol m3) (Reproduced from Neal [109], Copyright (1995) with permission from Springer)
The speciation of Se in the soil is very important for its bioavailability for uptake
into the plant roots. Selenate is the major form in soil solution under high redox
conditions (pe + pH > 15, where pe is a negative measure of electron activity,
derived from the redox potential, Eh, similarly as pH is a negative measure
of proton activity), while selenite is the main form at medium redox potential
(pe + pH 7.515) [42]. Se4+, which may exist either as selenite (SeO32) or
biselenite (HSeO3) depending on pH, and Se6+ as selenate (SeO42) are the
forms of selenium primarily responsible for the reactivity of this element in soils.
The position of Se redox couples relative to the reactions normally governing
the redox potential in soils is shown in Table 16.1. According to this table
SeO42 should be reduced before MnO2, but after NO3 on decreasing redox
level. This sequence has been verified in experimental studies on soil [135] and
sediment [103]. Similarly, presence of nitrate in the soil should be expected to
retard selenate reduction chemically [160] or biochemically [115].
Factors such as dry climate, low organic matter concentration, high temperature,
high pH and absence of waterlogging (well-oxidised soils) tend to favour selenate
over selenite. However, irrigation of such soils may leach the Se below the root
zone [42, 109]. Selenate is less strongly adsorbed to minerals in the soil and
more readily taken up by plants than selenite, while selenite binds tightly to Fe
and aluminium (Al) oxides and hydroxides, to allophane (formed by chemical
weathering of volcanic glass, e.g. in New Zealand) and to a lesser extent also
16
Selenium
Table 16.1 Redox sequence

of some reactions relevant
to this chapter [109]
435
Reaction
O2/H2O
NO3/NO2
SeO42/SeO32
MnO2/Mn2+
SeO32/Se(0)
FeOOH/Fe2+
SO42/HS
CO2/CH4
pe
0.82
0.54
0.44
0.40
0.27
0.17
0.16
0.24
to clay minerals [13, 109], especially to the positively charged edges of the latter.
Previously it was considered that plants take up mostly selenate from aerobic soils;
however, recent studies of Se species in arable soils in the UK found selenite to be
the main form available for plants [86], which may partly be explained as a
consequence of bioreduction of selenate. In a more recent study, using a very
sensitive method for determining the speciation of Se in soil, no selenate was
detected at all in some British soil samples [172]. At lower pH values, as frequently
found in organic-rich soils, the element may also occur in the more reduced
oxidation states 0 and 2, particularly under conditions of water saturation, more
than happens under conditions of better oxygenation, less soil organic matter and
higher pH. Physicochemical factors other than pH and oxygen partial pressure that
may affect Se speciation include the chemical and mineralogical composition of the
soil, organic matter content, the nature of adsorbing surfaces, and microbial intervention, frequently leading to the production of organo-selenium compounds.
Selenide and elemental Se mainly occur in reducing environments (pe + pH < 7.5)
and are generally unavailable [42, 109].
In some cases, and particularly at high Se levels, concentrations of Se oxyanions in the soil solution may be controlled by the solubility of Se minerals in the
soil. Elrashidi et al. [42], discussing equilibrium reactions and constants for a wide
range of Se minerals and inorganic species in solution, indicated that metal selenate
and selenite minerals are generally too soluble to be stable in most soils. Under
reducing conditions, according to these authors, the formation of metal selenides,
e.g., Cu2Se, PbSe, and SnSe, is likely to prevent the precipitation of elemental Se.
However, in a similar study of Se speciation in anoxic soil solutions, also based on
equilibrium calculations, elemental Se and the formation of FeSe and FeSe2 were
determined to control Se solubility [104]. The quotient between the solubility
products of FeSe (1026) and CuSe (7.9 1049) [20] is much larger than the
ratio between average concentrations of Fe (54,000 mg kg1) and copper (Cu)
(50 mg kg1) in the Earths continental crust [81]. In a situation with thermodynamic equilibrium and Cu++ as the stable form of copper, all selenide ions will thus
precipitate as cupric selenide before ferrous selenide can form. In the natural system
in the soil, it is possible, however, that precipitation of these two minerals will be
governed by kinetic factors rather than thermodynamic equilibria, so that most of
the selenide ions actually might be bound to ferrous Fe rather than Cu++, and Cu2Se
with a solubility product of 1.6 1061 [20] is also more soluble than CuSe.
436
The main reason why Se will not easily form minerals of its own in the soil is the
low total concentration of Se in most soils, combined with the high capacity for
inorganic Se species to bind to the surfaces of non-Se minerals by adsorption, and to
enter the lattices of non-Se minerals either by equilibrium or non-equilibrium solid
solution. As for Se complexes in the soil solution under oxic conditions,
calculations have shown that only such complexes as MnSeO40, NiSeO40,
NaHSeO30, KHSe0, and NH4HSe0 appear to make appreciable contributions to
soluble Se in normal cultivated soils [109].
16.3.4 Speciation of Selenium in Soils: Organic Compounds

Selenite is the dominant form of inorganic Se in soils with high concentrations of
organic matter, such as are found in the Nordic countries (because of low soil
temperatures causing slower microbial degradation of soil organic matter than in
tropical countries), and also in water-logged soils, for example those under wetland
rice cultivation [62].
Inorganic forms of Se may be reduced by soil organisms, such as fungi and
bacteria including actinomycetes, to a variety of volatile and non-volatile forms.
Reamer and Zoller [118], adding selenite to soil and incubating for 30 days in the
presence of air, demonstrated the formation of dimethylselenide [(CH3)2Se],
dimethyldiselenide [(CH3)2Se2], and dimethylselenone [(CH3)2SeO2]. These and
other organoselenium compounds are formed by fungi [46, 148], but may be rapidly
demethylated by anaerobic bacteria [115] forming hydrogen selenide (H2Se). The
biological reduction processes may also involve the formation of many other
organoselenium compounds analogous to those bearing sulphur, such as
selenoaminoacids and selenoproteins. For instance Van Dorst and Peterson [156]
identified selenoglutathione after adding selenite to soil extracts. Abrams et al. [1],
extracting organic substances from Californian soils with alkaline pyrophosphate
and fractionating the humic substances, identified selenomethionine (Se-Met)
among the products.
Several studies have shown that a major fraction of Se in soils may be associated
with the organic component. Gustafsson and Johnsson [58], adding selenite to
forest soils and subsequently employing sequential extraction procedures and
chromatographic separations, found that most of the added selenite was fixed to
the organic matter, and preferentially to low-molecular weight fractions of the
humic substances. Kang et al. [78], employing a similar fractionation procedure,
found that in soils with organic matter contents exceeding 1.6%, more than 60% of
the total amount of Se was bound to organic matter. Seby et al. [124] recovered 50%
Se from a seleniferous soil by a single 2M NaOH extraction and separated the
extract into a humic and a fulvic fraction. In both fractions about 50% of the Se was
inorganic, mostly Se4+, whereas the rest consisted of unidentified forms assumed
to be Se organic compounds. Yamada et al. [165], studying soils with less than
1% organic carbon, found that 40% of the Se remained bound to organic matter,
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and the Se species did not change appreciably with variations in soil conditions.
Coppin et al. [35], assessing the effect of soil ageing on Se behaviour on a series of
soils initially contaminated with Se4+, found that both the quality and quantity of
soil organic matter played a significant role in Se retention. In each case about 60%
of Se was extracted with the humic fraction.
So far, little is known about the chemical speciation of the Se associated with
soil organic matter as well as about the pathways leading to the observed
distributions. Most reported studies dealing with the interaction of different Se
forms with humic matter are concerned with microbial action. Bruggeman et al.
[18] conducted experiments where selenite and selenate were added to reaction
vessels containing a solution of humic substances and stored in the absence of O2
and microorganisms. In the case of selenate no speciation change occurred, whereas
in the selenite solution most of the Se was transformed chemically to a colloidal
species associated with the humic substances. Coppin et al. [34] performed
experiments with selenite sorption to organic matter separated from a grassland
soil by size-density fractionation. The samples were assayed by scanning electron
microscopy combined with X-ray analysis. It appeared that the distribution of Se
corresponded strongly to that of Fe in the sample, suggesting that the association
might be with mineral impurities in the separated organic matter rather than with
the humic matter itself. It might be speculated that selenite ions are attached to a
ferric Fe complex-bound to soil polyphenolic macromolecules, and also to other
organic matter complexes with highly charged metal ions, such as Al or trivalent
manganese (Mn). Studies have shown either decreased Se availability with higher
organic matter content in soils [130, 166] or the opposite [36], and organoselenium
compounds can be readily taken up by plants [163]. Apparently more research is
needed to elucidate the association of Se with soil organic matter.
16.3.5 Selenium Adsorption in Soils

The difference in behaviour between the selenite and selenate anions in soils may
be largely explained by differences in their adsorptive properties, selenite being
adsorbed to soil constituents to a higher degree than selenate. This is very important, especially in areas with humid climate, for the kinetics of Se loss from the
topsoil as a result of leaching processes. Long-term accumulation of Se from
atmospheric deposition will thus be favoured when the organic matter concentration and the selenite/selenate ratio in the topsoil are very high, as in Scandinavia,
but probably not so much in areas with a humid tropical climate and low organic
matter concentrations in the soil, as in some of the Se-deficient parts of Africa.
Selenite is largely adsorbed on solid surfaces by ligand exchange, usually involving
a hydroxyl group residing on the surface of clay minerals or metal hydrous oxides
[13, 66, 116]. This mechanism of specific adsorption, which is supposed to be
similar to those of other oxyanions such as phosphate and arsenate, is highly
dependent on pH, since the presence of hydrogen ions will affect the ability of
the surface to attract anions. As a result, the amount of selenite adsorbed to a surface
438
will decrease with increasing pH. However, the effect of pH is less in cases of
specific adsorption than would be expected in a case of simple electrostatic
interactions between ions in solution and a surface with charge density that depends
on pH in the solution.
Selenate on the other hand behaves in a manner similar to non-specifically
adsorbed anions such as sulphate and nitrate. This mechanism is believed to involve
the formation of an outer-sphere complex involving a water molecule between the
surface and the adsorbing species [134]. This difference between selenite and
selenate sorption behaviour was supported by an X-ray absorption fine structure
(EXAFS) study of the two anions at a goethite-water surface [63]. A number of
studies have examined the adsorption behaviour of Se oxyanions on specific
minerals such as goethite [66], clay minerals [11, 51], and Fe oxides [13, 37].
These studies largely confirm that the selenate adsorption is a non-specific process,
and, unlike selenite adsorption, is sensitive to changes in ionic strength [63].
Adsorption characteristics of soils depend on the extent of pedochemical
weathering that will in large measure determine the mineral composition of the
soil [134]. John et al. [75], in a study of 66 New Zealand soils, concluded that
selenite adsorption increased as a function of soil weathering. In addition to the
physical and chemical properties of the adsorbent, the solution composition may be
of considerable importance with respect to differentiating adsorption mechanisms
[109]. Experimental studies indicate that variation of ionic strength has little effect
on the extent of selenite sorption, whereas selenate adsorption varies significantly
with the anion composition of the solution [63, 66, 110]. Sulphate in particular
appears as a strong competitor to selenate adsorption, whereas chloride, being more
weakly adsorbed, is a weaker competitor. However, the competition of chloride
with selenate adsorption on soil surfaces should not be ignored [123].
16.3.6 Selenium Soil-Plant Relationships

The subject of the Se soil-plant relationships has been reviewed extensively [17, 59,
83, 106, 109, 119].
Selenate is readily transported from roots to shoots, where it is likely to
be transported to the plastids and assimilated via the S pathway [132, 147].
Selenite undergoes rapid conversion to selenate and organoselenium compounds
in the roots, where the latter also tend to accumulate [86, 132, 170]. Interaction
between these forms is evident, with selenite inhibiting selenate uptake and
xylem transport [86]. Within the plant Se and S compete with each other in the
biochemical pathways leading to synthesis of Se-Met and methionine in plant cells.
The Se-Met/methionine ratio and the concentration of Se-Met in plant seeds
must therefore be expected to depend on the ratio of Se uptake to S uptake in
the roots [62].
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Selenium is generally not considered to be essential for flowering plants [17, 83],
although it can be beneficial, when supplied at low levels, in terms of reduction
of oxidative stress, increased biomass [59] and increased seed production [93].
The biochemical explanation for such protective effects of Se in plants is unknown,
but it might be speculated that it may at least in part be explained as a consequence
of selenide ions substituting for sulphide ions in Fe-S proteins such as ferredoxin,
leading to reduction of the rate of superoxide anion production because of ferredoxin autoxidation during photosynthesis (with O2 reacting with Fe++ in ferredoxin,
causing formation of O2. and Fe+++). This is because of the greater stability of the
ferrous iron-selenide bond, compared to the ferrous iron-sulphide bond (as reflected
by the lower solubility product of FeSe compared to FeS [20, 25]), which may be
expected to lead to stabilization of Fe++, compared with Fe+++, or enhancement of
the standard redox potential for the Fe++/Fe+++ couple.
Field trials with wheat in South Australia [94] provide an example of the
importance of soil characteristics, including texture and pH, in determining Se
availability to plants. Grain Se concentration was used as a biomarker of available
soil Se. Wheat grown on a clay loam (Typic Natrixeralf) of pH (H2O) 6.6 had a
grain Se concentration of 0.063 mg kg1, compared to 0.720 mg kg1 in grain
from a calcareous sandy loam (Calcareous Xerochrepts) of pH 8.6. Yet both soils
had a total Se concentration of around 0.08 mg kg1 (determined by ICPMS after
digestion with nitric/perchloric acid) [94]. It has been considered that a total soil Se
concentration of 0.10.6 mg kg1 is deficient; however, this may need revision in
view of the above finding, as a soil able to grow wheat grain with over 700 mg kg1
Se could not be considered Se deficient, its low total soil Se level of 80 mg kg1
notwithstanding [94]. Other studies have found higher Se concentrations in crops
grown on soils of higher, compared with lower pH [24, 77], and increased
Se concentration in plants grown on lime-amended soils [57].
The presence of anions such as phosphate and sulphate influences, as earlier
mentioned, the extent to which Se is adsorbed by a soil and, depending on their
relative concentrations, its availability to plants [109]. One hypothesis that may
explain why low Se is sometimes associated with fertiliser application may be
co-precipitation of selenite ions with phosphate. This renders much of the Se unavailable for uptake by plants [39, 68, 89]. When phosphate fertilisers are added to the
soil and precipitation of phosphate minerals occurs, Se remains fixed in the precipitate
and is unavailable for uptake. Conversely, phosphate may also cause desorption of
selenite ions bound to minerals in the soil, as phosphate is bound more strongly to
trivalent Fe and Al than selenite [39, 108]. Selenite uptake, in a study of wheat plants,
was increased in P-starved plants, and (contrary to earlier assertions) this was found to
be an active process, which probably involves phosphate transporters [86]. In USA
and Canada there are large areas of prairie land where the soil is sufficiently fertile to
preclude the need for high rates of phosphate fertiliser application. The high
concentrations of Se found in cereals grown on these lands can therefore be explained
by a combination of high natural Se concentration in the soil and excellent bioavailability of soil Se for uptake by the plant roots, due partly to lack of commercial
P fertiliser application [62].
440
On the other hand, single superphosphate can contain up to 25 mg kg1 Se [163],

but it has generally been replaced by triple superphosphate, which typically
contains less than 4 mg kg1 Se [17]. Selenium concentrations in commercial
fertilisers depend both on the source of S (with evaporite minerals and elemental
S associated with salt diapirs being very poor in Se, compared with most sulphide
ores), and on the source of phosphate, with sedimentary phosphate ores [105]
containing much more Se than igneous phosphate rocks, but also much more Cd.
But even though marine phosphorites (sedimentary phosphate rock) contain much
more Se than igneous phosphate ores (e.g. from the Kola Peninsula), their Se/P
concentration ratio [105] is not as high as often can be found in the topsoils of
natural terrestrial ecosystems. It must therefore be expected that the application
of commercial fertilisers in most cases (though not always) will lead to a reduction
of the total Se/P concentration ratio in the soil (unless Se has been specifically
added to the fertiliser), which sooner or later must also lead to reduction of the Se/P
ratio of food and forage plants. It is possible that this may be the most important
reason for the very poor plant uptake of Se found on most cultivated lands both in
north, central and southern Europe (with the exception of Finland), and that it may
explain why the average Se intake from most European diets (as can be inferred
from human blood Se concentrations presently observed in several different parts of
Europe) is significantly less than was common in the United States and Canada
4050 years ago [25].
The uptake by plant roots of Se from fertilisers during the first weeks or
months following fertiliser application must be expected to depend on Se speciation
in the fertiliser, as well as on the competitive interactions between fertiliser
selenate or selenite and those major elements also in the fertiliser that use the
same membrane transport mechanisms as selenate or selenite for uptake in the
plant roots.
As noted above, increasing concentrations of sulphate in soil solution often
result in decreased Se uptake by plants, due to competition between sulphate and
selenate for transporters in plant roots [146, 163]. This effect is less marked for
selenite [50, 106]. In the more humid parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, there are large
areas where the human diet is deficient in S amino acids [6], which is in part
explained by a low total intake of dietary protein [5], but also may be due to S
deficiency in the soil [43, 129], which is probably very widespread in the more
humid parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially on the savanna as a consequence of
frequent anthropogenic fires [43], but also in such tropical forest areas where the
rainwater is very S-depleted because of long distance from sea. If one tries to
correct the problem of S amino acid deficiency in the human diet by fertilisation
with Se-poor S (in the form of gypsum or elemental S), it would be expected to
reduce the rate of synthesis of Se-Met in the plants compared to methionine [62].
If the problem of nutrient element deficiency in the topsoil has arisen as a consequence of excessive disruption of natural systems of local biogeochemical
recycling and retention through soil erosion and leaching, or volatilisation of S
and Se by fires (especially on the savanna), the only viable long-term solution,
especially for farmers who cannot afford to buy commercial fertilisers, is to try
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to re-establish agricultural ecosystems that are closer to the natural ecosystems

they replaced. This can be achieved using methods such as terracing, agroforestry,
and minimising anthropogenic fires [62].
In addition to soil traits, plant genotype is important for Se uptake and accumulation. Selenium biotransformation pathways play an important role in Se accumulation in plant tissues, and plants vary in their ability to transform inorganic Se to
organic forms [88, 132]. Numerous selenocompounds have been identified in
plants. Se-Met is the major selenocompound in cereal grains, grassland legumes
and soya beans (Glycine max), while Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMCYS) is the
major selenocompound in Se enriched plants such as garlic (Allium sativum),
onions (A. cepa) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea) [162].
Plant species vary widely in Se uptake and accumulation [147, 162, 163]. Most
plants (non-accumulators) accumulate Se in direct relationship to the amount
available from the soil and rarely contain more than 100 mg kg1 DM (whereas
Se-indicators (e.g. Morinda reticulata) can contain up to 1,000 mg kg1) and
accumulators like Astragalus bisulcatus, A. racemosus and Stanleya pinnata can
contain up to 40,000 mg kg1 [17, 119]. Non-accumulator plants have lower Se:S
ratios in shoot tissue than Se-accumulators [17], and as much as 80% of the total Se
in some accumulator plants is present as SeMCYS, which is less toxic to the plant
(but not to animals) than other Se forms [83, 162]. Furthermore, differences exist in
non-accumulators for both Se accumulation, for example a 15-fold variation among
Brassica vegetables [121], and for tolerance to Se, with a threshold of toxicity
generally in the range 2350 mg kg1 DW in leaf tissue. The threshold for toxic
effects in plants is determined not only by plant species but also by soil factors,
including Se form: selenite is more toxic than selenate [96, 106].
16.3.7 Phytoremediation of High Selenium Agricultural Soils?

Selenium accumulator plants can be used for phytoremediation of areas with toxic
Se levels in the soil. This strategy has been used in the Westside region of the San
Joachim Valley in California, where Se, B and salt levels are high in the soil.
Banuelos and colleagues have screened crops for tolerance to salt and B and ability
to accumulate Se. By using moderate Se accumulators in the Brassica family, for
example broccoli (B. oleracea), canola (B. napus) and Indian mustard (B. juncea),
Se-enriched feed or Se-enriched vegetables can be produced. Biofuel has also been
produced from high-Se canola seed, and the seed residue can even be used as a
biological herbicide [8].
The use of plants that naturally contain more Se than others, breeding crop varieties
with enhanced Se-accumulation characteristics, or transferring Se-accumulation
genes to crop species, may be plausible approaches to increase the Se concentration
of the human diet, and constitute forms of genetic biofortification [17, 41, 60].
However, when the topsoil is too severely depleted with regard to a particular nutrient
element (for example, as a consequence of accelerated soil erosion or frequent
442
anthropogenic fires), it is not possible to compensate for this by plant breeding or

bioengineering in order to improve uptake kinetics in the plant roots, except perhaps
by increasing very much the overall length and depth of the root system. The
alternatives are agronomic biofortification by Se fertilisation [17, 62], utilization of
areas with Se toxicity problems (natural or because of pollution) for Se biomining/
phytoremediation using Se accumulator plants [9, 38], fortification of foods or feed
mixtures with Se-Met, or intake of Se as dietary supplement pills.
16.4
Selenium in Animal and Human Health
16.4.1 Role of Synergistic Biochemical Interactions Between

Se and S Amino Acids in Antioxidant Defense
Geomedical problems due, in part, to reliance on Se-deficient soils for growing of
food crops, are common in much of Sub-Saharan Africa [137] and may be very
harmful for HIV patients [12]. But inadequate intake of S amino acids can also have
several adverse medical consequences, which can in part be explained by the close
collaboration between Se-dependent enzymes and glutathione (GSH) in cellular
systems of antioxidant defense, DNA synthesis and DNA repair. The Se-dependent
glutathione peroxidases GPx-1 and GPx-4 have been reported to display tert-uni
ping pong kinetics (see glossary) [49, 155], which means that the rate of oxidizing
substrate, e.g. H2O2 reduction (for a given concentration of the oxidizing substrate)
is proportional to the first power of the enzyme concentration (that depends on the
Se intake) and the second power of the GSH concentration (that depends on the
intake of S amino acids, as well as of certain B-group vitamins). The antioxidant
protective function of these enzymes is therefore even more vulnerable to deficiency of S amino acids in the diet than to Se depletion, and one must expect a
synergistic (multiplicative) interaction when Se and S amino acids are simultaneously deficient, or when Se deficiency is combined with thiamine, niacin or
riboflavin deficiencies.
It is therefore important that both problems (i.e. Se deficiency and S amino acid
deficiency in the diets of humans or domestic animals), and also the problem of
B-group vitamin deficiencies (e.g. because of overconsumption of refined cereal
products or sugar), should be addressed simultaneously, and with a good understanding both of the synergistic and antagonistic biochemical interactions between
Se and S as nutrient elements, as well as of the geochemical cycling [54] behaviour
of both elements. It should not be forgotten that global reserves of low cost S
(especially in form of evaporite sediments) are vastly larger than those of low cost
Se. There is therefore no reason, as seen from the point of view of global resource
economics, not to use S as a fertiliser wherever indicated because of S deficiency in
the soil (or in the human diet), while for Se, this is contraindicated because of much
more limited global reserves [62].
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16.4.2 Selenium Toxicity

Selenium toxicity in humans and animals is a much rarer problem than Se deficiency,
but does occur in places where high soil Se concentration is combined with high
bioavailability for uptake by plants. In animals, this can lead to the diseases called blind
staggers and alkali disease, often following the ingestion of Se accumulator plants with
much higher Se concentrations than normally found in grasses or cereal grains growing
in the same soil [29, 84, 153]. Symptoms in humans that have been reported from
China following chronic high intake (in the range 3.26.7 mg Se/day) resemble some
of those symptoms that have been described from other species, with the most common
sign of intoxication being hair and nail loss, but also dental, nervous and skin disorders
[84, 166]. Three especially interesting examples of geological situations which in
combination with human actions have led to Se toxicity problems have been described
from China (in an area with very Se-rich coal) and California (partly as a consequence
of using Se-contaminated irrigation water) [109, 166]. Livestock consuming fodder
grown on seleniferous soils in Punjab, India suffer from poor condition, hair loss and
hoof sloughing [38, 39]. The Californian case is described below.
The toxic effects of Se can, at least in part, be explained by formation of Se
derivatives of glutathione that function as redox-cycling agents generating reactive
oxygen species (ROS) [140]. The net effect of Se at excessive levels is therefore not
as an antioxidant, but as a strong pro-oxidant. This effect will become progressively
more important, when Se intake is enhanced beyond the intake needed for optimal
Se-dependent antioxidant protection (i.e. tissue saturation with Se-dependent
antioxidative enzymes, but perhaps also dependent on near-saturation of Fe-S
proteins with selenide ions, similarly as has been suggested above for explaining
beneficial effects of Se that have been observed in plants).
For adults, daily intakes up to 500 mg Se would normally appear safe with very
little, if any risk of toxicity. There are, however, paradoxical observations
suggesting that an acute enhancement of the intake of Se in some situations may
cause temporary reduction of the level of Se-dependent enzymes [19]. The responsible mechanism(s) is poorly known, but it is possible that it may be explained by
reaction between selenite ions and the selenol group of selenocysteine, leading to
formation of Se-Se covalent bonds and inactivation of the enzyme. It is thus
possible that the threshold for acute toxic effects of Se may be much lower in
patients suffering from Se deficiency than in persons with normal Se status. The
same might also be the case in patients suffering from Hg or Cd poisoning. It may
be theoretically expected that biological antioxidants with suitable pharmacokinetic
properties (with the possible exception of glutathione) might be useful in cases of
acute Se intoxication, e.g. a combination of coenzyme Q10, melatonin, taurine
(cf. [27] for an explanation of the possible antioxidant mechanism) and some
polyphenolic plant antioxidant, all at high dosage levels.
Epidemiological studies of associations between health parameters and apparent
Se status, as measured by blood Se concentrations, should take into consideration
the competitive interaction between methionine and Se-Met. Higher average blood
Se concentration in one population compared to another does not necessarily mean
444
that the first population has a higher Se intake; it could also be because it has a lower
intake of methionine, while the Se intake is the same in both populations. This is
especially important to bear in mind when studying populations in poor countries
with low total protein intake and/or S-deficient soils. However, one cannot exclude
the possibility that individual differences in the intake of methionine might affect
the outcome of epidemiological studies even in Europe and lead to the erroneous
conclusion that too much Se (even at very moderate levels) in certain respects might
be harmful, while the real culprit is an inadequate intake of S amino acids. Another
possible cause of enhanced blood plasma Se concentration is undersecretion of
insulin and/or impaired insulin sensitivity because of diabetes type 2, since insulin
is a negative regulator of selenoprotein P expression [133].
There are numerous reports from in vitro studies (e.g. [140, 172]), showing that
cancer cells are vulnerable to the toxic effects of Se, which creates the possibility of
using Se at subtoxic levels as a cytotoxic agent in cancer therapy. It has also been
reported that malignant cells resistant to other cytotoxic drugs are especially
vulnerable to Se as a cytotoxic agent [125]. However, safe use of Se for this kind
of therapy will hardly be possible without very good understanding of Se pharmacokinetics (with much slower excretion than for most other commonly used drugs),
as well as of the nature of attendant side effects.
High soil Se concentration is most commonly a consequence of high bedrock
concentrations (as in parts of China and parts of the United States), but it can also be
a consequence of prolonged deposition from rainwater as occurs along the Norwegian coast. In Norway there are no problems of Se toxicity, but this occurs in parts
of Ireland, perhaps as a result of superposition both of Se from a local bedrock
source and from rainwater deposition for tens of thousands, if not hundreds of
thousands years. It may also occur because of human interference with the local
hydrogeological systems in connection with artificial irrigation in arid zones.
It has been reported from the United States that nearly all seleniferous soils have
weathered from sedimentary rocks of the Cretaceous period [152]. The Cretaceous
was a period with unusually rapid ocean-floor spreading, which led to wide-scale
marine transgressions over the continents, so that epicontinental seas (like the North
Sea today) had a much larger total extension than now, with a corresponding
reduction of the land area [136]. Topographic relief of the emerging land was also
on average less than now. The average rate of deposition of terrigenous matter
(such as clay and sand) on the sea-floor was therefore less than now, since there was
more seafloor at the same time as there was less emerging land. But the total rate of
addition of S and Se to the atmosphere and hydrosphere from volcanic processes must
very likely have been considerably higher than now, perhaps both from submarine
volcanism at the mid-oceanic ridges (which were also an important source of calcium
to seawater, thus helping to explain the abundance of carbonate sediments of Cretaceous age) and from very large mantle plumes, coming up from the lower part of the
Earths lower mantle [146]. It means that the ratio between the total flux of Se coming
from volcanoes and the average rate of erosion on the continents must have been
especially high during the Cretaceous, compared with other geological periods,
leading to a corresponding enhancement of the average Se concentration of all marine
sediments from the period concerned (after calcium carbonate has been subtracted).
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Irrigation in situations where the ratio of selenate to selenite is high can lead to
mobilisation of soil selenate with net leaching taking place where net water
transport is downwards from the soil surface, while Se accumulation occurs in
places where Se-enriched groundwater reaches the surface in topographic
depressions. A good example of this is found in the San Joaquin Valley of
California [109]. A series of outcrops of seleniferous marine rocks of the Coastal
Range to the west of the San Joachim Valley is the source of most of the Se, which
has been leached out of the rocks into alluvial fans and down to the valley floor. The
Se was concentrated in agricultural runoff water and then transported via the San
Luis Canal to the Kesterson ponds/reservoir. Water entering the ponds contained as
much as 3,600 mg/l Se, and in the early 1980s this was found to be responsible for
embryo deaths and deformities in waterfowl on the ponds. There was no evidence
of adverse effects on humans [109, 119].
16.4.3 Protective Health Effects of Selenium

16.4.3.1
Antidote Effects Against Toxic Metals
Animal experiments have shown that Se at high intake levels has a strong protective
effect against the toxicity of several chalcophile toxic metals, such as Hg, Cd and
Ag [47, 153, 161]. This can most likely be partly explained by in vivo precipitation
of the corresponding selenide minerals (e.g. HgSe, solubility product 3.2 1065
[20]). Selenide ions are obligatory precursors for selenocysteyl-tRNA, since they
are used for making selenophosphate (which is an energy-rich, or activated Se
compound formed by reaction between selenide ions and ATP [70]), which is in
turn used for making selenocysteyl-tRNA [128]. The cells have various pathways
for making selenide ions that are specific for Se (without simultaneous formation of
sulphide ions). The intracellular abundance of selenide ions is therefore relatively
high, compared to the total abundance of Se in the cell, at the same time as
solubility products of heavy metal selenides are several orders of magnitude less
than for the corresponding sulphides [20, 25].
Toxic metals can bind to selenol groups in Se-dependent enzymes (and more
strongly than they bind to thiol groups), thus inhibiting the enzyme molecule.
Thioredoxin reductase is a flavoprotein that also contains a selenocysteyl and a
cysteyl group in neighbour positions [56]. Chelates can therefore be formed where a
heavy metal atom is coordinated to S on one side and Se on the other. This enzyme
is exceptionally vulnerable to toxic effects of heavy metals, being 3 orders of
magnitude more sensitive to inhibition with auranofin (an organic gold complex
used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), compared to glutathione peroxidase
(with isolated selenol groups offering no opportunity for chelate formation) and
glutathione reductase (which is an ordinary dithiol enzyme, where a heavy metal
atom can be captured between two S atoms) [56].
446
16.4.3.2
DNA Synthesis and Repair
Thioredoxin reductase participates in the transport of electrons from NADPH to

ribonucleotide reductase, since the latter enzyme can alternatively use either
thioredoxin or glutaredoxin as reducing cofactors. Inhibition of thioredoxin reductase may thus be expected to lead to disturbance of DNA synthesis and DNA repair,
especially when cellular concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) also are low,
since GSH is used for regenerating reduced glutaredoxin after it has been oxidized
in the ribonucleotide reductase reaction.
Rates of cell replication are especially high in the intestinal mucosal epithelium
and in leukocytes (or their progenitor cells) following immunological activation.
Inhibition of leukocyte DNA synthesis will therefore lead to immunosuppression
(because of slower recruitment of several different types of leukocytes), which will
in turn affect morbidity and lethality for several different infectious diseases.
Inhibition of DNA synthesis in the intestine can contribute to intestinal dysfunction,
such as villous atrophy, which may in turn lead to reduced absorption of several
different nutrients. Inhibition of DNA repair must be theoretically expected to lead
to enhancement of the risk for cancer (when it happens in the nucleus) and
enhancement of the rate of mitochondrial DNA aging (by progressive accumulation
of mitochondrial DNA lesions [100]), which may not only affect the average life
expectancy [10], but also the prevalence of various age-related degenerative
diseases for a given age group.
16.4.3.3
Antioxidant and Antiatherogenic Protection
Thioredoxin is also important as a reducing cofactor for antioxidant enzymes called

2-Cys peroxiredoxins [22, 101], for reduction of abnormal disulphide groups in
proteins [91], and for repair of oxidised protein methionyl groups [80]. These
enzymes are together with other Se-dependent or GSH-dependent antioxidative
enzymes important for protection against the oxidative and nitrative stress
associated with infectious disease episodes [27], as well as against functional
impairment and degenerative changes associated with normal as well as pathological ageing, with cataract representing a well-studied and typical example [91].
Optimizing intakes of S amino acids and Se may therefore be important not only
for reducing the mortality from infectious diseases in young children (which is
important especially in poor countries), but also for maintenance of a good quality
of life in the higher age groups (which is important all over the world).
Tissue concentrations of Se-dependent enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase
(especially GPx-1) and selenoprotein P depend on Se intake [25, 84, 102, 153].
GPx-1 scavenges H2O2, water-soluble organic hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite
[16, 49, 154], while GPx-4 scavenges membrane-bound hydroperoxides [154].
Selenoprotein P has a double function both as a Se transport protein [14] and as
an antioxidant protective enzyme found in blood plasma, and is important for
16
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447
protection of low density lipoprotein against oxidation [150]. It is possible that this
may in large measure explain the negative correlation that has been found between
Se intake and coronary heart disease mortality in geographic epidemiologic studies
from USA, comparing states with high and low Se intake [126, 127], since oxidatively modified LDL is much more atherogenic than non-modified LDL [67]. The
human gene for selenoprotein P codes for 10 selenocysteyl groups [65], but
premature termination of translation (leading to incorporation of less than 10 Se
atoms per molecule) can occur when the dietary Se intake is suboptimal [21, 99]. It
is not known if there is one active site per Se atom or only one active site per
molecule in this enzyme. Nor is it known for human populations how much Se
per day is needed for >90% saturation of selenoprotein P with Se.
16.4.3.4
Selenide Ions in Iron-Sulphur Proteins
Selenide ions can substitute for sulphide ions in the Fe-S groups of Fe-S proteins
[144]. Since FeSe is much less soluble than FeS [20, 25], it must be expected that
the Se/Sratio will be much higher in Fe-S proteins than in the aqueous phase,
i.e. that Se will be strongly captured (in V. M. Goldschmidts terminology [54])
in the Fe-S proteins. The actual Se/S ratio in these proteins, depending on the
dietary intake of Se must be expected to influence the standard redox potential for
oxidation of one Fe atom, and hence the functional properties of these proteins.
The Se/S ratio in Fe/S proteins may, however, depend not only on the Se
intake, but also on the intake of S amino acids because of the role of the latter as
biochemical precursors of sulphide ions. Sulphide ions are produced mainly by
enzymes in the trans-sulphuration pathway which is used when the cells make
cysteine at the expense of methionine [131], for which reason it is possible that
methionine may exert a more pronounced Se-antagonistic effect, compared to
dietary cysteine. Such antagonistic interactions between Se and S not only in plants,
but most likely also in animals and humans, may be important to bear in mind for
agronomists, farmers and health personnel working in areas e.g. in parts of Africa
where Se and S simultaneously are deficient both in the soil and in the human diet.
A higher Se/S ratio would be expected to stabilize ferrous compared to ferric
iron, i.e. lead to enhancement of the standard redox potential for the Fe++/Fe+++
reaction. It is possible, for similar reasons as earlier explained for plants, that this
might in turn lead to reduction of the rate of mitochondrial production of superoxide
anion radical, especially through reaction between redox-labile groups in complex I
and molecular oxygen [15]. A reduction of the rate of mitochondrial ROS production must in turn be expected to lead to reduction of the rate of mitochondrial DNA
aging. It might be speculated that this mechanism could explain why a high intake
of selenium has been reported to enhance the lifespan in banana fruitflies
(Zaprionus paravittiger) [79] and mice [72], while a high intake of methionine
very paradoxically shortens the lifespan of rats because it enhances the rate of ROS
production in the mitochondria and therefore the rate of mitochondrial DNA aging
[23, 55].
448
It is also possible that changes in the functional properties of complex I

indirectly could affect the kinetics of O2 reduction and ATP production by cytochrome c oxidase, which might be important especially in situations of severe
hypoxia, and perhaps might help to explain some otherwise very puzzling
observations concerning the protective effect of Se at high dosage levels in situations
of ischemia/reperfusion or global anoxia (cf. [7, 82, 92]). It is an intriguing question
how not only the Se intake, but also the intake of S amino acids (acting antagonistically?) may affect the Se/S ratio of mitochondrial Fe-S proteins and hence
the functional properties of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.
16.4.3.5
Epidemiological Observations Suggesting that High Se

Intakes Are Needed for Optimal Protection Against Cancer
and Cardiovascular Diseases
Selenium supplementation has been reported to protect against various forms of

cancer (prostate, colorectal, lung and liver) in prospective clinical trials from the
United States [28] and China [168]. These data are consistent with earlier epidemiological studies, especially geographical ones from the United States, showing that
mortality from several, but not all forms of cancer, and also from cardiovascular
diseases (especially coronary heart disease, as statistically defined, and hypertension) was negatively correlated to the intake of Se [25]. The states in the USA with
the lowest Se intake had the highest mortality, while the US states with the highest
Se intake in 1960 had the lowest mortality both from cancer and cardiac diseases
[48, 122, 126, 127]. The most Se-rich states had about three times higher average Se
intake than the most Se-poor states, and also compared to Norway 30 years ago, if a
linear correlation between human blood Se concentrations and Se intake can be
assumed both for USA and the countries in northern Europe [25, 29, 127]. Norway,
however, was then among the most Se-rich countries in Western Europe, in terms of
average Se intake [25], apparently being similar to that of Finland today.
If taken at face value, these data suggest that the Se intake needed for optimal
protection against cardiovascular diseases and cancer cannot be less than in the US
states with the highest average Se intake in 1960, or somewhat more than 200 mg
Se/day (as estimated from blood Se concentration data). The geographic patterns
observed both for cancer (see also Jansson et al. [74] and Jansson [73]) and
cardiovascular disease [126, 127] cannot easily be explained as resulting either
from human activity (e.g. industrial pollution) or genetic factors in the human
population. And Se is so distinct from all other elements in its geochemical
behaviour that it is not easy to explain the strong negative correlations observed,
especially for deaths caused by ischemic heart disease or hypertension [127], as
being caused only by natural variations in the intake of some other nutrient or toxic
element, if Se should be only a confounding factor (i.e. a statistical marker for
something else). The geographical epidemiological observations from the United
States are, moreover, consistent not only with a large number of observations from
animal experiments and from veterinary medicine [25], but also with much of what
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449
is known today about the biochemical functions of this nutrient element. They are
also consistent with a more recent meta-analysis of Se and coronary heart disease,
which included 25 observational studies (14 cohort and 11 case control studies) and
6 randomized trials [44].
16.4.3.6
Survival in HIV Patients
The effects of Se and GSH/S amino acid status on life quality, rate of disease
progression and annual lethality (or life expectancy) in HIV disease can partly be
explained by the importance of these nutrients for immunological functions and
antioxidant protection [27] in infectious diseases more generally, i.e. because of
their roles in DNA synthesis as earlier explained. However, Se and GSH status also
directly affect the rate of HIV viral replication, since oxidatively activated transcription factors, including nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) [87], stimulate
transcription of the HIV proviral gene [141], and NF-kappaB activation is enhanced
both by poor Se status [40] and GSH depletion [53]. Enhanced oxidative stress
(e.g. because of other infections) or impairment of the cellular capacity for antioxidant defence will therefore be a direct cause of enhancement of the rate of HIV
replication, and this must be expected to happen both when intracellular GSH and
Se are depleted. There are now numerous epidemiological observations confirming
the importance both of GSH and Se status in HIV patients. In a cohort study in the
US, it was found that the death risk over the observation period was higher almost
by a factor of 20 in subjects defined as Se-deficient compared with those defined as
being of normal Se status [12] but the upper boundary that had been arbitrarily
chosen to define Se deficiency in this study was higher than average blood plasma
Se concentrations found in the normal population in parts of Central Europe
(and much higher than in the most Se-deficient parts of Africa or China). GSH
has, moreover, been reported to inhibit the growth of mycobacteria [158], which
means that GSH depletion can lead to growth enhancement for tubercle bacilli as
well. And coinfection with HIV and tuberculosis (sometimes multidrug-resistant) is
a substantial problem in Sub-Saharan Africa [61].
16.4.3.7
Keshan Disease, Kaschin-Beck Disease and Myxoedema
The discussion above concerns sub-optimal Se intakes in a subclinical range

(where the deficiency is not severe enough to cause manifest Se deficiency
disorders). In parts of China and eastern Siberia two overt Se-deficiency diseases
occur, Keshan disease and Kaschin-Beck disease. Both have similar geographic
patterns of distribution, extending in a long diagonal belt across China from
the Heilongjiang Province in the far northeast to the Yunnan Province and Tibet
in the south [164]. They are found mainly in areas with hills or mountain terrain
inland and not at all along the coast, but are again absent in the more arid zones in
the northwestern parts of China. This is a geographic pattern that can be explained
450
as resulting from the combination of low local bedrock Se and I concentrations,

low natural rates of atmospheric deposition for Se and I in the inland and high rates
of Se and I removal by soil erosion in the hillsides, while high rates of sedimentation in local topographic depressions will lead to corresponding dilution of the
scarce Se and I that has been deposited from the atmosphere. Similar situations
can obviously be found also on other continents, as well as in other parts of Asia.
There is therefore good reason to suspect that Keshan disease and Kaschin-Beck
disease might be much more prevalent also in other parts of the world than is
commonly recognised today, but that they might be underdiagnosed because of lack
of research attention.
One of the reasons why the situation is better in the arid northwestern parts of
China could be better bioavailability of soil Se for uptake in the plants because of
higher soil selenate/selenite ratios. Another factor could be a high ratio of annual
evaporation to annual precipitation, leading to corresponding up-concentration both
of halide ions, S and Se from snow and rainwater, even though annual deposition
rates are low. Rates of S and Se removal by leaching processes and fluvial erosion
will, of course, be strongly reduced in semiarid or arid steppe and desert zones.
Bedrock Se and I concentrations must be another major determinant of soil
concentrations of these elements in inland districts with arid climate which is
something that must be expected to apply to inland parts of Asia equally as much as
it applies to central parts of North America.
Keshan Disease
Keshan disease affects mainly children and women of childbearing age and
involves impairment of cardiac function, cardiac enlargement and arrhythmia
[84, 119]. The diseases aetiology involves Se and perhaps vitamin E deficiencies,
which often (but far from always) can be combined with infection with a malignant,
cardiotropic variety of Coxsackie B virus [85]. It has been shown in animal
experiments that Se deficiency leads to positive selection for the cardiotropic and
malignant viral strain [85].
The incidence of Keshan disease is reported to vary with the seasons, being
higher during the winter in North China and during the summer in South China
[169]. These seasonal fluctuations, especially in North China, may be taken as an
indication that temperature stress leading to enhanced catecholamine secretion
also may play a role as a causal factor that may interact with Se deficiency in a
way triggering the acute development of severe cardiomyopathy. This hypothesis is
supported by observations from veterinary medicine. An interaction between Se
deficiency and stress (e.g. during transport, but also temperature stress both from
cold and excessive heat) has been reported to be important in the aetiology of
sudden cardiac death in swine [151]. It may presumably be explained partly as
resulting from the effect of catecholamines on Ca++ levels in the cardiomyocytes
[25], with more intramitochondrial Ca++ leading to enhanced stimulation of ratelimiting dehydrogenases in the tricarboxylic acid cycle [90] and hence more
16
Selenium
451
electron feeding from the tricarboxylic acid cycle into the respiratory chain,
which will in turn lead to enhanced oxidative stress because of enhanced mitochondrial production of ROS. It is reported that salt fortified with sodium selenite
(15 mg/kg) increased average daily Se intakes in a highly deficient Chinese
population from 11 to 80 mg, with a resulting 90% decline in Keshan disease
prevalence [2].
Kaschin-Beck Disease
Kaschin-Beck disease is an osteoarthropathy especially affecting children, which
appears as enlarged joints, shortened fingers and toes and, in severe cases, dwarfism
[164]. Selenium and I deficiencies, acting in combination, are probably the most
important etiological factors [111, 119, 164, 173], but other contributory causes,
including vitamin E deficiency [119], fulvic acids in drinking water [117], and
mycotoxins in food [171], might also be involved. Among those causal factors that
have been proposed, only Se and I deficiencies can explain the geographic pattern
of distribution of Kaschin-Beck disease in China (and the importance of Se
deficiency has also been proved by clinical intervention trials [164]), but the others
might possibly play a role in determining which individuals are affected in a given
geographic district.
There is much similarity, comparing the biogeochemical behaviour of Se and I,
e.g. regarding the importance of atmospheric transport from seawater to the
continents (see Goldschmidt [54], for a discussion of the importance of this
transport mechanism in the case of I). Both elements are also highly biophile in
plants [26], and both are found in much higher average concentrations in shales than
in igneous rocks [81]. It is therefore very common that Se-depleted and I-depleted
soils are associated geographically, especially in erosion-prone highland areas
distant from the sea when also the bedrock concentrations of both elements are
low. This geochemical similarity between I and Se may presumably be important
for explaining the geographical distribution pattern for Kaschin-Beck disease in
China. But it would be expected to be important also in other parts of the world, for
which reason there might be good reason to suspect that Kaschin-Beck disease, at
least in its milder forms, might be more common than hitherto recognised, with its
true prevalence possibly being masked by other dietary deficiency conditions and
infectious diseases also leading to growth disturbances in children.
Leg Weakness and Osteoarthritis

There are important similarities between Kaschin-Beck disease and two other
diseases, viz. leg weakness (or Bewegungsst
orungssyndrom) in pigs [82] and
osteoarthritis in humans. Like Kaschin-Beck disease in humans, leg weakness in
swine is typically a disease affecting young animals (while they are still growing),
and it is associated not only with degeneration of articular cartilage, but also of
452
epiphyseal cartilage [82]. It is also associated with much skeletal muscle pathology
[82], most likely resulting from a combination of poor skeletal muscle vascularization because the muscle cells are abnormally thick [82] and abnormal static loads
resulting from the abnormal anatomy (with the back being abnormally long [82]) of
animal breeds especially susceptible to this disease.
Neither leg weakness nor osteoarthritis can be considered Se deficiency diseases,
but it is possible that there may be considerable overlap between the biochemical
pathogenetic mechanisms both in Kaschin-Beck disease, leg weakness and osteoarthritis, even though they affect different age groups or species and result from
different combinations of causal factors. The incidence of osteoarthritis in humans
enhances drastically as a function of age, and there is no doubt that this must be
regarded as a degenerative disease developing as a consequence of normal or
pathological aging. It is therefore a plausible hypothesis that enhancement of
intramitochondrial ROS production happening as a consequence of mitochondrial
DNA aging [10, 100] could be the most important causal factor here. But if this
hypothesis is correct, there may be good reason for hope that selenide saturation of
mitochondrial Fe-S proteins in the chondrocytes may have an effect opposite to that
of aging itself on the rate of mitochondrial ROS production, and also that a better
average Se status over several decades may help to reduce the rate of mitochondrial
mutagenesis and DNA aging in the chondrocytes
It is possible that oxidative stress inside and outside chondrocytes (cf. [64, 69,
149]), leading i.e. to enhanced expression and secretion of enzymes degrading
extracellular molecules that are necessary for the mechanical integrity of the
cartilage, could be of key importance both in Kaschin-Beck disease, leg weakness
and human osteoarthritis. Studies on one of these diseases may thus held considerable potential for a better understanding also of the two others, leading
hopefully to better methods of prophylaxis or therapy. The well-documented
prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Se supplementation in Kaschin-Beck
disease, where Se when applied to early-stage patients was found not only to
prevent the aggravation, but also to accelerate the repair of metaphyseal lesions
[164], might perhaps be highly relevant also for prophylaxis and therapy of
osteoarthritis in elderly human patients. It has, moreover, been reported from
studies in pigs that high Se intake (at a level much higher than needed for
prevention of the ordinary Se/vitamin E deficiency diseases commonly found in
this species [84, 151, 153]) had a very good prophylactic and therapeutic effect
against leg weakness [82].
This might perhaps be explained as resulting not only from protection against
the degenerative processes affecting epiphyseal and articular cartilage, but also a
combination of anti-inflammatory protection [25, 40, 82] and antiischemic protective effects (cf. [7, 92]) in skeletal muscle when the cartilage disease is already
established. It would be of interest to see if Se, perhaps in combination with S
amino acids or other antioxidant nutrients including taurine, also could be used for
prophylaxis or treatment of osteoarthritis and other skeletomuscular disorders
(including skeletal muscle pains resulting from abnormal static loads, as in tension
headache and mouse disease) in humans.
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453
Myxoedema
The combination of I and Se deficiency can also lead to a third human disease, viz.
myxoedema [32], which has been described from parts of DR Congo [112].
Myxoedema is a form of fibrotic degeneration of the thyroid gland that is associated
with high intra-thyroid levels of the fibrogenic cytokine TGF-beta [32]. High levels
of thiocyanate (from cassava consumption) may play a role as an additional
etiological factor, interacting with the two others [31]. The occurrence both of Se
and I deficiency in eastern Congo can probably be explained by the combination of
humid tropical climate with long distance from the sea. Much of the rainwater in
those parts of Congo is probably recycled water coming from evaporation over
the land, where rates of evaporation of volatile Se and I compounds may be much
less than from the sea surface. Additionally, no sulphate is brought into the
atmosphere by seaspray particle formation. The result will be rainwater that is
markedly depleted in Se, I and S, compared to rainwater over the sea or in coastal
areas. It is a great humanitarian and political challenge to solve the serious public
health problems arising from simultaneous deficiency of Se, I and S amino acids in
these parts of Africa.
16.5
Experience from Finland with Selenium Fertilisation
Finland embarked on a national Se biofortification program through its food

system, mandating Se addition (as selenate) to fertiliser from 1985 [157]. This
proved to be a remarkably effective and safe way to increase the Se status of
Finlands food crops, livestock and human population. During the first 5 years of
the program, the Se level in spring wheat grain increased around 25-fold to a peak
of around 300 mg/kg. Selenium levels in milk and meat increased around 10-fold
and 13-fold, respectively, in the period 19851991, and human serum Se level
increased from around 55 mg/l to around 103 mg/l over a similar period. The current
Se concentration in NPK fertiliser in Finland is 10 mg/kg [59]. It is difficult to
isolate the effects of a single factor, such as dietary change, from other factors that
can be involved in the aetiology of conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular
disease. There have been significant decreases in the rates of cardiovascular disease
and certain cancers in Finland since 1985, but with no controls for comparison, this
cannot be ascribed to Se alone [59, 157].
16.6
Concluding Comments
Among trace elements needed for the survival and normal health of humans and
other vertebrates, Se is geochemically the scarcest, most likely as a consequence
of the low Se/S solar system abundance ratio combined with the high solubilities
454
of S and Se in molten metallic Fe when the Earths core was formed. Both soil
concentrations and the ease of uptake of Se in plant roots can vary geographically
by more than a factor of 10, leading to geographic variations in the Se concentration
of cereal grains by more than a factor of 1,000 [153]. Selenium deficiency in food
and forage plants can occur both as a consequence of low Se concentration in the
soil and low bioavailability for uptake of soil Se in plant roots and mycorrhiza,
while a combination of high soil Se concentration and high bioavailability for Se
uptake in the roots is needed for toxicity problems to occur.
This combination is geographically much rarer and affects a much smaller total
number of people than either Se deficiency in the soil or poor bioavailability of soil
Se for uptake in the plants, causing the Se intake of human populations to be less
than physiologically optimal, e.g. for protection against HIV disease, coronary
heart disease or colorectal cancer. Observations on other mammalian species as
well as on humans have shown that there is a wide margin between the minimum Se
requirement for prevention of manifest Se deficiency diseases and the threshold for
appearance of clinically observable signs of Se toxicity. However, the intake
needed for optimal protection against HIV disease, some forms of cancer and
cardiovascular diseases appears to be much higher than the intake needed for
prevention of manifest Se deficiency diseases (like Keshan disease in humans),
and more subtle signs of toxicity can be seen in animal experiments well below the
limit of manifest toxicity [25], and also in humans [159]. Thus the real biological
optimum range is most likely fairly narrow.
This optimum, if one can rely on the clinical trials and epidemiological studies
referred to above concerning HIV disease, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as
well as on observations from veterinary medicine (e.g. [82]) and numerous animal
experiments (e.g. [7, 92, 153]), appears to be much higher than what most people in
the world actually eat. It is possible that the difference between the biological
optimum and actual intake could have been much less before than it is today in
many parts of the world, due to a combination of several factors, such as more
sedentary lifestyles leading to reduction of total food energy consumption, high
intakes of edible fats and sugar (containing practically no Se at all) from many
modern diets, deforestation and enhanced soil erosion leading to rapid removal of
Se-enriched topsoil (especially in developing countries), and (especially in the
industrial countries) high rates of application of Se-poor commercial fertilizers,
which contain either P or S (or both) inhibiting the uptake of Se in plant roots, while
also causing a dilution effect because of their own growth-stimulating effects on the
plants. To this may also be added the problem of high burden of Se-antagonistic
toxic heavy metals, such as Cd and Hg that may inhibit Se-dependent enzymes such
as thioredoxin reductase and selenoprotein P.
World reserves of Se as a constituent of sulphide ores are limited [62]. It is
therefore important to take such steps that might be necessary at an international
political level to stop all forms of unnecessary wastage of this vital nutrient
element, so that it may be available at an acceptable price also for future human
generations. Selenium that can be obtained as a byproduct of pyrometallurgical
processes or from purification of smoke gases from coal combustion should be
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455
extracted and stockpiled for the benefit of generations to come. Areas where Se
toxicity can today be a problem for domestic animals (and sometimes, but much
more rarely, for humans as well) should be regarded as an asset for a Se-hungry
world, rather than as a local problem. They should not be used for livestock
production (with risk of Se poisoning of the animals), but instead be used either
for cultivation of Se-rich food crops (e.g. wheat) that can be used for Se fortification
of similar crops from more Se-deficient areas, or for Se biomining by cultivation of
Se accumulator plants [8, 38], from which the Se can be extracted or converted into
Se-Met, using either chemical or biotechnological processing methods.
Further research is needed on Se speciation in soil, plants and humans and on
kinetic interactions under varying soil conditions in order to optimize interventions
to deal with Se toxicity, suboptimality and deficiency.
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Chapter 17
Zinc
Jelle Mertens and Erik Smolders
Abstract Zinc (Zn) is naturally present in all soils in typical background

concentrations 10100 mg Zn kg1. Human activities have enriched topsoils with
Zn through atmospheric depositions, fertilization and sewage sludge application.
Zinc contaminated soils with negative impact on the soil ecosystem are found
around Zn smelters, near Zn mining sites and under galvanized structures.
The solubility of Zn in soils is almost invariably controlled by sorption reactions.
Pure Zn minerals (carbonates, silicates, hydroxides) have been detected at high total
soil Zn concentrations (>1,000 mg Zn kg1) but are rarely controlling Zn solubility. Zinc is specifically sorbed as Zn2+ on pH-dependent binding sites of oxyhydroxides and organic matter and, at high concentrations, by ion exchange reactions
on clay minerals. In general, soil solution Zn concentrations increase fivefold
per unit pH decrease. Zinc deficiency for agricultural crops is found in about 1/3
of worldwide soils due to low total Zn concentrations and/or high pH. Soils containing less than 0.5 mg Zn kg1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)
extractable Zn are potentially Zn deficient. Dietary Zn deficiency in humans is
often associated with Zn deficient soils and crop Zn biofortification is now a
global initiative through selection for Zn-efficient crops or judicious fertilisation.
Zinc toxic soils are less widespread than deficient ones. Risk of Zn toxicity is
manifested by effects on soil dwelling organisms, i.e. plants, invertebrates and soil
microorganisms. Toxic effects are identified at total Zn concentrations 100 to
>1,000 mg kg1 and toxicity decreases with increasing soil CEC. Risk assessments
of Zn have proposed maximal additions as low as 26 mg added Zn kg1 in the EU to
maintain soil ecosystem structure and function.
J. Mertens E. Smolders (*)

Division Soil and Water Management, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven,
Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
465
466
J. Mertens and E. Smolders
Keywords Zinc Geochemistry Physico-chemistry Sewage sludge Ageing

Deficiency Biofortification Toxicity Risk assessment
17.1
Introduction
Zinc (Zn) is the 24th most abundant element in the earth, and is present in all soils
in typical background concentrations 10100 mg Zn kg1. These concentrations
are higher than pristine concentrations due to historical enrichments (e.g. atmospheric deposition). Local concentrations can be far above this range due to high
Zn in the soil parent material, large applications of sewage sludge, deposits in Zn
mining areas or atmospheric deposits of Zn smelters. Zinc alloys (brass) were used
by the Romans in 200 BC, and metallic Zn was first produced in Asia the twentieth
century. In Europe, metallic Zn was imported from the east at the end of the Middle
Ages, and was not industrially produced until the middle of the eighteenth century in
Bristol, England. Production has increased tremendously over time and almost
doubled in the last 20 years to a global production of 11.3 106 t in 2007 [40].
The historical production of Zn has released Zn to the environment via air and water.
Smelter activities have contaminated large areas worldwide via atmospheric deposition of airborne Zn. Zinc is a micronutrient for all biota. Elevated Zn concentrations can cause toxic effects to plants, soil dwelling organisms and microorganisms and these ecotoxicological effects precede effects on humans. There is
no known case of chronic poisoning of Zn to humans or wildlife via the foodchain
because the phytotoxicity barrier effectively limits Zn transfer. Therefore, risk
assessment on Zn mainly focuses on their effects to soil biota and soil functioning.
At the lower scale of concentrations is the worldwide problem of Zn deficiency
to plants and, accordingly, to humans. It is estimated that about one third of the
global agricultural land and human population is Zn-deficient due to a low soil Zn
content and/or low soil Zn bioavailability. The Zn contents of crops grown on Zndeficient land are low, and humans residing in these areas usually rely on these crops
for their daily caloric intake. Zinc deficiency causes a variety of adverse effects such
as growth retardation, delayed sexual and skeletal maturation and behavioral effects.
Zinc fertilization and the (genetic) selection of Zn efficient cultivars are nowadays
used to address the Zn deficiency problems along with the provision of Zn additives.
17.2
Geochemical Occurrence of Zinc
Zinc is naturally present in the earths crust as part of rocks or Zn-rich ores. Zinc ores
were locally formed by natural geological process and are located all over the world.
Economically important ores contain typically 515% Zn as zinc sulphides (sphalerite
or wurzite) or, to a lesser extent, other Zn minerals such as zinc carbonates (smithsonite) or Zn silicates (hemimorphite). Important deposits are located in China, Australia,
Peru, Canada, U.S.A. and Iran. Soils that form on these Zn-rich locations can be
17
Zinc
467
Table 17.1 Range of Zn concentrations in igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and soils
References
Zn (mg kg1)
Igneous rocks
Data taken from [53]
Basalt
48240
Granite
5140
Sedimentary rocks
Data taken from [53]
Shales and clays
18180
Black shales
341,500
Sandstone
241
Soils
USA
<3264 (median 53)
[39]
Europe
<32,900 (median 52)
[63]
China
Geometric mean 67, mean 74
[22]
extremely high in Zn with concentrations far above the average background Zn

concentration. The Zn concentration of rocks is highly variable. Basic igneous rocks
such as basalt (typically 110 mg Zn kg1) are Zn-rich due to the isomorphous
substitution of Zn for Fe2+ or Mg2+ in ferromagnesian minerals (e.g. augite, hornblende, biotite). In contrast, silica-rich igneous rocks (e.g. granite) or metamorphic
rocks (gneiss) are rather low in Zn (typically 40 mg Zn kg1). Sedimentary rocks are
formed from weathering products of igneous rocks, and the Zn concentrations will be
largely determined by the Zn concentration of the igneous rocks. Sandstone or
limestone, originating from low-Zn parent materials, contain typically about 20 mg
Zn kg1 whereas clays and shales contain 100 mg Zn kg1 and with Zn-rich black
shales even up to 1,500 mg Zn kg1 (Table 17.1) (see also Chap. 2, Sect. 2.3.1.1)
Zinc is naturally present in all soils, and the natural background Zn concentration
is dependent on the chemical composition of the parent material. Once formed, further
physicochemical reactions (weathering, leaching and ageing) as well as human
activities (agriculture, industry) affect the background Zn concentration. The global
average background Zn concentration in soil is 55 mg Zn kg1, but concentrations
vary widely between soils (Table 17.1). In general, soils with a high clay content
will be associated with higher background Zn concentrations than sandy soils due
to their higher native Zn concentration and their higher capacity to adsorb and retain
Zn. In France, the median Zn concentration in sandy soils is 17 mg kg1 whereas
this concentration is 132 mg kg1 for soils with more than 50% clay [6]. In the
Netherlands, background Zn concentrations are 2045 mg kg1 for sandy soils,
55140 mg kg1 for peat soils and 70150 mg kg1 for clayey soils [24].
17.3
Zinc Input to Soils: Atmospheric Deposition,

Animal Manure and Sewage Sludge
Zinc has been industrially produced since the late eighteenth century, and the
production has continued to increase till today. Fifty percent is used for galvanizing
purposes, and the remaining fraction is used for the production of brass and other Zn
468
Table 17.2 Zn emissions to agricultural soils in England and Wales in 2000, expressed as total Zn
quantities and as fluxes for the land where the applications are use
Zn
Annual Zn Time to reach
Quantity
soil limit
applied (Mt concentration Zn addition rate input (t in
(mg kg1)
(g ha1 year1) 2000)
(year)
Source
year1)
Atmospheric
NA
NA
221
2,457
1,733
deposition
Sewage sludge 0.44
802
4,557
385
80
Livestock
1,858
manure
Cattle slurry
1.74
170
1,063
358
Pig slurry
0.27
650
2,321
151
Layer manure
0.30
583
2,734
130
Inorganic
266
1,234
fertilizer
Nitrogen
1.3
14
2.2
Phosphate
0.33
654
34
Lime
2.87
11
53
Data from Nicholson et al. [54]

A time was calculated to raise the Zn concentration at the given annual input from the mean
background to the maximally permissible Zn concentration in soil at pH 67 for land where
sewage sludge is applied (200 mg Zn kg1)
NA not applicable
based alloys, motor vehicle tyres, rubber, cosmetics etc. In 2007, most of the
Zn production in smelters and refineries was located in Asia (55%) with America
and Europe accounting for 16% and 20%, respectively. Several efforts have been
made to reduce industrial Zn emissions and to protect the environment from excessive Zn concentrations with worldwide Zn emission decreasing from 3.4 106 Mg
Zn in the early 1980s to 2.7 106 t Zn in the early 1990s [56, 57]. Reduction of
atmospheric emissions are illustrated by the 2.5 fold decrease of the Zn concentration in snow at Summit (Greenland) between 1967 and 1990 [11]. Along the same
lines, reductions of Zn emissions to wastewaters are reflected in a twofold decrease
in the Zn concentration of sewage sludge of the largest wastewater treatment
plant in Paris (France) between 1980 and 2000 [36]. The reductions of Zn emissions
to water and soil are largely explained by the worldwide reduction of atmospheric SO2 concentrations decreasing Zn run-off from galvanized structures [45].
Tyre debris along roadsides is another important cause of local Zn contamination.
Tyres typically contain 12% ZnO, and more than 4,000 t Zn year1 is released
via tyre debris in the EU (data taken from [8]). Part of the debris is released to
roadside soils.
The total diffuse emissions of Zn to soil are only partly related to industrial use
of Zn that emit Zn to soil via sewage sludge and atmospheric deposition
(Table 17.2). Natural processes such as volcanic activities, forest fires or wind
emit yearly about 50 103 t Zn to the atmosphere and accounted for about 40%
17
Zinc
469
of the total annual Zn emissions in 1983 [55]. The remaining 60% originate from
human activities (traffic, coal and fuel combustion; data taken from [34]). Zinc is
mainly associated with aerosols with gaseous Zn accounting for less than 1% of total
atmospheric Zn [34]. Background Zn levels in air are typically 0.010.2 mg m3.
Concentrations are somewhat larger in the neighbourhood of industrial or urban areas,
but are generally smaller than 1 mg m3 [34]. Atmospheric Zn can be deposited back
onto soil via dry (settling) or wet (rain) deposition. The European average
Zn deposition is 230 g ha1 year1 with the Scandinavian countries showing the
lowest (20120 g ha1 year1) and Germany and Poland the highest (540 g ha1
year1) rates (data taken from [54]). In England and Wales, about 2,500 t Zn was
added to agricultural land via atmospheric deposition, corresponding to 220 g Zn ha1
year1in 2000 (Table 17.2).
Agricultural practices locally add Zn to the soil through the application of
manure or inorganic fertilizers. The addition of Zn supplements to livestock diets,
or the presence of Zn in bedding material (e.g. straw) or drinking water
(e.g. corrosion of galvanized drinking facilities) are the major Zn sources in manure.
Zinc concentrations vary between fertilizers and the amount and type of fertilizers
determines the rate at which Zn is introduced in agricultural soil (Table 17.2).
In inorganic fertilizers (excluding Zn fertilizers themselves), Zn is only present as
an impurity in very low doses; the median Zn concentration in 196 fertilizers on
the European market was 115 mg Zn kg1 [58]. The average addition of Zn to
agricultural soils through the application of phosphate fertilizers is estimated about
43 g ha1 year1 in Europe in 1999/2000 [58].
Sewage sludge can be used as a fertilizer and is a major source of Zn where it
is applied: however, sewage sludge is not a major source of Zn at a large scale
(Table 17.2). Zinc concentrations in sewage sludge depend on the wastewater
discharge characteristics (e.g. industry or domestic) and can vary in time for a
single sewage sludge treatment plant. Industry accounts for more than 50% of the
Zn load in sewage sludge and the use of body care products is the main source of
domestic Zn (www.iza.com). The awareness of metal effects on the environment
resulted in decreased Zn concentrations in sewage sludge; concentrations decreased
about twofold in Austria in the period 19802000 and in Germany in the period
19771993 (data taken from [3]). The average sludge Zn concentration in the EU
ranges 1422,000 mg Zn kg1 dry matter (dm) (19931998) [3].
Removal of Zn with the harvested crop and Zn leaching are generally smaller
than the annual additions. Moolenaar and Lexmond [52] calculated a net Zn
enrichment of Dutch agricultural soils of 55800 g ha1 year1 which is in line
with later calculations of German (558 g ha1 year1) [79], Danish
(300440 g ha1 year1) [7] and Swiss soils (10040,000 g ha1 year1) [44].
De Vries et al. [27] demonstrated that Zn accumulation varied up to 50-fold
between fields with different soil texture (sand-clay-peat) and up to tenfold in a
single field depending on the agricultural practice (arable vs. grassland). For
reference, a ploughed topsoil (25 cm and 1.3 g cm3) with 50 mg Zn kg1 contains
160 kg Zn ha1.
470
17.4
The Fate of Zinc in Soils
17.4.1 Soil Chemical Reaction Mechanisms: Mineral Dissolution,

Adsorption and Solution Complexation
Zinc is present in the +II oxidation state in soil. The Zn concentration in solution
can be affected by precipitation-dissolution, sorption and solution complexation
reactions. The distribution of Zn over the solid and solution phase can be quantified
by the solid-liquid distribution coefficient Kd (Kd is the ratio of the total Zn concentration over the soluble Zn concentration [l kg1]). These Kd values reflect the net
result of all soil chemical reactions and should not be considered as a constant.
The Zn2+ concentrations in soil solution can be controlled by sorption and/or
mineral dissolution reactions. There are conflicting views as to which of these
dominate and as such has practical consequences in modeling Zn solubility. In a
precipitation- controlled model, Zn concentrations are unaffected by total soil Zn
concentrations, whereas a concentration dependency is predicted for sorptioncontrolled reactions. Solubility calculations predict that Zn precipitates are only
formed at high total Zn, beyond the typical range of soil Zn concentrations (<200 mg
Zn kg1). Common Zn precipitates are smithsonite (ZnCO3; solubility product Ksp
1010.9), hydrozincite (Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6; Ksp 108.7) or zincite (ZnO; Ksp 1011.2).
Jacquat et al. [4143] and Voegelin et al. [74] determined Zn speciation in 51 soils
(total Zn 25130,090 mg kg1; mean 5,000 mg Zn kg1) contaminated with Zn-rich
runoff water from galvanized structures using EXAFS and sequential extraction
methods. Both techniques confirmed the presence of Zn precipitates in these soils,
logically due to the high soil Zn concentrations. However, Zn solubility and
the reversibly adsorbed Zn (labile Zn) increased with increasing total Zn, suggesting
that dissolved Zn was not controlled by precipitation or, at least, not by a single
mineral phase (Fig. 17.1) [30]. In addition, the pH dependent solubility was in line
with a sorption and not precipitation-controlled reaction. A precipitation-controlled
Zn solubility has been recently reported in overbank sediments contaminated by
historic mining activities. These pH neutral soils contained >4,300 mg Zn kg1 and
absolute Zn concentrations and pH dependent solubility were in line with smithsonite controlled solubility [72]. Moreover, the adsorbed (labile) Zn concentrations
were about 1,000 mg kg1, irrespective of the total Zn concentration as predicted
by mineral solubility (An Van Damme, personal communication) and the presence
smithsonite in these soils was confirmed by EXAFS.
Sorption of Zn2+ is, in general, the principle reaction that controls instantaneous
2+
Zn in solution. Specific sorption of Zn2+ (inner sphere complexes) is possible on
organic matter and on oxyhydroxides of Fe, Al and Mn. A generalized sorption
reaction reads
S OH Zn2 S OZn H
(17.1)
with S-OH a surface hydroxyl group of organic matter or oxyhydroxides. This reaction
illustrates that protons are orders of magnitude more selective than Ca2+ on humic
1000
pH 5.5-6.5
pH 6.5-7.5
Zn in solution / mg l -1
100
10
pH 6
1
0.1
pH 7
0.01
10
100
1000
10000
100000
Total Zn / mg kg-1
b 100000
pH 5.5-6.5
pH 6.5-7.5
Labile Zn / mg kg -1
10000
1000
pH 6
100
pH 7
10
10
100
1000
Total Zn / mg
10000
100000
kg-1
Fig. 17.1 Solution concentration of Zn (a) or labile Zn concentration (b) as a function of

total Zn for soils collected under galvanized pylons with pH >5.5. In all soils, Zn precipitates
were identified by EXAFS (circles: only Zn-layered double hydroxides (LDH); squares:
Zn-phyllosilicates (+Zn-LDH)). The straight lines show the relationships for a sorption control
model, i.e. constant Kd or %E (fraction of Zn present as reversibly sorbed Zn), and the dotted line
the expected concentration in case of precipitation control at pH 6 or 7 (using the solubility
product of Zn-phyllosilicate in equilibrium with quartz). The observed increase in solution and
labile Zn concentrations with increasing total Zn concentrations is in contrast with a precipitation
control model and indicates that there is no thermodynamic equilibrium with a single mineral
phase (From Degryse et al. [30])
472

1
free ion fraction
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
3
pH
Fig. 17.2 Free-ion fractions of metals in soil solution measured with Donnan dialysis by different
authors (, , ~) or ISE (D). The lines show prediction with WHAM6 for a generic composition
of solution for either low (full line) or high (dotted line) concentration of the trace metals (From
Degryse et al. [29])
acids or oxyhydroxides. Alternatively, Zn can also adsorb non-specifically by ion

exchange on clay mineral surfaces or on the ionized groups of organic matter. These
reactions are weakly selective, reversible and weakly pH dependent. Speciation
calculation predicts that such reactions only contribute to Zn sorption at total Zn
concentrations well above background.
Complexation of Zn2+ in soil solution with inorganic (e.g. sulphates) or organic
ligands (e.g. citrate or humic acids) reduces the charge of Zn and renders Zn more
soluble. In general, the free ion fraction (Zn2+/dissolved Zn) decreases with increasing pH (Fig. 17.2). Zinc speciation was determined in 66 uncontaminated and
Zn contaminated soils (pH 4.17.9; total Zn concentration 113,600 mg kg1),
and organic Zn-complexes were on average 88% of the total dissolved Zn
(range 6098%). Free Zn2+ ions were, on average, only 8% of total dissolved Zn
(range 0.121%) [68]. If the soil pH is higher than 7, ZnOH+ becomes a dominant
Zn species in soil solution with the neutral species Zn(OH)2 dominant at pH > 9.
17.4.2 Slow Reactions of Zinc in Soil: Beneficial for Zn Toxicity

but Unwanted for Fertilizer Applications
When Zn is added to soil, there is an initial reaction in which Zn adsorbs onto the
solid phases. This reaction is fast, and instantaneous equilibrium between the
reversibly sorbed (labile) pool and solution phase can usually be assumed. This
initial fast reaction is followed by slower reactions that remove the metal from the
labile pool into a pool from which desorption is slow, a process referred to as
fixation or ageing. The ageing reactions logically increase the Kd and the Zn
fraction that is fixed, i.e. not readily exchangeable with the solution phase, and is no
longer (bio)available. It has been suggested that ageing reactions are due to an
17
Zinc
473
Fig. 17.3 The fraction of

radio-labile Zn as a function
of the incubation time for 4
Zn(NO3)2 amended soils with
different pH. Soils were
incubated under field
conditions. Data show a
decrease of the radio-labile
Zn over time, and an inverse
relationship between pH and
the extent of Zn fixation (Data
from Buekers et al. [14])
intraparticle diffusion of divalent metals in amorphous oxyhydroxides, and this

process depends on electrostatic forces of attraction. Zinc fixation generally
increases with pH due to the increasing number of reactive sites on oxides
(Fig. 17.3) [15]. Fixation is important in reducing the Zn bioavailability.
This ageing reaction is a well known, beneficial reaction to explain the larger Zn
toxicity in freshly spiked soils compared to field contaminated soils. At the lower
Zn concentration range where Zn acts as an essential plant nutrient, such ageing
reactions are logically negative. Here; ageing decreases the residual effects of
fertilizer Zn [5, 12]. The work of Brennan [12] is perhaps the most comprehensive
biological study to date of ageing reactions on Zn in soil. Fifty four soils varying
widely in chemical properties (pH 4.88.6, clay 1.559.0%, org. C 0.33.5%) were
incubated for 30 days at 30 C with three rates of Zn as ZnSO4 (0, 133 and
266 mg kg1). Growth and Zn uptake of subterranean clover were determined
using freshly added Zn as a control. The relative effectiveness of incubated versus
fresh Zn was defined as the ratio of the slopes of the linear regression relationships
between Zn uptake by plants and Zn added. Relative effectiveness varied from 0.47
to 0.80, with a strong negative relationship with soil pH i.e., greater ageing (lower
relative effectiveness) at high pH values (Fig. 17.4).
Ageing reactions can be indirectly inferred from the difference in Zn solubility
between freshly ZnCl2 amended soils and a corresponding long-term Zn contaminated
soil at similar total Zn concentrations (Table 17.3). At low Zn doses, Kd values
are comparable but at higher Zn doses, Kd values indicate larger differences.
These differences are, however, not only related to ageing but also to the associated
increased ionic strength in Zn2+ salt amended soils compared to soils in which Zn was
slowly added over time, allowing leaching to recover the ionic strength.
17.4.3 Fractionation and Speciation of Zn in Soils

The presence of selected minerals phases of Zn in soil, i.e. Zn speciation, is now
being possible to detect down to a few 100 mg Zn kg1 with synchrotron based
474

0.9
0.8
RE Zn uptake
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
4
Soil pH
Fig. 17.4 Ageing effects on fertiliser Zn use efficiency: the relative effectiveness of incubated
versus fresh Zn was defined as the ratio of the slopes of the linear regression relationships between
Zn uptake by clover plants and Zn added. Ageing was 30 days incubated (30 C) of Zn added as
ZnSO4 to 54 soils (Drawn from data in Brennan [12])
Table 17.3 Soil solution composition of long-term field-contaminated soils and of freshly ZnCl2
spiked soils at equal total Zn concentrations
Field contaminated
Freshly spiked
Total soil Zn (mg kg1) pHpwa Ca (mM)
83
4.3
6.2
284
4.6
9.6
340
4.7
6.8
784
4.4
11.5
2,055
4.7
11.0
Data are from Smolders et al. [65]
a
pH in the soil pore water
Zn (mg l1)
1.2
8.8
4.5
35
67
pHpwa
4.3
4.6
4.5
4.3
4.3
Ca (mM)
6.2
9.1
10.3
31.9
33.2
Zn (mg l1)
1.2
8.2
12
375
677
techniques (EXAFS). Alternatively, extraction based techniques allow to fractionate Zn into operationally defined fraction from which solubility can be estimated.
The isotope exchange technique is a sensitive and conceptually attractive method
to determine the reversibly sorbed (labile) pool but does not allow to determine
the speciation of the remainder of the Zn in soil. For Zn, a radioactive isotope (e.g.
65
Zn2+) is added to soil and equilibrated for a short period (hours to days) after
which the specific activity in solution (65Zn/Zn) is determined. A higher ratio in
solution than in soil means that a fraction of the soil Zn has not equilibrated with the
added isotope, i.e., some (old) Zn has not equilibrated with freshly added Zn.
The fraction that is isotopically exchangeable is the called the labile fraction
and is the fraction that has the same availability as freshly added Zn, also
conceptually defined as the reversibly sorbed fraction. Alternative methods to
determine labile fraction are extraction methods (e.g. 0.43 M HNO3 or 25 mM
EDTA). Results for the 25 mM EDTA extraction method and the isotope exchange
method are highly comparable, but the 0.43 M HNO3 extracts more at larger pH.
17
Zinc
475
Fig. 17.5 Lability of added Zn for soils amended with Zn salts (spiked), soils sampled near
pylons and crash barriers and soils near smelters. The line describes the relation between pH and %
E in 23 Zn salt spiked soils after 3 years laboratory incubation. Labile fractions below this line may
be related to insoluble Zn sources (Data from Degryse et al. [28])
This is likely attributed to the dissolution of carbonate complexed/bound Zn by the

acid extractant [29].
Results of a survey of fixed and labile fractions in Zn contaminated soils are
illustrated in Fig. 17.5. Zinc solubility depends on the origin of the added Zn; if Zn
is added to soil as a soluble Zn salt, the median E value (radio labile Zn) is 55%
whereas this value is only 30% for uncontaminated soils, sludge amended soils or
soils near metal smelters. Over all soils, E values varied between 3% and 100% with
a median value of 29% [28].
17.4.4 Models and Data of Zinc Solubility in Aerobic Soils

Based on previous considerations, it is clear that pH is the dominant factor affecting
the solid-liquid distribution of Zn in soil with largest Zn mobility found in acid
soils. This is due to the combined effect of pH on adsorption of Zn2+, on fixation of
476

100000
Kd (lab) of Zn / litre kg -1
10000
1000
100
10
1
3
pH
Fig. 17.6 Pore-water based Kd values of Zn, representing the partitioning between total (+) and
soil solution Zn concentration or between labile (adsorbed) metal () and soil solution Zn
concentration. The full line shows the regression equation of Anderson and Christensen [4] based
on adsorption Kd values in 1 mM CaCl2. The data illustrate that pH is the major driver for Zn
solubility in soil (Data from Degryse et al. [29])
labile Zn inside minerals and the generally faster weathering of insoluble sources at
lower pH. Most pore water based Kd values of Zn range between 10 and 104 l kg1.
At an average total Zn concentration of 50 mg kg1, this is equivalent to a pore
water Zn concentration of 50/10 to 50/10,000 mg l1, i.e. 0.005 mg Zn l1 to 5 mg
Zn l1. As a reference, the fraction of total Zn present in soil solution at a Kd
1,000 l kg1 is only 0.02%. The compilation of Fig. 17.6 also illustrates that the
Kd increases with about a factor 5 (Zn solution decreases with about a factor 5) per
unit pH increase. This zinc partitioning in soil can be described with two types of
models: multisurface models and empirical models. Multisurface models consider
soil as a collection of independent reactive surfaces (oxyhydroxides, clay and
organic matter) to which ions can bind. A set of surface specific models is combined
to describe Zn sorption on all reactive surfaces, and speciation calculations are
preformed with common geochemical programs such as ECOSAT or WHAM.
Multisurface models are conceptually attractive, and a powerful tool for scientific
research. They are demanding a large number of parameter values and it assumes
that sorption surfaces are additive s, i.e. no interaction occur. Empirical models are
usually multiple regression equations. In general, regression models are calibrated
against a wider range and suited for a larger number of soils [29].
The sorption reactions and the parameters affecting the partitioning of Zn are
similar to those of Cd. As for Cd, most of the reported Kd values for Zn are based on
17
Zinc
477
measurements in dilute salt extracts. Considerable fractions of Zn in soil may be in

non-labile form [28] due to ageing reactions or incomplete dissolution of Zn
minerals or insoluble Zn contamination products (see Sect. 17.4.3). If Kd values
are expressed as the solidliquid distribution of the indigenous metal (i.e., including
the fixed Zn fraction), values are obviously higher than adsorption Kd values only
considering the reversibly sorbed (labile) Zn fraction on the solid phase (Fig. 17.6).
Based on the plotted regression lines, the difference between both concepts is about
one order of magnitude. The regression equations based on adsorption Kd values
are in good agreement with Kdlab values (i.e. labile Zn/solution Zn and not total
Zn/solution), indicating that adsorption measurements of Zn (at low concentration)
in a dilute salt extract give a reasonable estimate of the in situ distribution of labile
zinc. Using large datasets, best fitted regression models were
logKd 1:77 0:66 pH 0:79 log%OCn 143
(17.2)
logKd lab 2:48 0:69 pH 0:67 log%OCn 97
(17.3)
and
in which OC is the organic carbon content in % [29].
17.4.5 Fate of Zinc in Reduced Soils

Waterlogging may initiate a suite of reactions that affect Zn mobility in
contrasting ways. The soil pH generally increases under anoxic conditions to
values close to 7 when Mn(IV), NO3 and Fe(III) act as electron acceptors.
The pH increase promotes Zn2+ sorption mainly on organic matter, since H+ is
the major competing ion for trace metal sorption (See above). This is mainly
important in acid(ic) soils. In contrast, reductive dissolution of Fe oxides can
mobilize metals [23]; metals that are sorbed on or embedded in iron oxides are
released to the soil solution. These reactions are not infinite, and are governed by
the solubility of Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides and carbonate minerals. For Fe,
crystalline minerals such as Fe3O4 (magnetite) or FeCO3 (siderite) can be formed
if the maximum Fe solubility is exceeded, and the dissolution becomes more a
conversion of an amorphous iron mineral to a crystalline mineral rather than the
pure dissolution reaction. The formation of new minerals implies that previously
released Zn can be re-occluded in the new minerals as a substituting ion (Zn2+
instead of Fe2+ or Mn2+) or as an inherent component such as franklinite-like
solids (ZnFe2O4). These re-occluded Zn ions are no longer bioavailable within
a reasonable timeframe. Alternatively, dissolved Fe2+ ions can mobilize sorbed
Zn2+ due to competition effects [62, 75, 80]. Waterlogging may also promote the
478

MNR-3
7.5
pH
7.0
5.5
pH
pe
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
8
6
4
2
0
-2
15
10
1000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
5
0
200
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
7.0
6.5
6.0
5.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
400
7.5
Zn/M
20
2000
10
600
Fe/M
Zn/M
25
600
400
200
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
10
8
6
6.5
4
6.0
2
5.5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
7.5
7.0
pe
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
30
3000
DOC/mg1-1
200
6.0
20
400
6.5
30
1000
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time/days
600
1500
40
500
DOC/mg1-1
DOC/mg1-1
50
pH
1000
Fe
Zn
MNW-2
2000
pe
10
Zn/M
15
2000
pe
Fe/M
3000
Fe/M
20
pH
ML-2
4000
Fig. 17.7 Evolution of the soil solution Zn, iron and dissolved organic carbon concentration, and
pH and pe upon waterlogging three Zn contaminated riparian soils. Despite an initial decrease or
plateau, Zn is mobilized in all soils after 20 days waterlogging (Data from Van Laer et al. [73])
anaerobic degradation of organic matter, thereby increasing Dissolved Organic

Matter (DOM) concentrations in solution [59], which can complex and mobilize
metals [37]. In prolonged reduction reactions, Zn can be immobilized due to the
formation of sulphide (e.g. sphalerite) or carbonate (smithsonite) precipitates if
the solubility product is exceeded [10].
Zinc mobility has been shown to change upon waterlogging; Olivie-Lauquet
et al. [59] reported a fivefold seasonal change of the Zn concentration in groundwater of wetlands. The net effect of waterlogging on the soil solution Zn is
variable, and is explained by these counteracting mechanisms. In general, the
Zn concentration in solution decreased upon waterlogging [20, 32, 62] and Zn
deficiency may be induced by soil chemical reactions in irrigated rice. Exceptions
have been reported; Weber et al. [75] observed a mobilization of Zn in riparian
floodplain soils with high levels of Cd and Zn whereas the Cd concentration
decreased due to CdS formation. Recently, it was described that Zn was surprisingly released by, on average, a factor of 18 (range 0.680) when 12 Zn soils
sampled from riparian soils (i.e. soil that are periodically waterlogged) were
submerged and incubated under N2 (Fig. 17.7). The Zn mobilization was largest
at lowest total soil Zn. The mobilization was neither explained by the pH increase
(average of 1.8 units) nor by the increased DOM concentration. Modeling and
pore water composition suggests that Zn mobilization was attributed to the
desorption of Zn2+ ions by Fe2+ and by the release of Zn from Fe-minerals that
dissolve upon reduction [73].
17
Zinc
17.5
479
Zinc Deficiency in Plants
17.5.1 Zinc Deficiency in Soils and in the Human Food Chain

From an FAO study carried out in 30 countries, it was estimated that about 30% of
the agricultural soils are Zn deficient and, associated with that, that about 1/3 of the
world population suffers from mild to severe Zn deficiency (Fig. 17.8) [64].
The problem of Zn deficiency is mainly attributed to the low Zn bioavailability
in soil. Total Zn is not a robust predictor for plant available Zn concentrations, and
soil extraction procedures have been developed to determine Zn availability.
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) was originally developed to assess
Zn phytoavailability in near-neutral and calcareous soils [47], and is still the most
widely used soil extractant. Critical soil Zn concentrations for healthy growth of
plant species have been derived by assessing the maximal soil Zn concentration
above which Zn fertilization did not promote plant growth anymore (see example in
Table 17.4).
Critical thresholds are typically 0.11 mg DTPA-extractable Zn kg1 [13]. Soils
associated with Zn deficiency have typically a low total soil Zn, high CaCO3
content, high organic matter content, neutral or alkaline pH, high P or Mg concentration and/or prolonged waterlogging [1, 16]. Zinc deficiency can be induced by
P-fertilization and is likely related to the increased Zn2+ sorption on Al and Fe
oxyhydroxides on which P sorption reduces the positive charge.[9]. The use of
the DTPA protocol to assess Zn phytoavailability has been criticized as having
been validated for near-neutral or calcareous soils only. Alternative extractants
are Mehlich I, Mehlich III, 0.1 M HCl and, especially, neutral salt solutions
Widespread zinc
deficiency
Medium deficiency
Version 3, Alloway 2008
Fig. 17.8 Global distribution of reported Zn deficiency in crops (From Alloway [1])
480
Table 17.4 Effect of soil Zn application (23 kg Zn ha1) on wheat grain yield (cv. Gerek-79)
grown in various locations in Central Anatolia (Turkey) with different levels of DTPA-extractable
Zn in soils
DTPA-Zn
Grain yield
Yield increase
Location
(mg kg1)
(t ha1)
Zn
2.8 0.7
0.2 0.1
2.5 0.9
1.1 0.5
1.1 0.1
5.4 0.1
(%)
+Zn
5.9
1.4
3.3
2.3
1.5
5.6
Konya (Centrum)
0.13
0.5
109
Konya (Comakli)
0.11
0.5
554
Eskisehir
0.15
0.2
31
Sarayonu (Cesmelisebil)
0.25
0.5
16
Sarayonu (Gozlu)
0.38
0.3
27
Cumra
0.64
1.1
5
Data from Cakmak et al. [19]
Wheat yield did not respond to Zn fertilization at 0.6 mg DTPA-extractable Zn kg1 anymore, and
the threshold for Zn deficiency was 0.4 mg DTPA-extractable Zn kg1
Table 17.5 Relative
sensitivities of selected crops
for Zn deficiency
High sensitivity
Medium sensitivity
Bean
Barley
Maize
Potato
Rice
Soybean
Fruit trees
Lettuce
Sorghum
Tomato
Adapted from Alloway [2]
Low sensitivity
Wheat
Pea
Grass
Clover
Alfalfa
(0.1 M NaNO3 or 0.01 M CaCl2). In general, soil Zn extracts using latter extractants
correlate well with plant Zn concentrations [51].
Crop sensitivity to Zn deficiency varies widely with maize, rice, beans and
sorghum the most sensitive crops (Table 17.5).
Zinc deficient soils produce food products that are low in Zn and human Zn
deficiency may occur. For example, bread wheat grain Zn typically contains 30 mg
Zn kg1 and decreases to below 15 mg Zn kg1 in deficient crops [1]. There is some
uncertainty and variability surrounding the recommended daily intake of Zn below
which human health effects start to occur. The Reference Daily Zn Intake (RDI, set
by the FDA in U.S.A) is 15 mg Zn for an adult. The Recommended Nutrient Intake
(RNIs) defined by a FAO/WHO/IAEA working group ranges 417 mg Zn for
adolescents, depending on food Zn bioavailability (low in unfermented cereal
products and high in non-vegetable sources such as meat and fish; [78]). Adults
may have lower Zn requirements and pregnant women have higher ones. Dairy
products and meat consumption are rich sources of Zn. Subsistence farmers living in
Zn deficient areas may have a Zn deficient diet if meat or dairy products are not
frequently consumed, and this is often aggravated by low Zn bioavailability in high
phytate products such as grain products. For example, a daily consumption of 250 g
meat and 500 g dairy products contributes >20 mg Zn. In many Central Asian and
Middle Eastern countries, however, wheat provides 50% of the daily energy intake
and the proportion can exceed 70% in rural areas [16]. A daily portion of 400 g rice
or tubers for subsistence farmers contributes less than 10 mg Zn day1 (Table 17.6).
17
Zinc
481
Table 17.6 Zinc content (fresh weight based) of some typical food items
Moderate Zn (1025 mg kg1)
Low Zn (<10 mg kg1)
High Zn (2550 mg kg1)
Whole grain cereals
Processed cereals (low extraction rate)
Fish
Unpolished rice
Polished rice
Milk
Pulses
Chicken
Roots and tubers
Lean red meat
Pork and meat with high fat content
Green leafy vegetables
Legumes
Fruits
Data from WHO [77]
Fig. 17.9 Grain Zn concentration of durum wheat subjected to soil and soil + foliar application of
ZnSO4 (a) and increasing concentrations of soil applied ZnSO4 (b). Plants were grown in a highly
Zn deficient calcareous soil under field conditions in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The grain Zn
concentration increased with Zn fertilization (Data from Cakmak [17])
17.5.2 Managing Zinc Deficiency: Biofortification

There are two options to increase the plant Zn content: Zn fertilization or Zn
biofortification. Zinc fertilization can occur via application of Zn on or in soil,
seed coating or via foliar spraying (Fig. 17.9). The most frequently used fertilizers
are Zn salts such as ZnSO4, ZnO (less effective when applied in soil with high pH)
or chelated forms such as Na2ZnEDTA (mainly for foliar spraying). Zinc application rates are typically 10 kg Zn ha1 (range 4.534 kg Zn ha1) and depend on
site and crop characteristics. Zinc application in soil has the advantage that
residual Zn remains present for future crops, whereas residual Zn from foliar
application is removed from the site after harvesting. Zinc deficient soils, however, are mostly characterised by an extremely low (e.g. sandy soils) or and
extremely high (e.g. calcareous soils) Zn binding potential, and foliar Zn application is advised in these soils.
Biofortification is the process of increasing Zn concentrations in grains and
pulses of growing crops by plant breeding (genetic biofortification) or judicious
use of fertilizers (agronomic biofortification) [2]. Agronomic biofortification is
essential to create and maintain a sufficiently large bioavailable Zn pool in soil,
482
to optimize Zn transport to seeds during the reproductive growth stage, and to

improve grain Zn bioavailability for humans. Numerous studies report promising
data on increasing grain yields on fertilized Zn deficient soil, but specific fertilization strategies are required to increase the grain Zn content. Cakmak [17] applied
soil Zn and soil Zn+ foliar Zn to wheat. Soil applied Zn slightly increased grain
Zn content, but the combination of soil Zn and foliar Zn at two different growth
stages increased grain Zn content threefold compared to the unamended plants.
The additional application of soil Zn and/or N fertilizers (e.g. urea) maximized the
grain Zn content, and concentrations were >100 mg Zn kg1 in grain, The interaction of N Zn is explained by proteins that facilitate Zn uptake, root-to-shoot
transport and Zn sequestration in the grain [18].
Genetic biofortification involves plant breeding to develop new cultivars capable
of accumulating relatively high concentrations of Zn in grains [2]. It is the most
cost-effective strategy to alleviate Zn deficiency, but it is a time and resourceconsuming process. There is a huge variation in grain Zn concentrations between
plant species and cultivars (reviewed by [76]). A few wild emmer wheat accessions
were identified with a very high Zn (up to 125 mg kg1), Fe (up to 85 mg kg1) and
protein (up to 250 g kg1) content in grain. At the same time, some of these
accessions showed a simultaneous high tolerance for drought stress and for growth
under Zn deficient conditions [60]. Most maize and rice cultivars have somewhat
lower maximum grain Zn contents, but a fourfold variation between cultivars has
been observed [76]. There is little information about the exact molecular or genetic
mechanisms underlying grain Zn accumulation, but the development of transgenic
plants with increased grain Zn content is very promising; it suggests a high potential
for genetic biofortification to reduce Zn deficiency [16]. One of the main challenges
to successfully introduce these Zn efficient cultivars is to make them tolerant to
other chemical and physical problems in Zn deficient areas next to the low Zn
bioavailability. For example, vertisols are often Zn deficient (high pH and CaCO3
content), and are clay rich soils with a typical swell-shrink behaviour, whereas other
Zn deficient areas suffer from salinity stress due to inappropriate irrigation
practices. For this reason, Zn-efficient cultivars often do not perform well when
grown in these areas [16]. To overcome severe human Zn deficiency on the short
term, it is advised to combine techniques and use an optimal fertilizer strategy on
most Zn-efficient crops [2, 18].
17.6
Toxicity of Zinc in Soil
17.6.1 Toxicity as Affected by Ageing and Soil Properties

Although Zn is an essential nutrient for plants, exposure to elevated Zn
concentrations might cause plant toxicity. Typical Zn concentrations in healthy
plants are 60 mg Zn kg1 dm [26], and 10% reductions in plant yield are found
17
Zinc
483
Critical level (mg kg1 dry matter)
Maize
<200
Barley
290
Wheat
108224
Lettuce
380520
Cabbage
100
Bush beans
130200
Data adopted from Macnicol and Beckett [50]
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
Plant yield (g)
Plant yield (g)
Table 17.7 Toxic (critical)

Zn concentrations in plant
leaves at a 10% yield
reduction
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.1
0
10
100
Zntot(mg
1000
kg)-1
10000
10
100
Znss(mg
1000
10000
l)-1
Fig. 17.10 Difference in Zn toxicity between freshly spiked (diamonds) and long-term
contaminated soils under a galvanized pylon (triangles). The uncontaminated control soil is
indicated with a square. Toxicity is larger in freshly spiked soils than in soils when expressed as
total soil Zn (Table 17.8), but differences disappear when expressed on a soil solution (Znss) basis
(Smolders and Waegeneers, unpublished data)
at 100500 mg Zn kg1 dm (Table 17.7). Increased plant Zn concentrations

cause reduced root growth or stunted shoot growth, and may induce Fe and Mg
deficiency.
Zinc toxicity to plant or soil (micro-)organisms is readily assessed by adding
soluble Zn salts to an uncontaminated soil (spiking) at increasing doses. Zinc
toxicity is assessed within a short time frame (hours to weeks) after Zn spiking.
The dose-response relationship represents the endpoint (e.g. plant growth) at
increasing Zn concentrations either expressed as total soil Zn, added Zn or Zn in
soil solution, and toxic concentrations can be inferred (ECX Zn concentration
causing x% reduction of the endpoint compared to the control treatment; No
Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) highest Zn concentration at which no
inhibitory effect is observed). Zinc toxicity is often determined in such straightforward laboratory experiments, but the relevance for field conditions is questionable
(Fig. 17.10). First, adding a Zn salt solution to soil affects the soil solution
composition. The added Zn2+ desorbs H+, Ca2+, Mg2+ (Table 17.3) and part of
the toxicity may be related to soil acidification [67].
Second, anionic Zn ligands such as chlorides or sulphates will be added to the
soil solution and logically increase ionic strength and may induce salt effects [69].
To avoid these side effects, Zn toxicity thresholds can be derived using long-term
484
Table 17.8 Difference in Zn toxicity between freshly spiked (FS) and long-term (LT)
contaminated soils of three sites
Wheat
PNR
F. candida
E. fetida
Soil
FS
LT
FS
LT
FS
LT
FS LT
185 >2,101 600 >2,101 171 >2,101
569 747
Rhydtalog (83 mg kg1)
De Meern (155 mg kg1) 411 >2,520 591 >2,520 458 >2,520
902 >2,520
275 217
282 >3,741 165 507
1,120 1,100
Zeveren (76 mg kg1)
Data from Smolders et al. [65], Smolders and Waegeneers (unpublished data) and Lock (unpublished data). Background Zn concentrations are indicated
The Zn concentrations causing 10% reduction of the endpoint (EC10 value), expressed as total soil Zn
(mg kg1), for wheat growth, Potential Nitrification Rate (PNR), Glucose Respiration Rate (GRR),
Maize Residue Respiration (MRR) and reproduction of Folsomia candida and Eisenia fetida
Zn contaminated soils. These can be either Zn spiked soils that are leached and/or
aged to mimic field conditions, or field sites that are historically enriched by Zn (e.g.
sites are sides under galvanized structures). Soils collected at different distances from
the contamination source may yield such a Zn contamination gradient, however such
gradients are often confounded by mixed metal contamination or an accumulation of
organic material near the contamination source [35]. Selected pair-wise comparisons
between long-term Zn (only) contaminated soils in laboratory spiking studies
illustrated a discrepancy in Zn toxicity between both systems (Table 17.8).
Leaching and ageing reactions explain the discrepancy in Zn toxicity between
freshly spiked soils versus long-term contaminated soils. In the long-term, Zn ions
can be fixed on the soil solid phase and become unavailable for plants/(micro)
organisms within a reasonable time frame (see Sect. 17.4.2). As a consequence,
Zn concentrations in solution of freshly spiked soils are larger than in long-term
field contaminated soils at similar total Zn concentrations. If Zn in soil solution is
used as an indicator for toxicity, the difference between both Zn addition modes
disappear (Fig. 17.11).
Toxicity of Zn also differs widely among different freshly spiked soils
(Table 17.8). It was shown before (see Sect. 17.4.3) that Zn solubility largely
depends on soil characteristics. As a consequence, adding a single dose of Zn to
soils with different physicochemical characteristics implies a different Zn concentration in soil solution depending on the soil specific Zn adsorption characteristics.
It was empirically found that total soil Zn thresholds for plants and invertebrates
(e.g. EC50 values) of Zn increase with increasing effective CEC (Smolders et al.
[66] and references therein).
17.6.2 Toxicity of Zinc in Sewage Sludge-Amended Soils

Sewage sludge application is one of the major routes through which Zn is added to
soil via agricultural practices, particularly on a field-scale (Table 17.2). There is a
general consensus that spiking soil with soluble Zn salts overestimates toxicity due
17
Zinc
485
4.5
biosolids
4
Zn salt
log Kd Zn (L/kg)
3.5
fitted line
(Zn salt)
fitted line
(biosolids)
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
Soil Solution Zn concentration (mg/L)
1000
4.5
4.0
biosolids
3.5
Zn salt
Log Kd (L/kg)
3.0
fitted line
(Zn salt)
2.5
fitted line
(biosolids)
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
0.01
0.1
10
100
1000
Soil Solution Zn concentration (mg/L)
Fig. 17.11 Partitioning coefficient (Kd) for Zn versus the soil solution Zn concentration at the start
of the experiment (a) and after the third harvest (i.e., after 3 years incubation in the field); (b). Zinc
was added either in biosolids or as a soluble Zn salt. The regression lines for Zn salts and biosolids
differed significantly (p < 0.001), but data of both treatments overlapped suggesting a similar Zn
availability (Data from Heemsbergen et al. [38])
to bioavailability reasons discussed earlier (see Sect. 17.6.1). In contrast, sludge

associated Zn is present in a matrix with a high metal binding capacity and high
nutrient concentrations, the latter being beneficial to soil processes and plant
growth. Comparing toxicity between either metal salt or sludge amended soils is
important to predict the ecological consequences of sludge associated Zn.
486
Heemsbergen et al. [38] applied biosolids on 12 different field sites in Australia,

and Zn chemistry and bioavailability were compared with corresponding Zn salt
spiked plots. Zinc solubility, assessed by the Kd (Fig. 17.11), and plant availability
were comparable between Zn spiked or sewage sludge-amended soils immediately
after the experimental set-up and after 3 years incubation in open air. This suggests
that Zn bioavailability in soil is similar if applied either as metal salt or via sewage
sludge, and that the sludge matrix does not strongly exert protective effects.
17.7
Risk Assessment of Zinc in Soil
Zinc contaminated soils are unlikely to pose a risk to humans because the phytotoxic effects limit transfer of excessive Zn to the human food chain. Therefore, risk
assessment of Zn contaminated soils focuses on its ecotoxicological effects on soil
organisms. Toxic Zn concentrations vary widely between soils and Zn addition
methods (salts versus aged) (Smolders et al. [66]), complicating the derivation of a
single and general threshold for different soils.
So-called soil Zn screening levels have been defined to regulate Zn emissions
to soil. The ECOSSLs (Ecological Soil Screening Limits), derived by US-EPA in
2005, range from 46 mg Zn kg1 for avian wildlife to 160 mg Zn kg1 for plants.
A European risk assessment, performed in 2008, derived a generic PNEC (Predicted
No Effect Concentration) of 26 mg added Zn kg1 which, after corrections for
bioavailability and soil natural background, is equivalent to 28286 mg total Zn
kg1 depending on soil characteristics (see below for more details). These values are
not soil clean up standards but are derived as protective values to regulate the current
emissions. Differences of soil Zn limits are large when contrasting different
legislations (Table 17.9) and depend on the margins of safety applied, on the risk
pathways considered and on political choices.
To illustrate a risk assessment, we briefly illustrate the effects assessment of Zn
that was concluded in a European Zn risk assessment in 2008 [34]. Zinc toxicity
data were taken from studies in which Zn salts were added to soil at increasing
doses, and the No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOECs), expressed as added
Zn to soil, were calculated (Table 17.10).
All NOECs were plotted in a cumulative probability curve, and the 5th percentile of the curve (HC5) was derived (Fig. 17.12). At this Zn concentration, 95% of
the species are protected from Zn toxicity. If only microbe-mediated processes are
considered, the HC5 is 27 mg added Zn kg1. This means that all soils with a total
Zn concentration equal to the background Zn concentration plus 27 mg Zn kg1, are
potentially affected. If invertebrates and plants are considered, a value of 52 mg
added Zn kg1 is derived. This value was considered not sufficiently protective
based on the experimental data, and an assessment factor (AF) of 2 was used
yielding a Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC HC5/AF) of 26 mg added
Zn kg1. Soil bioavailability corrections were subsequently included [66]. First, the
total added Zn concentrations was allowed to increase by a factor 3 to correct
for differences in Zn toxicity between freshly spiked laboratory experiments and
Table 17.9 A selection of soil Zn limits (mg kg1) and their basis. Ecological Soil Screening
Limits (ECOSSLs) or predicted no-effect concentrations (PNEC) are derived to evaluate current
emissions and should not be considered as clean-up values since the degree of protection is large
(i.e. conservative limits)
Legislations
Protection goal
Limit (and name)
Note
US-EPA-2005
US-EPA-2005
US-EPA-2005
US-EPA-2005
EU-risk of
chemicals -2008
Plants
Soil invertebrates
Mammals
Birds
Plants, invertebrates,
soil microorganism
160 mg kg1 ECOSSL

120 mg kg1 ECOSSL
79 mg kg1 ECOSSL
46 mg kg1 ECOSSL
26 mg kg1 PNEC
EU countries,
Switzerland, USA
and Canada
Unknown
UK sludge
Soil microorganism
10023,000 mg kg1 clean up

values for residential areas
360100,000 mg kg1
clean up values for
industrial landuse
200 mg kg1
[71]
[71]
[71]
[71]
[34] added Zn only
and not including
bioavailability
corrections
(see Table 17.11)
[61]
EU-sewage sludge
limits 86/278/EEC
US-EPA 1993
(biosolids)
Unknown
150300 mg kg1
Based on survival data

of rhizobia [21, 31]
[33]
Plants
2,800 kg ha1, equivalent to

about 900 mg kg1
Ceiling concentration
[70]
Potentially affected fraction
Table 17.10 The NOECs (No Observed Effect Concentrations highest Zn dose at which no
inhibitory effect is observed) expressed as added soil Zn (mg kg1), for invertebrate, plant and
microbial assays [34]
NOEC range
Oligochaetes
851,000 (n 27, 3 species)
Insects
321,000 (n 18, 1 species)
Plants
32400 (n 29, 16 species)
Microbial processes
C mineralization
171,400 (n 39)
N mineralization
381,000 (n 26)
Enzyme activity
302,623 (n 32)
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
10
100
1000
10000
NOEC (mg Zn kg-1)
Fig. 17.12 Sensitivity distribution of No Observed Effect Concentrations (NOECs) of microbe

mediated processes, not corrected for bioavailability. Based on this curves, the hazardous concentration affecting 5% of the microbial processes (HC5) was derived [34]. At this concentration, 95%
of all microbial species are protected from Zn toxicity (Redrawn from EU [34])
488
Table 17.11 Soil specific Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNEC) for Zn as derived in the EU
risk assessment of Zn in 2008
Highly sensitive soila Medium sensitive soila Weakly sensitive soila
1
added Zn (mg kg )
24
94
246
111
286
total soil Zn (mg kg1) 28
PNEC values corrected for bioavailability as explained in Nicholson et al. [54]
a
Properties for these three soils are, respectively, effective cation exchange capacity (eCEC), 4, 15,
and 35 cmolc kg1; pH, 4.5, 5.5, 7.0; % OC, 1.0%, 2.9%, and 12%; % clay, 5%, 15%, and 30%;
background Zn, 8, 51, and 155 mg Zn kg1
long-term field contaminated soils. Second, a correction was made considering soil
physicochemical properties (effective CEC, background Zn and pH) that mitigate
toxicity, yielding a final soil PNEC that varies with the soil properties; (highlymedium-weakly sensitive; Table 17.11).
Concerns about sludge-borne metals for soil application have been recognized
since the 1970s. Current regulations for the use of sewage sludge as soil fertilizer
are focused on preventing the build-up of metals in soils. Critical sludge limits
are set for sludge and soils to which sludge can be applied (Table 17.9). In the EU,
countries are allowed to apply sludge if the maximum allowable soil concentrations are not exceeded and will not be exceeded due to sludge application, or if
the 10-year mean metal loading rate of added metals through sludge application is
not exceeded. The US and the Netherlands made a risk assessment to determine
which soil and sludge metal concentrations and metal loading rates are acceptable
[25, 70]. Depending on e.g. the used approach or databases, both countries ended
up with highly variable values; the maximum allowable Zn concentration
for agriculturally used sludge in the Netherlands is 300 mg kg1, well below the
US-EPA rules (Table 17.9).
17.8
Remediation of Zinc Contaminated Land
Zinc contaminated land that is considered harmful for the environment has to be
managed to prevent long-term negative effects. There are a few options that are
frequently applied. Removal is only suited for small scale point source contaminations. Phytoremediation by extraction has been often tested, but the time required
to remove excess metals is long (years to eras) [46]. Additives can be mixed into
soil to reduce zinc bioavailability. If soils are acid with high bioavailable Zn concentrations, lime can be applied to raise soil pH and reduce metal solubility. Liming needs
to be repeated at regular time intervals to maintain soil pH. Alternative additives such
as bauxite (red mud) residues or beringite, an alkaline aluminosilicate, have a high
metal fixing capacity and will effectively fix metals on the long-term, even when soil
acidify in the case of bauxite residue [48]. Lombi et al. [49] compared liming and
bauxite or beringite application to remediate two heavy metal contaminated soils due
to sewage sludge application (UK soil 1,760 mg Zn kg1) or to smelter activity
17
Zinc
489
Plant biomass (g dry weight/replicate)
b
b*
b
3
2
1
a
0
Oilseed rape
Wheat
Pea
Lettuce
Plant biomass (g dry weight/replicate)
b 7
c
6
**
**
b
b
b
3
2
abab
a
0
Oilseed rape
Untreated
Pea
+ Lime
Wheat
+ Beringite
Lettuce
+ Red mud
Fig. 17.13 Shoot biomass of oilseed rape and lettuce, and weight of pea seed and wheat grains
grown on a Zn contaminated French (a) and UK (b) soil with and without soil amendments (0.25%
Ca(OH)2, 5% beringite or 2% red mud). Different letter represent significant differences at
p < 0.01 (*) and p < 0.001 (*). All amendments were effective in reducing Zn toxicity, but
effects differ between soils and plant species (Data from Lombi et al. [49])
(French soil 2,920 mg Zn kg1). Effects between additives varied between soils
and plant species, but performed well in reducing trace metal toxicity to plants
(Fig. 17.13).
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Part III
Other Heavy Metals and Metalloids of

Potential Environmental Significance
Chapter 18
Antimony
Rafael Clemente
Abstract Antimony (Sb) is a naturally occurring metalloid that has a wide range of
industrial applications. There exists an increasing interest in this metalloid as it is
likely to be a pollutant in industrialised environments. It is now known that Sb has
fewer geochemical and toxicological similarities with As than previously believed.
It has low mobility and bioavailability in soils, and presents low toxicity to plants,
although where Sb is present in more mobile forms in the soil it can be accumulated
by plants and affect their growth.
Keywords Antimony Alloys Ammunition Flame-retardant Metalloid
Semiconductor Smelter Stibnite Valentinite
18.1
Introduction
Antimony (Sb) is a naturally occurring metalloid element. It can exist in a variety of

oxidation states ( III, 0, III, V), but is mainly found in two oxidation states (III and
V) in environmental, biological and geochemical samples [18]. The abundance of
Sb in the Earths crust is in the order of 0.20.3 mg kg 1 [21]. The concentration of
Sb in soils is higher than that in parent rock materials. In unpolluted (background)
soils, the concentration range is from 0.3 to 8.4 mg Sb kg 1 [28]. In Europe, natural
background concentrations in soils range from 0.11.9 mg kg 1 (1090th percentile
for EU soils) [49].
In 2007, Sb was mined as a principal product or was a by-product of the smelting
of base-metal ores in ten countries [11]. Nearly all the worlds primary Sb was
mined in China (88%), Bolivia (3%), South Africa (3%), Russia (2%), and
R. Clemente (*)
Department of Soil and Water Conservation and Organic Waste Management,
CEBAS-CSIC, PO Box 164, 30100 Murcia, Spain
497
498
R. Clemente
Tajikistan and Australia (1% each). Current world production of Sb is about

160,000170,000 t per year [12]. In 2008, the USA consumption of Sb was
23,800 t and the estimated distribution of Sb used was as follows: flame retardants,
40%; transportation, including batteries, 22%; chemicals, 14%; ceramic and glass,
11%; and other, 13% [12]. Antimony is therefore not a major pollutant, but local
accumulation or dissipation by incineration or dumping (e.g., Sb mining areas)
must be controlled. The present day enrichment factor (relative to elements/Sc
ratios of typical crust rocks) is of the order of 70 times (for comparison, it is 20 for
As, 130 for Pb) [51].
For years, the major industrial use of Sb was the production of alloys, but now
the main industrial applications include flame retardants, a catalyst in plastics
production, pigment in paints or in production of glassware [45]. In its metallic
form, its major use is as a hardener for Pb, e.g., in Pb-acid batteries, cable sheathings and ammunition, and it is also an important component in semiconductors.
Large amounts of Sb (as antimony trioxide Sb2O3) are used in flame-retardants in
textiles, papers, plastics and adhesives and there is no perspective on the development of alternative materials. It is also used as a ceramic opacifier (to make the
material opaque) and as a mordant (fixing colours). Antimony tetroxide (Sb4O8) is
used as an oxidation catalyst (oxidative dehydrogenation of olefins) [60]. Antimony
is also commonly used in products such as brake linings, antiparasitic agents,
polyethylene terepthalate (PET) plastics, and as an additive in the tyre vulcanization process [37, 53].
18.2
Lithogenic Occurrence and Geochemistry
Antimony is a chalcophile element and as such mainly occurs in nature as Sb2S3

(stibnite, antimonite) and Sb2O3 (valentinite) [9]. In addition to those major forms,
the most important ores of Sb include kermesite (Sb2S2O) and cervantite (Sb2O4)
[42]. These compounds are commonly found in ores of Cu, Ag, and Pb. Antimony is
also a common component of coal and petroleum. Many sulphide and oxide
minerals containing Sb (in particular Sb(III)) have been identified in rocks and
mineral deposits, yet very little is known of secondary minerals that may form in
sediments and soils under ambient conditions [25]. Antimony has been observed
to have relatively low mobility in soils [23, 37, 43]. Direct chemical oxidation
of the primary Sb ore antimonite by environmental oxygen is negligible. Instead,
the process is carried out by specific autotrophic bacteria. These are common in
oxidation zones of Sb deposits, and take an active part in the formation of their
oxidised products [63]. Biogenic degradation pathways of antimonite and Sb
sulpho-salts are quite specific [47].
Antimony is a metalloid which has chemical and toxicological properties similar
to As owing to its position in the periodic table. Its toxicity depends on factors like
oxidation state, compound solubility, and interactions with ligands [31]. Numerous
papers on the distribution, cycling and mobility of Sb confirm the increasing
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499
interest in this metalloid, which is one of the important anthropogenic contaminants

[32, 37, 38]. Only recently Sb has become the focus of environmental concerns
about trace element inputs into shooting range soils [48]. Filella et al. [19] have
also recently reviewed (i) how much is present in the different environment
compartments; (ii) in which form it is actually present; (iii) its toxicity; and (iv)
its cycling between the different compartments.
18.3
Chemical Behaviour in Soil and Availability to Plants
In soil environments Sb has shown less mobility and bioavailability than As or Cu

[20, 62]. A very low percentage is extracted by using mild extractants and, when
sequential extraction procedures are applied, some Sb is present in the Fe oxide
fraction, but most is present in the so-called residual fraction [19]. Even in heavily
polluted soils in the proximity of mines and smelters, Sb is essentially immobile in
soils. It is generally believed that Sb is mainly present as Sb(V) in soils. In fact,
solid phase speciation in environmental systems containing concentrations high
enough for X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) (around smelters, mine pits or
shooting ranges) have shown that Sb was present exclusively as Sb(V), and Fe(III)
hydroxide was the apparent host phase [41, 50, 58]. Although the oxidation of Sb
(III) in homogeneous solution with O2 is kinetically hindered and extremely slow
[34], oxidation of Sb(III) to Sb(V) is fast in both natural water and soil in the
presence of amorphous Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides [5, 46], while the mechanism is
unclear [25]. Most Sb is emitted as Sb2O3 from smelting operations, and around
70% of it can be oxidized to Sb(V) in the soil in 2 days [46].
The low mobility of Sb in soil is reflected in all the relevant studies to date and is
a function of speciation. Adsorption and further oxidation of Sb(III) by amorphous
Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides has been reported [5]. Studies have indicated the
adsorption of Sb by other agents such as humic acids (HA) [8] or hydroxyapatite
[35]. Amorphous components have an important role in soil adsorption of Sb(V).
Generally, Sb(III) binds to solids more strongly and over a wider pH range than Sb
(V). Andosol soils rich in amorphous components have a high capacity for Sb(V)
adsorption [57]. In these soils, the contribution of Fe-related surface base groups is
higher than the aluminol and silanol groups. The adsorption of Sb(V) has been
shown to be closer to that of As(III) than As(V) [57]. A significant fraction of Sb in
the <0.5 mm fraction of shooting range soils was found to be oxalate-extractable,
indicating an association with amorphous ferrihydrites, but also possibly with solid
phases, such as carbonates, that are soluble at pH 2 [25]. The mobile fraction
appeared to be Sb(V) and the precipitation of Ca antimonite may play a role
controlling the solubility. McBride [40] also reported adsorption of soluble Sb by
clays and Fe or Mn oxyhydroxides, these processes markedly affecting Sb mobility
and availability.
Only a minor role for pH in the mobilisation of Sb has been reported [36].
Jones et al. [26] described strong adsorption of Sb(V) by hematite below pH 7,
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and rapid desorption at higher pH. The dominant solution species was [Sb(OH)6] .
Depending on experimental conditions Sb(V) is almost completely sorbed at pH
values below 7, while Sb(III) sorbs to pH values of at least 10 [25]. In three different
mine soils in Spain, low soil Sb mobility was encountered with no significant
influence of the measured general soil characteristics on Sb mobility [42]. Relatively low Sb extractabilities (<6% of total soil concentration) have been also
reported by Lintschinger et al. [37].
Antimony association with soil organic matter in environmental samples has
only been confirmed in recent years [13, 14]. A significant correlation (P < 0.05)
between Na2HPO4-extracted Sb and TOC was observed in different highly polluted
soils and sediments [17], indicating that it could be specifically sorbed onto organic
matter. Weak sorption on organic matter may be dominant for oxyanions especially
under acidic conditions. Tighe et al. [59] reported sorption of Sb(V) by HA
decreased as the pH increased. When a liming-induced pH increase is applied,
the mobilisation of soluble Sb needs to be considered [30]. The importance of
humic substances, particularly soil humic acids, in converting inorganic Sb(III)
species to a less toxic species (i.e., Sb(V)) as well as arresting Sb movement through
the soil by complexing with it has been reported [55]. Klitzke and Lang [30]
suggested that Sb does not bridge to non-mobile or aggregated organic matter to
the same extent as As, because of different accessibility of negative charge. In the
Sb(OH)6 complex the negative charge is located at the Sb atom which is coordinated by six octahedral OH-groups [29], with these OH-groups shielding the
negative charge [30].
Nakamaru et al. [43] found that in a range of Japanese agricultural soils, soil
solution distribution coefficient (Kd) values of Sb, and therefore sorption, increased
with decreasing pH and decreased with increasing phosphate concentration,
suggesting pH-dependent specific sorption of Sb species. In a Japanese mine
tailings soil, under reducing conditions, the concentration of As in the soil water
increased whereas that of Sb decreased showing different redox properties of Sb
and As [41]. In that study, Sb(V) was the stable oxidation state over a wide range of
Eh in soil and it was mainly associated with Fe(III) hydroxide; dissolved Sb
concentrations did not increase with decreasing redox potential [41].
Plants are generally more tolerant to soil Sb than soil fauna and particularly high
plant Sb concentrations occur in Sb mining areas [60]. Hammel et al. [23] extracted
Sb from contaminated soils from a historical mining area in Germany using 1M
NH4NO3 to assess the mobile fraction which is bioavailable to plants, and reported
levels of 0.020.29 mg kg 1, representing between 0.06% and 0.59% of the total Sb
content. Other studies have found relatively low concentrations of Sb in local flora
and fauna even in highly contaminated areas, indicating that low soluble or mobile
fractions reflect low availability and uptake into biological systems, and a lack of
bioaccumulation in food chains [1, 27, 36]. The large size of the Sb(OH)6 anion,
the predominant form in well aerated soils [50], may prohibit its passage through
the root endodermis into the xylem, thus limiting its translocation to the aerial
portions of the plant [48]. However, evidence shows that where Sb is present in
more mobile forms in the soil, it can be accumulated by plants [4, 23] and affect
18
Antimony
501
their growth [24]. Markert [39] reported an average Sb level of 0.1 mg Sb kg 1 (dw)
in plants. Potential phytotoxicity of Sb has been described as moderate [7], although
no environmental cases have been reported.
Overall, plant Sb accumulation increases with the Sb concentration of soil over
a very wide range of concentrations. That was observed in a combination of
published data from field studies which produced a relationship with a significant
correlation between plant and total soil Sb. With soluble instead of total soil Sb
concentrations, a closer relationship was obtained despite the variety of analytical
methods used and very different plants examined [60]. This fact suggests a very
general and rather simple mechanism. Passive transport by convection with the
stream of transpirational water into and through the plant would easily explain it.
In fact, evidence suggests that Sb is translocated within plants primarily along the
apoplastic pathway through the xylem, but some symplastic transport may also
occur [60]. Atmospheric deposition of Sb onto plant surfaces may in addition be an
important pathway in the soil-to-plant transfer of Sb under field conditions [60].
18.4
Soil Contamination
Although Sb is a naturally occurring trace element in most soils, it is likely to be a

pollutant in industrial environments [38]. Reported soil concentrations have ranged
from 0.17 mg kg 1 in organic soils in Norway to 1,489 mg kg 1 in the vicinity of a
Sb smelter in NE England [2]. Input to soil ecosystems was estimated at 26,000 t
year 1 of Sb [10]. This anthropogenic contribution of Sb is tenfold higher than
emissions from natural sources (around 2,600 t year 1) reported by Nriagu [44].
Antimony is ubiquitous throughout the environment as a result of both natural
processes and human activities [19]. Patterns of Sb concentrations in cores from
peat bogs in remote areas of Switzerland and Scotland reflect the history of
anthropogenic air pollution over the past two millennia [15, 52].
Mining operations are assumed to be the greatest emission source of Sb into the
environment [57]. Other important anthropogenic sources of Sb in the environment
are emissions from vehicles (as a consequence of its use as a fire-retardant in brake
linings), waste disposal and incineration, fuel combustion, metal smelters and
shooting activities [3, 10]. The current trend to avoid the use of Sb in Pb alloys
towards its use in fire-retardant treatments and other applications, which do not
permit recycling, have caused lesser amounts of secondary Sb to be produced,
which is of environmental concern [18].
Antimony is used in bullets to harden them, so shooting ranges are hotspots of
soil pollution by Sb [25]. Bullets generally have cores made of Pb-Sb alloy with an
Sb content of between 2 and 5 wt.%. Once in the soil, the bullet fragments gradually
oxidise through the weathering actions of air, water, organic acids and microbial
activity [25]. As the bullets corrode, metals are released to the soil. In Switzerland,
for example, it is estimated that 1025 t of Sb annually enter the soil as a result
of shooting practice at more than 2,000 ranges [25]. The highest contamination
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in shooting ranges tends to occur in the surface soils [25] and decreases with
soil depth [18]. The organic-rich soil humus layer may act as a repository for
anthropogenic Sb [55].
18.5
Risk Assessment
The real environmental risk posed by Sb is still largely in need of assessment and
proof. The case of the comparison of Sb(III) versus Sb(V) toxicity is paradigmatic.
In addition, although it has been generally assumed that the geochemical behaviour
and toxicity of Sb are similar to those of As [59], Sb might behave less like As than
previously believed. Most investigations into mining spoils have not focused on Sb,
yet it is often a major constituent, is a suspected human carcinogen [22] and a
priority interest pollutant in both the USA and the EU [16, 61]. Systematic reviews
are lacking on many environmental topics such as: Sb in the atmosphere, ecotoxicology, and soil-plant transfer, among others. Integrating existing data into a global
cycling model should be a priority task today [19].
Indirect evidence suggests that Sb(III) is somewhat more toxic than Sb(V) and
that Sb(III) forms could be used as a worst case scenario for testing the toxicity of
environmental Sb [45]. Toxicity tests with soluble Sb salts have shown little
relevance for predicting the risk of Sb2O3 emissions to soils. At full equilibrium,
all Sb2O3 is likely to be transformed, i.e., dissolved, oxidised and adsorbed [46].
The preferred exposure regime for terrestrial toxicity tests is via long-term
equilibrated Sb2O3-amended soils. Based on the data available at present, only a
generic predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) value of 37 mg Sb kg 1 dw can
be derived in soils [45].
Naturally occurring Sb has no known function in living organisms and has
no known biological role [55]. Exposure to Sb species, especially trivalent, has
been reported to produce injury in organ systems such as the lungs, heart, liver
and kidney [21]. In its trivalent form, Sb may have a level of genotoxicity similar
to trivalent As [22]. The mechanism of Sb toxicity seems to include interactions with functional thiol (SH) groups of glutathione and proteins [56]. Toxicity
of water insoluble Sb sulphate was found on average to be higher than that of
Sb-tartrate (very soluble in water), with a reproduction LOEC (lowest-observedeffect-concentration) for earthworm, potworm and collembolan of around 100 mg
Sb kg 1 [33].
Antimony in contaminated soils does not seem to be readily bioavailable, its
concentration in source-receptor pathways has been measured and no significant
increase compared to uncontaminated soils has been observed [1, 54]. Flynn et al.
[20] found in five different locations in SW England that soil contamination by Sb
due to mining and smelting operations was not a severe risk to the environment or
human health provided that it was present as immobile species. In that study, total
Sb of up to 700 mg kg 1 was shown to be biologically unavailable over a wide
18
Antimony
503
range of pH values (3.728.07), with no relationship between pH and water soluble

levels or percentage solubility.
A possible danger is the low Sb toxicity to plants. It is difficult to assess the
health risks of exposure to elevated concentrations of Sb. Acute Sb poisoning of
humans or animals via ingestion of Sb-contaminated soil or consumption of plants
grown on Sb-contaminated soil is extremely unlikely. The threshold of Sb intake
considered to be critical is 100 mg day 1 [6].
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Chapter 19
Barium
Paula Madejon
Abstract Barium (Ba) is a common element in the Earths crust and is present at
higher concentrations than most other trace elements, and naturally occurs in one
oxidaton state (+II). Industrial uses of Ba are wide and variable including: oil and
gas drilling muds. The most common minerals of Ba are barite and hollandite and in
geochemical processes it is usually associated with K+. Barium is not very mobile
in most soils although plants may take up Ba easily from acid soils, but there are
few reports of toxic concentrations of Ba in plants.
Keywords Barium Barite Biosolids Brines Drilling muds Radium X-ray
19.1
Introduction
Barium (Ba) is a common and ubiquitous element with a mean content in the
Earths crust of 425 mg kg1, and a range from 550 to 668 mg kg1 in the upper
continental crust [32]. It is 14th in order of abundance in the earths crust and occurs
at higher concentrations than most other trace elements [29].
In nature Ba occurs in only one oxidation state, +II. In aqueous environments, Ba
occurs primarily as the dissolved divalent ion, Ba2+ [38]. The neutral ion-paired
species, BaSO40, forms in the presence of high sulphate concentrations. Similarly,
BaCO30, becomes the dominant species in the presence of carbonate at pH >9.3
[39]. Solid phase barite (BaSO4) and witherite (BaCO3), exhibit fast precipitation
kinetics and very low solubilities, limiting Ba concentrations in aqueous solutions
[4]. Therefore when it is released by weathering is not very mobile because it is
easily precipitated as either sulphates and carbonates [21].
P. Madejon (*)
Protection of the Soil-Water-Plant System, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiologa de
Sevilla (IRNAS) CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes, 10, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
507
P. Madejon
508
According to Bowen [6], the mean content of Ba in soils is 500 mg kg1. The
reported range for soil Ba, on a world scale, is from 19 to 2,368 mg kg1. Schroeder
[33] reported Ba in soils at concentrations ranging from 100 to 3,000 mg kg1.
Mean values in Chinese soils are 370 mg kg1 [9] and in United States the mean
values correspond to 440 mg kg1 [35]. (See also Chap. 2, Table 2.1).
Industrial uses of Ba are wide and variable, including: oil and gas drilling muds,
automotive paints, stabilizers for plastics, case hardening steels, bricks, tiles,
lubricating oils, and jet fuel as well as in various types of pesticides [4, 45]. The
largest use of mined barite, which accounts for 94% of the total output, is oil and
gas well drilling. Other Ba compounds are important in the brick, ceramic, photographic, and chemical manufacturing industries [2, 4]. One of the major uses of
BaCO3 is as a rodenticide [2]. Barium and its compounds have several important
medical uses as well. Barium is frequently utilized as a benign, radio-opaque aid to
X-ray diagnosis in colorectal and some upper gastrointestinal examinations,
because it is normally not absorbed by the body after oral intake [2], although
BaCl2 is no longer used to treat heart block due to its toxicity.
Barium is an ideal analogue of radium (Ra) as Ba and Ra are alkaline earth
and Ra2+ 1.43 A
) [36].
elements, and possess similar ionic radii (Ba2+ 1.34 A
226
For this reason Ba has been used to study migration of radioactive radium ( Ra) in
soil, due to environmental concern about Ra, especially in areas adjacent to U
deposits [47].
19.2
Barium has a lithophilic affinity and is likely to concentrate in acid igneous rocks
and argillaceous sediments, ranging from 250 to 1,200 mg kg1 [22].
The most common minerals of Ba are barite (BaSO4), and hollandite (Ba2Mn8O16).
Witherite (BaCO3), another ore of Ba, is not as common as the others minerals and
can form deposits in association with barites [3]. This element is also found in possible
host minerals of K-feldspar, micas, apatite, calcite [32]. In geochemical processes,
Ba is usually associated with K+ due to their similar ionic radii, and thus usually
follows the fate of K in geochemical processes and therefore its presence is linked with
alkali feldspar and biotite [21, 22].
Barium is concentrated in Mn and P concretions and is specifically adsorbed
onto oxides and hydroxides [21]. Barium is easily sorbed by other alkaline earth
metals from some oxides (MnO2, TiO2), although it is displaced from Al2O3 by
alkaline earth metals (Be, Sr) [4].
19.3
Barium is not very mobile in most soils. The rate of transport is dependent on the
characteristics of soils, such as cation exchange capacity (CEC) and CaCO3 content. In soils with high CEC values (such as clay minerals, finely textured mineral
19
Barium
509
soils, or soils with high organic content) the mobility of Ba is limited by adsorption.
High CaCO3 contents limit mobility by precipitation as BaCO3 or in presence of
SO42 ions, Ba precipitates as BaSO4. In the presence of Cl ions, Ba is more mobile
and more likely to be leached from soil to groundwater [39].
Barium acetate, nitrate, and chloride are all quite soluble, whereas the arsenate,
carbonate, oxalate, chromate, fluoride, sulphate, and phosphate salts are very poorly
soluble. Concentration of Ba in the soil solution and therefore potential uptake is
controlled by the nature of the soil, pH of the extractant [5] and by solution SO42
concentration [16]. All Ba salts, except for BaSO4, become increasingly soluble as
the pH decreases. These salts dissolve partially in carbonic acid and completely in
hydrochloric or nitric acids. Strong sulphuric acid is required to dissolve BaSO4
[44]. Barite has been considered as a very stable and inert material. Carbonell et al.
[7] studied the influence of pH and redox potential in barite sediments. These
authors found that a combination of low pH and highly anaerobic conditions
resulted in a release of Ba to the sediment solution.
Different studies have reported very low exchangeable-Ba levels in soils
(0185 mg kg1) despite rather high total Ba contents (503,000 mg kg1) [13].
Leaching experiments indicate that the formation of soluble complexes of Ba with
fatty acids from domestic wastes and other, unidentified organic Ba complexes can
contribute to Ba mobility in soils [23]. During studies with a soil column, a small
quantity of Ba, 1839%, was leached out, probably as organic Ba complexes, while
the remaining Ba (added in the form of BaCO3) was adsorbed and precipitated, and
remained at the original place of application [23]. Hatipoglu et al. [17] studied
sorption properties of Ba on kaolinite, montmorillonite, chlorite + illite type of
mixed clay, being the mixed clay with the best sorption of Ba.
Sultan and Shazili [40] studied Ba levels in tropical soils in Malaysia. They
found that under humic tropical conditions most of the metals from the top soil
layer, especially alkali and alkali earth metals, such as Ba, are significantly depleted
by preferential leaching/or plant uptake.
The USEPA [41] has published an amended list of 15 candidate pollutants for
exposure and hazard screening with regard to biosolids land application, and this
includes Ba. Ipolito et al. [19] studied Ba accumulation in soils amended with
biosolids (sewage sludges) and found that biosolids additions increased Ba accumulation in the 020 cm soil depth. They also reported DTPA-extractable values
declining with time; this supports the idea that insoluble Ba precipitates are forming
due to biosolids addition in soils.
Soluble Ba, e.g., in the form of BaS, is extremely toxic to humans and animals,
although due to its low absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, sparingly soluble
BaSO4 can be orally supplied as a contrasting reagent in radiological exploration
without health risk. Because most of Ba in the environment is present in forms with
low solubility, mainly as sulphate or carbonate, the risk of Ba toxicity is considered
to be very low [25, 26].
Barium is taken up by plants although it has no known plant or animal physiological functions, and usually undergoes biodiminution as it is transferred along the
food chain [15, 31, 34]. On the other hand, in the ionic form, Ba is considered to be
toxic to humans, animals, and plants at moderate concentrations [8].
P. Madejon
510
Bowen and Dyamon [5] found that Ba contents of plants from normal soils vary
from 0.5 to 40 mg kg1 with a mean value of 10 mg kg1. Other authors reported
normal Ba values in plants from 10 to 150 mg kg1 [13].
Plants may take up Ba quite easily from acid soils, but there are few reports of
toxic Ba concentrations in plants [21]. Wyttenbach et al. [46] studied correlations between soil pH, EDTA-extractable Ba in soil and Ba contents in needles of
Norway spruce. They found a significant negative correlation between Ba in plant
and pH and a positive significant correlation with extractable Ba in soils.
19.4
Soil Contamination
Davis et al. [14] report that Ba and Mn are consistently associated with natural
sources in both urban and rural areas. Raghu et al. [30] studied the soil on a barite
deposit, in an area in India, and they found a range of values in soils from 171 to
802 mg kg1. Shock et al. [37] studied the Red Dog Mining District in western
Alaska and reported that Ba concentrations in ore concentrates were found to range
from 2,400 to 2,700 mg kg1.
Contents of Ba in coal range from 75 to 330 mg kg1 [10]; other authors reported
concentrations of <3,000 mg Ba kg1 [6]. It also occurs in fuel oils, the Ba content
varying with the petroleum source.
Despite relatively high concentrations in soils, only a limited amount of Ba
accumulates in plants. It is actively taken up by legumes, grain stalks, forage plants,
red ash leaves, and the black walnut, hickory, and Brazil nut trees [31]. In plants on
a barite-rich soil (760 mg kg1 Ba in aqua regia extract) shoot Ba concentrations
ranged from 21 mg kg1 in grass species to 320 mg kg1 in Rubia peregrine
(Wild Madder) [24]. The highest concentrations (10,000 mg kg1) have been found
in Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa), a Ba-accumulating species [38].
Pais and Jones [28] found that Ba contents of 200 mg kg1 could be moderately
toxic, and an excess of 500 mg kg1 could be considered toxic for plants.
Barium toxicity has been studied in Phaseous vulgaris (red kidney bean) and
Hordeum vulgare (barley) on an experimental soil spiked with 2,000 mg kg1
Ba as nitrate. Internal concentrations associated with growth inhibition were
found at 10,000 and 20,000 mg kg1 in foliar levels [8]. Plant yield decrease
and phytotoxic effects were related to the suppression of K uptake by Ba. Llugany
et al. [25] studied Phaseous vulgaris in an experiment using a culture solution
with different doses of Ba and found that Ba interfered with both the SO42
transport from roots to shoots and the import of Ca into leaves. Similar results
were found previously by Wang [43] and Wallace & Romney [42]. However,
according to Llugany et al. [25] the most Ba-sensitive parameter is the K concentration in leaves, which is reduced even at concentrations that do not affect
plant growth. Raghu [30] found a concentration of 3,500 mg kg1 in shoots of
19
Barium
511
Indigofera cordifolia (a legume True Indigo) and also concluded that the
presence of Indigofera cordifolia on a Ba mine dump area and its absence away
from this area shows its indicator characteristics for Ba from the geobotanical
point of view.
19.5
Risk Assessment
Environmental problems associated with Ba are due to well drilling and the on-site
disposal of brines with high Ba contents. Cipollini and Pickerink [11] studied the
effect of Ba in plants from high-Ba well sites. They found that, although there was a
high Ba content in soils (2,000 mg kg1), there were no detectable effects upon
plant yield and in general, plant Ba levels did not exceed the normal range in plants.
Coscione and Berton [12] evaluated the Ba extraction potential of Brassica juncea
(Indian mustard), Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Ricinus communis (castor
bean) growing in a soil artificially contaminated with increasing Ba additions
(0, 150, 300 mg kg1 rates). None of the plants tested presented toxicity symptoms,
decreased nutrient accumulation or decreased dry matter production in response to
Ba treatments. The largest accumulation was with sunflower at 300 mg kg1 of Ba
added to the soil. They concluded that none of the three species studied was
efficient as a Ba accumulator.
Monaci and Bragagli [27] showed that in urban environments unwashed
Quercus ilex (Holm Oak) leaves had a significantly higher Ba content compared
with those from suburban or control areas. This study also found a significant
relationship between normalized concentrations of Pb and Ba and the presence of
the latter element in diesel and unleaded gasoline. Therefore these authors consider
Ba to be a valuable tracer for vehicle emissions, in the place of Pb.
Hope et al. [18] studied Ba accumulation at different ecosystems levels.
The study area exhibited a mean Ba content in soil of 105 mg kg1. Vegetation
analysed showed a mean Ba concentration of 30 mg kg1, the mean concentration
in terrestrial invertebrates was 16 mg kg1 and the Ba content in small mammals
analysed was around 2 mg kg1. According to these results Hope et al. [18]
concluded that although Ba appears capable of bioconcentration and bioaccumulation in terrestrial and aquatic environments, its bioaccumulation factors were
low in the terrestrial receptors examined (Ba levels decreased by an order of
magnitude with each successive increase in the tropic levels). Other authors have
studied the possible toxic effect of Ba in soils on pheasant populations. Anderson
and Stewart [1] speculated that Ba in the diet might be a factor limiting the pheasant
establishment in habitats adjacent to areas of long-term sustaining populations
in Illinois, however Jones [20] did not find any relation between Ba content in
soils and pheasant abundance. Even more, the present of these birds were higher at
the maximum Ba values in soils.
512
P. Madejon
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in Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Management, 37, 142153.
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16. Guyette, R. P., & Cutter, B. E. (1994). Barium and manganese trends in tree-rings as monitors
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18. Hope, B., Loy, C., & Miller, P. (1996). Uptake and trophic transfer of barium in a terrestrial
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19. Ippolito, J. A., & Barbarick, K. A. (2006). Biosolids affect soil barium in a dryland wheat
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22. Kabata-Pendias, A., & Mukherjee, A. B. (2007). Trace elements from soil to humans. Berlin:
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23. Lagas, P., Loch, J. P. G., Bom, C. M., & Gerringa, L. J. A. (1984). The behaviour of barium in
landfill and the underlying soil. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 22, 121129.
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24. Lledo, D., Poschenrieder, C., & Barcelo, J. (1998). Lead and barium accumulation in wild
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magnesite. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 49, 915921.
37. Shock, S. S., Bessinger, B. A., Lowney, Y. W., & Clark, J. L. (2007). Assessment of the
solubility and bioaccessibility of barium and aluminum in soils affected by mine dust deposition. Environmental Science and Technology, 41, 48134820.
38. Smith, K. A. (1971). The comparative uptake and translocation by plants of calcium, strontium, barium and radium. I. Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut tree). Plant Soil, 34, 369379.
39. Smith, L. A., Means, A. L., Chen, A., Alleman, B., Chapman, C. C., Tixier, J. S., Jr., Brauning,
S. E., Gavaskar, A. R., & Royer, M. D. (1995). Remedial options for metals-contaminated
sites. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers.
40. Sultan, K., & Shazili, N. A. (2009). Distribution and geochemical baselines of major, minor
and trace elements in tropical topsoils of the Terengganu River basin, Malaysia. Journal of
Geochemical Exploration, 103, 5768.
41. USEPA. (2003). Standards for the use or disposal of sewage sludge; Final agency response to
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review of existing sewage sludge regulations. Federal Register 68: 250 (31 Dec 2003) pp.
7553175552. Retrieved from www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/ www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/
EPA-WATER/2003/December/Day-31/w32217.htm
42. Wallace, A., & Romney, E. M. (1971). Some interactions of Ca, Sr, and Ba in plants.
Agronomy Journal, 63, 245248.
43. Wang, W. (1988). Site-specific barium toxicity to common duckweed, Lemna minor. Aquatic
Toxicology, 12, 203212.
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44. WHO. (1990). Barium. International program of safety (Vol. 107, Environmental health
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45. WHO. (2001). Barium and barium compounds. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Retrieved from http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc221.htm. 1 Apr 2005.
46. Wyttenbach, A., Tobler, L., & Bajo, S. (1991). Correlations between soil pH and metal
contents in needles of Norway spruce. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 5758, 217226.
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Adsorption of barium (II) on montmorillonite: An EXAFS study. Colloids and Surfaces A:
Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 190, 239249.
Chapter 20
Gold
Rafael Clemente
Abstract Gold (Au) is a noble, relatively scarce metal, highly valuable for its
beauty, resistance to corrosion and as a long-term investment. Demand for it has
increased steadily and it has become vital in different technological fields. Gold
nanoparticles have also attracted broad interest. Despite being chemically inert
towards most naturally occurring substances Au may be subject to biological
interactions in soils. The impact of Au concentrations in different environmental
compartments is not known with certainty.
Keywords Gold Cyanide Electronics Jewellery Monetary Nanoparticles
Noble Precious metal
20.1
Introduction
Gold (Au) is a precious and noble metal (resisting corrosion) and one of the ten
least abundant elements in the Earths crust with an average concentration of
0.004 mg kg 1 [35], and a concentration range from 0.02 to 0.20 mg L 1 in natural
waters [42]. Despite being a relatively scarce element, it is widely distributed
through the Earths crust and global waters. Gold is a highly valuable metal,
which since ancient times has been valued for its scarcity, beauty, resistance to
corrosion and as a long-term store of value [12, 18]. Throughout the centuries, Au
has been used for a variety of purposes and demand for it has increased steadily
with the advancement of technology. Due to its special chemical and physical
properties [40], Au has become vital in such diverse fields as dentistry, photography, medicine, electronics, and nanotechnology [53].
R. Clemente (*)
515
516
R. Clemente
Gold is used in three principal ways: as a manufactured product in industry

and the arts, as an investment good, and as a monetary metal. Of the Au supplied to
the international market yearly, about 88% is destined for fabrication, and 12%
for investment and bullion stocks [12]. Jewellery is by far the most demanding
activity and accounts for 85%, by weight, of world Au fabricated each year [12].
In the twentieth century, many different applications that take advantage of its
unique physicochemical properties were developed, adding great technological
importance to Au (almost always alloyed), especially for the electronics industry
[12]. Gold nanoparticles have attracted extensive attention in interdisciplinary
research because of their potential applications in electronics, optics, catalysis
and drug delivery [15].
Gold is a noble (reluctant to combine chemically with non-metallic elements,
remarkably oxygen) and precious (a combination of rarity, durability, and beauty)
metal [12]. It is the most malleable of metals, is soft and highly ductile, has a bright
pleasing colour, is highly reflective, alloys readily with common metals, is readily
joined by soldering or brazing, and has high electrical and thermal conductivity.
It is also chemically inert towards most naturally occurring substances [12].
World total mine production from 2003 to 2009 varied from 2,540 to 2,330 t
year 1, respectively. The leading commercial producers of Au are currently the
Peoples Republic of China, the Republic of South Africa, the United States, the
Former Soviet Union, Canada, Australia, and Peru [21, 22]. Worldwide, mined,
secondary (recycled) Au, and outflow from above-ground bullion stocks mean a
world market supply of Au of nearly 3,900 t year 1 [12].
The concentration of Au in ore deposits can vary from about 0.2 mg kg 1
(possibly the lowest content that can be economically extracted) to around
30 mg kg 1 in some of the richest South African mines; several hundred mg kg 1
can be found in some parts of certain deposits called bonanzas [26, 54].
In addition to the Au found in precious-metal deposits, Au is commonly found in
or associated with base-metal ores and is recovered during their smelting or
refining. The vast amount of base metals mined makes these deposits important
sources of Au. Worldwide, by-product Au accounts for around 515% of total
Au mined and is likely to remain an important source of Au in the future [12].
Other possible sources of secondary Au could be certain abiotic materials such as
sewage sludge [18]. For example, sewage solids from a south-eastern Australian
community with a long Au mining history contained 0.18 to 2.35 mg Au kg 1 dw
[18]. These concentrations are similar to those in ore deposits mined for Au [39].
The geochemical properties of Au condition the forms in which it is found in ore
deposits and the formation of the deposits themselves. The electronic configuration of its atom provides Au with a very strong resistance to oxidation and a weak
bonding ability with most anionic elements. Gold has six oxidation states (+1, +2,
+3, +4, +5, and +7) but only the +1 (aurous) and +3 (auric) states are common [12].
Although the complex compounds of Au(III) are markedly more stable than those
of Au(I), ore-forming fluids tend to have low oxidation potentials; therefore, +1 is
the dominant Au oxidation state in them [58].
20
Gold
20.2
517
The Earths core contains on average 150300 times more Au than does the crust.
Native primary Au is commonly present as alloys with Ag, Cu, Al, Fe, Bi, Pb, Zn,
Pd or Pt, with Au concentrations ranging from 50% to 80% wt [11]. Gold occurs
principally as flakes, scales, or crystals of native metal [12]. The average Au content
of soils is about the same as the crustal abundance. The concentration in sedimentary rocks tends to be above the crustal average, especially in sandstones [12].
Gold can concentrate in iron-rich exogenetic horizons such as laterites (Brazil,
Cameroon, Indonesia) or gossans (Canada, USA, France) [10].
Gold forms relatively few minerals. Aside from the native alloys (most commonly
with Ag, Cu, and Fe, only aurostibite (AuSb2), calaverite (AuTe2), and sylvanite
([Au, Ag]Te2) are important ores of Au [12]. Small amounts of Au substitute for
other metals in some more minerals, which are sometimes also considered as Au
minerals. Chemical (and biological) weathering of Au deposits can lead to the
dissolution of Au from the primary Au deposit (hosted by sulphides or quartz),
transportation in solution, and re-precipitation elsewhere in the weathering (regolith)
profile [27]. Sorption of Au complexes and colloids to organic matter, clays, Fe and
Mn minerals as well as bioaccumulation and biomineralisation may also lead to the
formation of secondary Au particles [25, 34]. Secondary Au is generally much finer
(up to 99% weight of Au) compared to primary Au, and the individual Au aggregates
are often larger than in potential source rocks [44, 63].
Under surface conditions, Au occurs in aqueous solution mainly as a metal
colloid and aurous or auric complexes. Standard redox potentials of Au+ (1.68 V)
and Au3+ (1.50 V) exceed that of water (1.23 V), which makes the existence of
free Au ions thermodynamically unfavourable [11, 61]. In hydrothermal fluids Au
is chemically mobile as complexes with sulphide and bisulphide (for example,
[Au(HS)0], [Au(HS2) ], [Au2S22 ]) [9, 23, 52]. Deposition from these solutions
leads to the formation of Au-containing sulphide minerals (for example, pyrite and
arsenopyrite) [11, 30]. The chemical mobility of Au in the supergene zone is linked
to the weathering of these sulphide minerals, and its subsequent oxidation and
complexation [11, 59]. Oxidizing groundwater with elevated dissolved chloride
concentrations may also solubilise Au through the formation of chloride complexes
([AuCl2 ], [AuCl4 ]) [25].
The mobility of Au increases with increasing degree of weathering of host
materials [48]. For example, in the Ah-horizon overlying the mineralized zone at a
Au mine in south eastern New South Wales, approximately 50% wt of the total Au
was associated with the most easily extractable fractions; in contrast, in the unweathered quartz-vein material more than 95% wt of the Au was extractable only with
concentrated aqua regia [50].
Microorganisms are capable of actively solubilising and precipitating Au and
they may play a key role in the dispersion and concentration of Au under surface
conditions, in the deep subsurface and in hydrothermal zones [51]. Therefore, many
environmentally relevant groups of microbes may be involved in the biogeochemical
518
R. Clemente
cycling of Au [51]. Microorganisms intervene in Au solubilisation via excretion

of certain metabolites (e.g., thiosulphate, amino acids and cyanide), are able to deal
with toxic Au complexes, and to precipitate Au intra- and extra-cellularly, and in
products of their metabolism (e.g., sulphide minerals) [51]. Lintern et al. [38] also
reported that Au may be subject to biological influences in natural soil samples.
In regolith materials from tropical and semi-arid areas in Australia, Au was shown
to be mobile through the mediation of auriferous soils indigenous microbiota [48].
The microbially mediated solubilisation was highly influenced by environmental
factors such as climate, soil geochemistry and substrate quality and availability [48].
Bacteria have been linked to pure Au precipitation in natural environments
[49, 51]. However, the concentrations of amino-acids and other biogenic reductants
necessary to induce size and shape control of experimental Au nanoparticle growth
are quite high, and it is more likely that an inorganic reduction of Au-bearing solutions
is the cause of the majority of Au precipitation in natural environments [27].
20.3
The significance of Au concentrations in various environmental compartments,

Aus mode of action, and mechanisms governing its uptake, retention, and translocation are not known with certainty [18]. The solubility of Au in natural environments is controlled in part by adsorption reactions at mineral surfaces [57]. Soluble
concentrations of Au in natural soils are usually very low when compared with
predictions of Au dissolution using equilibrium thermodynamic calculations [10].
Traditional views of Au being a relatively inert metal contrast with its ability to
be mobilised in the soil. Evidence for soluble Au in soil has been known for many
years [24], although it has been unclear whether Au naturally occurs in ionic form
or is dissolved by a substance in the soil (like cyanide or organic acids) that was
first mobilised. Lintern et al. [38] showed for the first time that ionic Au is present
in soil samples and that it is the most likely Au form to be dissolved by water.
Tests on natural soil samples containing pedogenic calcrete, from a soil profile
overlying a Au deposit in Western Australia, indicated that up to 20% of the Au
present in soil was water soluble and thus potentially mobile. X-ray adsorption
near edge spectrometry (XANES) indicated that a significant proportion of the Au
was in an ionic form, most likely as Au (I), while the remaining Au was present as
nanoparticulates [38].
Under most conditions, the prevalent dissolved Au complex has been suggested
to be AuOHH2O0 [61]. But near oxidizing sulphide minerals, complexes such as
Au(HS)2 , AuHSH2O0 [52] and Au(S2O3)23 [45, 65] may be the dominant
species and aid Au mobility and dispersion. At high Cl concentrations that exist
in many arid regions, Au may be mobilized as Au(I)- or Au(III)-chloride complexes
which are stable under acidic and oxic conditions [47]. Other important forms of
transportable Au may include Au complexes with organic matter and CN ,
and elemental colloidal Au [47]. The strong complex that Au(I) forms with cyanide
20
Gold
519
[Au(CN)2 ], which is stable over a wide range of Eh-pH conditions, is of great

relevance [11, 25].
Gold has the ability to strongly bind to organic matter [24, 62]. Organic Au
complexes may be important in soil solutions with high concentrations of dissolved
organic matter [51]. The major role of organic matter, including humic substances,
can be the reduction of ionic forms of Au to Au0 causing its precipitation.
Vlassopoulos et al. [62] demonstrated that soft N- and S-donor ligands form
much stronger bonds with Au(I) than hard O donor ligands such as carboxylic
acids. Where humic substances have a relatively high portion of N- or S-donor
binding sites, then strong complex formation may lower the standard reduction
potential of the Au species sufficiently to prevent reduction and carry out aqueous
transport [47]. Citrate- and acrylate-stabilised Au nanoparticles have shown
increased stability against pH induced aggregation as a consequence of interactions with humic acids, which increases Au stability [15]. Gold species present in
solution can equally be reduced to metallic Au after exposure to oxidisable mineral
surfaces such as metal sulphides [10]. Gold can also be reduced and can precipitate
by reacting with Fe2+-bearing minerals or with Fe2+ released by the dissolution of
such minerals [64].
The different forms in which Au is available for transport (e.g., monovalent
Au solution complexes, colloidal metallic Au, Au-sulphide/sulphite complexes
interacting with organic matter, biogeochemical forms of Au in plants, etc.) are
subjected to various adsorption reactions. Adsorption onto mineral surfaces is
therefore important in determining the extent of Au mobilisation, dispersion and
deposition [47]. The interactions of Au(III)-bearing solutions with fine-grained
minerals such as Fe and Al-hydroxides are among the most important of those
reactions [10]. For instance, Au concentrates in Fe-rich exogenetic horizons such
as laterites through retention onto highly reactive soil components such as Fe
oxyhydroxides [13]. Numerous studies suggest that Au(III)-chloride complexes
are adsorbed specifically (inner-sphere coordination) onto hematite and goethite
surfaces, while the adsorption of thio Au(I) complexes on Fe oxide surfaces is
supposed to occur through a nonspecific (outer-sphere) mechanism [47]. Using
extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) information and titration
experiments the adsorption of aqueous Au(III) from chloride solutions onto goethite surfaces has been described as inner-sphere square-planar complexes (Au(III)
(OH,Cl)(4)), with dominantly OH ligands at pH > 6 and mixed OH/Cl ligands at
lower pH values [13]. Berrodier et al. [10] demonstrated through EXAFS spectroscopic studies that Au(III) adsorbs from chloride solutions on ferrihydrite, goethite,
and boehmite surfaces dominantly as innersphere, square-planar complexes, with
relatively low degrees of distortion. Adsorption of Au complexes on oxidisable
mineral surfaces such as metal sulphides, thioarsenides, and Fe(II)-containing
oxides and silicate minerals often involves the reduction of aqueous Au(I) and
Au(III) species to elemental Au, which is subsequently sorbed [47].
Dunn [16] reported a background level of Au in plants of 0.2 mg kg 1 dw,
although this author stated that values up to 100 mg kg 1 could be found. Typically,
the background level of Au naturally occurring in plants is below 10 mg kg 1 [4].
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R. Clemente
Gold accumulator plants, such as Artemisia persia, Prangos popularia, and Stipa
spp. grasses, routinely contain >0.1 mg Au kg 1 and may contain as much as
100 mg Au kg 1 dw [18]. Microorganisms in the plant roots may be responsible
for solubilising the Au, allowing ready uptake by these species. Plants readily
take up Au and accumulate it within their tissues and specific reactions which
influence the mobility of Au have been reported to take place in the rhizosphere
[37]. Conifers are known to accumulate Au [6]. Bioaccumulation of Au from metalcontaminated soils has been documented in stems and needles of Corsican pine
trees (Pinus laricio) [46]. Pinus radiata, Cassinia aculeate, and Eucalyptus have
shown elevated Au in outer bark (Pinus and Eucalyptus) and in twigs and needles/
leaves [6]. Gold has been also detected in aquatic macrophytes from streams
draining abandoned base-metal mines, suggesting the potential use of these plants
in bio-recovery [55]. In Poland and the Czech Republic, aquatic bryophytes reflected
increasing amounts of Au in former Au mining areas; highest values recorded were
in Fontinalis antypyretica (18.8 mg Au kg 1 dw) and Chiloscyphus pallescens
(20.2 mg Au kg 1 dw) [56].
Gold is absorbed and present in plants in reduced Au(0) form (more than 90%)
and only in very small amounts as Au(I) and Au(III) forms [8]. Plants are able to
take up Au as Au(III) and then this is reduced to Au(0) in root tissues; Au mobility
in tissues is probably very limited [8]. However, in undigested Brassica juncea
plant material, Au was found in approximately equal quantities as the metallic
(Au0) and oxidised (Au+1) states [41]. Similarly, the formation of Au nanoparticles
within desert willow tissues has been reported [53]. In field experiments, carrot
(Daucus carota, Apiaceae) in comparison with other crops (red beet, onion and
radish), demonstrated the highest ability to accumulate Au [14].
20.4
Soil Contamination
The current processes used for Au recovery from ores are not only expensive, but
also harmful to the environment, due to the use of toxic compounds containing
cyanide [31]. These processes devastate the soil where mine tailings are deposited,
damage ecosystems and alter the environment [7]. The production of primary Au
affects the physical environment mostly at the mining and ore processing stages.
Both take place at the mine site, and the very low content of Au in all its ores means
that extremely large volumes of ore must be excavated and processed for each unit
of Au recovered [12]. The smelting/refining stage poses no appreciable threat to the
environment because of the very small volumes of material treated. In the case of
mining, environmental disturbance is much greater where the Au is obtained from
surface mines than where Au is obtained from underground mines; around 50% of
the worlds primary Au is currently produced from surface mines [12]. But the
environmental concerns about ore processing come mainly from the use of cyanide
(CN ), which is used to extract Au from ores because it forms the stable complex
Au(CN)2 , that allows for chemically efficient and inexpensive leaching by dilute
20
Gold
521
aqueous solutions [40]. Ore leaching is carried out in large vats or by dripping the
solutions onto ore heaps built on impermeable pads [28]. After the precious metal
has been extracted from ore, cyanides are discharged as effluents and as solid mine
tailings [66]. Although the cyanide radical tends to decompose rather quickly, some
metal cyanides can persist long enough in ground water to cause concern [12].
20.5
Risk Assessment
Although Au has traditionally been considered to be relatively harmless, it is

now known that it is a relatively common allergen that can induce dermatitis around
the face and eyelids and at sites of direct skin contact [17]. Patch tests indicate
that the incidence of Au allergy might be as high as 13% worldwide [19]. The
main exposure sources of Au contact dermatitis are personal jewellery and dental
alloys [1, 60].
Research into microbial processes affecting the cycling of Au as well as the
physiological and biochemical responses of microorganisms to toxic Au complexes
has been limited, and as a result its biogeochemical cycling and geomicrobiology
are poorly understood [51]. Due to their high oxidation potentials, most Au(I) and
Au(III) complexes can act as strong bactericides even at low concentrations [29].
The aerobic spore forming soil bacterium Bacillus cereus has been used as an
indicator organism for Au in studies of different locations. It has been suggested as
an effective biogeochemical exploration technique when used as a pre-screening
method to target areas suitable for further sampling and complete geochemical
analysis; the suppression of competing microbial species by mobile Au complexes
provoked the increase of B. cereus spores in Au-bearing polymetallic soils [50].
In agreement with this, Au was almost completely removed from a 50 mg l 1
solution within 72 h through bioaccumulation, provoking toxic effects and decreasing fungi growth [43].
Due to the negative environmental effects of current Au-recovery techniques,
alternative recovery processes such as phytoremediation have caught the interest of
scientists and engineers. The discovery of significant Au uptake by plants has
long been a philosophers stone [2]. The concentration of Au from ores by plants
(phytomining) is a proposed alternative method of recovering Au [4, 20, 32].
Gold could be a candidate for phytoreclamation as it is a valuable metal that is
often found in relatively high concentrations in spent heap leach pads and waste
dumps [5]. To make Au phytoreclamation viable, the research target is to harvest a
crop with a dry biomass of 10 t from 1 ha of land, and to induce a Au concentration
in the dry biomass of 100 mg kg 1. This would yield 1 kg ha 1of Au [5].
At this point phytoreclamation is not considered competitive with conventional
recovery processes such as heap-leaching for low-grade materials. Only for the
reclamation of a spent heap-leach pile or for a small tonnage ore deposit, it is
suggested that phytoextraction could be a useful approach to set up revegetation
practices that would also recover residual Au in the pile [5].
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R. Clemente
The possible role of vegetation in the formation of Au anomalies in soil has also
been described [36]. Although plants are able to take up Au from soils, there are
limitations of Au uptake [8]. Gold, in natural conditions, has very low solubility.
The supplementation of the soil with Au chelating agents significantly increases Au
uptake by plants. Cyanate seems to be a good Au chelator and it has demonstrated
higher efficiency to promote Au uptake when compared to thiocyanate [8]. Other
solubilising agents such as cyanide, iodide, bromide, and thiosulphate have been
examined in Au-accumulation studies [33]. Anderson et al. [2, 3] reported induced
hyperaccumulation of Au by Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) plants after soil
amendment with ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN). They defined Au hyperaccumulation as a concentration above 1 mg kg 1 dw of plant tissues. Elevated Au
concentrations (maximum 19 mg kg 1 dw) have been reported in B. juncea plants
grown in a mine ore containing natural colloidal Au [3]. An average Au concentration of 39 mg kg 1 was achieved in B. juncea after treatment of a 0.6 mg kg 1 Au
ore with NaCN [5].
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Chapter 21
Molybdenum
Brian J. Alloway
Abstract Molybdenum (Mo) occurs at relatively low concentrations in most

rocks and soils, but in relatively high concentrations in soils developed on black
shales. It is present as an oxyanion in soil solution and, unlike most other heavy
metals, is most mobile and plant available in alkaline conditions. Its main ore
mineral is molybdenite, but it is also produced as a by-product from the processing
of copper (Cu) ores. It is used mainly for making alloys and stainless steels. It is
essential for plants and deficiencies can occur in brassicas, legumes, wheat,
sunflowers and some other crops in many parts of the world, mainly on acid and
sandy soils. It was recently proved to be essential for animals and humans, but
deficiencies are rare. Molybdenum-induced copper deficiency (molybdenosis) in
cattle and sheep is a serious problem on Mo-rich pasture soils in several countries.
Keywords Molybdenum Steels Black shales Oxyanions Nitrates Acid
soils Deficiency Molybdenosis
21.1
Introduction
Molybdenum (Mo) is a heavy metal belonging to Group 6 (previously called Group

V1b) of the periodic table, along with chromium (Cr) and tungsten (W). It has
an atomic mass of 95.9, a density of 10.28 g cm 3 and exists in the lithosphere in
oxidation states ranging from Mo(III) to Mo(VI), with Mo(IV) predominating in
reducing conditions and Mo(VI) in oxidising environments. It is much less toxic to
humans and animals than many other heavy metals such as Hg, Tl and Pb and this
B.J. Alloway (*)

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B.J. Alloway
makes it an attractive substitute for more toxic metals in several uses [10]. Unlike
most heavy metals, Mo (together with Cr and W) usually forms oxyanions (and not
cations) and coordinates only weakly with ligands such as Cl and OH [14]. As a
consequence, it is most mobile and bioavailable under alkaline conditions (>pH
6.5) and least available in acid conditions. In plants, it plays a key role in nitrogen
(N) metabolism being a constituent of the enzyme nitrate reductase. This reduces
NO3 to NH4+ which can then be assimilated [15]. In animals, it is an essential
constituent of several enzymes, including xanthine oxidase, xanthine dehydrogenase and aldehyde oxidase [17].
Molybdenum is mined primarily as the ore molybdenite (MoS2), but also
produced as a by-product from sulphide ores of Cu, especially in porphyry Cu
deposits. World mining production totalled 234,000 t in 2010, with mines in China
producing the most (77,000 t) followed by the US (50,000 t) [22].
Molybdenum is primarily used in the manufacture of various alloy steels and
stainless steel. Around 70% of total of Mo is used for steel, 22% for production of
cast iron and various alloys and 8% for catalysts, lubricants, pigments and other
uses [1, 10]. Molybdenum has a high melting point (2,610 C) and its incorporation
in steels gives them a high melting point, high strength at high temperatures and
good resistance to wear and corrosion. In addition, the coefficient of expansion and
thermal conductivity of Mo-containing steels and alloys makes them valuable to the
electronic industry. Examples of uses of Mo-containing steels and alloys include:
cutting tools, aircraft components, forged automobile parts, industrial furnaces,
support wires for filaments in incandescent light bulbs, glass melting equipment
and machines for forming metals and plastics [10]. About 10% of stainless steel
contains Mo (at about 2% W:W) and this is primarily used for industrial processes,
such as chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, paper, power, water, food and pharmaceutical industries [10]. The most important Mo chemicals include the disulphide
(MoS2), molybdic oxide (MoO3) and several molybdate salts, such as sodium
molybdate (NaMo4) and ammonium molybdate ((NH4)2Mo2O7) which are variously used as catalysts (especially for S removal), corrosion inhibitors, pigments,
additives to lubricating oils and fertilisers [1].
Concentrations of Mo in soils are generally quite low and usually reflect the
composition of their parent materials, with a world mean total concentration
in soils of around 1.8 mg kg 1 and a commonly observed range of 0.25 mg kg 1
[1, 13]. However, concentrations (in mg Mo kg 1) of <30 have been reported for
soils in the USA, <24 for vegetable growing soils in British Columbia, Canada,
and <74 in topsoils in the Baltic region [13, 18]. On a global scale, deficiency of
Mo in crops is more important than potential excesses from contamination
because it is a micronutrient for plants. Concentrations of Mo in soils are generally the lowest of all the essential trace elements for plants (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn,
Mo, Ni and Zn) (see Chap. 7). It is generally considered that soils with total
concentrations of Mo of <0.5 mg kg 1 are more likely to be associated with
deficiencies in crops even when the pH is >7.
21
Molybdenum
21.2
529
In most rock types, the concentrations of Mo are relatively low (12.3 mg kg 1)

with an average of around 1.11.2 mg Mo kg 1 in the upper earths crust, making it
56th in order of crustal abundance, similar to W and slightly lower than arsenic (As)
[3, 14]. Authors differ in the range of concentrations given for Mo in rocks but
Adriano [1] gives the widest range (in mg kg 1): igneous rocks 0.97.0,
phosphorites 5100, shales 590, black shales <300 limestone and dolomite
<330 and sandstones <330. Granites and other acid igneous (felsic) rocks tend
to have slightly higher Mo contents than basic igneous (mafic) rocks. Organic-rich
sedimentary rocks, such as black, bituminous or oil shales tend to contain the
highest levels of Mo ( <570 mg kg 1) together with high levels of other heavy
metals such as U, Cd and Zn (see Chap. 2, Table 2.2 and Sect. 2.3.1.1) [7]. Garret
[8] describes Cretaceous age black shales outcropping in Manitoba, Canada, with
Mo contents in the different beds varying by around two orders of magnitude, being
highest in the deep-water shales, where anoxic sulphide and organic-rich sediments
sequestered Mo. In Ireland, the Clare Shales, (Upper Carboniferous black shales)
have been found to contain <200 mg Mo kg 1 (as well as high selenium (Se)) and
are known to cause problems with livestock health, especially Mo-induced Cu
deficiency [6].
21.3
Unlike the other trace metals essential for plants (Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn), Mo is
present in the soil solution as an oxyanion (MoO42 ) which means that it is least
available in acid soils (<pH 5.5) and most available above pH 6.5. Molybdenum
more closely resembles phosphate or sulphate than other metals in its behaviour in
soils [5]. In acid soils, MoO42 is strongly adsorbed on hydrous oxides of Fe and
this is at a maximum at pH 4.0. However, this adsorption depends on the Eh-pH
conditions which control the precipitation of Fe. Molybdenum adsorbed on freshly
precipitated hydrous Fe oxides (Fe(OH)3) is readily exchangeable, but with time it
ages and becomes less available due to the formation of an Fe-Mo mineral
(ferrimolybdite Fe2(MoO4)3.8H2O), which is only slightly soluble. A high proportion of the total Mo in soils is likely to be associated with organic matter and
hydrous Fe oxides. As a result of its affinity for organic matter, Mo can accumulate
to relatively high concentrations in forest litter [13].
Plants appear to take-up Mo readily when it is present in the soil in soluble
forms. Therefore the availability of Mo in soils is dependent on soil pH and
the drainage status (redox conditions). It is most easily taken up by plants from
alkaline soils with poor drainage (gleying). This is partly the result of the high
activity of MoO42 at higher pHs, and also its ability to form thiomolybdates under
reducing conditions. When plants transport oxygen from the stem to the roots, the
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B.J. Alloway
Mo compounds close to the root surface are likely to be more oxidized and therefore
more soluble and available for uptake. Normal Mo concentrations in plant leaves
are 1 mg kg 1 or less, but tissue concentrations of 0.030.15 mg kg 1 DW are considered to be adequate for nutritional requirements. However, some native plants,
especially legumes, growing on Mo-rich soils with favourable pH and redox
conditions can accumulate much higher concentrations (<350 mg Mo kg 1).
Fodder plants with high Mo contents may induce Cu deficiency in ruminants
(molybdenosis) [13]. Soil factors which increase the availability of Mo to plants
can have an inhibitory effect on Cu uptake by plants and the physiological barrier to
Mo uptake is less effective than the barrier to Cu uptake. The nutritional effects of
Cu:Mo ratios in herbage on livestock are controlled by the sulphate concentration in
plants and increased levels of SO42 can reduce Cu uptake with even small amounts
of Mo. A value of 5 mg Mo kg 1 in soils and/or >2 mg Mo kg 1 DM in herbage
and/or a Cu:Mo ratio of <2:1 in herbage are generally considered to be indicative of
potential Cu deficiency-related problems such as growth retardation and infertility
in cattle due to a Cu/Mo imbalance. Other factors such as the sulphate intake and
total Cu and Mo contents in the animal diet also need to be considered [2, 13].
In acid soils (<pH 5.5) with a low total Mo content and high concentrations of
hydrous Fe oxides, Mo is likely to have a very low availability to plants and these
are the circumstances under which Mo deficiency in plants most often occurs.
Liming soils to raise their pH can often be an effective way of remedying deficiencies. However, with very heavy liming, Mo availability can decrease again owing
to its adsorption on CaCO3. Molybdenum can also be relatively unavailable in acid
peaty (highly organic) soils due to the formation of complexes with the soil organic
matter. Soils in arid and semi-arid regions generally have higher Mo concentrations
than soils in more humid temperate conditions [13].
A Mo-Mn antagonism can arise in acid soils where Mn is highly available (and
can be toxic) and Mo unavailable. Liming the acid soil reverses this situation
remedying Mn toxicity and Mo deficiency. Interactions between Mo and P are
commonly observed and P can enhance the availability of Mo in acid soils, due to
the higher mobility of the phosphomolybdate complex and the higher Mo mobility
in plant tissues. The effects of P fertilisers on Mo may be affected by their SO42
content. Sulphate containing superphosphate fertiliser reduces Mo uptake, but high
P fertilisers without SO42 enhance it [13] .
There are four key enzymes in plants in which Mo is a co-factor. These are:
(1) nitrate reductase, required for the assimilation of NO3 into plants; (2) aldehyde
oxidase which is involved in the synthesis of the hormones indole-3 acetic
acid (IAA) and abscisic acid, (3) xanthine dehydrogenase, involved in the catabolism of purine and synthesis of ureides in soya bean and cowpea, and (4) sulphite
oxidase which mediates the biochemical oxidation of sulphite ( SO32 ) to
sulphate ( SO42 ). In addition to green plants, Mo is also required by N-fixing
bacteria in root nodules in legumes, where it is a component of the enzyme nitrogenase which is involved in the biological fixation of N2. Other (non-symbioitc)
soil microorganisms have been found to benefit from Mo additions to soil.
Positive responses have included increased decomposition, higher non-symbioitc
21
Molybdenum
531
N-fixation, increased numbers of actinomycetes and elevated enzyme activity [2].

Foliar applications of Mo to rice have been shown to stimulate various rhizosphere
bacteria. In general, plants with mycorrhizal infection benefit from a greater Mo
uptake. It has been shown that <0.16% of Mo in a range of soils occurred in the
microbial biomass [2]. Molybdenum is also involved in the assimilation and
metabolism of C through its role in photosynthesis, including the quantity of
chlorophyll and the health of chloroplasts [15].
21.4
Soil Contamination
Molybdenum is used in steelmaking and various other industrial uses which have
resulted in atmospheric pollution and soil contamination around some major industrial sites and urban complexes [10]. Nevertheless, the total concentrations found in
these soils tend to be relatively small in comparison with other heavy metal contaminants such as Pb and Zn, with <35 mg Mo kg 1 near processing plants in the USA
and <38 mg Mo kg 1 in Chile [13]. The UKSHS survey of soils at selected industrial
sites in the UK found significantly elevated Mo concentrations (<24 mg Mo kg 1)
in soils near a steel works, an incinerator and mineral workings [19]. Sewage sludges
commonly contain 550 mg Mo kg 1and if high Mo sludges are applied to pastures
they could cause molybdenosis problems in livestock [13].
Soils with high available Mo concentrations from either geochemical, or anthropogenic origins can pose a problem due to possible toxicity in plants and/or
animals, but it is very rare for plants to exhibit Mo toxicity symptoms under field
conditions. Toxicity can occur at Mo concentrations in leaf tissue of 1050 mg kg 1
[2]. The symptoms caused by acute Mo toxicity are frequently similar to those due
to P deficiency such as red bands along leaf margins but there are usually no root
abnormalities [4, 5]. Application of elemental S to acidify soils is an effective way
of reducing available concentrations of Mo. Plants growing on contaminated soils
have been reported to contain <200 mg Mo kg 1 [13].
21.5
Risk Assessment
Molybdenum deficiencies are most likely to occur on acid and severely leached
soils, which include unlimed tropical soils and sandy-textured soils, including
Podzols. Molybdenum deficiency is mainly a problem in brassicas and legumes,
such as peanuts, subterranean clover and soya beans, but other crops, including
wheat and sunflowers can also be affected. In many crops, the reproductive phase is
more sensitive to Mo deficiency than the vegetative phase, causing poor crop yield
[15]. Molybdenum deficiency has striking effects on pollen formation in maize.
Tasselling is delayed, a large proportion of the flowers fail to open and the capacity
of the anther for pollen production is reduced. The emergence of maize cobs is
532
B.J. Alloway
delayed and these are severely condensed, the styles are poorly developed and fail
to emerge out of the leaf sheath [15].
In an international study for the FAO involving field trials in 15 countries,
Sillanpaa found that Mo deficiencies were primarily hidden (or latent) i.e., revealed
by yield effects with no obvious symptoms of stress, and that deficiencies of Mo
were the third highest in occurrence (15% of crop experiments) after Zn and B [20].
In northern Alabama, USA, Mo deficiency in soya beans is a widespread problem
on acid soils [5]. In Australia, Mo deficiency is the second most ubiquitous
micronutrient deficiency problem affecting large areas of cropland with acid soils
[9]. In China, Mo deficiency has become an important factor limiting yields in
winter wheat and soya beans and affects 47% of agricultural soils [24]. On the
predominant acid sandy soils in Africa, Mo deficiency is a widespread problem,
particularly in maize, sunflower, ground nuts, dry beans and peas [23].
Not all Mo deficiencies in crops can be rectified by liming, especially in sandy
soils with low total Mo contents. In these cases it is necessary to apply Mo compounds as fertilisers to supply sufficient amounts of the element. Legumes, cruciferous
crops, grasses and several vegetable crops have responded to Mo fertilisation [16].
On acid soils in Brazil, responses of beans to Mo fertilisers were only observed after
the soil pH had been raised to above 5.5 by liming [5]. The most commonly used
fertiliser compounds are ammonium molybdate ((NH4)6Mo24.4H2O) and sodium
molybdate (NaMoO4.2H2O). These are applied to soils at a rate of 0.11.0 kg Mo
ha 1 or as foliar sprays (<1% solutions) directly onto the crop to supply 100 g Mo
ha 1, but proprietary molybdate complexes are also used as foliar sprays. Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) is insoluble, but is used as a seed dressing for grass and legume
seeds when establishing pastures on deficient soils.
In Australia, Mo is added to superphosphate fertilisers in many areas and is also
applied with Cu and Zn fertilisers on acid, sandy and gravely soils in Western
Australia [9]. Usually, Mo-fortified superphosphate is only applied to pastures in
Australia every 34 years, typically supplying Mo at a rate of 50100 g ha 1.
In India, soil applications or foliar sprays containing 0.051% NaMoO4 are applied
three times to green gram (Phaseolus aureus). Basal applications of Mo are applied
to peanuts on calcareous soils and the seeds of soya beans and peanuts are also
treated with an Mo formulation [21]. Seed treatments combining Mo with Rhizobium (symbiotic N-fixing) bacteria inoculants are commonly used for legumes such
as groundnuts.
Molybdenum was confirmed as essential for humans and animals in 1976 [17].
It acts as a cofactor for the enzymes sulphite oxidase, xanthine oxidase and
aldehyde oxidase which are involved in the catabolism of sulphur amino acids
and heterocyclic compounds including purines and pyridines in animals and
humans [11]. The main dietary sources of Mo are legumes, nuts and grain products.
The only people known to have Mo deficiency are those with a genetic defect which
prevents the synthesis of sulphite oxidase and causes severe illness except when Mo
was administered. However, there is also inconclusive epidemiological evidence
that low Mo intakes may be associated with the occurrence of oesophageal cancer
in humans.
21
Molybdenum
533
Care must be exercised when applying Mo fertilisers to pastures, because excess

Mo relative to Cu can induce molybdenosis in cattle and sheep. In Sweden, Moinduced Cu-deficiency in wild moose (Alces alces) has been found in an area where
widespread liming of pastures was undertaken to offset the effects of acid rain [12].
21.6
Concluding Comments
Although only occurring at relatively low concentrations in most soils, Mo is an

important heavy metal because of its role as a micronutrient in plants and animals
and the problems with its antagonism with Cu in ruminant diets. The fact that
soil physicochemical factors such as pH and redox conditions affect the availability
of molybdate anions and Cu cations differently needs to be born in mind when
managing soils, especially pastures with elevated Mo contents. Contamination of
soils and/or plants with Mo in atmospheric deposition or applications of sewage
sludge also needs to be considered. Nevertheless, on a global scale, Mo deficiency
in a wide range of important crops such as maize, wheat, soya beans growing on
soils with low available Mo contents is of greater economic significance than
contamination problems.
References
1. Adriano, D. C. (2001). Trace elements in terrestrial environments (2nd ed.). New York:
Springer.
2. Edwards, R., Lepp, N. W., & Jones, K. C. (1995). Other less abundant elements of potential
environmental significance. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Heavy metals in soils (2nd ed.,
pp. 306352). Glasgow: Blackie. Chapter 14.
3. Emsley, J. (1989). The elements. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. Fageria, N. K., Baligar, V. C., & Clark, R. B. (2002). Micronutrients in crop production.
Advances in Agronomy, 77, 185268.
5. Fageria, N. K. (2009). The use of nutrients in crop plants. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
6. Finch, T. F., & Ryan, P. (1966). Soils of Co. Limerick (Soil Survey Bull. No. 16). Dublin:
National Soil Survey of Ireland.
7. Fouad, H. K., & El-Rakaiby, R. M. (2009). Environmental geochemistry for heavy metals and
uranium potentiality in oil shale sediments, Quseir, Red Sea, Egypt. Journal of Applied
Sciences Research, 5(8), 914921.
8. Garrett, R. G. (2007). Natural distribution and abundance of elements. In O. Selinus, B.
Alloway, J. A. Centeno, R. B. Finkelman, R. Fuge, U. Lindh, & P. Smedley (Eds.), Essentials
of medical geology (pp. 1741). Amsterdam: Elsevier. Chapter 2.
9. Holloway, R. E., Graham, R. D., & Stacey, S. P. (2008). Micronutrient deficiencies in
Australian field crops. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop
production (pp. 6392). Dordrecht: Springer. Chapter 3.
10. International Molybdenum Association. (2011a). Molybdenum Chemistry and Uses. http://
www,imoa.info/moly_uses/moly_chemistry_uses/molybdenum_chemistry_uses.html
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11. International Molybdenum Association. (2011b). Database of Molybdenum in Human

Health and the Environment. http://www,imoa.info/HSE/environmental_data/environment/
geosphere.html
12. Jones, B. (2005). Animals and medical geology. In O. Selinus, B. Alloway, J. A. Centeno, R.
B. Finkelman, R. Fuge, U. Lindh, & P. Smedley (Eds.), Essentials of medical geology
(pp. 513526). Amsterdam: Elsevier. Chapter 20.
13. Kabata-Pendias, A. (2001). Trace elements in soils and plants (3rd ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press.
14. Kabata-Pendias, A., & Mukherjee, A. B. (2007). Trace elements from soil to human.
Heidelberg: Springer.
15. Marschner, H. (1995). Mineral nutrition of higher plants (2nd ed.). London: Academic Press.
16. Martens, D. C., & Chesterman, D. T. (1991). Fertilizer applications for correcting micronutrient deficiencies. In J. J. Mortvedt, F. Cox, L. M. Shuman, & R. M. Welch (Eds.),
Micronutrients in agriculture (Soil science society of America book series 2nd ed., Vol. 4).
Madison: Soil Science Society of America.
17. Reilly, C. (2004). The nutritional elements (pp. 202210). Oxford: Blackwell.
18. Reiman, C., Siewers, U., Tarainen, T., Bityukova, L., Eriksson, J., Gilucis, A.,
Gregorauskiene, V., Lukashec, V. K., Matinian, N. N., & Pasieczna, A. (2003). Agricultural
soils of Northern Europe: A geochemical atlas. Stuttgart: Schweizerbart.
19. Ross, S. M., Wood, M. D., Copplestone, D., Warriner, M., & Crook, P. (2007). Environmental
concentrations of heavy metals in UK soil and herbage (UK Soil and Herbage Pollutant Survey
Report No. 7). Bristol: Environment Agency.
20. Sillanpaa, M. (1990). Micronutrient assessment at the country level: An international study
(FAO Soils Bulletin No. 63). Rome: FAO.
21. Singh, M. V. (2008). Micronutrient deficiencies in crops and soils in India. In B. J. Alloway
(Ed.), Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop (pp. 93125). Dordrecht: Springer. Chapter 4.
Survey.
23. Van der Waals, J. H., & Laker, M. C. (2008). Micronutrient deficiencies in crops in Africa.
In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop production (pp. 201244).
Dordrecht: Springer. Chapter 8.
24. Zou, C., Shi, R., Gao, X., Fan, X., & Zhang, F. S. (2008). Micronutrient deficiencies in crop
production in China. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Micronutrient deficiencies in global crop
production (pp. 127148). Dordrecht: Springer. Chapter 5.
Chapter 22
Silver
Rafael Clemente
Abstract Silver (Ag) is a precious metal that has recently become a valuable
industrial metal and Ag nanoparticles are being increasingly used in a wide range
of applications. In soils, Ag is strongly sorbed but may cause environmental concern.
Both monovalent Ag ion and Ag nanoparticles have antimicrobial properties that
have found different uses, but could also provoke adverse effects in soil beneficial
bacteria. Silver toxicity to plant species varies from highly toxic to easily inactivated
by the plant.
Keywords Silver Acanthite Biocide Decorative Industrial Photographic
manufacturing Plating Proustite
22.1
Introduction
Silver (Ag) is one of the eight precious and noble metals along with Au and the
six platinum-group metals [8]. Silver and Au are commonly found together in
nature and were almost certainly the first metals known and prized by man [8].
Silver has always been valued because of its colour (it is the whitest of
all metals), its brilliant lustre, its non-corrodible nature, and the relative ease with
which it can be worked. Several other useful properties have recently transformed it
from a decorative and monetary metal to a predominantly industrial metal. Silver is
soft, malleable, it is the most ductile of metals and possesses the highest electrical
and thermal conductivities of any element [8]. It has also the highest reflectivity in
the visible spectrum of any metal [12]. Its photoreactive and conductive properties
make it indispensable to photographic manufacturing (2550% of all industrial
R. Clemente (*)
535
536
R. Clemente
demand) [31]. Chemically, Ag is a 4d transition element, atomic number 47, atomic

weight 107.87, and electron configuration [Kr]4d105s1. Silver, like Cu and Au,
is a member of Group 11 (1B) of the periodic table. It is the most reactive of the
noble metals, forming three cationic species, Ag+, Ag2+and Ag3+, of which only the
monovalent form is environmentally significant [8]. Of the elements in earths
crust, Ag, at 0.075 mg kg 1 ranks 65th in abundance, just below Hg and above
Se [26]. The normal range of Ag in soils varies from <0.01 to 5 mg kg 1 with an
average of 0.1 mg kg 1 [5].
World mine production of Ag in 2001 was 18,700 t. The largest producer was
Mexico, followed by Peru, Australia, and the United States [8]. This production
increased moderately to 20,900 t in 2008, when China and Chile joined the group of
main producers in the world. Around 8085% of the worlds Ag is recovered from
sulphide and oxidized sulphide ores, frequently recovered as a by-product of the
base metals Ni, Pb and Zn. The other 1520% is produced mainly from Au and
Au-Ag ores, which are predominately oxide ores, and also from Cu and Pt ores by a
number of processes including cyanidation, smelting and electrolysis. Secondary
Ag (recovered from scrap) is an important part of the total Ag supply. Most of the
scrap (more than 80%) is generated from the manufacture and use of photographic
materials, electrical switchgear, and catalysts [8].
Silver has been used in three principal ways: a fabricated product (more than
97% of Ag supplied to the market is destined for fabrication), an investment
good, and, until the 1970s, a monetary metal [8]. Some of the most important
uses are: Ag and Ag salts in photography; Ag-Hg dental amalgams; production of
silvered glass mirrors; high-energy-density batteries; sleeve bearings in highperformance military aircraft engines; catalysts for the large-scale production of
formaldehyde and the oxidation of ethylene; switch and relay contacts and
conductors. For industrial products, cost restricts Ag to those uses for which it
is strictly necessary. Commercial Ag is used in metallic form for many applications
and as the starting material for the production of Ag compounds. In many applications, however, alloying the Ag with one or more other metals (e.g., Cu, Au)
is desirable and sometimes necessary [8]. Total world consumption of Ag is
expected to continue to grow slowly, especially regarding its consumption for
industrial uses [8].
Most Ag compounds are based on Ag (I), and range from insoluble to at best
moderately soluble in aqueous environments. Silver (I) and (II) form complexes with
ammonia, cyanide, halide ions, thiosulphate and thiourea and with many organic
aromatics and olefins [8]. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) is the intermediate chemical from
which all other Ag compounds are made and thus is, by far, the most important
commercial compound. Silver bromide (AgBr), chloride (AgCl) and iodide (AgI) are
photosensitive and are used extensively in photographic materials [9]. Silver
nanoparticles have a wide range of current and potential future applications, including spectrally selective coatings for solar energy absorption [32], chemical
catalysts [44], surface-enhanced Raman scattering for imaging [43], and in particular,
antimicrobial sterilisation [30].
22
Silver
22.2
537
Goldschmidt [14] estimated Ag terrestrial abundance as 0.2 mg kg 1 in the

lithosphere. Igneous rocks contain on average 0.1 mg Ag kg 1, sedimentary rocks
0.050.25 mg kg 1, and organic-rich shales up to 1 mg kg 1. Sediments may
contain slightly higher concentrations than soils and are prone to enrichment near
mineralised zones or anthropogenic sources. Silver is always present in Au ores and
also tends to be present in sulphide ores of Pb, Cu, and Zn and sometimes with
Bi and Sb [8]. Silver is often highly enriched in the oxidized parts of sulphide
deposits, in mineralised veins as the native ore [41] and in various natural alloys.
It occurs most frequently as a secondary component of a great variety of minerals.
As many as 248 minerals can have Ag as a structural component [17], acanthite
(Ag2S), argentian galena (Pb,Ag)S, proustite (Ag3AsS3) and pyargyrite (Ag3SbS3)
being some of the principal ones.
Although Ag is almost inert to atmospheric oxygen, it is very permeable to
atomic oxygen, readily reacts with sulphurous gases to form surface tarnish, and
dissolves in oxidizing acids and in aqueous potassium or sodium cyanide solutions
in the presence of oxygen [12]. Knowledge of the forms of Ag in soils is of
importance to both mineral exploration and environmental management [24].
Crystalline Fe oxide (57%) and residual (43%) phases were found to be the
dominant hosts of Ag in natural soils, but when soluble Ag was added to these
soils, much Ag was found in the crystalline Fe oxide fraction (66%) and only a
relatively small proportion of Ag was in the residual fraction [24]. Jones et al. [22]
tested a range of chemical extractants on soils from a mineralised area of Wales,
and found that no single extractant removed more than 10% of the pseudo-total soil
Ag for any of the soil samples.
22.3
Silver sorbs strongly to soils, especially those rich in organic matter; which may
play an important part in controlling its cycling, mobility, and sorption in soils. Both
humic and fulvic acids have been shown to have strong retentive capacities for
Ag [21]. Among the different functional groups on soil organic matter, Ag+ forms
especially strong complexes with thiol groups to the extent that it can displace or
replace metals more weakly complexed to thiols such as Fe in >S-Fe-S< groups [27].
Exchange reactions are also supposed to play an important role in Ag+ adsorption to soils [2]. The mobility and bioavailability of Ag is ultimately affected less
by the sorptive capacity of the soil than by the ease with which this element
desorbs from soils [18]. Silver is believed to be so strongly sorbed to soil surfaces,
or to readily form such insoluble salts and/or compounds that desorption is assumed
to be negligible [18]. In addition, both live and dead biomass has shown the ability
to take up Ag+ [15]. Iron and Mn oxides and soil OM have substantial capacities to
538
R. Clemente
adsorb Ag ions from solution [10]. In fact, one of the reasons given for Ag
immobility in soils with pH >4 is that Ag sorbs readily to oxides, particularly
Fe and Mn oxides, largely by exchange processes [2, 36].
Li et al. [25] studied the mobility and bioavailability of Ag in the environment
in terms of the desorption behaviour of Ag from some environmentally relevant
soil components. These authors found that a significant proportion of Ag+ sorbed by
Fe-oxides, humic acids (HA), and charcoal could not be desorbed readily back
into solution. Two-site adsorption models gave good fits to experimental data, except
for Ag+ desorption from charcoal, where data fitted to a 1-site model better.
This suggests that Fe-oxides, HA, and charcoal could be very important sinks
for Ag in the soil. For goethite and HA, the longer the interaction time, the less
mobile (and thus less toxic and bioavailable to living organisms) Ag became.
For ferrihydrite and charcoal, such residence time effects were not obvious. The
observed trends could be explained by assuming that Ag+ moved from reaction sites
associated with fast desorption reactions to sites associated with slower reactions
as reaction time increases (solid-state diffusion within oxide particles, incorporation into mineral structure recrystallisation, or diffusion into micropores or
intraparticle spaces) [25]. Possible mechanisms for long-term Ag retention in soils
may also include reduction by organic matter functional groups such as quinones or
phenolics to metallic Ag, or fixation in the interlayers of clay minerals [18].
Jacobson et al. [19] found that a peaty-muck soil sorbed Ag more strongly than
a range of mineral soils, confirming that Ag sorption to soils is dominated by soil
organic matter either through exchange or complexation. Amounts of Ag adsorbed
on to the soils increased after a 1-year incubation period. These same authors, in
a different experiment [18], found that more Ag was desorbed from a sandy soil
than from a peaty-muck soil or a range of mineral soils with higher clay contents.
The observed release of Ag from sandy soils and even from organic matter-rich
soils suggests that Ag may pose an environmental concern when present in soils
at elevated concentrations [18].
Silver has been reported as a trace constituent in many plant forms, including
higher plants [5, 23]. Concentrations are very variable, but usually <1 mg kg 1 ash
[5]. Data on Ag in plants have mainly been gathered to aid biogeochemical exploration for ores [5, 40] and few baseline data exist for Ag concentrations in plants.
22.4
Soil Contamination
The anthropogenic loading of Ag in soils is of concern. Silver concentrations

in soils impacted by industry (2.3 2.2 mg kg 1) or by smelter activity
(<2.4 mg kg 1) may be 320 times the background [28, 38] (see also Chap. 2,
Sect. 2.3.3.2.3). An estimated 2 106 kg Ag year 1 is lost in the US of which 68%
ends up on land as solid waste [31]. Silver plating is extensively used by various
industries for production of durable and decorative products. The metal is normally
plated from alkaline cyanide solutions [4] that usually generate Ag dicyanide
22
Silver
539
[Ag(CN)2 ] as a contaminant in the waste water. Silver dicyanide may be

accompanied by other Ag species and is a chemically stable and extremely toxic
metal complex of high mobility in the environment [15].
Due to the value of the metal and environmental concern, there is an increasing trend to reclaim Ag from waste. For economic reasons, virtually all the Ag in
spent thiosulphate photographic processing solutions is routinely recovered [9].
The use of Ag ions in industry to prevent microbial growth is increasing and Ag
is a new and previously disregarded heavy metal contaminant in sewage sludge
amended soil [6, 39]. In fact, Ag in concentrations known to occur in soil amended
with sewage sludge can seriously affect soil microbial activity [20].
22.5
Risk Assessment
Silver is a non-essential element that can be highly toxic to a number of biota

even when present in the environment at trace levels [19]. Silver is almost unique
in combining very low solubility of most of its compounds with exceedingly high
toxicity of the soluble fraction [11]. Silver is included in the US EPA list of
priority toxic pollutants; the monovalent Ag ion is more toxic to fish than Cu or
Hg, and it is an extremely effective bactericide [36]. Antimicrobial activity of Ag is
due to its complexation to membranes, enzymes, nucleic acids, and other cellular
components [35]. The antimicrobial properties of Ag nanoparticles have found use in
a range of products, including textiles, bandages, air filters, and vacuum cleaners [37].
However, these biocidal properties have also the potential to adversely affect beneficial bacteria in soils and waters [34].
Silver is relatively harmless to higher life forms. Because Ag+ is very easily
reduced it is not readily accessible to living organisms in the natural environment.
Most Ag compounds, aside from those containing toxic anions, such as arsenate
or cyanide, are essentially nontoxic [8]. In the United States, the level of Ag in
drinking water is not regulated, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
recommends that to avoid possible skin discoloration, Ag should not exceed
0.01 mg L 1.
Despite low Ag solubility, in contaminated soils the available fraction may
be enough to adversely affect soil microbial populations [19]. Denitrification has
been identified as being sensitive to Ag in soil; Ag+ inhibits this activity in soil [39].
Compounds that dissociate in solution and provide significant concentrations of
free Ag ions can be toxic to bacteria and to freshwater aquatic organisms, but
compounds and complexes in which the Ag is tightly bound, such as Ag sulphide
and thiosulphate complexes, are innocuous [8]. Evidence for microbial uptake and
accumulation of Ag often suggests a certain Ag resistance and detoxification [35].
Silver nanoparticles have been used as a bactericide and microbicide since
ancient times. They attach to the cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria creating
lethal pores and producing bacteria lysis [3]. At concentrations <0.1 mg ml 1, Ag
nanoparticles are toxic to viruses, prokaryote and mammalian cells [7, 16]. Silver
540
R. Clemente
nanoparticles have been found to exert considerable toxicity in the soil nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans, decreasing drastically its reproduction potential, mainly
through oxidative stress; nanoparticles were slightly more toxic than Ag ions in
terms of reproduction potential [34].
Silver has no known physiological function in humans [13]. Most of the Ag that
enters the human body is breathed in or ingested in foods; a lesser amount enters
through the skin. Tests in animals show that Ag compounds are likely to be lifethreatening to humans only when large amounts (grams) are swallowed, and that
skin contact with Ag compounds is very unlikely to be life-threatening [1].
The toxicity of Ag to plant species varies, with sensitive cultivars being
impacted at aqueous concentrations as low as 75 mg Ag L 1, whereas in sludges
spiked with photographic Ag waste at 120 mg Ag kg 1 no impact on the growth of
several agricultural species was noted [33]. It is known that Ag ions interact
metabolically with Cu and Se and replace H from the sulfhydryl groups of the
photosynthetic enzymes, changing their structure and inactivating them. Silver also
forms complexes with amino acids, pyrimidines, purines and nucleotides, as well as
with their corresponding macromolecular forms, suggesting its potential to be
either highly toxic or easily inactivated by the plant [29].
Information on the uptake of nanoparticles by plants, as well as on the potential
mechanisms of phytotoxicity, remains largely unknown. Nanoparticles may release
ions that result in toxicity [37]. During a 15-day hydroponic trial, the biomass
of Cucurbita pepo (zucchini or marrow) plants exposed to Ag nanoparticles
(1,000 mg L 1) was reduced by 75% as compared to control plants and bulk Ag
powder solutions [37]. Exposure at 100 mg L 1 or lower did not significantly
impact zucchini biomass. Increased Ag ion dissolution from the nanoparticles
only partially explained the observed phytotoxicity; half the observed phytotoxicity
came from the elemental nanoparticles themselves [37].
Low or zero toxicity was observed in germination (cucumber and lettuce),
bioluminescent bacteria (Photobacterium phosphoreum) and anaerobic toxicity
tests for Ag nanoparticles at 16100 mg ml 1 concentrations [3]. Morphological
symptoms of senescence phenomena such as chlorosis and damage of chloroplasts
and mitochondria were observed in Potamogeton crispus L. (curly pondweed) plants
exposed to various concentrations of Ag (520 mM), which suggested that Ag
accelerated the senescence of the tested plants. Silver accumulation in P. crispus
resulted in disturbances in photosynthetic capacity, oxidative stress and general
disarray in the cellular functions [42].
References
1. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (1992). Public health statement for silver.
Retrieved from http://www.cla.sc.edu/geog/hrl/sctrap/toxfaqs/silver.htm
2. Anderson, B. J., Jenne, E. A., & Chao, T. T. (1973). The sorption of silver by poorly
crystallized manganese oxides. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 37, 611622.
22
Silver
541
3. Barrena, R., Casals, E., Colon, J., Font, X., Sanchez, A., & Puntes, V. (2009). Evaluation of the
ecotoxicity of model nanoparticles. Chemosphere, 75, 850857.
4. Blair, A. (1995). Silver plating. Plating and Surface Finishing, 82, 7071.
5. Boyle, R. W. (1968). The geochemistry of silver and its deposits (Geological Survey of Canada
Bulletin No. 160, 264 pp). Ottawa: Department of Energy Mines and Resources.
6. Brandt, A. P., Karlsson, L. M., & Wennergren, U. (2005). Lettuce grown in silver laden soil at
two different activity levels of soil microorganisms. Journal of Applied Botany and Food
Quality, 79, 3337.
7. Braydich-Stolle, L., Hussain, S., Schlager, J. J., & Hofmann, M. C. (2005). In vitro cytotoxicity of nanoparticles in mammalian germline stem cells. Toxicological Sciences, 88, 412419.
8. Butterman, W. C., & Hilliard, H. E. (2005). Mineral commodity profiles: Silver (Open-File
Report 2004-1251). Reston: U.S. Geological Survey.
9. Cappel, C. R. (1997). Silver compounds. In J.I. Kroschwitz & M. Howe-Grant (Eds.), KirkOthmer encyclopedia of chemical technology (4th ed., Vol. 22, pp. 179195). New York: Wiley.
10. Chao, T. T., & Anderson, B. J. (1974). The scavenging of silver by manganese and iron oxides
in stream sediments collected from two drainage areas of Colorado. Chemical Geology,
14, 159166.
11. Copper, C. F., & Jolly, W. C. (1970). Ecological effects of silver iodide and other weather
modification agents. Water Resources Research, 6, 8898.
12. Etris, S. F. (1997). Silver and silver alloys. In J.I. Kroschwitz & M. Howe-Grant (Eds.), KirkOthmer encyclopedia of chemical technology (4th ed., Vol. 22, pp. 163179). New York: Wiley.
13. Faust, R. A. (1992). Toxicity summary for silver. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/
epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/phenanth.pdf
14. Goldschmidt, V. M. (1954). Geochemistry. Oxford: Blackwells.
15. Gomes, N. C. M., Rosa, C. A., Pimentel, P. F., & Mendonca-Hagler, L. C. S. (2002). Uptake of
free and complexed silver ions by different strains of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Brazilian
Journal of Microbiology, 33, 6266.
16. Hussain, S. M., Hess, K. L., Gearhart, J. M., Geiss, K. T., & Schlager, J. J. (2005). In vitro
toxicity of nanoparticles in BRL 3A rat liver cells. Toxicol In Vitro, 19, 975983.
17. Jackson, B. (2002). An element of surprise-Silver. Retrieved from http://www.
edinburghgeolsoc.org/z_38_02.html
18. Jacobson, A. R., Klitzke, S., McBride, M. B., Baveye, P., & Steenhuis, T. S. (2005).
The desorption of silver and thallium from soils in the presence of a chelating resin with
thiol functional groups. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 160, 4154.
19. Jacobson, A. R., McBride, M. B., Baveye, P., & Steenhuis, T. S. (2005). Environmental factors
determining the trace-level sorption of silver and thallium to soils. Science of the Total
20. Johansson, M., Pell, M., & Stenstr
om, J. (1998). Kinetics of substrate-induced respiration
(SIR) and denitrification: Applications to a soil amended with silver. Ambio, 27, 4044.
21. Jones, K. C., & Peterson, P. J. (1986). The influence of humic and fulvic-acids on silver uptake
by perennial ryegrass, and its relevance to the cycling of silver in soils. Plant and Soil, 95, 38.
22. Jones, K. C., Peterson, P. J., & Davies, B. E. (1984). Silver concentrations in Welsh soils.
Geoderma, 33, 157168.
23. Jones, K. C., Peterson, P. J., Davies, B. E., & Minski, M. J. (1985). Determination of silver in
plants by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 21, 2332.
24. Li, J., Rate, A. W., & Gilkes, R. J. (2003). Fractionation of trace elements in some nonagricultural Australian soils. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 41, 13891402.
25. Li, J., Rate, A. W., & Gilkes, R. J. (2004). Silver ion desorption kinetics from iron oxides and
soil organic matter: Effect of adsorption period. Australian Journal of Soil Research,
42, 5967.
26. Lide, D. R. (Ed.). (1999). Handbook of chemistry and physics (80th ed.). New York:
CRC Press.
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27. Manolopoulos, H. (1997). Silver mobility in the presence of iron sulfides under oxidizing
conditions. In A. W. Andren & T. W. Bober (Eds.), The 5th international conference
proceedings: Transport, fate and effects of silver in the environment (pp. 133135).
Madison: University of Wisconsin System, Sea Grant Institute
28. Murray, K. S., Rogers, D. T., & Kaufman, M. M. (2004). Heavy metals in an urban watershed
in southeastern Michigan. Journal of Environmental Quality, 33, 163172.
29. Ouzounidou, G., & Constantinidou, H. A. (1999). Changes in growth and physiology of
tobacco and cotton under Ag exposure and recovery: are they of direct or indirect nature?
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 37, 480487.
30. Pal, S., Tak, Y. K., & Song, J. M. (2007). Does the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles
depend on the shape of the nanoparticle? A study of the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia
coli. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73, 17121720.
31. Purcell, T. W., & Peters, J. J. (1998). Sources of silver in the environment. Environmental
Toxicology and Chemistry, 17, 539546.
32. Rand, R. B., Peumans, P., & Forrest, S. R. (2004). Long-range absorption enhancement in
organic tandem thin-film solar cells containing silver nanoclusters. Journal of Applied Physics,
96, 75197526.
33. Ratte, H. T. (1999). Bioaccumulation and toxicity of silver compounds: A review. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 18, 89108.
34. Roh, J. Y., Sim, S. J., Yi, J., Park, K., Chung, K. H., Ryu, D. Y., & Choi, J. (2009). Ecotoxicity
of silver nanoparticles on the soil nematode caenorhabditis elegans using functional ecotoxicogenomics. Environmental Science and Technology, 43, 39333940.
35. Slawson, R. M., Van Dyke, M. I., Lee, H., & Trevors, J. T. (1992). Germanium and silver
resistance, accumulation, and toxicity in microorganisms. Plasmid, 27, 7279.
36. Smith, I. C., & Carson, B. L. (1977). Trace metals in the environment: Vol. 2. Silver.
Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor Science Publishers.
37. Stampoulis, D., Sinha, S. K., & White, J. C. (2009). Assay-dependent phytotoxicity of
nanoparticles to plants. Environmental Science and Technology, 43, 94739479.
38. Sterckeman, T., Douay, F., Proix, N., Fourrier, H., & Perdix, E. (2002). Assessment of the
contamination of cultivated soils by eighteen trace elements around smelters in the North of
France. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 135, 173194.
39. Throback, I. N., Johansson, M., Rosenquist, M., Pell, M., Hansson, M., & Hallin, S. (2007).
Silver (Ag+) reduces denitrification and induces enrichment of novel nirK genotypes in soil.
FEMS Microbiology Letters, 270, 189194.
40. Warren, H. V., Towers, G. H. N., Horsky, S. J., Kruckeberg, A., & Lipp, C. (1983).
Western Miner (pp. 1925).
41. Watson, P. H., Godwin, C. I., & Christopher, P. A. (1982). General geology and genesis of
silver and gold veins in the beaverdell area, SouthCentral British Columbia. Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, 19, 12641274.
42. Xu, Q. S., Hu, J. Z., Xie, K. B., Yang, H. Y., Du, K. H., & Shi, G. X. (2010). Accumulation and
acute toxicity of silver in Potamogeton crispus L. Journal of Hazardous Materials,
173, 186193.
43. Yamamoto, S., & Watarai, H. (2006). Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of dodecanethiolbound silver nanoparticles at the liquid/liquid interface. Langmuir, 22, 65626569.
44. Zhai, H. J., Sun, D. W., & Wang, H. S. (2006). Catalytic properties of silica/silver
nanocomposites. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 6, 19681972.
Chapter 23
Thallium
Paula Madejon
Abstract Thallium (Tl) is widely distributed in the natural environment although

at very low concentrations. It mainly occurs in the oxidation state Tl (I), whilst
Tl (III) increases under acid and oxidizing conditions. Geochemical behaviour of Tl
is analogous to that of potassium. Thallium does not occur in a free state in nature
although several minerals contain it as a major constituent. The most common
Tl-containing minerals are Lorandite and Crooksite. This element is mobilised by
the combustion of fuels and other industrial processes and tends to persist in soils,
depending on the soil type. It is considered a non-essential element and highly toxic
to living organism. It is relatively easily taken up by plants and enters the food chain
and it has been shown to accumulate in fish and other animals, with toxic effects.
Keywords Thallium Cruciferae Pollutant Potassium Rodenticide Silicates
Toxicity
23.1
Introduction
Thallium (Tl) is widely distributed in the natural environment, generally present at

very low concentrations. The Tl content of the earths crust ranges from 0.5 to
1.0 mg kg1 [43] and 0.013 mg kg1 in the oceanic crust [8]. Its content seems to
increase with increasing acidity (silicon content) of igneous rocks and with increasing
clay contents of sedimentary rocks [14, 15].
In nature, the primary oxidation state of Tl is I (thallous species), and it occurs in
soil via isomorphous substitution with K+ in feldspars and silicates. It can also occur
in the III oxidation state (thallic species) [25]. Geochemical behaviour of Tl is
P. Madejon (*)
Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes, 10, 41012 Seville, Spain
543
P. Madejon
544
analogous to that of K, the lower oxidation state may predominate in aqueous

systems [25]. The most dominant species in nature is Tl (I), whilst the proportion of
Tl (III) increases considerably under strongly acidic and oxidizing conditions [23].
Thallium (I) compounds resemble the compounds of alkali metals and are soluble
in water. Thallium (I) compounds are easily oxidized by Br, chloride, hydrogen
peroxide, or nitrous acid. Thallium (III) compounds are reduced to Tl (I), for example
by sulfurous acid. Thallium (III) compounds tend to be appreciably more stable than
Tl (I) compounds [17].
Concentrations of Tl in uncontaminated soils generally range from 0.01 to
3 mg kg1, but most have <1.00 mg kg1 [10]. Marine sediments of different
origins show Tl concentrations from 0.14 to 1.13 mg kg1 [43]. There has been little
research on Tl concentrations in world soils compared to other elements [27, 38].
Logan [28] reported total values of Tl (HNO3-extractable) in some British soils
in the range 0.030.99 mg kg1. Tremel et al. [46] reviewed several studies on Tl in
soils and reported that most arable soils in France contained 0.131.54 mg Tl kg1,
with a median value of 0.29 mg kg1. A slightly lower range of Tl concentrations
was found in 460 soil samples from Upper Austria (0.080.91 mg kg1) [11].
A range of 835 soil samples from China contained between 0.29 and 1.17 mg
Tl kg1 [49]. Non-polluted soil from the south of Spain contains approximately
0.70 mg Tl kg1 [7]. (See also Chap. 2, Table 2.1).
Although world annual production of Tl does not exceed 15,000 t, it is estimated that about 2,0005,000 t year1 are mobilised by combustion of fossil fuels,
ferrous and non ferrous metal smelting (Pb, Cu and Zn ores) and other industrial
processes such as cement production [9, 18]. Due to the high volatility of some Tl
compounds, there is considerable enrichment of Tl in the fine particles in dusts
and fly ashes that are not efficiently retained by electrostatic precipitators or other
emission control facilities. Thus, a large fraction of Tl is released into the atmosphere [9].
In the past, Tl was extensively used for medical purposes and also as a rodenticide. Its main current uses are in the electrical and electronics industries, in the
manufacture of semi conductors, scintillation counters and low temperature thermometers, and in mixed crystals for infrared instruments and laser equipment. It is
also used with Se in the production of special glasses. Alloyed with Pb, Zn, Ag
and Sb, Tl enhances resistance to corrosion and is also used for catalysing
organic reactions. Radioactive isotopes of Tl are used in physics, in industry and
medicine [18, 36].
23.2
Thallium does not occur in a free state in nature although several minerals contain it
as a major constituent [1]. Thallium is classed as a lithophile element (occurs with
or in silicates), forms sparingly soluble sulphides and is a minor constituent of
23
Thallium
545
pyrites and other sulphide minerals (e.g., ZnS sphalerite) and thus shows some
chalcophile characteristics [36].
It is found in sulphide ores of Pb, Zn and Cu and in coal [18] and the
deposits characteristically high in As are usually also high in Tl [1]. Relatively high
contents have been found in granite and shale, with intermediate values for limestone,
sandstone and coal; however, much higher values have been found in organic-rich
shales and coals of the Jurassic period with values of <1,000 mg kg1 [43]. Although
many Tl-containing minerals have been discovered and described, the following are
the most common: Lorandite (TlAsS2) and Crooksite (Cu, Tl, Ag)2Se (minerals with
thallium levels up to 60%); [18], Hutchisonite (Pb, Tl)2 (Cu, Ag)As5S10, and Urbaite
(Tl4Hg3 Sb2As8S20).
Thallium occurs naturally as two stable isotopes: 203Tl and 205Tl with relative
abundances of 29.5% and 70.5% [41]. The 205Tl/203Tl isotopic ratio of 2.378 varies
with geological processes and hence can not be used as a fingerprint for sources of
Tl in the environment.
23.3
Thallium is readily mobilized and transported together with alkaline metals

during weathering. However, once deposited, Tl tends to persist in soil, depending
on soil type. Greater retention is found in soils containing large amounts of clay,
organic matter, Fe and Mn oxides. Thallium is retained in the upper layers of soil,
less so in acid soils [18]. Yang et al. [53] found that natural and anthropogenic Tl is
distributed differently between soil components; anthropogenic Tl was mainly
retained in the labile fractions of soils (~80%) whereas natural Tl is predominantly
found in the residual fraction (~98%).
There is little information on the chemical form taken by Tl in soil. In contrast to
other pollutant elements (Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu), extraction with aqua regia yielded
only 2874% of total contents [30]. In soil samples from Bulgaria, aqua regia
and conc. HCl leached about half of the amount obtained with HNO3/HF. Only 6%
of total was found to be exchangeable with NH4Cl, pH 7, or with KCl [45].
Thallium is considered a non-essential element and highly toxic to living
organisms, [38]. Kaplan et al. [16] studied the toxicity of Tl in beans grown in
hydroponic culture and showed that Tl was accumulated in roots and not in the aerial
part. They also found that micromolar concentrations of Tl added to the nutrient
solution altered the concentration of certain nutrients in soybean tissues; drastically
reduced plant biomass with severely stunted, unbranched root systems and chlorosis
of mature leaves despite the presence of adequate levels of Fe. On the other hand
Allus et al. [2] studied rape and barley grown in culture solutions with a range of Tl
concentrations and found differences in the susceptibility of the two species to Tl.
Thallium content in barley was higher in roots whilst in rape, Tl contents were
higher in shoots.
The Tl content of plants seems to be a function of the concentration of the mobile
fraction in soils. It is relatively easily taken up by plants because it is generally
P. Madejon
546
present as thermodynamically stable Tl (I), an analogue of potassium; through

plants, it enters the food chain and it has been shown to accumulate in fish and
other animals, with toxic effects [3, 26]. Toxicity of Tl is probably due to its
interactions with K (both elements have similar ionic radii) especially by substitution into enzymatic systems, such as (Na+/K+)-ATPase and other monovalent
cation-activated enzymes, as well as to its high affinity with sulfhydryl groups of
proteins and other biomolecules [6, 24, 29]. Other systems similarly affected include
pyruvate kinase [39] and phosphatases [12].
The transfer from soil to plants generally depends on species-specific properties, as well as soil properties, such as soil texture and humus contents, cation
exchange capacity, pH and other properties. Madejon et al. [33] showed that the Tl
content of plants (Brassicae) growing in semi-arid conditions can be significantly influenced by precipitation. In dry years, plant Tl accumulation may be
significantly reduced.
The reference content of Tl in plants has been calculated by Markert [34] at
0.05 mg kg1. Smith and Carson [43] gave Tl levels in various plants (in mg kg1):
vegetables 0.020.13 and clover 0.0080.01. Madejon et al. [31] found Tl levels of
0.005 mg kg1 in sunflower seeds, 0.06 mg kg1 in roots (the pseudo total soil content
of Tl was 0.50 mg kg1) and 0.009 mg kg1 in seeds and 0.32 mg kg1 in roots of
sunflowers in soils with a level of 2 mg kg1 due to a mine spill accident.
Concentrations of Tl in fruits (seeds) of Holm oak (Quercus ilex) were 0.002 mg kg1
in non affected trees and 0.01 mg kg1 in seeds from trees affected by a mine spill [32].
It is well known that the uptake rate of heavy metals can vary between plant
species [35]. Some plants, especially in the Cruciferae and Graminae families,
exhibit a special ability to take up Tl. Tremel et al. [47] showed that Tl is accumulated by S-rich plants from the family Brassicaceae. Several studies have
investigated Tl accumulation in different members of this family. Crop plants
such as green cabbage [50, 51], white cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata) and
kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) [21] have been shown to accumulate Tl in edible
parts (shoots and foliage). Soriano and Fereres [44] reported relatively high Tl
accumulations in the aerial biomass of Brassica napus and B. carinata. Other
brassicas such as Iberis intermedia and Biscutella laegiviata have been found to
hyperaccumulate Tl in their shoot tissues [5, 22, 42].
23.4
Soil Contamination
There are several cases where soils with naturally elevated Tl contents of
>2 mg kg1 have been observed [4, 4648]. These soils are generally developed
on K-rich magmatites (e.g., granites, syenites) where Tl+ isomorphically substitutes
for K+ or Rb+, especially in K-feldpars and micas [13, 19]. High Tl concentrations
of <73 mg kg1have been found in soils around old mines [40] due to contamination from Tl-rich sulphide ores of Hg, As and Au (40124 mg kg1) [52] from
pyrite processing areas (515 mg kg1) [53] and from a zone of Pb-Zn exploitation
(928 mg kg1) [27].
23
Thallium
23.5
547
Risk Assessment
Thallium is a highly toxic element and is a US Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) priority pollutant [37]. The ecotoxicological importance of Tl is derived from
its high acute toxicity to living organisms, comparable to that of Pb and Hg [19].
The major pathway of Tl exposure for animals and humans is the ingestion of
plants grown in Tl-contaminated soils [42]. In Germany, 1 mg kg1 Tl in soils has
been established as the tolerance level for agricultural use [20].
Xiao et al. [51] reported a case study drawing attention to the fact that
natural processes can mobilize Tl, which may enter the food chain as a hidden
health killer with severe health impacts on the local human population. The study
was carried out in Guizhou Province, China, in which natural contamination of
Tl in bedrocks/ores was within the range 635,000 mg kg1. This led to enrichment of Tl in the aquatic system (0.0051,100 mg L1 in groundwaters and
0.0731 mg L1 in surface waters) and soil layers (1.5124 mg kg1). Concentrations of 1500 mg kg1Tl were determined in many food crops growing on
Tl-contaminated arable soils. The daily intake for inhabitants consuming these
crops was 1.9 mg of Tl, showing a latent health hazard with potential risk of
toxicity in humans within areas of natural contamination of Tl. In fact in a
retrospective study, Xiao et al. [52] found that majority of the volunteer subjects
from these communities had urinary Tl concentrations above 4.56 mg L1, implying early adverse health effects, and some had over 500 mg L1 urinary Tl,
considered to be on the threshold of clinical intoxication.
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Chapter 24
Tin
Brian J. Alloway
Abstract Tin (Sn) is one of the metals of antiquity and its use with copper in the
alloy bronze was a major development in human history. It is now mainly used in
protective coatings on steel, in electrical solders and in the production of organotin
compounds which have a wide range of uses including as biocides. Adsorption of
inorganic forms of Sn in soils is positively correlated with pH, organic matter
content and cation exchange capacity. Plant uptake is greatest in acid soils and in
most species Sn accumulates in the roots. Organotin compounds with three organic
groups, such as tributyltin, have the highest biocidal activity and constitute the
greatest ecotoxicity hazard. Organotins are more ubiquitous sources of Sn in soils
than inorganic forms and can reach soils in atmospheric deposition, fungicidal crop
sprays and sewage sludges. They behave as enzyme disruptors in many animal
species and there is concern about their possible impact on human health.
Keywords Tin Tin-plating Bronze Organotins Fungicide Canned foods
Antifouling Ecotoxicity Sludged soils Plant uptake Mammalian toxicity
24.1
Introduction
Tin (Sn) is a white, silvery soft metal with an atomic number of 50, atomic weight
118.7, specific gravity of 5.75 and a melting point of 232 C. It is one of the seven metals
of antiquity (together with Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, Fe and Hg) and artefacts made of Sn date
back to at least 2,000 BC, but Sn smelting only became common after 1,800 BC [7].
However, Sn had been alloyed with Cu to make bronze from around 2,500 BC.
B.J. Alloway (*)

551
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B.J. Alloway
Bronze, comprising approximately 90% Cu and 10% Sn, is much harder and easier to
cast than Cu on its own and was used for artefacts such as weapons and tools during the
Bronze Age which lasted for about 1,500 years [7]. Current major uses of Sn (metal)
are in protective coatings (tin-plating) on steel (27% of Sn production), especially in
cans for food and drink and aerosol containers, electrical uses such as solders etc. (23%
of Sn production), in alloys such as bronze (containing 8.516% Sn), pewter (with
85% Sn) and other special engineering alloys and in glass treatment. Small amounts of
inorganic Sn, such as SnCl2 are used as additives in food and toothpaste [1]. World mine
production of Sn in 2010 was 261,000 t (Chap. 1, Table 1.1) [26]. China is by far the
largest producer of Sn (44% of mined Sn in 2010), followed by Indonesia (23%) [26].
Tin forms a wide range of organometallic compounds. These organotin compounds (OTCs) have the general formula RnSnX3 n, where R is an alkyl or aryl group
(methyl, butyl, octyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, or neophyl), Sn is in the +4 oxidation state
and X is a singly charged anion or anionic organic group (halides, oxide, hydroxide,
carboxylates or mercaptans) [1, 11]. These OTCs were first produced commercially
in the 1960s and there are now probably more synthetic organometallic compounds of
Sn in commercial use than of any other metal [13]. Uses of OTCs include heat
stabilisers in PVC, catalysts and as biocides in marine antifouling paints, agricultural pesticides, industrial fungicides and slimicides and wood preservatives [1, 9].
Around 66% of OTCs are used for PVC production, but their biocidal uses are
of greater environmental significance, especially in aquatic ecosystems [1].
The fungicidal and bactericidal properties of OTCs depend on the organic group
in the molecule. Those OTCs with three organic groups, such as tributyltin (TBT)
and triphenyltin (TPT), are the most important with regard to biocidal properties
and ecotoxicity. Chau et al. [4] consider TBT to be the most toxic chemical ever
to be used as a biocide in the environment. Organotins with one organic group, such
as methyltin and butyltin are used in PVC manufacture. They have no biocidal
activity and low mammalian toxicity. Those OTCs with two organic groups, such as
dimethyltin (DMT) and dibutyltin (DBT) have many industrial uses, such as heat
stabilisers in PVC and as catalysts. Tetraorganotin compounds (with four organic
groups) are very stable and have no biocidal properties. World production of OTCs
is around 50,000 t year 1 [1, 16].
There is a possibility that Sn may be an essential trace element (micronutrient)
for mammals [28]. In experiments with rats on purified diets, dietary deficiency of
Sn has been reported to cause hair loss, depressed growth, depressed response to
sound, decreased feed efficiency and decreases in heart Zn, tibial Cu and Mn,
muscle Fe and Mn, spleen Fe, kidney Fe and lung Mn. A typical dietary intake in
humans is 140 mg Sn day 1 [22].
24.2
Tin concentrations in the earths crust average around 2.5 mg kg 1 and are highest
in acid igneous rocks and in argillaceous sediments [6, 15, 18] (see also Chap. 2,
Table 2.2). Rocks derived from argillaceous sediments, such as clays and shales
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553
normally have higher Sn contents (610 mg kg 1) than ultramafic and calcareous

rocks (0.350.5 mg kg 1). The most important Sn ore mineral is cassiterite (SnO2)
which is found in vein and placer deposits. It is very resistant to chemical weathering which explains its occurrence in placer (coarse sediment) deposits which are
derived from the physical weathering of veins of cassiterite. The chemical weathering of Sn is highly dependent on pH.
The concentrations of Sn found in surface soils tend to be in a relatively narrow
range, although concentrations in parent material rocks differ considerably. This is
probably due to a combination of other Sn inputs. Kabata-Pendias [15] refers to
ranges of 111 mg kg 1, but with 50300 mg kg 1 in peats. In China, reference
soils have a concentration range of 2.517 mg kg 1 and in the USA 1.74.0 (mean
2.4 mg kg 1), but concentrations of <800 mg Sn kg 1 have been reported in the
vicinity of Sn mines and smelters.
24.3
Chemical Behaviour in Soils and Availability to Plants
Tin occurs as stannous (Sn2+) and stannic (Sn4+) ions, and complex anions of oxides
and hydroxides [3]. The Sn2+ ion serves as a strong reducing agent in acid solutions.
Adsorption of Sn in soils is positively correlated with pH, organic matter content
and cation exchange capacity [15]. Norra et al. [23] found that Sn and other heavy
metals from diffuse urban sources were more strongly adsorbed in urban soils
which had a higher pH, higher contents of organic matter, carbonates and expanding clay minerals than nearby soils developed on the same sandstone parent material under forest.
Most authors report that Sn taken up by plants tends to remain concentrated in
the roots [15], but Ashraf et al. [3] found little accumulation in the roots of Cyperis
species sedges grown on spiked soils. Concentrations in plants from the literature
reported by Kabata-Pendias [15] include a common range of 2030 mg kg 1
(Ash weight) in plants and 5.67.9 mg kg 1 DW in wheat grains. Concentrations
of <300 mg kg 1 (Ash weight) are reported in plants growing in mineralised areas.
Sedges and mosses are considered the best accumulators. Tin contents of
<1,000 mg kg 1 (DW) have been found in sugar beet plants growing near a chemical
factory and <2,000 mg kg 1 found in vegetation near a Sn smelter [15].
In pot experiments by Ashraf et al. [3] using soils spiked with inorganic Sn,
different species of Cyperus sedges showed varying abilities to accumulate Sn.
Accumulation increased with Sn concentration in the soil and Cyperis rotunda
L. showed the greatest accumulation, with Cyperis fastigiatus Rottb. and Cyperis
alternifolius showing lower concentrations. In all three species, soil Sn was translocated to the twigs and leaves and did not accumulate in the roots. It was concluded
that plants of Cyperis species (especially C. rotunda L.) have considerable potential
for the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Sn, but the plants would need
to be harvested annually to prevent the recycling of Sn bound in the leaves
and twigs [3]. Kabata-Pendias [15] considers Sn to be highly toxic to higher plants
554
B.J. Alloway
and fungi, but Ashraf only found growth to be inhibited in the soil with the highest
Sn spike (60 mg kg 1).
Inorganic Sn appears to be methylated in the aquatic environment to various
methyl forms [16]. However, it is not known to what extent this methylation occurs
in soils.
Commercially produced OTCs can reach soils and terrestrial ecosystems in
atmospheric deposition and accumulate in topsoils. Other inputs to soils include
OTCs used as fungicides on crops and the recycling of sewage sludge containing
Sn. Huang and Matzer [14] found that adsorption of OTCs in soils correlated with
carbon content and cation exchange capacity. The strength of adsorption was in
the order: mono-> di-> tri-substituted OTCs and butyl > methyltin compounds.
The OTC adsorption coefficients were much larger in organic soils than in mineral
soils. Adsorption and desorption showed a pronounced hysteresis. Trimethyltin
(TMT) adsorption was partly reversible in all soils, but DMT, TBT and DBT
only showed reversible adsorption in mineral soils. Trimethyltin was more mobile
and bioavailable in soils than the other OTCs (which were strongly sorbed) and this
suggests that it might be more readily leached and enter aquatic ecosystems [14].
In experiments with lettuces grown on sewage sludge-amended soils spiked with
TBT and TPT compounds, Lespes et al. [19] showed that these OTCs were taken up
into the roots and translocated to the shoots. In the plants, the degradation of triorganotin compounds via DBT and DPT appeared to be reduced. Crop plants
growing in soils amended with OTC-containing sewage sludge and/or sprayed
with OTC-based biocides do take up these compounds and ultimately humans
consuming them may be exposed to increasing amounts of OTCs. Although OTC
concentrations in the lettuces in these experiments were not very high, other plant
species or cultivars which accumulated OTCs to a greater extent could pose a
potential risk to health. The WHO Admissible Daily Intakes (ADIs) of OTCs are
0.25 mg SnTBT and 0.5 mg SnTPT kg 1 (body weight) for a human of 70 kg.
24.4
Soil Contamination
Norra et al. [23] reported that urban soils in Pforzheim, Germany had higher total
Sn contents compared with nearby forest soils developed on the same (sandstone)
parent material. The mean Sn concentrations (in mg kg 1) were: forest 3.6, urban
green space 5.7, low density urban development 6.6 and medium density urban
development 8.0. It was concluded that the Sn (and other heavy metals) had
accumulated in clays and carbonates in the urban soils and that these minerals,
like the heavy metals, were of anthropogenic origin from diverse sources. The
maximum Sn content found was 18.3 mg kg 1. Soils contaminated by Sn smelting
works have been found to have concentrations of <1,000 mg kg 1 [16].
Most sewage sludges contain Sn from both inorganic and organic sources.
Senesi et al. (1999) reported a range of Sn in sewages sludges from European and
US treatment works of 40700 mg kg 1. McBride et al. [20] worked with a sewage
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Tin
555
sludge containing 95 mg Sn kg 1(DM), but many values in the literature for sewages
sludges are lower than this. The mean Sn content in Swedish sewage sludges is
around 23 mg kg 1(DM) (<40 mg kg 1). Given normal sewage sludge application
rates, Eriksson [10] calculated that it would take around 200 years to double the Sn
content in the top 25 cm of soils in Sweden. In Canada, MBT was found in all sewage
sludge samples analysed, but DBT and TBT were only found infrequently and
octyltin was not found in any samples [4].
Vouvoulis and Lester [27] worked with a sample of sewage sludge containing
18 mg kg 1(DM) TBT and showed that there was little degradation of this compound during anaerobic sewage treatment and subsequent thermal drying. A study
for the EU proposed a PNEC for TBT of 2.5 mg kg 1 which could cause problems for
soil on land receiving sludges with relatively high TBT contents. Other authors have
reported the slow decomposition of TPT in soils following its use as an agricultural
fungicide [17].
Organotin compounds are more ubiquitous sources of Sn contamination of soils
than metallurgical industry sources such as mines and smelters. Tributyltin oxide
(TBTO) is used as a fungicide, timber preservative and industrial biocide. Until
recently, it was also widely used as a marine antifouling agent on boat hulls, but
it is now banned from this use on account of its ecotoxicity. Triphenyltin acetate
(TPTA) is used as a sterilant in insect control and as a fungicide. Triphenyltin
chloride is used as a biocide and an intermediate. Triphenyltin hydroxide is used
for sterilising insects and as a fungicide. The use of TPT has not been as strictly
regulated as TBT although they produce similar levels of toxicity [13].
Apart from OTCs in sewage sludges applied to land, the most significant inputs
to soils are in OTCs used as fungicidal sprays on agricultural crops. Triphenyltin
acetate (Fentin) and triphenyltin hydroxide (Fentin hydroxide) are used as fungicides especially on potatoes to control blight (Phytopthora infestans) and other
fungal diseases in sugar beet, celery, carrots, onions, rice, pecan nuts, hops and
coffee. Current application rates of TPTA are 0.160.42 kg ha 1 as foliar sprays
and these can be applied <15 times year 1. Until a few years ago, it was often
the practice to apply larger doses of this fungicide (0.330.67 kg ha 1) several
times a year. Application rates for TPT hydroxide are 0.210.24 kg ha 1. It has
been estimated that the inorganic Sn residues in soils after the degradation of
organotin applied to potato crops are around 1.1 kg Sn ha 1 year 1 [24]. Degradation of organotins to less toxic forms of Sn depends on the organotin compound. It
is mainly brought about by microbial processes and is accelerated by sunlight and
higher temperatures. Degradation of TBT can take from several months to more
than 2 years, depending on conditions [8]. The degradation of TPT is thought to be
via di- and monophenyl intermediates brought about by microbial processes [24].
However, it is considered that monophenyltin (MPT) may inhibit methanogenic
bacteria at lower concentrations than DPT [24]. Experiments have shown half lives
of 27 and 33 days for amendments of 10 and 20 mg Sn kg 1 as TPT, respectively. In
the early stages of degradation, there was an increase in toxicity to microorganisms from metabolites produced during the microbial degradation process,
but this decreased with time [24].
556
24.5
B.J. Alloway
Risk Assessment
With regard to risks to human health, inorganic forms of Sn are considered to

be relatively non-toxic because of their low solubility and absorption by the oral
route, but divalent Sn salts are more toxic than tetravalent ones causing GI irritation, abdominal pain and anaemia [5]. Short-chain alkyltin compounds are easily
absorbed from the GI tract and are more toxic than long chain alkyltin compounds.
Triethyltin acetate (Et3, SnOAc) is the most toxic. The human toxicity of OTCs
increases in the order R3Sn+ > R2Sn+ > RSn3+ [16]. Diorgaontins are used in PVC
food packaging materials and are a potential (but very small) dietary source
together with residues of triorganotin agricultural biocides.
In Australia, the National Pollutant Inventory states that there is no evidence of
the accumulation of OTCs in the environment, although they do refer to the highly
toxic effects of TBT and TPT compounds in anti-fouling paints on many species of
aquatic organisms. In mammals, high levels of TBT oxide can affect the endocrine
glands upsetting hormone levels and also cause damage to the reproductive and
central nervous systems, bone structure, and immune system. They are also moderately toxic to birds [8].
Leaching of Sn from Sn-coated cans, cooking utensils and other food containers
may contaminate foods and beverages. Canned foods, especially fruits and vegetables are considered to be the main source of Sn in the human diet [1]. Some
canned juices and fruit may contain <2,000 mg Sn kg 1. Most Sn-plated cans used
for food products are lacquered and this reduces the leaching of Sn into the contents.
Both TBT and TPT are known to be enzyme disruptors in aquatic organisms.
They are also known to be associated with certain tumours in humans and are dermal
irritants (especially in occupationally exposed people) [8, 16, 21]. There is considerable concern about the risk to people consuming a large amount of sea food on a
regular basis due to the accumulation of TBT in marine ecosystems. One of the
explanations for the mammalian toxicity of OTCs is their lipophilicity which enables
them to penetrate and damage cell membranes and mitochondria, interrupt oxidative
phosphorylation and inhibit the synthesis of heme oxygenase. They can also be
immunotoxic and genotoxic (damage DNA) [5]. According to Grun et al. [12],
TBT is the first example of an environmental endocrine disruptor that promotes
adipogenesis and that long-term exposure to OTCs may act as a chemical stressor
for obesity and related disorders. A Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for TBT by humans
adopted by the World Health Organisation is 0.25 mg kg 1 (body weight) [2].
Fromme et al. [11] reported a median total OTC content of 1.66 mg kg 1 (<7.18)
in household dusts from 28 apartments in Berlin. They refer to other surveys in
European countries showing a range of total OTC levels of 0.145.18 mg kg 1.
These OTCs were derived from a variety of products used in the houses and absorbed by the dust. Although it was not possible to make a reliable risk assessment, the
authors concluded that the presence of OTCs in houses could, under certain circumstances, be a significant source for intake by children.
Turner [25] refers to median levels of total Sn in household dusts in urban-suburban
environments in Dhahran (Saudi Arabia), Ottowa (Canada) and Plymouth (UK)
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557
ranging from 13 to 31 mg kg 1. Estimates of the bioaccessibility of Sn using a

physiologically-based extraction test (PBET) showed that it was higher with dust
from the hot arid environment of Dhahran than in dust from the cooler and more humid
environment of Plymouth.
It would appear that the behaviour and long-term fate of inorganic Sn and OTCs
in the soil plant system needs further investigation in order for meaningful risk
assessments to be made.
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25. Turner, A. (2011). Oral bioaccessibility of trace metals in household dust: A review and future
perspectives. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 33, 331341.
Survey.
27. Vouvoulis, N., & Lester, J. N. (2006). Fate of organotins in sewage sludge during anaerobic
digestion. Science of the Total Environment, 371, 373382.
28. World Health Organisation. (1996). Trace elements in human nutrition and health. Geneva:
World Health Organisation.
Chapter 25
Tungsten
Rafael Clemente and Nicholas W. Lepp
Abstract Tungsten (W) is a lithophile element that occurs naturally in small

concentrations in soils and sediments. Its hardness and resistance to corrosion
(alone, alloyed with other metals, or combined with carbon) makes it an important
strategic element with a wide range of both common and specialised applications.
Concerns over adverse environmental effects of W have recently arisen and its
designation as a non-toxic and environmentally benign metal is being reconsidered.
Tungsten speciation and the formation of polytungstates in acid conditions may be
important in ecotoxicology.
Keywords Tungsten Ammunition Carbide Light bulb filaments Metallurgy
Pellets Polytungstates Scheelite Wolframite
25.1
Introduction
Tungsten (W) is a relatively rare constituent of the earths crust, ranking 54th in
the abundance of the elements on earth [10]. Tungsten is a dense, corrosion-resistant
metal and has the highest melting point among metals (3,422 C). When alloyed with
other metals or combined with carbon (C), it increases hardness, durability, and
resistance to corrosion for the resultant alloy or compound [25]. Tungsten is therefore an important strategic element. Tungsten-based products are used in different
R. Clemente (*)
N.W. Lepp
School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University,
Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
e-mail: N.W [email protected]
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R. Clemente and N.W. Lepp
applications ranging from daily household necessities to highly specialized

components of modern science and technology [9]. It is used in metallurgy, abrasives,
lamp filaments and cathodes, high-speed steels, textile dyes, paints, x-ray tubes, and
as an industrial catalyst [25]. Recently W has been the focus of several military
applications. Concerns over adverse environmental effects [15] have also led to the
substitution of Pb shot ammunition (or bullets) and Pb fishing weights by W-based
materials [9]. Notwithstanding, most W is used to make W carbide and W alloys for
use in machine tools and drilling equipment.
The use of W is strongly influenced by general economic conditions [19]. The
worlds metallurgical and chemical industries annually use some 33,000 t of W [25].
World tungsten mine production is estimated at 61,000 t (2010) with an approximate
value of $150180 t 1 [20]. World W resources are geographically widespread.
China ranks first in the world in terms of W resources and reserves and has some of
the largest deposits. Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the US also have significant W
resources [20]. World W supply is dominated by Chinese production and exports.
Chinas government regulates its W industry, as it is also the worlds largest W
consumer [20].
Scheelite (CaWO4) and wolframite ((Fe,Mn)WO4) are the predominant ore
minerals of W. Both occur in hard-rock deposits; wolframite is also recovered
from placer deposits [25]. Tungsten is produced both from surface and from underground mining operations. Underground mines account for about 50% of the W
resources in the major deposits. Tungsten is also recovered as a co-product or byproduct of mining operations in deposits that are mined primarily for other metals,
such as tin (Sn), Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, or bismuth (Bi) [25].
25.2
The earths crust is estimated to contain an average W concentration of 1.3 mg kg 1

[9]. Tungsten is a lithophile element that occurs naturally in soils and sediments
usually in small concentrations; average concentration values in the lithosphere are
in the range 0.22.4 mg kg 1 [17, 22].
Tungsten is capable of forming a large number of soluble complexes with a
variety of inorganic and organic ligands because it has oxidation states ranging
from 2 to +6 and coordination numbers from 5 to 9 [11]. The reactions of W
with water play a major role in the behaviour and mobility of this element and its
compounds in the environment. A number of potential-pH equilibrium diagrams
and pertinent reactions of W-water systems, under conditions of thermodynamic
equilibrium at 25 C, have been generated by Pourbaix [12]. These diagrams clearly
indicate the complexity of W chemistry in aqueous solutions even in the absence of
complexing/precipitating agents, alloyed metallic elements or interfaces (e.g., soil
particles). Because W is a base metal with a domain of stability less than that of
water, under alkaline conditions it has a tendency to dissolve into WO42 while
forming non-protective oxide layers. Once W dissolves, its chemistry assumes a
25
Tungsten
561
greater degree of complexity as the tungstate anion occurs monomerically only

in alkaline or neutral solutions. When conditions are only slightly acidic, tungstates
tend to polymerize to form isopolytungstates with implications for toxicity [23, 24].
Koutsospyros et al. [9] illustrate the relationship of W speciation to pH, based on
several published sources. Tungstate can be considered as the principal soluble species
in alkaline environments, whereas there are a number of possibilities for polymerisation in acid conditions. The situation becomes highly complex in different redox
conditions and in the presence of chelating and precipitating agents, interfaces with
fixed charged sites and organic compounds [9].
25.3
Studies on the sorption of soluble W species in different soils have demonstrated

that greatest sorption occurs in peat-rich soils [3]. The presence of phosphates in
solutions containing dissolved W species applied to a range of test soils has been
shown to affect W sorption by acting as a competitor for adsorption sites [9].
Competitive adsorption between certain anionic species and dissolved W forms
may be of significance in natural environmental systems as this may serve as a
mobilisation mechanism for W [9]. There is very little information on interactions between W and DOM in soils, specifically the dissolved fulvic and humic
acid fraction, as well as the conditions leading to formation of organotungsten
compounds [9]. Tungsten hexacarbonyl (W(CO)6) has been detected in municipal
landfill gases, its formation being presumably a result of direct action of carbon
monoxide present in anaerobic landfill environments on W originating from light
bulb filaments or any other solid waste source [4].
Plants are known to take up and accumulate W, the extent of accumulation being
apparently directly related to the W content of the soil and varying widely with
the plant genotype [9]. Concentrations of up to 100 mg kg 1 were found in trees
and shrubs in the Rocky Mountains [18], whereas normal concentrations in other
plant types appear to be below 1 mg kg 1 [7]. Both growth enhancement and moderate
toxicity to certain microbial, plant, and animal species have been associated with the
presence of W [8].
25.4
Soil Contamination
The distribution and fate of W in the environment is controlled by both its physical,
chemical and biological properties and the prevailing environmental conditions.
Ecosystem exposures include release of W by natural processes and anthropogenic
processes [9]. Natural transformation of W minerals may result in significant enrichment of environmental systems, and soluble forms of W can be released as the result of
chemical transformation of the W-containing minerals [21]. Anthropogenic activities
562
that may contribute to W mobilisation include pollution resulting from mining and
industrial operations, military operations using W-containing hardware, application of
W-containing fertilisers, and non-sustainable disposal of W-containing substances
(e.g., disposal of light bulbs in landfills, land application of wastewater residuals) [9].
There is a lack of data on global background concentrations of W in soils and
there are only a limited number of studies on a local scale. Studies in the European
Union have reported W concentrations in soils (0.583 mg kg 1) and surface soils
(0.72.7 mg kg 1) [16, 17]. In New Zealand, elevated values in agricultural soils
(1.921.4 mg kg 1) may be the results of particular farming practices [14]. Tungsten
contents (2 mg kg 1) determined for agricultural soils in Iowa were in close agreement with a background concentration of 1.3 mg kg 1 [6]. High W concentrations
have also been reported for topsoil (56 mg kg 1) and deeper soil horizons
(78 mg kg 1) in the vicinity of mining/smelting sites in North Queensland,
Australia [13]. Tungsten concentrations in the range 1067 mg kg 1 have been
detected in top soils collected from four random locations in Fallon, Nevada,
adjacent to an abandoned W mine and a smelting location. Elevated W contents
(<127 mg kg 1) in surface soils (05 cm depth) have been reported in areas close
to the Saudi ArabianKuwait border as a result of combat operations during the
First Gulf War (19901991) compared to W content of surface soils (3.3 mg kg 1)
from areas 300 km away that were unaffected by discharge of W-containing
munitions [9]. Other sites where potentially high W concentrations may be
expected are shooting ranges using W-based ammunition. Recent approval of the
use of W-based shot in ammunition used to hunt migratory birds may also be of
concern. There is very little data in existence, but the US Department of the Interior
estimates that environmental concentrations based on the use of W-based shot
may result in soil concentrations falling in the range of 2658 mg kg 1 in exposed
terrestrial ecosystems, based on the current rate of Pb shot discharge [5].
25.5
Risk Assessment
Tungsten and its compounds have been traditionally considered environmentally

benign [9]. A clear example is the fact that W alloy shotgun pellets have been
considered as environmentally safe, non-toxic substitutes for Pb pellets [1, 2].
Despite its widespread use, the potential environmental effects of W are essentially
unknown [22], and the ecotoxicological effects of W on environmental systems
have not been thoroughly investigated [21]. Over the last decade the toxicological and environmental effects of W have received significant attention in relation
to different research programs. In recent years, the W industry has increased its
monitoring of proposed legislation and scientific research regarding the impact of W
on human health and the environment [20]. Overall, studies indicate that the
historical view of W as a nontoxic and environmentally inert metal must be
re-evaluated and environmental regulations for W are needed [21]. Reportedly some
W compounds exert adverse biological effects on humans and animals [8].
25
Tungsten
563
In general, the literature suggests that toxicity depends on the chemical form of
the W compounds and the exposure pathway [22]. In one of these reports, W powder
mixed with soils at rates higher than 1% on a mass basis caused the death of a
substantial portion of the bacterial component of the soil microbial community and
an increase of the fungal biomass. It also induced the death of red worms and
ryegrass plants, these effects being related to soil acidification as direct biological
effects of W on soil microorganisms, plants and animals could not be concluded [22].
In that experiment, an enrichment of W in the plant rhizosphere was observed,
an indication that W compounds may be introduced into the food chain and suggests
the possibility of development of phytoremediation-based technologies for the restoration of W contaminated sites [22].
Tungsten is now the focus of study of various regulatory, health and environmental agencies, and remains one of the least regulated metals [9]. There are no
environmental regulations for W in either the USA or the EU, and ecotoxicological
risk of W is being intensely debated. Recent discoveries indicate that W speciation
may be important to ecotoxicology.
Polymeric W compounds emerging via self-assembly mechanisms from monomeric anions appear to be common in environmental and physiological systems
that are exposed to W, and are substantially different from their monomeric
constituents. Therefore it is reasonable to expect that these compounds also have
different biological and toxicological properties [21]. Corrosion and dissolution of
metallic W and W alloys, accompanied by a decrease of pH, facilitate W polymerization/condensation reactions. Developed polytungstates, much more toxic than
monotungstates, persist in environmental systems and are therefore important for
W ecotoxicology [21].
References
1. Brewer, L., Fairbrother, A., Clark, J., & Amick, D. (2003). Acute toxicity of lead, steel, and an
irontungstennickel shot to mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Journal of Wildlife
Diseases, 39, 638648.
2. De Francisco, N., Troya, J. D. R., & Aguera, E. I. (2003). Lead and lead toxicity in domestic
and free living birds. Avian Pathology, 32, 313.
3. Dermatas, D., Braida, W., Christodoulatos, C., Strigul, N., Panikov, N., Los, M., & Larson, S.
(2004). Solubility, sorption, and soil respiration effects of tungsten and tungsten alloys.
Environmental Forensics, 5, 513.
4. Feldmann, J., & Cullen, W. R. (1997). Occurrence of volatile transition metal compounds in
landfill gas: Synthesis of molybdenum and tungsten carbonyls in the environment. Environmental Science and Technology, 31, 2125.
5. Fish and Wildlife Service (1999). Migratory bird hunting; final approval of tungsten-iron and
tungsten-polymer shots and temporary approval of tungsten-matrix and tin shots as nontoxic
for hunting waterfowl and coots. In Federal Register, 64, 3275232756. Washington: U.S.
Department of the Interior.
6. Fu, M. H., & Tabatabai, M. A. (1988). Tungsten content of soils, plants, and sewage sludges in
Iowa, USA. Journal of Environmental Quality, 17, 146148.
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8. Kletzin, A., & Adams, M. W. W. (1996). Tungsten in biological systems. FEMS Microbiology
Reviews, 18, 563.
9. Koutsospyros, A., Braida, W. J., Christodoulatos, C., Dermatas, D., & Strigul, N. S. (2006).
A review of tungsten: From environmental obscurity to scrutiny. Journal of Hazardous
Materials, 136, 119.
10. Krauskopf, K. B. (1972). Tungsten. In K. H. Wedepohl (Ed.), Handbook of geochemistry
(Vol. II/3). New York: Springer (Chapter 74).
11. Lassner, E., & Schubert, W. D. (1999). Tungsten Properties, chemistry, technology of the
element, alloys, and chemical compounds. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
12. Pourbaix, M. (1974). Atlas of electrochemical equilibria in aqueous solutions. Waterloo:
NACE International/Cebelcor.
13. Pyatt, F. B., & Pyatt, A. J. (2004). The bioaccumulation of tungsten and copper by organisms
inhabiting metalliferous areas in North Queensland, Australia: An evaluation of potential
health implications. Journal of Environmental Health Research, 3, 1318.
14. Quin, B. F., & Brooks, R. R. (1972). The rapid determination of tungsten in solid, stream
sediments, rocks and vegetation. Analytica Chimica Acta, 58, 301309.
15. Scheuhammer, A. M., & Norris, S. L. (1995). A review of the environmental impacts of lead
shotshell ammunition and lead fishing weights in Canada (Occasional Paper Number 88).
Ontario: Canadian Wildlife Service.
16. Senesi, G. S., Baldassarre, G., Senesi, N., & Radina, B. (1999). Trace element inputs into soils
by anthropogenic activities and implications for human health. Chemosphere, 39, 343377.
17. Senesi, N., Padovano, G., & Brunetti, G. (1988). Scandium, titanium, tungsten and zirconium
content in commercial inorganic fertilizers and their contribution to soil. Environmental
Technology Letters, 9, 10111020.
18. Shacklette, H. T., Erdman, J. A., & Harms, T. F. (1978). Trace elements in plant foodstuffs.
In F. W. Oehme (Ed.), Toxicity of heavy metals in the environment. Part 1 (p. 25). New York:
Marcel Dekker.
19. Shedd, K. B. (2008). Tungsten. In 2008 minerals yearbook (pp. 79.179.20). Keyworth:
U.S. Geological Survey. Available at: http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/
tungsten/
20. Shedd, K. B. (2011). Tungsten. In Mineral commodity summaries (pp. 176177). Keyworth:
U.S. Geological Survey. Available at: http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/
tungsten/
21. Strigul, N. (2010). Does speciation matter for tungsten ecotoxicology? Ecotoxicology and
22. Strigul, N. S., Koutsospyros, A., Arienti, P., Christodoulatos, C., Dermatas, D., & Braida, W. J.
(2005). Effects of tungsten on environmental systems. Chemosphere, 61, 248258.
23. Tajima, Y. (2001). A review of the biological and biochemical effects of tungsten compounds.
Current Topics Biochemical Research, 4, 129136.
24. Tajima, Y. (2003). The effects of tungstophosphate and tungstosilicate on various stress
promoters transformed in Escherichia coli. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 94, 155160.
25. Werner, A. B. T., Sinclair, W. D., & Amey, E. B. (1998). International strategic mineral issues
summary reportTungsten (U.S. Geological Survey Circular 930O). Washington, DC:
U.S. Government Printing Office. Available at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pdf/circular/c930-o.pdf
Chapter 26
Uranium
Brian J. Alloway
Abstract Uranium (U) is a naturally radioactive element and one of its

radioisotopes (235U) is the basis for nuclear fission reactions in electricity generation and nuclear weapons. Uranium has both chemotoxic and radiotoxic properties
and is a potential hazard to ecosystems and human health. Concentrations in rocks
vary with relatively high concentrations occuring in black shales, coal, phosphorites, certain sandstones and some limestone formations and in the soils derived
from them. Groundwaters associated with U-rich rocks can contain elevated
concentrations of U. Soil contamination can arise from phosphate fertilisers,
U mining, nuclear waste processing, nuclear explosions, coal combustion, disposal
of coal ash and civil and military uses of depleted uranium (DU). Unlike iron and
manganese which also have cations with more than one valency state, the highest
valency U(VI) is most mobile and plant-available. High carbonate concentrations
can produce soluble complexes, but reducing conditions cause the formation of
insoluble ions, and U is strongly adsorbed in soils and sediments rich in iron oxides
and organic matter. Plant availability is generally higher in acid conditions.
Keywords Uranium Radioactivity 235U 238U Depleted uranium Munitions
Nuclear fission Half-life Chemotoxocity Coal ash Drinking water
B.J. Alloway (*)

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566
26.1
B.J. Alloway
Introduction
Uranium (U) is a very important heavy metal because it is naturally radioactive and
one of its isotopes is the basis of nuclear fission reactions used for both the
generation of electricity and nuclear weapons. Its atomic number is 92, atomic
mass 238 and its density is around 19.1 g cm3. It is found in significant (mg kg1)
quantities in rocks and soils and occurs in economically exploitable deposits in
many parts of the world. Uranium has no stable (non-radioactive) isotopes, but has
two primordial isotopes (235U and 238U) which undergo radioactive decay to give
rise to two different series of lighter elements [30, 33]. The isotope 235U is particularly important because it is the only naturally occurring fissile isotope, which means
that it is capable of supporting a neutron-mediated chain reaction releasing large
amounts of energy. Because of this, 235U is the basis of nuclear fission electricity
generation (nuclear power) and of nuclear weapons and hence is the reason for
U being a very valuable mineral resource. However, U has no known essential
functions in plants or animals and its radioactive and chemical toxicity are potential
hazards to human health and ecosystems when it occurs in soils, vegetation and
waters at elevated concentrations. The 238U isotope is the most abundant, comprising 99.28% of the total U in the earths crust and has a long half life (T1/2) of
4.51 109 years. Uranium-235 is much less abundant (0.72%), but has a T1/2 of
7.13 108 years. Uranium-234, a decay product of 238U, has a much lower abundance (0.0055%) and a T1/2 of 2.48 105 years. Uranium is continually undergoing
transformation as the nuclei of the atoms of its isotopes spontaneously disintegrate,
or decay to form more stable atoms of lighter elements [16, 31]. The radioactivity
of U enables concentrations to be determined by measuring its activity concentration in Bequerels (Bq kg1) as well as by chemical analysis through dissolution
and measurement by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
(see Chap. 4). However, concentrations (mg kg1 and mg L1) will be used in this
section to allow comparison with the other (non-radioactive) heavy metal(loid)s.
Uranium-238 is primarily an a particle emitter which decays through an 18
member uranium (or radium) series of elements ending in stable 206Pb. This
series also includes radium-226 (226Ra) and radon-222 (222Rn) which is a radioactive gas. Uranium-235 decays through 14 radioactive metals of the actinide series
of elements in Group 3 of the periodic table, ending with stable 207Pb. The content of
235
U in naturally occurring U is too low for its nuclear applications, so the 235U
content of U is normally enriched from 0.0058% to 3% for nuclear power generation
and to 93% for use in nuclear weapons [16]. The process of enriching the content
of 235U leaves a residue with nearly three times less 235U and lower radioactivity
than natural U. This residue is referred to as depleted uranium (DU). Both natural
U and DU have a very high density (19.1 g cm3) which is 60% greater than the
density of Pb, but not as high as those of tungsten (W), gold (Au), platinum (Pt),
iridium (Ir) or osmium (Os). This high density and reduced radioactivity has led
to DU having several important civilian and military uses [6, 31].
Mean concentrations of U in soils in different countries are in the range
0.7911.9 mg kg1. The mean U in the upper layers (2540 cm) of Polish soils is
26
Uranium
567
1.36 mg U kg1, but concentrations of <13.3 mg U kg1 have been found in the
Sudeten Mountains and Piedmont areas in Poland. In Finland, surface sediments
sampled in the C-horizon of soils contained <8.5 mg U kg1, but most were in the
range 15.5 mg kg1 [12]. In Japan, agricultural soils contain 1.42.4 mg U kg1.
Swedish agricultural soils contain 1.316 mg U kg1 with an average of 4.4 mg
U kg1 [13]. It is generally considered that <10 mg U kg1 is background,
although this may also include some soils with slight contamination [16].
26.2
The average concentration of U in the earths crust is 2.8 mg kg1, with most rocks
typically containing 14 mg kg1. Concentrations of <54 mg kg1 have been
reported for granites, but are commonly 2.215 mg kg1 [22]. It occurs in a range
of minerals including: uranium dioxide (uraninite, UO2), pitchblende (U2O5UO3)
or (U3O8), carnotite (K2(UO2)2(VO4)22H2O), tyuyamunite (Ca(UO2)2(VO4)258H2O), coffinite ((USiO4)1xOH4x), uranophane (Ca(UO2)2Si2O76H2O) and
brannerite ((U,Ca,Ce)(Ti,Fe)2O6) [16]. In magmatic rocks U does not tend to replace
other ions in rock forming minerals and is generally present in only low concentrations in basic igneous rocks, such as basalts often with contents of 1 mg U kg1.
Instead, it accumulates in the cooling magma and occurs as discrete grains or veins
of U minerals in silica-rich rocks, such as granites (>8 mg U kg1) and pegmatites
which crystallise towards the end of the cooling sequence of magmas [3].
Sedimentary rocks are estimated to have an average U content of 4 mg kg1,
but several different types of sedimentary rocks can be relatively enriched in U.
These include black shales, phosphorites, clays, limestones and some sandstones
(see Chap. 2 and Table 2.2). Uranium deposits can form in sandy sediments (which
eventually form sandstones) from ions in groundwater when there is a change
from oxic to reducing conditions. The highly soluble U6+ uranyl ions (UO22+) are
reduced to U4+ typically (UO2) which precipitates between the sand grains and
forms roll-type deposits. Complexation by organic matter and precipitation in
reducing conditions result in U accumulations in P- and organic-rich sediments
such as black shales, peats and coals (Chap. 2, Sect. 2.3.1.1). Some coal strata in the
Yunnan province of China have very high U contents (20315 mg kg1) with an
average of 65 mg kg1 [24]. Coals in the USA generally have relatively low U
contents (<20 mg kg1) with most in the range 14 mg kg1 [28]. The ash yield of
coal burnt in the USA is around 10% of the mass of the original coal. Therefore the
concentration of the radioactive elements in this ash that are not lost as particles
to the atmosphere during combustion will be around ten times the concentration
in the original coal [10, 28]. Uranium concentrations typically range between 85 and
254 mg kg1 (or 100300 mg kg1 U3O8) in European coal ash which is a
potentially valuable secondary source of U for the future (and a possible hazard
in the environment).
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B.J. Alloway
World production of U totalled 53,663 t U (or 63,285 t U3O8) in 2010, having

risen from 35,574 t U in 2003 [33]. Uranium is currently mined in 20 countries,
but six countries produce 85% of total mine output. Kazakhstan produces the most U
(17,803 t in 2010), followed by Canada (9,783 t) and Australia (5,900 t), respectively. The U ore deposits being mined currently contain >0.1% U (1,000 mg U
kg1), but certain mines have ores with <20% U. Some ores of other heavy metal
(loid)s and phosphorites contain sufficient U to make its recovery economically
worthwhile as a by-product. These include Cu ore at Olympic Dam mine in Australia
(with 140 mg U kg1), Au-bearing ores in South Africa and P deposits in Florida,
USA and Morocco. An important secondary source of U is the decommissioning
of nuclear weapon warheads by the USA and Russia, which has supplied 13% of
global U requirements since 2000 [33].
26.3
Chemical Behaviour in Soils and Availability to Plants
The speciation of U in soil and aqueous systems is highly dependent on the pH and
redox status. Uranium (VI) species dominate in oxidising environments and their
adsorption under alkaline conditions is poor because of the predominance of
neutral or negatively charged species. The hydrated uranyl cation (UO22+) is the
main soluble form of U in the soil and waters. The metaloxygen bonds in this
linear molecule are very strong, making the ion unreactive. As a result of U (VI)
being very soluble in water, and therefore very mobile, the risk to groundwater and
potable water supplies is considerable because of both its radio- and chemical
toxicity. However, concentrations of U in oxidising conditions can be limited by
adsorption onto P minerals, Fe oxides, clay minerals and humic organic matter and
this sorption is greatest at around neutral pH. These minerals and organic matter can
act as both sinks and sources of U depending on sorptiondesorption dynamics [22].
Uranium (IV) species dominate in reducing environments and tend to form strong
hydrolytic complexes and sparingly soluble precipitates that control U(IV)
concentrations in groundwaters. However, Pulford [16] refers to the work of Suzuki
et al. [26] which shows that it might be possible for some of the UO2 to be precipitated as nanoparticles (<2 nm) which could be transported through soil pores. If
these particles reach a more oxidising environment, they could be oxidised to form
soluble U (VI) (uranyl) ions which are more likely to migrate or be plant available
in freely drained soils. Uranium (IV) also forms strong complexes with naturally
occurring organic materials, including more soluble U (IV) organic complexes with
dissolved organic compounds (DOC). The environmental factors affecting the migration (and solubility) of U include: redox status, pH, type and concentration of ligand
(carbonate, fluoride, sulphate and DOC) and Fe and Al oxide content [3, 27].
In low ionic strength solutions with low U (VI) concentrations, dissolved uranyl
concentrations will be controlled by cation exchange and adsorption processes.
The high valency of U ions gives them a relatively high replacing power on exchange
sites compared to divalent and monovalent ions of other metals. However, as the ionic
26
Uranium
569
strength of the solution increases, other ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ will displace
uranyl ions from soil exchange sites forcing them into solution. Therefore the uranyl
ion is highly mobile in high ionic strength solutions. Not only will other cations
dominate exchanges sites, but carbonate ions will form soluble complexes with uranyl
ions, further lowering the activity of this ion and increasing the total amount of U in
solution. Sorption onto Fe and Mn oxides can be a major mechanism by which U is
removed from solution. These oxides act as an irreversible sink for U, which is then
not fully in isotopic equilibrium with isotopes in solution. Adsorption of U onto Fe
oxides and smectite clay is extensive in the absence of dissolved carbonate, but is
greatly diminished when carbonate or organic matter are present [27].
Naturally occurring organic (humic) matter is a possible sink for U in soils and
sediments. This probably involves ion exchange with carboxylic and other acidic
functional groups on the humic material. These groups can coordinate with the
uranyl ion, displacing water of hydration to form stable complexes. In sediments,
OM may reduce dissolved U (VI) species to soluble U (IV) species.
Soil pH affects U (VI) sorption, firstly because it affects U speciation and
secondly because it affects the number of cation exchange sites [27]. It is important
to stress that unlike other metal cations with more than one valency state, such as
Fe and Mn, the higher valency U (VI) species which forms the oxycation UO22+, is
the soluble form of U and the lower valency U (IV) species form insoluble
compounds. This is the opposite of Fe and Mn where the lower valency ions are
the soluble forms. Unlike most other metal cations, liming soils to increase the soil
pH does not reduce the concentration of U in solution, nor its bioavailability, but
rather increases it due to the formation of highly stable uranyl-carbonate complexes.
Under acidic conditions U is present as UO22+, under neutral conditions, hydroxide
complexes such as UO2OH+, (UO2)2(OH)22+, (UO2)3(OH)5+ and (UO2)3(OH)7 or
phosphate complexes such as UO2HPO40 and UO2(HPO4)22 are found and under
alkaline conditions carbonate complexes such as UO2CO30, UO2(CO3)22 and
UO2(CO3)34 predominate [7]. However, Ebbs et al. [7] found that treating
U-contaminated soils with citric acid (which reduced the pH to 5.0) increased the
mobility and bioavailability of U with accumulation by red beet (Beta vulgaris)
increasing by a factor of 14 relative to controls at pH 6.8.
Uranium adsorption onto clay minerals is complicated and involves multiple
binding sites [27]. Adsorption of U is stronger in soils with FeOx minerals
or coatings on quartz grains and/or clay minerals than sandy soils dominated by
quartz and feldspar minerals [27]. A higher CEC will retain more U, while carbonate
increases mobility. Uranium migrates more rapidly in sandy soils than loams and
this can be upwards or downwards depending on the relative balance of precipitation
and evaporation [20].
Root uptake of U is via a complex pathway involving a set of redox reactions,
organic complexation and microbial activity. In hydroponic experiments with ryegrass, Vandenhove et al. [29] showed that the uranyl cation and uranyl carbonate
complexes together with anionic P complexes (UO2PO4) are probably the species
most readily taken up by the roots and translocated to the shoots of ryegrass. They
found soil-plant transfer coefficients varying by more than 100-fold (0.00030.0340),
570
B.J. Alloway
but showed that there was no significant correlation between these coefficients and
U in the soil solution, with U in ammonium acetate or ammonium oxalate extracts,
or with permanent soil characteristics such as soil granulometry, organic matter
content or cation exchange capacity.
Research on the uptake and translocation of U in plants has shown that the activity
of U in plants is limited because it tends to adsorb on cell walls. Consequently,
concentrations are highest on root surfaces and are lower in shoots. Shahandeh and
Hosner [19] grew plants of several species on soil spiked with 100 mg U kg1.
Shoot concentrations varied between 3.2 and 24 mg kg1, but concentrations in the
roots ranged from 89 to 810 mg kg1 (DW). Dicot plant species generally accumulated more U than monocots (grasses and cereals) with sunflower (Helianthus
annus) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) accumulating the most U, while wheat
(Triticum aestivum) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne) accumulated the least. When
sunflowers were grown on a range of soil types, uptake was greater on calcareous
soils compared with acid soils (due to soluble uranyl-carbonate complexes) [3].
Sheppard and Evenden [20] reviewed literature on soil:plant concentration
ratios (CRs) for a range of plant species. They found that CRs varied more than
30,000 fold. Root crops had higher CRs than fruit, cereal or leafy vegetable crops.
Concentration ratios were also higher for sandy soils, peats and U mine tailings.
Microorganisms can concentrate U in their tissues up to 300 times the concentration in soils [12]. Microorganisms can also degrade soluble organic complexes of
U in soils and rocks which enhances U precipitation and deposition. Fungi (such as
Aspergillus niger and Penicillium funiculosum) were able to take up large amounts
of U in their mycelium from rocks and this was enhanced by nutrient deficiency,
high U content in the rock and low pH [3].
26.4
Soil Contamination
Soils can be contaminated with U from the mining and processing of U ores, nuclear
reactor operations, leakage from wastes, accidents at nuclear sites, manufacture and
testing/use of nuclear weapons, aerosol particles and fly ash from coal-burning for
electricity generation, and long-term application of P fertilisers [16]. Soils contaminated from U mining and processing works in Canada were found to have
<572 mg U kg1 [3]. In the urban area of Port Hope in Ontario, Canada, which has
U mines and related processing industry, concentrations of <258 mg U kg1 were
found in areas subjected to airborne deposition [3]. In the vicinity of the Blizzard U
deposit in British Columbia, Canada, concentrations of <390 mg U kg1 were found,
but the typical range is 515 mg U kg1 with background levels in soils in the area
of 37 mg kg1. Concentrations in the groundwater were 18.8 mg U L1 which is
above the World Health Organisations provisional limit of 15 mg U L1 [3].
The high density and reduced radioactivity (60% of natural U) of DU has
resulted in it having many applications. Civilian uses include counterweights in
aircraft, fork lift trucks and keels of racing sailboats, radiation shielding in medical
26
Uranium
571
radiation therapy and industrial radiography. There are two important military
uses of DU, these are in armour-piercing projectiles (used for the first time in the
First Gulf War in 1991) and in defensive armour plating on military vehicles
(against conventional munitions). In armour-piercing ammunition, the DU is in
the form of a rod-like penetrator relying on its kinetic energy and pyrophoricity
(burning on impact to create high temperatures of <1,132 C) to penetrate defensive
armour. The penetrator sharpens as it melts and pierces heavy armour. These DU
munitions have little use against non-armoured targets [1]. The high temperature
generated on impact of the DU projectile against armour plating produces an
aerosol of fine U oxide particles (1035% of the total U) which are dispersed both
inside and outside the tank. However, no nanoparticles of DU have been found in the
vicinity of penetrated (destroyed) vehicles. Penetrator projectiles which fail to
impact against a hard surface remain largely intact in the soil. It has been found
that DU-containing penetrators buried in topsoil for 7 years had decreased in mass by
approximately 25%. Hence, a DU penetrator buried in soil could possibly be completely corroded to oxides in 2535 years after impact [2].
Investigations by UNEP in Bosnia and Herzgovina in 20022003 showed that
local ground contamination by oxides of U could be detected <200 m from the
point of impact of DU-containing munitions [2]. Concentrations of <376 mg U kg1
(or 5,334 Bq kg1) were found in Kosovo and <4.5 mg U kg1 (or 116 Bq kg1) in
Bosnia Herzegovina [4]. Investigations in areas of intensive DU ammunition use in
Kosovo showed concentrations of <18,000 mg U kg1, with many thousands of
DU particles in a few mg of soil, but the radioactivity in these areas was still low
(8.8100 Bq kg1)[1].
Phosphatic fertilisers are probably the most ubiquitous source of U contamination of agricultural soils. Fertilisers made from phosphorite deposits in Tanzania
contain 250570 mg U kg1 and concentrations of 100200 mg U kg1 were found
in fertilisers made from Moroccan phosphorites. Elevated U concentrations from
fertilisers are normally confined to topsoils. Agricultural soils in Mexico had
concentrations of <51 mg U kg1 compared with 1 mg U kg1 in non-agricultural
soils [16]. The U in P fertilisers has a distinct 234U:238U activity ratio (AR) which
is inherited from the phosporite rock that the fertiliser was made from. Use of this
ratio enables U from P fertiliser to be distinguished from native U in soils, organic
matter and waters [34, 35]. In Florida, P fertilisers have been found to contain
<182 mg U kg1 and P nutritional supplements derived from phosphorite rock
fed to cattle can contain <203 mg U kg1. Much of this is excreted in the faeces
and can be a significant source of U contamination of pastures or arable soils treated
with manures [23].
Rothbaum et al. [17] determined the amount of U applied to arable and grassland soils in field experiments at Rothamsted Experimental Station in England and
at a site in New Zealand. Application of superphosphate fertiliser gave annual
inputs of 33 kg P and 15 g U ha1 year1 in three experiments at Rothamsted and
37 kg P and 16 g U ha1 year1 in one experiment in New Zealand. Most of the U
applied annually since 1889 at Rothamsted (total 1.3 kg U ha1) was retained in
the plough layer of arable soils and in the organic matter in the grassland topsoil and
little evidence of movement down the profile to the subsoil was detected [8].
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B.J. Alloway
Uptake of U by plants is of interest both from the human and animal health
point of view, but also with regard to biogeochemical prospecting for possible
new economic deposits of U. Soluble fractions of U appear to be readily taken up
by plants. In areas of U mineralisation, plants accumulated 100 times more U than
those in other areas [12]. Preliminary studies on vegetation near the site of a
proposed new U mine in Jharkhand State, in north east India, showed elevated
concentrations of U in several plant species, including Hydrographis peniculata, a
herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka; Cyperus
rotundus (coco-grass, purple nut sedge, red nut sedge), a species of sedge and
a member of the family Cyperaceae, and Nymphea species (tropical lilies). Uranium
concentrations were highest in roots (5397,972 mg U kg1 FW) with a geometric
mean of 1,438 mg U kg1 FW. Uranium was accumulated by roots to a greater
extent than other radionuclides, the order was: U (natural) > polonium-210 (210Po)
> radium-226 (226Ra) > thorium (Th). The U concentrations in shoots ranged from
8.5 to 78 mg U kg1 FW with a geometric mean of 27.2 mg U kg1. The pattern of
shoot uptake differed from that in the roots with U concentrations being the lowest:
210
Po > 226Ra > Th (a) > U(nat) [11].
Phytoremediation of U contaminated soils has been widely investigated. A study
by Ebbs et al. [7] showed that treatment of a U-contaminated soil with citric acid
reduced the soil pH to 5.0 and increased U accumulation in red beet (Beta vulgaris)
by a factor of 14 and could provide the basis of an effective phytoremediation
strategy for U-contaminated soils. Chang et al. [5] investigated the use of citric
acid to enhance the uptake of U by four different plant species. Indian mustard
(Brassica juncea) was found to have the most enhanced accumulation of U
(<2,000 mg U kg1) and the greatest enhanced root accumulation (<3,500 mg U
kg1) was found in canola (also called oil seed rape, Brassica napus var napus).
The U was probably taken up into the plants as U-citrate complexes and accumulation followed the order: roots > shoots leaves. Indian mustard was considered
to have the greatest potential for the phytoremediation of U-contaminated soil,
but there is a possibility that the citric acid treatment may also accelerate migration of U down the soil profile. However, there are also some research findings
which suggest that citric acid may degrade rapidly in soils and not cause serious
contamination of groundwater.
26.5
Risk Assessment
Uranium compounds can cause both chemical toxicity (chemotoxicity) and radiation toxicity (radiotoxicity). Radiotoxicity is due to the radiation emitted by U
incorporated into an organisms body (internal dose) together with that emitted
by U adjacent to the organism (external dose). Due to the long half lives of U
isotopes and their slow rate of decay, their radiotoxicity is expected to be relatively low and it is probably chemotoxicity which is the greater hazard to human
health caused by U [3]. It is considered that the major health risks from U are
26
Uranium
573
kidney disease from drinking water and lung disease from inhaled fine particles.
Radon-222, a radioactive gas and decay product of 238U, is often found in areas
underlain with rocks containing significant concentrations of U, such as granites and
shales. It is an additional possible health hazard affecting the lungs and is closely
associated with aerosols of U isotopes [3].
For plants and other soil organisms, it is widely considered that the chemical
toxicity of U is a greater risk than radiotoxicity. Pulford [16] refers to work by
Sheppard et al. [21] who reviewed the literature on the ecotoxicity of U and put
forward predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) of 250 mg U kg1 (dry soil)
for terrestrial plants, 100 mg U kg1 for other soil organisms and 0.1 mg U kg1 body
weight day1 for soil mammals. Soil quality guidelines for the protection of both
human health and ecosystems published by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the
Environment [3] in 2007 are: 23 mg U kg1 for agricultural land, 23 mg U kg1 for
residential and parkland, 33 mg U kg1 for commercial use and 300 mg kg1 for
industrial uses. The UK Environment Agency [9] gives a soil guideline (radioactivity)
value of 4 Bq kg1 for natural U in residential land with home-grown produce.
26.5.1 Depleted Uranium

In humans, DU is not a significant health hazard unless it is taken into the body by
inhalation, ingested in food or drink or as fragments of DU munitions in wounds.
American forces used more than 300 t of DU in the First Gulf War (1991). Some
experts attribute Gulf War Syndrome, the unexplained illness amongst soldiers
reported after this war, at least in part to exposure to DU. There have been calls
for more rigorous testing of Gulf War veterans to determine whether they were
exposed to DU [6]. A large part (5096%) of the aerosol generated on impact of
a DU penetrator comprises respirable particles that could enter the lower respiratory tract and would not be expelled [6]. A larger proportion of the aerosol is
dispersed inside the target vehicle than in the external environment [1]. Inhalation
of fine particles of U or DU and/or drinking water containing soluble forms of U
are probably the highest risks to human health from either radiotoxicity or chemotoxicity of U. Anybody entering military vehicles which have been attacked with
DU-containing munitions is at highest risk of adverse health effects. With regard
to effects on terrestrial ecosystems, DU was found to have an inhibitory effect on
soil microbial processes in experiments in which relatively insoluble schoepite
(UO2(OH)2H2O) from deployed DU-containing munitions was finely ground and
mixed with soil. Uranium concentrations of 500 mg kg1 caused a decrease in soil
respiration rates. At 25,000 mg U kg1, decomposition processes were inhibited.
Uranyl sulphate inhibited the action of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in aqueous culture
at concentrations as low as 0.4 mM (95 mg L1) [3].
The EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks [18]
concluded that except in areas very close to destroyed vehicles and penetrators,
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B.J. Alloway
DU contamination in the war zones is not widespread and is generally low. Possible
risks for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems were considered to be very low.
26.5.2 Uranium in Groundwater and Drinking Water

The range of concentrations of U in groundwaters reported from around the world
is <8,000 mg U L1 with higher concentrations generally occurring in areas with
significant U mineralization and/or U-rich granitic terrains such as western USA
and Scandinavia [22]. A survey of 101 groundwater samples from all over England
and Wales showed a range of U concentrations from <0.02 to 48 mg L1 (median
0.39 mg L1). The majority of these were below the WHO provisional guideline
value of 15 mg U L1 [22]. A larger database of 1,556 groundwater samples
surveyed earlier from the whole of Great Britain showed a slightly wider range of
<0.0167 mg U L1, but a lower median value (0.29 mg U L1). Eleven samples
(0.71%) exceeded the WHO provisional guideline value (15 mg U L1) and seven
samples (0.45%) exceeded the Canadian standard of 20 mg U L1 and just three
samples exceeded the US EPA maximum tolerable contaminant level of 30 mg U
L1. The highest U concentrations were in groundwater samples from red sandstone beds where the U is desorbed from Fe oxide cements and coatings on sand
grains [22]. A survey of U in groundwater in the Kolar district of South India
found <1,443 mg U L1 with nearly 22% exceeding the previous WHO standard of
30 mg U L1 [25]. Groundwaters often have higher concentrations of U than surface
waters because of the large solid:solution ratios in aquifers and the greater influence
of water- rock reactions.
Clinical studies of 324 people in Nova Scotia, Canada, who were exposed to
varying amounts of U in drinking water (<700 mg U L1) from private wells did
not find any relationship between renal disease and exposure to U. However, there
was a trend towards increasing excretion of urinary b-2-microglobulin with increasing U concentration in well water which could be an indicator of subclinical
toxicity. The study concluded that a guideline value of 15 mg U L1 was supported
by the epidemiological data. In the case of chemical toxicity from U, nephritis is
the primary chemically induced effect on the health of humans [32].
A study in Finland of 95 men and 98 women who had consumed drinking
water with high concentrations of U from wells for an average of 16 years showed
no evidence of renal damage. The median U concentration in drinking water was
25 mg L1(<1,500 mg L1) [14]. Some bottled spring waters can contain significant
concentrations of U. Smedley et al. [22] reported concentrations of <0.0113 mg U L1
in bottled waters, but these are still below the provisional standard of 15 mg L1 [22].
Finally, with regard to human risk assessment, it is important to recognise that
coal combustion, mainly in coal-fired electricity generating stations, is a significant
source of naturally radioactive elements, such as U and Th. The particles emitted in
the exhausts from this combustion are more efficiently trapped in filters nowadays,
but in the past large quantities were dispersed far and wide into the environment and
26
Uranium
575
will have accumulated in topsoils (especially organic-rich soils and peats) and
sediments. Even more significant are the large tonnages of fly ash from coal combustion that have to be disposed of. The radioactive materials in this ash (as well as the
exhaust particles captured by filters) contain fissionable materials which are both a
potential resource for the future, if the technology can be developed to separate
them, and also a growing possible health and environmental hazard. Thirty three
years ago many people were shocked to read an article in the journal Science
(December 8, 1978) by McBride et al. of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which
stated that Americans living near coal-fired electricity generating plants are exposed
to higher doses of radiation than those living near to nuclear power plants that meet
government regulations.[15].
26.5.3 Thorium
Apart from U, the only other naturally occurring radioactive heavy metallic element
which is relatively abundant in the environment is thorium (Th). Its atomic number
is 90, its atomic mass 232 and density is 11.72 g cm3. Both U and Th are similar
in that they exist in (IV) and (VI) valency forms. Hydrated uranyl cations (UO22+)
and Th4+ are responsible for the solubility of these metals in soils over a wide range
of pH. However, uranyl cations are more soluble than Th4+ and therefore U tends
to be leached out of soils to a greater extent [12]. Thorium is around three times
more abundant in rocks and soils than U. Natural Th is not fissile and so cannot be
used as a nuclear fuel for power generation. However, it could be transformed in
a breeder reactor to 233U which is fissile [34]. Regrettably, space does not permit
a discussion of Th or other radioactive elements in soils and the environment.
References
1. Bleise, A., Danesi, P. R., & Burkart, W. (2003). Properties, use and health effects of depleted
uranium (DU): A general overview. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 64, 93112.
2. Burger, M. (2008). The risks of depleted uranium contamination post-conflict: UNEP
assessments, uranium weapons disarmament forum. www.unidir.org/pdf/articles/pdfart2760.pdf
3. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. (2007). Canadian soil quality guidelines
for uranium: Environmental and human health (PN1371). Ottawa: Canadian Council of
Ministers of the Environment.
4. Carvalho, F. P., & Oliveira, J. M. (2010). Uranium isotopes in Balkans environment and foods
following the use of depleted uranium in the war. Environment International. doi:10.1016/
jenvint.2010.02.003.
5. Chang, P., Kim, K.-W., Yoshida, S., & Kim, S.-Y. (2005). Uranium accumulation of crops
enhanced by citric acid. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 27, 529538.
6. Cleveland, C. J. (2008). Depleted uranium. In C. J. Clveland (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Earth.
Washington, DC: Environmental Coalition, National Council for Science and the
Environment. http://www.eoearth.org/articel/Depleted_uranium. (Original information from
Argonne National Laboratory.)
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7. Ebbs, S. D., Brady, D. J., & Kochian, L. V. (1998). Role of uranium speciation in the uptake
and translocation of uranium by plants. Journal of Experimental Botany, 49(324), 11831190.
environmental significance. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Heavy metals in soils (2nd ed., pp.
306352). Glasgow: Blackie Academic and Professional (Chapter 14).
9. Environment Agency (UK). (2011). Using RCLEA- the radioactively contaminated land exposure
assessment methodology. www.environment-agency.gov.uk/. . ./CLR13_Summary_Guide_2011.
pdf
10. Gabbard, A. (2008). Coal combustion: Nuclear resource or danger. Oak Ridge National
Laboratory Review, 26(3 & 4), 18.
11. Jha, V. N., Giri, S., Paul, S., Sethy, A. K., Singh, G., & Tripathi, R. M. (2007, June 57).
Radionuclide uptake by native vegetation growing around upcoming U-mining projects at
Banduhurang, Jharkhand. Paper at 15th National Symposium on Environment, Bharathiar
University, Coimbatore. www.ismenvis.nic.in
CRC Press.
Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer.
14. Kurttio, P., Harmoinen, A., Saha, H., Salonen, L., Karpas, Z., Komulainen, H., & Auvinen, A.
(2006). Kidney toxicity of ingested uranium from drinking water. American Journal of Kidney
Diseases, 47(6), 972982.
15. McBride, J. P., Moore, R. E., Witherspoon, J. P., & Blanco, R. E. (1978, December 8).
Radiological impact of airborne effluents of coal and nuclear plants. Science (pp. 10451050).
16. Pulford, I. (2010). Gold and uranium. In P. Hooda (Ed.), Trace elements in soils (pp. 551565).
Chichester: Wiley (Chapter 23).
17. Rothbaum, H. P., McGaveston, D. A., Wall, T., Johnston, A. E., & Mattingly, G. E. G. (1979).
Uranium accumulation in soils from long-continued applications of superphosphate. Journal
18. SCHER (Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks). (2010, May 18). Opinion
on the environmental and health risks posed by depleted uranium. ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/
. . ./04_scher/scher_opinions_en.htm
19. Shahandeh, H., & Hossner, L. (2002). Role of soil properties in phytoaccumulation of
uranium. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 141, 165180.
20. Sheppard, S. C., & Evenden, W. G. (1987, March 31). Review of effects of soil on radionuclide
uptake by plants. Research report prepared for the Atomic Energy Control Board, Ottawa,
Canada. INFO-0230.
21. Sheppard, S. C., Sheppard, M. I., Gallerand, M.-O., & Sannipelli, B. (2005). Derivation of
ecotoxicity thresholds for uranium. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 79, 5583.
22. Smedley, P. L., Smith, B., Abesser, C., & Lapworth, D. (2006). Uranium occurrence and
behaviour in British groundwater (Commissioned Report CR/06/050N). Keyworth: British
Geological Survey.
23. SOFIA (South Florida Information Access). (2009). Fertilizer-derived uranium and sulphur in
rangeland soil and runoff. http://sofia.usgs.gov/publications/papers/urnaium_and_sulfur/uranium.html
24. Sparton. (2010). Developing uranium production from radioactive waste. http://spartonres.ca/
uraniumsecondary.htm
25. Sridhar-Babu, M. N., Somashekar, R. K., Kumar, S. A., Shivanna, K., Krishnamurthy, V., &
Eappen, K. P. (2008). Concentration of uranium levels in groundwater. International Journal
of Environmental Science and Technology, 5(2), 263266.
26. Suzuki, Y., Kelly, S. D., Kemner, K. M., & Banfield, J. F. (2002). Nanometre-size products of
uranium bioreduction. Nature, 419, 134.
27. US Environmental Protection Agency & US Department of Energy. (1999). Understanding
variation in partition coefficient, Kd, values. In Review of geochemistry and available Kd
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values for cadmium, cesium, chromium, lead, plutonium, radon, strontium, thorium, tritium
(3H) and uranium (Vol. 2). Washington, DC: USEPA & USDoE.
28. US Geological Survey. (1997). Radioactive elements in coal and fly ash: Abundance, forms
and environmental significance (Fact Sheet FS-163-97). http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs16397/FS-163-97.html
29. Vandenhove, H., Van Hees, M., Wnnijn, J., Wouters, K., & Wang, L. (2007). Can we predict
uranium bioavailability based on soil parameters? Part2: Soil solution uranium concentration
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30. Wikipedia. (2011a). Uranium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium
31. Wikipedia. (2011b). Uranium ore. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_ore
32. World Health Organisation. (2004). Uranium in drinking-water: Background document for
development of WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality. (WHO/SDE/WSH/03.04/118).
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/en/uranium.pdf
33. World Nuclear Association. (2011a). World uranium mining. http://www.world-nuclear.org/
info/inf23.html
34. World Nuclear Association. (2011b). Thorium. www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf62.html
35. Zielinski, R. A., Simmons, K. R., & Orem, W. H. (2000). Use of 234U and 238U isotopes to
identify fertilizer-derived uranium in the Florida Everglades. Applied Geochemistry,
15, 369383.
Chapter 27
Vanadium
Paula Madejon
Abstract Vanadium (V) is widely distributed in nature, and has oxidation states of
II, III, IV or V. The content of this element in soil depends upon the parent
material. Combustion of coals and oils represents the major source of V enrichment
of the biosphere. The most important minerals of V are Vanadite and Roscoelite.
Trace concentrations of V have been reported to benefit plant growth, while higher
concentrations are toxic. Pentavalent compounds are the most toxic and the toxicity
of V compounds usually increases as the valence increases.
Keywords Vanadium Air pollution Catalyst Coal Fossil fuel Vanadinite
Phosphate Steel
27.1
Introduction
Vanadium (V) is a lithophilic element, widely distributed in nature with a mean

content in the earths crust of 110 mg kg1 (ranking 20th in abundance ) [38], although
other authors report an average of 150 mg kg1 [60] and some reported an abundance of 98230 mg kg1 [42].
Vanadium compounds in nature have oxidation states of II, III, IV, or V. Its
oxidation state is variable, but under weathering conditions it is mainly V5+. In the
oxidized state, V5+ shows isomorphic relation to other cations such as As5+ and Mo5+
[26] whereas V 3+ has similar ionic radius to Fe3+, and may replace it in Fe minerals.
The V content of a soil depends upon the parent material and the pedogenic
processes associated with its development. Bowen [9] indicated a range of
3500 mg kg1 (mean 90 mg kg1). Mitchell [32] reported V levels of 20250 from
P. Madejon (*)
Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes, 10, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
579
P. Madejon
580
a range of Scottish soils. Studies in Poland indicate a mean value of 18.4 mg kg1,
with higher levels in silt and loamy soils and lower levels in sandy soils [16]. The
reference soils of the USA contain V in the range of 36150 mg kg1 [21]. The median
V content in agricultural soils of Japan is 180 mg kg1 [48]. In China, the geometric
mean value for V is 77 mg kg1 [11]. Medians for background values for German soils
on different parent materials are between 10 and 70 mg kg1 [51].
Vanadium is ubiquitous in the lithosphere and is widely distributed in nature
and the prevalence of V exceeds that of metals as Cu and Pb [36], and equals that of
Zn and Sn [10]. Therefore its potential to enter the food chain is significant.
Combustion of coals and oils represents the major source of V enrichment of
the biosphere. Vanadium is the major trace metal in petroleum products, especially
in the heavier fractions. This is enhanced because many fossil fuels contain V,
particularly coal (at concentrations of between 19 and 126 mg kg1 in ash) and
crude oil (at concentrations of between 3 and 257 mg kg1) [36]. It causes undesirable side effects in the refining process and corrosion in oil-fired power plants.
Consequently, it is the most widely determined metal in petroleum and its derivatives
[1]. Another input of V into the environment is its use in steel production. Vanadium
steel which contains from 0.1% V to 3% V is tough, strong and heat resistant [2].
Another important use of V is a catalyst in a variety of reactions. Vanadium pentoxide put on an inert support material is the principal catalyst used in the oxidation of
SO2 to SO3 in the production of sulphuric acid. The disposal of spent catalysts
could also be a point source for contamination of the biosphere and food with V [2].
Vanadium is considered as the marker element of air pollution emitted from
the combustion of fossil fuels, particularly residual fuel oils, which constitute the
single largest overall release of V to the atmosphere [17, 55]. Because of industrial
activities and anthropogenic emissions, V concentrations in soil have increased
significantly in recent years, and the number of people affected by V pollution has
also increased [33]. According to Hope [25] current V emissions from industrial
activities were estimated to comprise ~30% of total atmospheric loading, ~3%
of total ocean loading, and ~ 6% of total land loading. These loadings were always
considerably less than those resulting from non-anthropogenic sources or events.
However, differences between the pre-industrial and current mass and fluxes
were not sufficiently great to suggest that injection of anthropogenic V constitutes
a significant environmental threat on a global scale.
27.2
Vanadium exists as a sulphide or in the oxidized form. In igneous rocks, V is largely

associated with basic magmas, especially titaniferous magnetites, and may be
present in elevated concentrations. In acidic and silicic igneous rocks, the V content
is much lower [3].
Of the 60 known V minerals, the most important are: vanadinite, Pb5Cl(VO4)3;
roscoelite; KV2(OH)2(AlSi3O10); mottramite, Pb(Cu,Zn)(VO4)(OH); and patronite,
27
Vanadium
581
of variable composition: V2, V2S5. Vanadium can form variable compounds

(V oxysalts) of which (VO4)3 plays a significant role due to adsorptive properties.
These minerals have complex compositions, like e.g., carnolite, K2(UO2)2(VO4)2
3H2O [26].
27.3
The proportion of extractable V in a soil is linked to extractant, soil type and

drainage. Berrow and Mitchell [7] found the extractable V content of a range
of Scottish soils to be 0.0326.0 mg kg1 depending on the degree of drainage
of the soil, and the type of the extractant used. EDTA was a more efficient extractant (removing more) than acetic acid, indicative of an organic bound V fraction.
Gabler et al. [20] quantified V adsorption by German soils. The aqua regiaextractable (or pseudototal) contents were between 1.7 and 143 mg kg1 (median
32 mg kg1). The EDTA-extractable V of these soils was between 0.06 and
9 mg kg1, this is between 0.2% and 35.0% of the aqua regia soluble V.
The distribution of V in younger soils, such as Mollisols, closely follows the
distribution of Fe, and more importantly, secondary Fe oxides [50]. It is not clear
whether V, when in the presence of Fe oxides, is removed from the aqueous phase
as a precipitate, such as Fe(VO3)2, or absorbed onto the surfaces of Fe oxides [40].
Vanadium can be mobilized by soluble soil organic matter under both aerobic
and anaerobic conditions [8]. Martin and Kaplan [30] examined the movement of
V through the soil profile, in a field experiment using dissolved salts, during
30 months. The main results showed that extractable V concentrations decreased
during the first 18 months of treatment. These authors conclude that the presence of
Al and Fe oxides and small amounts of clay minerals and organic matter in this
highly weathered, low cation exchange soil were probably responsible for the V
retention. Cheshire et al. [12] showed an association of V with humic and fulvic
acid fractions of a soil, and compared this with other metals. This percentage of
total metals in a soil extracted by alkali (i.e. humic and fulvic acid fractions)
decreased in the order: Cu > Al > V > Ni Co > Mn > Cr > Fe > Sr > Ba.
These authors also showed an uneven distribution of V between humic and fulvic
acid fractions, more associated with the later.
Poedniok and Buhl [39] studied the speciation of V in two different soils in
Poland. The V content in the individual fractions of both soils depended on the
region (except exchangeable and carbonate fractions) and the total V concentration.
The highest V contents were found in the soil with higher organic matter, above 40%
of the total concentration of V. These authors concluded that the organic fraction
constitutes an important source of the potentially available V and it does not form
compounds with carbonates. The content of V found in the exchangeable fraction
was similar in all studied soils, indicating a constant amount of V accessible for
plants, which does not depend on the total concentration of this element in soil [39].
582
P. Madejon
Yanguo et al. [59], studied the chemical speciation of V in a mining-polluted

soil and found that it followed the order of: acid soluble < reducible ~ oxidisable <
residual. Acid-soluble V accounted for 0.301.85%; reducible vanadium, 3.468.18%;
oxidisable V, 3.368.32%; and residual V, 83.3792.78%, being the dominant fraction. These authors also studied the V adsorption in different types of soils. They found
that the amount of absorption of this element followed the increasing order of: loam
> light loam > silt loam > sandy soil. Pentavalent V was dominant in these soils.
Contents of V in food plants vary widely, from 10 to 700 mg kg1 and do not show a
clear regularity in their distribution among plant species and plant organs[26]. Anke
[2] found the maximum content of V in several winter species, especially in heather
and oak twigs (<3,000 mg kg1). Mosses collected in Norway contained V in a range
of <0.0116 mg kg1, with an average value of 2.8 mg kg1 [6].
The evidence that V is essential for the growth of higher plants is, however, not
yet conclusively demonstrated. Trace concentrations of V have been reported to
benefit plant growth, while higher concentrations are toxic [43]. Positive evidence
has been obtained that if V is essential for lettuce and tomato plants, an adequate
tissue level would be <2 mg kg1 in dry matter [57]. Other biological effects of V
have been observed. Vanadium caused drastic inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis, soluble protein and net photosynthesis of seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L.) [47]
and decreased Ca absorption by sorghum root tips [58].
There is evidence that V deposited from the atmosphere, or from industrial
waste-water appears to be a powerful inhibitor to soil-enzyme activities, even if
it is in only trace amounts. This inhibition eventually reduces the mineralization
processes that release plant nutrients [5]. Pentavalent compounds are the most
toxic and the toxicity of V compounds usually increases as the valency increases
[4, 49, 53]. Vanadate, bearing a structural similarity to phosphate, may be taken
up by phosphate uptake systems and is a known inhibitor of ATPases [28, 41]. In
addition to toxicity, there are a few examples of the physiological role of vanadate
like vanadate-dependent nitrogenase in Azotobacter chroococcum for nitrogen
fixation in absence of molybdate in the environment [15, 45].
Vanadium tends to be accumulated in roots and causes a decrease in the
capacity for phosphate uptake by maize roots [44] and inhibited the growth of
onion roots [23]. Welch [56] studied the uptake of V by excised barley roots from
labelled V solution, and concluded that V is passively absorbed by barley roots.
Welch [57] found that the uptake was a linear function of V concentration and
highly pH-dependent. At pH 4, the uptake of V was highest, but dropped to a very
low level at pH 10. It was relatively constant between the pH levels of 5 and 8. There
was no large inhibition of V uptake by roots by the other anions, such as MoO42,
BO3; Cl, SeO32, CrO32and NO3. Wallace et al. [54] found that bush beans
absorbed V from culture solution by as much as 13, 8, and 88 mg V kg1 (dry weight)
in leaf, stem and root, respectively, and that this resulted in reduced growth, but
not chlorosis.
Studies on V toxicity in whole plants [27] showed that soil type exerts a considerable influence over plant response. These different responses could be attributed
to reduce plant-available V, as a result of interactions with soil constituents.
27
Vanadium
583
Similar results were found by Wang and Liu [55] who studied the effects of V on
the growth of soybean seedlings and they were dependent on the soil type. In a fluvoaquic soil, the concentration of V added in soil was more than 30 mg V kg1 soil, and
the dry matter yields of shoots and roots were significantly decreased. However, no
marked stunting was observed in an Oxisol; even when V added to the soil was
75 mg V kg1. These results are related with the fact that at pH 59 the Oxisol had a
higher adsorption capacity than the fluvo-aquic soil. Furukawa et al. [19] suggested
that the inhibition of water uptake is mainly caused by the V already moved to the
above-ground part of the plant.
27.4
Soil Contamination
Data relating to field episodes of V pollution are not common. Vaccarino et al. [52]
reported instances of leaf and fruit necrosis associated with V-rich ash from an
oil-burning plant. Panichev et al. [37] studied the distribution of V (V) species
between soil and plants around a V mine in South Africa. The concentration of
V (V) species were found in the range 6201,680 mg kg1 in soil and 46 mg kg1
in grass samples. Total amounts of V in soils ranged from 1,5703,600 mg kg1 and
from 813 mg kg1 in grasses. These results indicate that a considerable amount of
V (about 50%) in soils and plants is present as V (V) species.
27.5
Risk Assessment
Vanadium is an essential trace element for living organisms, but it is harmful

to human beings, animals and plants in excessive doses [14, 33]. Its toxicity depends on the physicochemical state of the metal, in particular the valence state and
solubility; where an increase in valence state corresponds with an increase in
toxicity [13]. The United States of Americas Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has not listed V as a pollutant requiring urgent research and legislation,
because there is no evidence that the general population is at risk, either through
deficiency of, or overexposure to vanadium [18]. However, there are few countries, where standards and regulations for environmental pollution in soil with V are
accepted, for example, Russia, where the maximum of 150 mg kg1 is allowed in
agricultural soil [37].
Hindy et al. [24] studied levels of V in air, water, soil and plants resulting
from the operation of a cement factory in south Cairo. Results were compared with
the level of V in a relatively non-polluted residential area. It was concluded that
the cement factory was the main source of the element to the adjacent environment.
Soldi et al. [46] studied the distribution of V in soil and groundwaters to evaluate
the environmental pollution to fossil combustion and oil refinery. The superficial
values of V in soils were 6570 mg kg1 and they found a regular V decrease
584
P. Madejon
with depth. These studies concluded with there was no significant contribution
from the fallout emitted by the refinery. Mandiwana and Panichev [29] have studied
that the presence of atmospheric CO2 and ammonia (NH3) enhances the leaching
of V from soil thereby making it bioavailable to both plants and animals.
A case of acute cattle poisoning which had happened around a V mine in
South Africa some time ago [31] could be connected with ingestion of V from the
surface of grass, although as the amount of V (V) in grass itself (about 11 mg kg1)
was not enough to poison the cattle in 48 h.
Nadal et al. [34] studied the levels of V found in soil and vegetation samples
collected near a chemical/petrochemical industrial zone of an area in Catalonia,
Spain. Vanadium was the only element showing a similar tendency in soil and
plants, increases of 54.4% and 100% in soils and herbage (19982003). Nadal et al.
[35] in another study in the same area found that concentration of V in the petrochemical area was notably higher (34 mg kg1) than those observed in other areas
under study (15.4 mg kg1). As for soils, higher levels of V were found in vegetation of the industrial areas, being statistically significant near the oil refinery
(0.75 mg kg1) with respect to the blank site levels.
Gummow et al. [22] studied the effect of cattle exposed to V. The mean exposure
was 0.552.33 mg V /kg body weight/day. These authors also studied V concentration in the milk of cattle over 5 years (mean was 0.23 mg V kg1) and concluded
from current knowledge of toxicity in humans that the tissue and milk residues from
cattle should pose no health risk to the consumer.
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Glossary of Specialized Terms
Absorption Movement of metal ions and complexes into voids in soil solid phases
and into plant roots
Actinomycetes Rod-shaped or filamentous bacteria of the order Actinomycetales,
which are found in soil and are often pathogenic
Adipogenesis Development of fat cells
Adsorption Retention of ions on solid surfaces in the soil by a combination of
mechanisms of ion exchange, specific adsorption, precipitation and organic
complexation (also referred to as sorption). Desorption is the release of ions
from the various retention mechanisms
Aeolian deposits Particles of fine sand transported by the wind and deposited at
distance from the source (also called loess)
Agroforestry An integrated approach of using the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock
Alkali disease Selenium poisoning disease in grazing livestock following ingestion of selenium accumulator plants
Allophane An amorphous clay mineral formed by weathering of volcanic glass
Aluminol group Al-OH on mineral surfaces
Ambient background Natural background concentration plus diffuse anthropogenic inputs
Andesite Volcanic rock with intermediate SiO2 concentration and containing
abundant plagioclase feldspar
Anti-ischemic protection Protection against permanent tissue damage caused by
ischaemia, especially inside the grey zone surrounding more severely affected
areas, e.g., during brain stroke or myocardial infarction
Anti-knocking agents Octane boosting compounds (e.g., tetraethyl and
tetramethyl Pb) in petrol which prevent pre-ignition which causes damaging
engine knocking or pinking
Antinutrients Compounds which reduce the bioavailability of nutrients (e.g.
phytates) in animals/humans
and their Bioavailability, Environmental Pollution 22, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7,
589
590
Aqua regia Mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids used for the
digestion of soil samples to provide pseudo-total concentrations of elements
(c.f. true total analysis with HNO3, HClO4 and HF acids Chap. 4)
Arable land Land which is cultivated for crops
Archaea One of the three domains in which all cellular life forms can be grouped,
the other being bacteria and eukaryotes. Similar to bacteria in having no nucleus,
but biochemically different from them with different ribosomal RNA and different lipids in their plasma membrane
Arrhythmia Pathological changes in the electric activity of the heart causing
abnormal disturbance of the heart rhythm
Articular cartilage Cartilage found in joints, which helps to reduce friction
Atherogenic Causing atheroma, i.e. cholesterol deposition in vascular walls
b-2-Microglobulin Is a protein which shows an increase in concentration in the
blood when there is an increase in either the production or destruction of white
blood cells increases. This increase is seen in people with cancers involving
white blood cells
Basalt A common extrusive volcanic rock, dark in colour, which contains a high
proportion of ferromagnesian minerals, such as olivine and augite which tend to
weather relatively rapidly and release a wide range of trace elements as well as
Fe and Mg
Bi-nuclear Bonded through two separate ligand sites
Bioaccessibility The potential for a substance to be absorbed by an organism
Biofortification Enhancing the concentration of a nutrient element in crops to
increase their nutritional value
Biosolids Solid and semi-solid material in the residue from wastewater treatment,
also called sewage sludge
Biselenite HSeO3
Blind staggers A selenium poisoning disease in grazing livestock following
ingestion of selenium accumulator plants
Brownfield sites Abandoned industrial or commercially used land which is vacant
for redevelopment (which can be hindered by the presence of potentially hazardous materials)
Boulder clay An unstratified mixture of sand, clay, gravel and boulders deposited
by a glacier (also called till)
C3 plants Plants with a basic photosynthesis mechanism which fixes CO2 in only
one stage e.g., wheat, rice, and soya beans
C4 plants Plants which fix CO2 in two stages and increase its concentrations in
their leaves above ambient concentrations, e.g., maize, sugar cane and sorghum
Calcareous soils Soils containing >30% CaCO3 from either parent material or
precipitation from groundwater
Cardiomyocytes Muscle cells in the heart
Case control studies A type of epidemiological study design in which people with
a disease are matched with people who dont have the disease (the controls) for
variables (e.g. age, sex) other than those under investigation
591
Catecholamines Term used in a physiological or pharmacological context as a

common designation only for adrenaline and noradrenaline because of their
similar physiological actions
Chalcophile Term used by Goldschmidt for sulphur-seeking (literally copperseeking) elements
Chalcophile metals Metals such as Pb, Hg, Cd, Ag that form sulphide minerals
Chelate Complex containing two or more separate bonds between a polydentate
ligand and a single central atom
Chlorosis Pale green or yellow areas on plant leaves caused by a failure to produce
chlorophyll
Chondrocytes The only cell type found in cartilage
Codon A sequence of three nucleotides that specifies one particular amino acid to
be inserted into the growing polypeptide chain during translation
Cohort studies A form of longitudinal observational study, where age cohorts
(groups of people with the same age) are followed over an extended period of
time to study how various factors affects their survival or risk of getting
particular diseases
Contamination Used interchangeably with pollution but convention to use
contamination in relation to land and soil (See pollution definition)
Clay loam Soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration
(about 40-40-20% concentration respectively)
Cretaceous The final period of the Mesozoic era when angiosperm (plants)
appeared and ended after 65 Ma with dinosaurs becoming extinct
Critical load (CL) The highest total input rate of a potential pollutant below
which significant harmful effects on defined receptors (e.g. human health,
ecosystem structure and function) will not occur in a long-term perspective
(at steady state), according to current knowledge (Chap. 8)
Cultivar (cv) Cultivated variety of a crop plant
Cut-off grade The metal(loid) content of an ore below which it is not commercially worthwhile mining
Cytotoxic Term used about drugs that can kill tumour cells and therefore are used
for treatment of cancer
Diapir Non-igneous intrusion where a solid, but plastically deformable rock (e.g.
rock salt) because of buoyancy forces rises into and displaces overlying rocks of
higher density
Dimethylselenide Se(CH3)2, volatile compound formed by various types of living
organisms
e-Value Radiolabile metal in soil, i.e., amount of metal in soil that has the same
fate as a soluble metal salt after 24 h equilibration in the soil
Epicontinental sea A shallow sea that extends over an area with continental crust,
e.g. the North Sea
Epidemiological studies Study of health-event patterns in a society helps to
identify risk factors for disease, its prophylaxis and treatment of established
cases
592
Epiphyseal cartilage Cartilage in thin plates forming growth zones in the bones of
children
Eukaryotes Organisms with a cell nucleus
Evaporite Sedimentary rock composed mainly of evaporite minerals (e.g., halite
NaCl) formed either from seawater or saline inland lakes
Felsic Rocks with a high content of silica and feldspar minerals (acid igneous
rocks)
Ferralsols (oxisols) Heavily weathered tropical soils in which primary minerals
have all been weathered and Fe and Al oxides predominate
Ferredoxin Iron-sulphur protein in plants that mediates electron transfer during
photosynthesis; term is also used for similar proteins in animals
Flavoprotein Proteins that contain a nucleotide derivative of riboflavin: the flavin
adenine dinucleotide (FAD) or flavin mononucleotide (FMN)
Fulvic acid (FA) A yellow to yellow-brown humic substance that is soluble in
water under all pH conditions
Galvanising Adding a zinc coating to iron or steel to reduce corrosion (rusting)
Gangue minerals Commercially worthless minerals that accompany valuable ore
minerals, but may become economic to exploit if the prices of metal(loid)
s contained in them rise)
Genotoxicity Damage to DNA, possibly leading to the development of a tumour
Gleying/gleyed soils Imperfectly drained soils that have reducing conditions for
part of the year (variable valency elements such as Fe and Mn are in lower
valency state, e.g., Fe2+ and Mn2+)
Global anoxia Lack of oxygen in the entire organism
Gossan Rust-coloured Fe and Mn hydroxide minerals found capping some ore
deposits, formed from the weathering of sulphide minerals. Can be useful
indicators of the presence of an ore body in mineral prospecting
Granite The most abundant type of deep-seated igneous rock in the Earths
continental crust. SiO2-rich; contains plagioclase feldspar, potash feldspar and
quartz plus small quantities of dark minerals e.g., biotite
Guano Sea bird excreta
Gypsum Mineral with composition CaSO42H2O, moderately soluble
Half life (T1/2) The half life of an isotope is the length of time it takes for one
half of the atoms to disintegrate and is characteristic of each radioactive isotope
(e.g., 238U half life is 4.51 109 year)
HIV proviral gene DNA copy of the HIV viral genome (composed of RNA) that
has been inserted into one of the chromosomes of a virally infected cell
Humic substances Major organic constituents of soil (humic and fulvic acids)
formed by bacterial degradation of plant tissues, especially lignin
Hydroperoxides Organic compounds with formula ROOH
Hypoxia A condition in which the body as a whole (generalized hypoxia) or a part
of it (tissue hypoxia) is deprived of adequate oxygen supply
Igneous rock Rocks formed from the cooling and crystallization of magma
(molten rock)
593
Immunosuppression Inhibition of immunological functions

Inner-sphere Metal-ligand linkage with no intervening water molecules
Ischemia Severe restriction in blood supply resulting in oxygen deficiency in
affected downstream tissue area. Will often lead to cell death by necrosis
Ischemic heart disease Disease characterized by severely reduced blood supply to
the heart muscle, leading to lack of oxygen-called angina pectoris (if reversible)
and myocardial infarction and causes permanent tissue damage
Isomorphous substitution Replacement of an ion in a crystal without altering the
structure, depends on ionic radius and charge
Itai-itai disease Bone deformations in humans due to cadmium-induced
decalcification
Kashin-Beck disease Disease partly caused by selenium deficiency that affects
children, causes degeneration of articular and epiphyseal cartilage and leads to
severe and crippling growth disturbances
Keshan disease A congestive cardiomyopathy caused by dietary deficiency of
selenium, named after Keshan County of Heilongjiang province, China, where
symptoms were first noted. Affects mainly children and women of child-bearing
age
Labile Chemically reactive ions or complexes
Laterite Subsoil layer rich in Fe and Al oxides and kaolinite formed under
extreme tropical weathering conditions causing desilication of parent material.
Occur at the surface when the overlying soil has been eroded
Lipophilic Having an affinity for lipids (fats)
Lithophile elements Associated with silicon (cf. siderophile associated with
iron; chalcophile associated with sulphur) (Goldschmidt classification)
Mafic Rocks with a high content of ferromagnesian minerals (basic igneous rocks
rich in Fe and Mg)
Marine transgression Rise of sea level relative to the continents, resulting in
partial flooding of the latter and expansion of shallow epicontinental seas, like
the North Sea today
Meta-analysis A study (often a statistical one) that compares and combines the
results of several earlier studies that address a set of related research hypotheses
Michaelis constant Parameter describing the affinity of an enzyme to the substrate, i.e. substrate concentration at which uptake rate is half of the value at
saturation
Mono-dentate Bonded through one linkage to a single ligand group
Mono-nuclear Bonded to a single ligand site
Mycorrhizae Fungi which colonize the outer layers of plant roots and whose
external mycelium increases the effective absorptive volume of the roots.
A symbiotic relationship between fungus and plant
Mycotoxin Toxic substance found in fungi
Natrixeralf Sodium-rich soil type found in areas with semiarid or arid climate
Organometallic Organic compounds containing metal ions
594
Ombrotrophic bogs Areas of wetland dominated by Sphagnum mosses that

derive all their water and nutrients from rainfall (cf. minerotrophic bogs which
derive their water and nutrients from springs and drainage water)
Osteoarthropathy Disease affecting joint and bone tissue
Outer-sphere Metal-ligand linkage with intervening water molecules
Oxidative stress Imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species
and a biological systems ability to scavenge them; leads to various forms of
chemical injury i.e., on DNA molecules and can strongly affect biochemical and
physiological regulatory processes
Peroxynitrite The anion ONOO . Is an unstable structural isomer of nitrate,
NO3
Phosphorites Sedimentary phosphate rock
Phyllosilicates Alumina-silcate clay minerals with sheet-like structures
Phytate Phosphorus-containing compound (inositol hexaphosphate) found in
cereal grains which can bind Zn etc. and reduce its bioavailability
Phytoremediation The treatment of environmental problems (bioremediation)
through the use of plants that mitigate the environmental problem enough to
make it unnecessary to excavate the contaminant material and dispose of it
elsewhere
Phytotoxicity When plants suffer from a toxic dose of a substance
Placer deposits Natural concentrations of heavy minerals deposited by gravity in
stream and river sediments
Pollution The introduction by man into the environment of substances or energy
liable to cause hazards to human health, harm to living resources and damage to
structures. Used interchangeably with contamination but convention is to use
the term contamination in relation to land or soil
Polyphenol Plant water soluble compounds containing several phenol groups
which are powerful antioxidants in animals/humans (e.g., in tea, soy beans,
olive oil etc.)
Prebiotic Non-digestible food ingredients used as food by intestinal bacteria
Primary minerals Minerals which crystallized from magma and formed igneous
rocks
Pyrometallurgical Metal production by processes involving heating to high
temperature
Pyrophoric A material which may ignite spontaneously in contact with air or emit
sparks when struck (e.g., depleted uranium DU)
Randomized trial Experimental clinical study where participants are assigned
randomly to the study group (receiving the active drug or other therapy to be
tested) or a control group (not receiving the active drug)
Redox Reduction-oxidation reactions (chemical reactions in which certain atoms
have their oxidation number changed)
Regolith Deposit of physically and chemically-weathered rock, differing from soil
in being formed abiotically and not containing any organic matter
Reperfusion Return of blood supply after a period of ischemia
595
Rhizosphere Thin layer (approximately 2 mm thick) around plant roots which is a

zone of intense microbial activity due to root secretions
Rhizobia N-fixing symbiotic bacteria found in nodules on the roots of leguminous
plants (also referred to as biological N fixation) (fast growing Rhizobium species
and slow growing Bradyrhizobium species)
Ruminants Animals with a four-compartment stomach which enables them to
chew the cud, which is the regurgitation of partially chewed herbage from the
rumen for more thorough chewing when not grazing. It includes: cattle, sheep,
antelopes, deer, giraffes and related species
Secondary minerals Minerals formed from the products of weathering of primary
minerals and precipitates (clay minerals, hydrous oxides of Fe, Mn and Al and
carbonates)
Selenate The anion SeO42 or salts containing this anion
Selenide The anion Se2 or salts containing this anion
Seleniferous Term used about selenium-rich soils allowing growth of toxic selenium accumulator plants
Selenite The anion SeO32 or salts containing this anion
Selenol group SeH group. Has lower pKa value than the thiol group ( SH) and is
therefore dissociated at physiological pH
Selenoprotein P The most abundant selenoprotein in blood plasma, accounting
for about 50% of plasma selenium. Contains up to 10 Se atoms per molecule
Selenoproteins Any protein that includes a selenocysteyl (Se-Cys) group
Selenocysteine is normally incorporated during translation and uses the codon
TGA in the DNA molecule
Se oxyanions Anions that contain selenium and oxygen atoms
Sesquioxides Hydrous oxides of Fe (e.g., Fe2O3.nH2O), Mn and Al in soils which
are have important adsorptive properties and are abundant in tropical soils
Sewage sludge The residual, semi-solid material left from sewage treatment
processes (also called biosolids)
Shale Fine-grained non-carbonaceous sedimentary rock with clay minerals or
other clay-size mineral grains as the major component
Siderophile Metallic iron-seeking elements (e.g. platinum metals) (Goldschmidt
classification)
Silanol group Si-OH on mineral surfaces
Stoichiometry The relationship between the relative quantities of substances
taking part in a reaction or forming a compound
Supergene zone Zone of concentration of metals resulting from the deposition of
metals released by weathering (oxidation) of overlying sulphide ore minerals
Tert-uni ping pong The rate of consumption of one substrate is proportional to the
first kinetics power of the enzyme concentration and the second power of the
concentration of the other substrate
Thiocyanate The anion SCN
Thioredoxin reductase Se-dependent enzyme that reduces oxidized thioredoxin
and several other substrates
596
Tricarboxylic acid cycle Also known as the citric acid or Krebs cycle, is a cyclic
series of enzyme-catalysed reactions taking place in the mitochondria. It is
required for energy release from carbohydrate through ATP in aerobic
respiration
Villous atrophy Atrophic degeneration of intestinal mucosa where the intestinal
villi are lost
Vitamin B12 Vitamin (also called cobalamin) containing cobalt which can only be
synthesized by microorganisms, such as in the gut of ruminants. Vitamin B12 has
many important functions, including red blood cell formation and in the nervous
system
Waterlogging Saturation of the soil with water, leading to development of reducing conditions (see gleying)
Xylem One of the two types of transport tissue in plants. Forms tubes that contain
water at lower than atmospheric pressure, often negative, and must therefore
have strong, stiff walls in order not to collapse. These walls are formed by
composite materials containing cellulose to provide tensile strength and lignin to
provide stiffness and hardness
Zeolites Tecto-silicates with a cage and channel morphology
Index
A
Absorption through roots, 165, 200, 582
Abundance in Earths crust. See Abundance in
Earths crust; Geochemical
occurrence (lithogenic sources)
Acceptable daily intake (ADI), 215, 219, 221
Accumulator plants, 441443, 455, 520
Acid rain, 433, 533
Acid soils, 32, 6970, 72, 206, 232, 292, 305,
327, 418, 419, 510, 529, 530, 532,
545, 570
Actinide series of isotopes, 566
Actinomycetes, 436, 531
Adaptation, 145148, 165, 168, 324, 382
ADI. See Acceptable daily intake (ADI)
Adsorption mechanisms, 77
Adsorption of metal(loid)s, 80, 81, 8387
Aerosol particles, 15, 36, 570
Africa, 368, 413, 421, 437, 440, 442, 447,
449, 453, 497, 516, 532, 568, 583,
584
Ag. See Silver (Ag)
Ageingprocesses, 350, 376378, 387
Agricultural chemicals (agrichemicals), 15,
3435, 40
Agriculture, 8, 29, 43, 69, 111, 212, 223, 386,
413, 417, 467
Air pollution, 20, 37, 40, 263, 397, 398, 501,
580
Alkaline soils, 72, 163, 270, 378, 398, 418,
529
Alkyl compounds
lead, 397, 400
mercury, 414
other metal(loid)s, 396, 414, 556
selenium, 431, 436, 443
tin, 556
Alloys, 314, 466, 468, 498, 501, 516, 517, 521,

528, 536, 537, 544, 551, 552, 559,
560, 562, 563
Alluvial soils (fluvisols), 8, 19, 24, 28, 29, 317
Amazon river and basin, 44
Amelioration of contaminated soils, 167
Amino acids, 142, 171, 198, 203, 431, 440,
442, 444, 446449, 452, 453, 518,
532, 540
Analytical uncertainty, 99, 229
Anion exchange, 420, 569
Anions, 16, 60, 68, 74, 88, 261, 269, 271, 337,
435, 437439, 533, 539, 553, 563,
582, 595
Antagonisms, 530, 533
Antarctica, 110, 397
Anthropogenic sources of heavy metal(loid)s,
3, 2445
Antifouling paints, 8, 552, 556
Antimony (Sb)
adsorption, 499
availability, 499501
chemistry, 499501
geochemical occurrence, 498499
plant uptake, 500
speciation, 499
toxicity, 498, 499, 501
uses, 498
Aqua regia digestions, 31, 110
Aquatic ecosystem, 214, 215, 552, 554, 574
Aquatic organisms, 5, 52, 212, 539
Arable soils, 20, 33, 68, 69, 74, 81, 86, 100,
435, 544, 547, 571
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus
aggregatum), 165
Archaeology-archaeological investigations,
412
and their Bioavailability, Environmental Pollution 22, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7,
597
598
Argillaceous sediments, 317, 508, 552
Arid zone/soils, 444, 449
AROMIS (EU project), 27, 29, 30, 34
Arsenic (As)
adsorption, 225, 256261, 266
availability, 253, 256, 261, 265, 271
chemistry, 252265
contamination, 271
methylation, 262, 265, 267269
minerals, 252, 253
speciation, 252265
toxicity
to animals, 205, 270
to plants, 200, 270
Arsenite ions, 265
Arsenous acid, 241, 268, 270
As. See Arsenic (As)
As:Fe ratio, 262, 266
Ashescoal/PFA, 251
incinerator, 36
wood, 39
Asia, 28, 385, 413, 421, 450, 466, 468
Atmospheric deposition of heavy metal(loid)s,
26
Atmospheric emissions, 25, 468
Atmospheric pollution, 28, 531
Atmospheric transport, 397, 400, 433, 451
Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), 117,
120, 123, 370
Attenuation, 349, 350, 356, 358, 378
Au. See Gold (Au)
Australia, 18, 30, 33, 203, 245, 246, 251, 287,
289, 297, 349, 353, 354, 385, 386,
412, 413, 422, 439, 466, 498, 516,
518, 532, 533, 556, 562, 568
Austria, 83, 252, 262, 263, 421, 544
Autotrophic bacteria, 499
Auxins, 166, 167
Availability, 12, 32, 51, 52, 69, 71, 72, 80, 98,
103, 104, 111, 125, 142, 167, 197,
200, 206, 216, 217, 220, 253, 261,
271, 285, 295, 306, 323, 336, 342,
348356, 375, 377, 387, 414, 418,
423, 432, 437, 439, 474, 479, 486,
499501, 508510, 518520,
529531, 537538, 545546,
553554, 561, 568570, 581583
B
Ba. See Barium (Ba)
Bacteria, 26, 142, 143, 146148, 150, 165167,
169170, 198, 203, 315, 320, 321,
Index
341, 431, 436, 498, 518, 530532,
539, 540, 555
Bactericidal properties, 552
Baltic, 13, 14, 529
Bangladesh, 28, 73, 250, 251
Barium (Ba)
adsorption, 509
chemistry, 508510
contamination, 510511
plant uptake, 509
speciation, 510, 511
toxicity, 508510
uses, 508
Basalts, 17, 336, 369, 432, 467
Belgium, 44, 86
Berlin (Germany), 36, 39, 556
Bioaccessibility, 22, 72, 111113, 127, 557
Bioavailability, 16, 55, 66, 69, 70, 87,
111113, 124, 127, 142, 144, 151,
162, 163, 216, 217, 219, 265, 284,
285, 294, 297, 299300, 307, 308,
325, 351, 357, 368, 375, 377, 379,
381, 383, 385388, 399, 401, 402,
431442, 450, 454, 466, 473, 479,
480, 485489, 499, 537, 538, 569
Biocides/biocidal chemicals, 346, 370, 552,
554, 556
Biofortification, 8, 441, 442, 453, 481482
Biofuel, 308, 441
Biogenic Mn oxides, 339, 341, 346, 350, 358
Biogeochemical prospecting, 572
Biomethylation, 75, 267
Biosolids. See Sewage sludge
Biotic ligand model (BLM), 7, 216, 383
Biotite, 50, 58, 316, 321, 338, 467
Bismuth (Bi), 25, 41, 44, 122, 242, 517, 537,
560
Bituminous/black shales, 18, 529
Black shales, 1719, 21, 369, 396, 467, 529,
567
Blood, 40, 113, 203, 205, 307, 402, 440, 443,
444, 446, 448, 449
Blood plasma, 444, 446, 449
Bombing (aerial bombardment in wartime), 36,
37, 39
Bordeaux mixture (fungicide), 34, 373
Boreal forest soils, 397, 398
Brakes (motor vehicles), 24, 41, 66, 269, 373,
498, 501
Brazil, 18, 34, 57, 510, 532
British Columbia (Canada), 528, 570
Index
British Geological Survey (BGS), 37, 38
British Geological Surveys Baseline Survey of
the Environment (G-Base), 3739
Bronze, 5, 314, 315, 368, 551, 552
Brownfield sites, 8, 68, 69
Bullets, 44, 401, 402, 501, 560
C
Cacodylic acid (CA), 251, 254, 267, 268
Cadmium (Cd)
adsorption, 294, 296
availability, 284, 285, 294, 295, 297
chemistry, 294, 303
contamination, 24
plant uptake, 284, 288
poisoning, 305, 443
speciation, 293, 295, 300
toxicity
to animals/humans, 206
to plants, 200
Calcareous soils (calcisols), 34, 68, 76, 77, 108,
200, 253, 254, 257, 258, 261, 262,
265, 291, 349, 479, 481, 532
Calcite calcium carbonate, 55, 444
Calcium (Ca), 16, 32, 6466, 70, 107, 126, 164,
253254, 261, 385, 444
California (USA), 13, 14, 19, 21, 265, 267, 316,
441, 443, 445
Cambisols, 20, 317
Canada, 18, 42, 113, 213, 245, 251, 355, 369,
421, 422, 439, 440, 466, 487, 516,
517, 528, 529, 555, 556, 560, 568,
570, 574
Cancer, 203, 205, 315, 327, 430, 444, 446, 448,
453, 454, 532
Carbon dioxide (CO2), 67, 6972, 74, 149, 173,
198, 223, 314, 322, 431, 435, 584
Carboxylic groups, 255, 258, 293, 569
Carcinogenic effects, 74, 414
Cardiovascular disease, 203, 430, 448449,
453, 454
Cartilage, 451, 452
Cassiterite, 23, 553
Catalysts, 42, 314, 341, 498, 528, 536, 552,
560, 580
Cation bridging, 255, 258, 264
Cation exchange, 75, 79, 163, 384, 568, 569, 581
Cation exchange capacity (CEC), 62, 384, 385,
488, 508, 553, 554, 570
Cations, 38, 64, 68, 76, 163, 165, 174, 255, 260,
284, 290, 293, 301, 396, 418, 481,
518, 546, 568, 569
599
Cattle, 24, 29, 30, 35, 203, 212, 214, 215, 251,
354, 370, 373, 468, 530, 533, 571,
584
Cd. See Cadmium (Cd)
CEC. See Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
Ceramics, 42, 498, 508
Cereals (and cereal products), 34, 198200,
284, 286, 299, 417, 423, 439,
441443, 454, 480, 481, 570
Certified reference materials (CRM), 99, 108,
110, 125, 126, 285
Chalcophile elements, 498
Chemical works/industry, 42
Chile, 368, 369, 531, 536
China, 7, 18, 19, 2630, 35, 40, 42, 43, 82, 245,
259, 284, 287, 325, 368, 369, 371,
412, 413, 443, 448451, 466, 467,
497, 516, 528, 532, 536, 544, 547,
552, 553, 560, 567, 580
Chlor-alkali works (Hg contamination), 412,
413, 423
Chlorides, 69, 70, 75, 109, 110, 118, 123, 261,
263, 299, 414, 419, 438, 519, 536,
544, 555
Chlorite (mineral), 62, 318, 509
Chlorophyll, 173, 198, 199, 320, 531, 582
Chloroplasts, 173, 174, 198, 531, 540
Chlorosis, 171, 173, 199, 200, 322, 323, 379,
540, 545
Chromite, 107, 317, 318
Chromium (Cr)
availability, 323, 325, 327
chemistry, 314
deficiency, 199, 319, 322
essential functions, 203
plant uptake, 316, 317, 319, 321323
speciation, 326
toxicity
to animals, 205
to plants, 198
uses, 315
Cinnabar (HgS), 23, 414
Citric acid (phytoremediation treatment),
441442, 553, 569, 572
CL. See Critical loads (CL)
Clay minerals/phyllosilicates, 6164, 257,
260, 264, 293, 321, 371, 374, 398,
435, 438, 508, 538, 553, 568, 569,
581
Clutch wear (motor vehicles), 24, 41, 468
Co. See Cobalt (Co)
600
Coal, 17, 19, 20, 27, 30, 36, 41, 244, 248, 251,
288, 316, 317, 325, 372, 396, 402,
413, 416, 432, 433, 443, 454, 469,
498, 510, 538, 545, 567, 570, 574,
575, 580
Coal ash, 248, 567
Cobalamin-Vitamin B12, 203, 205
Cobalt (Co)
attenuation, 353, 356
deficiency, 353355
essential functions, 198, 202
exchangeable, 338, 339
insoluble/soluble, 337340
nitrogen fixation, 198
nodules, 196, 198, 347, 358
non-exchangeable, 339
oxidation, 336, 339343, 345, 346
remediation, 353, 356
speciation, 351
Collembolans, 143, 146, 147
Colloids, 57, 68, 264, 291, 318, 320, 321, 336,
354, 399, 419, 517
Combustion, 11, 20, 27, 36, 37, 115, 116, 118,
243, 244, 288, 289, 317, 372, 413,
416, 432, 433, 454, 469, 501, 544,
567, 574, 580, 583
Composts, 15, 36, 128, 250, 251, 255, 373
Compound fertilisers (NPK), 35, 453
Contaminated soil, 5, 7, 13, 24, 27, 34, 36, 40,
43, 65, 70, 72, 120, 124, 126, 127,
148150, 270, 271, 284, 326, 358,
382, 388, 401, 404, 501503,
510511, 521522, 531, 538539,
546, 561562, 570572, 583,
554555
Contamination, 58, 1113, 15, 20, 24, 25,
2745, 97, 101103, 108, 110, 125,
127, 162, 172, 212214, 271, 284,
316319, 322, 325327, 353356,
374, 388, 397, 401, 402, 468, 477,
484, 501502, 510511, 520521,
531, 533, 546, 554555, 561562,
567, 570572, 574, 580
Copper (Cu)
adsorption, 374
availability, 375, 377, 385, 386
chemistry, 374376
contamination, 388
deficiency
in animals/humans, 201, 202
in plants, 199
enzymes, 368, 379
Index
essential functions
in animals/humans, 203
in plants, 198
sources, 373374
speciation, 374, 375, 384, 386
toxicity, 368, 380, 381, 383, 384
to animal, 202, 383386
to plants, 200
to soil organisms, 206, 380383
uses, 368, 370, 396
Copper fungicides-Bordeaux mixture, 373
Co-precipitation, 54, 61, 72, 114, 253, 358, 439
Corrosion of metals, 25, 36
Cr. See Chromium (Cr)
Critical concentrations (in plants)
deficiency (lower critical concentration)
chromium, 199, 200
copper, 197, 199
iron, 199
manganese, 199
molybdenum, 199
nickel, 199
zinc, 199
toxicity (upper critical concentration)
antimony, 200
arsenic, 200
barium, 200
cadmium, 200
chromium, 200
copper, 200
gold, 200
lead, 200
manganese, 200
mercury, 200
molybdenum, 200
nickel, 200
selenium, 200
silver, 200
thallium, 200
thorium, 200
tin, 200
tungsten, 200
uranium, 200
vanadium, 200
zinc, 200
Critical loads (CL), 3, 4, 7, 25, 28, 80, 211233
Crude oil, 23, 580
Crustaceans, 212, 414
Cu. See Copper (Cu)
Cut-off grade of ores, 22, 255
Cyanide compounds (Ag, Au etc), 522,
536538
Czech Republic, 245, 252, 271, 520
Index
D
DBT. See Dibutyltin (DBT)
Deficiencies
boron, 7, 202, 203, 206
chromium, 203, 206
cobalt, 203, 206
copper, 7, 199, 203, 206
iron, 199, 203, 206
manganese, 199, 203, 206
molybdenum, 199, 203, 206, 528, 531,
532
nickel, 197, 199, 203, 206
selenium, 8, 203, 206, 450, 451
zinc, 7, 8, 199, 203, 206
Degassing of Hg0, 415
Denitrification, 71, 539
Denmark, 14, 42, 247, 289, 403
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), 174, 204, 431,
442, 446, 447, 449, 452, 556
Depleted uranium (DU), 8, 110, 566, 573574
Derelict industrial sites, 45, 101
Detoxification, 151, 168, 169, 171, 179, 203,
265, 266, 539
DGT. See Diffusive gradients in thin films
(DGT )
Dibutyltin (DBT), 352, 554, 555
Dicotyledonous (dicot) plants, 162, 381, 570
Diethylentriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA),
109, 112, 117, 199, 403, 465, 479,
480, 509
Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT ), 53,
325, 384
DNA. See Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Drinking water, 214, 215, 217, 223, 271, 315,
316, 399, 451, 469, 539, 573575
Dry deposition, 25, 26, 416
DTPA. See Diethylentriaminepentaacetic acid
(DTPA)
DU. See Depleted uranium (DU)
E
Earths crust, 16, 18, 242, 244, 316, 317, 337,
368, 369, 414, 431432, 466, 497,
507, 515, 529, 543, 552, 559, 560,
566, 567, 579
Earthworms, 113, 142150, 212, 218, 385, 502
Ecological soil screening limits (ECSSLs),
304, 306, 486, 487
ECOSAT (model), 84, 476
Ecosystem, 7, 52, 67, 68, 142, 144145, 148,
149, 151, 212216, 225229, 284,
317, 326, 344, 368, 401, 440, 441,
601
501, 511, 520, 552, 554, 556, 561,
562, 566, 573, 574, 591
Ecotoxicology/ecotoxicological effects, 88,
215, 216, 218, 223, 226, 387, 466,
486, 562, 563
ECSSLs. See Ecological soil screening limits
(ECSSLs)
Ectomycorrhizal fungi, 164, 165
EDTA. See Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
(EDTA)
EDXRF. See Energy dispersive X-ray
fluorescence (EDXRF)
EEC sewage sludge directive 86/278/EEC,
306, 487
Effective concentration (EC50), 148, 384, 385,
484
Efficiency of micronutrient utilization,
197199, 203207
Egypt-Egyptians, 19, 412
Electricity generating stations (power stations),
24, 36, 42, 574
Electrolysis, 412, 536
Electron transport, 173, 174, 178
Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry
(ETAAS), 106, 118119, 121, 127,
128
Elemental uptake, 162167
Element availability, 5, 12, 32, 54, 61, 295,
306, 323, 336, 342, 353355, 377,
385, 423, 432, 479, 485, 530
Endocellular bacteria, 165
Endophytic bacteria, 166, 170
Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence
(EDXRF), 104
England (UK), 13, 14, 2527, 29, 34, 37, 39,
43, 45, 57, 226, 231, 232, 371, 373,
397, 401, 466, 468, 469, 501, 502,
571, 574
Environment agency (England and Wales), 26,
150
Enzyme disruption, 142, 440
Enzymes, 166, 172, 173, 176178, 197, 198,
202, 203, 205, 263, 341, 343, 379,
442, 443, 445447, 452, 454, 528,
530, 532, 539, 540, 546
Epidemiological studies, 402, 443, 444, 454,
590, 591
Erosion, 15, 39, 222, 317, 325, 388, 440, 441,
444, 450, 451, 454
Essential trace element, 33, 111, 196, 202, 223,
368, 528, 552, 580
ETAAS. See Electrothermal atomic absorption
spectrometry (ETAAS)
602
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),
109112, 117, 123, 124, 126, 197,
219, 254, 258, 322, 345, 351, 354,
374, 481, 510, 581
Europe, 5, 7, 14, 18, 25, 2730, 44, 113, 125,
213, 284, 287, 289, 304, 305, 368,
369, 379, 385, 386, 397, 412, 413,
416, 421, 440, 444, 448, 449,
466469, 497
European risk assessment, 232, 304, 381, 386,
387, 486
European Union (EU), 7, 31, 245
Exchangeable ions, 55, 62, 63
Excretion, 143, 265, 284, 432, 444, 518, 574
Exudates (from roots), 12, 75, 201, 207, 344
F
FA. See Fulvic acid (FA)
FAAS. See Flame atomic absorption
spectrometry (FAAS)
FAO. See Food and Agriculture Organisation
of the United Nations (FAO)
Farmyard manure (FYM), 29, 30
Fe. See Iron (Fe)
Ferralsols, 58, 62, 205, 592
Ferromagnesian minerals, 16, 336, 337, 467,
590, 593
Fertiliser materials, 15, 30, 3235, 250, 251,
284, 288290, 372, 377, 379, 415,
417, 439, 453, 530
Fertilisers/fertilizers, 32, 33
FIAM. See Free ion activity model (FIAM)
Field experiments, 83, 201, 520, 571, 581
Finland, 25, 26, 201, 245, 246, 401, 440, 448,
453, 567, 574
First Gulf War (1991), 44, 562, 571, 573
First World War (191418), 44
Fish, 212214, 217, 231, 414, 416, 480, 481,
539, 546
Fixation/ageing, 76, 472
Flame atomic absorption spectrometry
(FAAS), 115120, 122, 128
Floodingflood plains, 24, 2829, 74, 265, 266,
326, 398, 593
Florida (USA), 13, 108, 401, 421, 568, 571
Fly ash, 36, 37, 249, 251, 253, 315, 432, 544,
570, 575
Foliar sprays/foliar applications, 348, 350, 370,
424, 481, 532, 555
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the
United Nations (FAO), 32, 286, 299,
479, 480, 532
Index
Food chain, 98, 162, 179, 212, 229, 250, 284,
285, 289, 302, 304308, 369, 466,
479481, 486, 500, 509, 546, 547,
563, 580
Food quality, 212214, 219221
Forage, 440, 454, 510
Forests, 23, 68, 77, 87, 214, 224227, 251, 252,
254, 255, 262, 268, 271, 353, 370,
372, 397399, 403, 414, 416,
419422, 433, 436, 440, 441, 454,
468, 529, 553, 554
Forest soils, 68, 87, 227, 251, 370, 397399,
414, 419, 421, 422, 436, 554
Fossil fuel combustion, 36, 413, 432, 544, 580
Fossil fuels-coal, oil, 413, 580
France, 20, 27, 28, 34, 87, 288, 289, 467, 468,
517, 544
Free ion activity model (FIAM), 7, 216
Free ions, 12, 65, 74, 80, 83, 86, 109, 216, 227,
294, 300, 375, 376, 472
Freundlich equation/adsorption isotherm, 81,
85
Fulvic acid (FA), 5457, 66, 68, 74, 84, 86,
218, 230, 255, 258, 321, 374, 418,
420, 451, 537, 581, 592
Functions of heavy metal(loid)s, 143, 196198,
202206, 216, 217, 227, 230, 388,
449, 509, 540, 566
Fungi, 143, 164, 165, 167169, 321, 341, 342,
436, 521, 554, 555, 570, 593
Fungicides, 34, 35, 40, 146, 368, 373, 381, 415,
417, 552, 554, 555
FYM. See Farmyard manure (FYM)
G
Galena (PbS), 23, 43, 396, 537
Galvanising/galvanised structures, 288, 592
Gangue minerals, 22, 23, 43, 592
Garden soils, 37, 39, 40, 43
G-Base. See British Geological Surveys
Baseline Survey of the Environment
(G-Base)
Genotoxicity, 502, 592
Genotype, 200, 206, 348, 350, 441, 561
Geochemical (surveys, factors), 106
Geochemical occurrence (lithogenic sources)
antimony (Sb), 4, 13, 14, 17, 18, 23, 41,
126, 498499
arsenic (As), 6, 14, 19, 20, 22, 38, 40,
242245
barium (Ba), 1618, 508
cadmium (Cd), 39, 286287
Index
chromium (Cr), 17, 18, 2123, 316319
copper (Cu), 18, 369370
gold (Au), 6, 18, 23, 517518
lead (Pb), 4, 6, 14, 17, 18, 2023, 496
manganese (Mn), 4, 6, 14, 17, 336337
mercury (Hg), 14, 18, 23, 414415
molybdenum (Mo), 4, 6, 14, 1719, 22, 529
nickel (Ni), 4, 6, 14, 1723, 316319
selenium (Se), 4, 6, 14, 18, 19, 23, 430431
silver (Ag), 6, 14, 1618, 21, 23, 537
thallium (Tl), 4, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 544545
thorium, 18, 19, 126, 575
tin (Sn), 4, 6, 14, 16, 23, 552553
tungsten (W), 4, 6, 14, 18, 23, 42, 560
uranium (U), 4, 14, 17, 18, 23, 567568
vanadium (V), 4, 6, 14, 17, 18, 22, 23,
580581
zinc (Zn), 4, 8, 1723, 466467
Geomedical problems, 442
Geophagia (soil ingestion), 113
Germany, 18, 36, 40, 75, 83, 125, 262, 263,
266, 469, 500, 547, 554
Glacial sands and gravels, 18
Gleying (waterlogging), 206, 296, 343, 345,
347, 348, 434, 477479, 529, 592,
596
Glutathione (GSH), 175177, 179, 442, 446,
449
Goethite, 5961, 76, 79, 254258, 260, 261,
266, 321, 325, 438, 519, 538
Gold (Au)
chemistry, 516, 518520
geochemical occurrence, 6, 18, 23,
517518
plant uptake, 518520
production, 413, 520
speciation, 519
toxicity, 518, 520, 521
uses, 515, 516, 520, 521
Goldschmidt, 430, 447, 451, 537, 591, 593, 595
Granite, 17, 247, 316, 336, 337, 369, 431, 432,
467, 529, 545, 546, 567, 573, 592
Grassland soils, 256, 259, 354, 370
Greece, 44, 110
Groundwater, 20, 73, 167, 213, 243, 248, 250,
271, 315, 336, 375, 401, 445, 509,
517, 547, 565, 567, 568, 570, 572,
574575, 583, 590
GSH. See Glutathione (GSH)
Gulf war (1991), 44, 571, 573
Gypsum, 35, 253, 440, 592
603
H
Haber-Weiss reaction, 174, 178
Haematite/hematite, 59, 60, 254, 258, 499,
519
Halide ions, 450, 536
Heavy metals (general), 4, 12, 52, 98, 142, 162,
196, 212, 241, 283, 313, 335, 367,
395, 411, 429, 465, 497, 507, 515,
527, 535, 543, 551, 559, 565, 579
Hg. See Mercury (Hg)
HGAAS. See Hydride generation atomic
absorption spectrometry (HGAAS)
Hg-poisoning, 414
Hidden (subclinical, latent) deficiencies, 200,
201, 204, 532
High yielding varieties (of crops), 6, 197
Histosols (organic soils), 206, 318, 371
Home-grown vegetables, 573
Homeostasis, 168, 171, 178
Human health problems and metal(loid)s, 36,
19, 197, 315, 325, 412, 414, 440,
442444, 455, 479
Humic acid (HA), 5558, 67, 68, 74, 75, 8488,
255, 258, 260, 261, 264, 293, 418,
472, 499, 500, 513, 538
Humus, 52, 5459, 6570, 72, 77, 80, 8284,
86, 87, 227, 416, 419, 502, 546
Hydride generation atomic absorption
spectrometry (HGAAS), 122124,
127
Hydrothermal mineralization, 18
Hydrous oxides of Fe, Mn and Al, 16, 54, 55,
5759, 68, 72, 318, 338340, 529,
595
Hyperaccumulator plants, 324, 325
I
IAA. See Indole acetic acid (IAA)
ICP-AES inductively coupled plasma atomic
emission spectrometry (multielement analytical method), 7,
119122, 127, 128
ICP-MS. See Inductively coupled plasma mass
spectroscopy (ICP-MS)
Igneous rocks, 16, 18, 244, 247, 285, 316, 336,
369, 431, 432, 451, 467, 508, 529,
537, 543, 552, 567, 580, 592, 593
Illite, 62, 257, 260, 321, 509
INAA. See Instrumental neutron activation
analysis (INAA)
Incineration of municipal waste, 288, 372
Incinerator ash, 40, 416
604
India, 44, 248, 250, 255, 325, 412, 413, 443,
510, 532, 572, 574
Indole acetic acid (IAA), 198, 530
Indonesia, 368, 517, 552
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
(ICP-MS), 7, 102, 119, 121122,
124, 128, 566
Industrial contaminated land, 4143
Industrial sites, 3638, 41, 42, 45, 98, 101, 127,
271, 326
Industrial wastes, 30, 251
Inner-sphere complexes/outer-sphere
complexes, 63, 255, 258, 261, 337,
339, 399, 438, 470
Instrumental neutron activation analysis
(INAA), 103, 128
Interference effects (analytical), 117, 119
Invertebrates, 142, 214216, 218, 227,
304306, 368, 369, 377, 380384,
386388, 484, 486, 487, 511
Iodine (I), 5, 196
Ion exchange, 230, 233, 255, 420, 569, 589
Ionic strength, 55, 75, 83, 84, 258, 260, 261,
375, 377, 438, 473, 483, 568, 569
Iran, 81, 110
Ireland, 14, 19, 21, 353, 444, 529
Iridium (Ir), 42, 566
Iron (Fe)
oxide minerals
goethite, 59, 60, 260
lepidocrocite, 59
magnetite, 318, 321
oxides, 22, 5760, 66, 67, 73, 74, 87, 88,
206, 231, 253, 255, 256, 260, 293,
321, 325, 357, 374, 398, 399, 438,
477, 499, 519, 529, 530, 537, 538,
568, 574, 581
oxy/hydroxides, 253
Irrigation, 197, 242, 248, 250, 263, 271, 373,
434, 443445, 482
Isomorphous substitution, 53, 62, 64, 65, 543, 593
Isopods, 142, 143, 145, 146, 148
Isotopes, 103, 121, 122, 262, 294, 314, 315,
321, 325, 397, 400, 403, 474, 544,
545, 566, 569, 572, 573, 592
Isotopic dilution, 53, 378
Itai-itai disease, 285, 286, 593
Italy, 37, 170, 245, 259, 316, 412, 423
J
Jamaica, 21, 287
Japan, 28, 42, 245, 248, 256, 262, 263, 266, 284,
286, 298, 413, 414, 432, 567, 580
Index
Jinzu valley (Japan), 284
Jurassic (geological period), 19, 20, 22, 545
K
K. See Potassium (K)
Kaolinite, 62, 253, 257, 258, 260, 261, 321,
420, 509, 523
Kaschin-Beck disease, 449453
Kazakhstan, 423, 560, 568
Kd, 68, 80, 81, 256, 259, 293, 295297, 300,
375377, 470473, 476, 477, 485,
486, 500
Keshan disease, 203, 449454, 593
L
Labile fraction, 325, 377, 378, 474, 475, 545
LA-ICP-MS. See Laser ablation inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry
(LA-ICP-MS)
Lakes, 110, 126, 415, 419, 420, 517, 592
Landfills, 561, 562
Langmuir adsorption isotherm, 81
Lanthanum (La), 126, 326, 358
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma
mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS),
105106, 128
Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy
(LIBS), 104105, 128
Leaching, 13, 15, 59, 106, 167, 216, 222, 232,
233, 251, 262, 271, 290, 291, 315,
317, 321, 327, 336, 353, 375, 378,
382, 383, 387, 399402, 419, 437,
440, 445, 450, 467, 469, 473, 484,
509, 520, 521, 556, 584
Lead (Pb)
adsorption, 398
arsenate (insecticide), 34, 35, 250, 252
atmospheric deposition, 396397
chemistry, 397400
contamination of soils, 400403
mining, 400401
plant uptake, 196, 202, 402
shot, bullets, 560
sources, 397, 400402
toxicity
to animals/humans, 196, 200, 202, 205,
397
to plants, 402403, 410
uses, 395397, 399, 402, 403
Leaded petrol, 397
Index
Leguminous plants, 595
LIBS. See Laser induced breakdown
spectroscopy (LIBS)
Ligands, 7, 52, 54, 56, 64, 74, 75, 109, 171,
216, 256, 269, 293, 295, 319322,
337, 374, 383, 384, 415, 420, 437,
472, 483, 498, 519, 528, 560, 568,
590, 591, 593
Limestone, 17, 20, 21, 33, 68, 244, 247, 337,
353, 369, 467, 529, 545, 567
Liming, 33, 6970, 197, 299, 308, 342, 348,
356, 388, 401, 488, 500, 530, 532,
533, 569
Limit of detection (LOD), 42, 99, 105, 114, 121
Lithogenic (geochemical) occurrence, 15,
498499, 508, 517518, 529, 537,
544545, 552553, 560561,
567568, 580581
Lithophile elements, 544, 560, 593
Litter, 29, 147, 248, 251, 254, 255, 344, 388,
420, 432, 529
Livestock grazing, cattle, sheep, 19, 202, 203,
206, 590
Livestock manures, 2930, 45, 373, 468
LOAEL. See Lowest observed adverse effect
level (LOAEL)
LOD. See Limit of detection (LOD)
London (UK), 37, 39
Long-range (atmospheric) transport, 397, 400,
433
Lowest observed adverse effect level
(LOAEL), 307
Lysimeters, 399, 419, 420
M
Macronutrients, 12, 16, 32, 33, 162, 196, 197
Magmas, 16, 567, 580, 592, 594
Magnesium (Mg), 16, 32, 118
Magnetite, 316, 318, 321, 336, 338, 477, 580
Malnutrition (in humans), 197
Manganese (Mn)
auto-oxidation, 340341
availability, 342, 348352
deficiency, 201203, 336, 348, 350,
352353
essential functions
in animals, 196
in plants, 198
exchangeable/non-exchangeable, 338
fertiliser forms, 349
insoluble/soluble, 338340, 343
minerals, 320, 517
605
nodules, 337, 347, 352
oxidation, 339343, 345, 346, 349, 356
oxides, 5861, 66, 67, 72, 74, 77, 82, 83,
110, 256, 321, 326, 335, 336,
338352, 354358, 374, 537, 538,
545, 569
reduction, 339, 344, 345, 349, 398
speciation, 351
toxicity, 348, 349, 351, 352, 530
Manganese oxides (MnO2), 5861, 66, 67, 72,
74, 77, 82, 83, 110, 256, 321, 326,
335, 336, 338352, 354358, 374,
537, 538, 545, 569
Manures, 15, 24, 27, 29, 30, 33, 45, 74, 103,
149, 213, 232, 251, 254, 267, 290,
370, 372, 373, 385386, 415, 417,
467469, 571
Maximum permissible/allowable
concentrations (mpcs), 15, 30, 43
Mercury (Hg)
chemistry, 424
pollution, 412, 416, 417, 424
speciation, 418
toxicity
to plants, 414, 416, 418, 423, 424
uses, 412
Metal plating, 287, 325, 538, 552, 571
Metalliferous mines/mining, 8, 23, 28, 39,
4344
Metalloids-mines/mining, 29, 120, 284
Metallothioneins, 142144, 151, 171
Metallurgical industries/uses, 325
Metallurgical slags, 37
Metal processing, 28, 113, 251, 270, 317, 520,
531
Metal tolerance, 145, 148, 168
Metal tolerant ecotypes, 169, 324
Methylation
antimony, 242
arsenic, 75, 205, 262, 265, 267269
general, 206, 271
mercury, 420421
selenium, 431442
tin, 205, 554
Methyl mercury, 415
Mexico, 316, 536, 571
Microbial activity, 345, 349, 351, 418, 432,
539, 569, 595
606
Microbial nitrogen fixation, 166, 196, 582
Microbial oxidation, 339343, 345, 346, 350,
355358
Microbiota, 142, 216, 518
Micronutrient(s)
efficiency mechanisms, 200
fertilisers, 33, 34
Microorganisms, 7, 12, 110, 143, 148, 162,
164, 166170, 179, 198, 212,
214217, 227, 242, 265, 267, 269,
306, 319, 321, 341, 342, 352, 368,
377, 380384, 386, 387, 414, 419,
420, 437, 487, 517, 518, 520, 521,
530, 563, 570, 596
Micropores, 76, 356, 358, 377, 538
Microtox, 150
Minamata (Japan), 28, 42, 245, 248, 256, 262,
263, 266, 284, 286, 298, 413, 414,
432, 567, 580
Mineral deficiencies, 162
Mineralization, 18, 20, 2223, 207, 267, 270,
487, 574, 582
Minerals, 5, 12, 51, 107, 145, 162, 206, 218,
244, 285, 314, 336, 369, 396, 414,
430, 466, 498, 508, 517, 529, 537,
544, 553, 560, 566, 579
Mines, 28, 43, 44, 369, 412, 423, 499, 516, 520,
528, 546, 553, 555, 560, 568, 570
Mine tailings, 8, 72, 252, 265, 403, 520, 570
Mining-polluted/contaminated soils, 5, 36, 65,
70, 72, 120, 124, 126, 148150, 270,
271, 284, 358, 382, 388, 401, 404,
503, 572, 582
Mitochondria, 174, 447, 540, 556, 596
Mn. See Manganese (Mn)
Mo. See Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenosis, 203, 530, 531, 533
Molybdenum (Mo)
chemistry, 529
deficiency, 199, 529533
essential functions
in animals/humans, 203
in plants, 198
toxicity
to animals/humans, 529, 531, 532
to plants, 531
uses, 528, 531
Monocotyledonous (monocot) plants, 162, 570
Montmorillonite, 257, 260, 321, 420, 509
Index
Mortality, 144, 148150, 205, 381, 446448
Mosses, 25, 553, 582, 594
Mugineic acid, 163, 166, 171
Multi-micronutrient deficiencies, 200, 205
Multi-surface models, 295, 296
Muscovite, 257
N
Nanoparticles, 327, 516, 518520, 536, 539,
540, 568, 571
Natural waters, 314, 416, 499
Nematodes, 142, 143, 146, 147, 151, 212
Netherlands (The), 14, 15, 32, 58, 83, 87, 224,
226, 233, 245, 262, 303, 323, 467, 488
New Zealand, 2527, 30, 82, 203, 251, 259,
336, 353, 354, 434, 438, 562, 571
Nickel (Ni)
chemistry, 314
deficiency, 199, 319, 322
plant uptake, 316, 317, 319, 321323
speciation, 326
toxicity
to animals, 205
to plants, 198
uses, 315
Nitrates/NO3, 67, 71, 75, 127, 198, 199, 343,
357, 434, 435, 477, 528, 530, 582,
594
Nitrification, 382, 384, 385, 484
Nitrogen (N), 32, 33, 55, 56, 145, 147, 150,
162, 166, 196, 206, 213, 242, 379,
468, 528, 582
Nitrogen fertilisers, 33, 482
Noble metals, 515, 535, 536
Non-ferrous metal industry, 42, 372
Non-specific adsorption, 59, 86, 117, 438, 472
No observed effect concentrations (NOECs),
148, 215, 218, 304, 486, 487
North Sea, 591, 593
Norway, 23, 25, 254, 263, 397, 403, 417, 421,
422, 433, 444, 448, 501, 510, 582
Nuclear electricity generating stations, 566,
570, 575
O
Oil (hydrocarbon), 17, 18, 23, 24, 27, 201, 207,
244, 288, 289, 316, 317, 325, 372,
508, 528, 529, 572, 580, 583, 584, 594
Index
Olivine, 16, 316, 318, 319, 338, 590
Orchards, 34, 35, 250, 252, 373
Ores/ore minerals
antimony, 23
arsenic, 23
barium, 23
cadmium, 20, 23
chromium, 23
copper, 22, 23
cut-off grades, 22, 591
general, 22, 25
gold, 23
lead, 20, 23, 44
manganese, 23
mercury, 23
molybdenum, 23
nickel, 20, 23
platinum, 23
selenium, 23
silver, 23
thallium, 23
thorium, 23
tin, 23
tungsten, 23
uranium, 23
vanadium, 23
zinc, 20, 23
Organic acids, 59, 65, 75, 111, 112, 166168,
171, 179, 255, 322, 374, 501, 518
Organic complexation of metals/metalloids
antimony, 497499, 501
arsenic, 242, 250252, 254, 255, 264, 270
barium, 508, 509
cadmium, 287, 288, 291, 293, 296, 300, 302
chromium, 315, 316, 318, 319, 324327
copper, 369, 372, 373, 375, 376, 383, 385,
388
general, 13, 41, 78, 80, 82, 98, 108, 110,
117, 150, 165, 168, 200, 206,
223225, 248, 284, 293, 300, 301,
343, 374379, 414, 417, 430, 433,
472, 476, 478, 484, 501, 509, 552,
560, 563, 583
gold, 515521
lead, 396404
manganese, 335, 339, 342, 343, 347, 351,
353, 355358
mercury, 412414, 417, 423
molybdenum, 527529, 531, 533
nickel, 314, 319, 324, 325, 327
selenium, 430, 431, 435, 437, 445
silver, 535539
thallium, 544546
607
thorium, 19, 27, 575
tin, 551555
tungsten, 559, 560, 562, 563
uranium, 566, 568, 569, 575
vanadium, 580, 581, 583
zinc, 466, 469, 472, 473, 475478
Organic matter, 18, 55, 107, 145, 206, 216,
252, 292, 318, 338, 371, 396, 415,
432, 470, 500, 517, 529, 537, 545,
553, 567, 581
Organo-selenium compounds, 435438
Organo-tin compounds (OTCs), 8, 552,
554557
Osmium (Os), 42, 566
Outer-sphere complexes, 62, 261, 337
Oxic (aerobic) soils/conditions, 264, 265, 342,
436, 518, 567
Oxidative stress, 172, 174, 179, 379, 439, 449,
451, 452, 540, 594
Oxisols (ferralsols), 62, 66, 398, 592
Oxyanions
chromium, 318, 528
general, 261, 318, 500
molybdenum, 528, 529
selenium, 438, 592
tungsten, 528
P
Paddy soils (wetland rice growing), 43, 163,
206, 248, 265, 345, 347
Paints, 8, 36, 3942, 66, 102, 126, 315, 396,
402, 412, 413, 498, 508, 552, 556,
560
Parent material, 12, 13, 15, 16, 1821, 52, 63,
68, 110, 252, 317, 318, 353,
369371, 396, 415, 422, 466, 467,
528, 553, 554, 579, 580, 590, 593
Particle sizes, 66, 102, 105, 106
Particulates (in the atmosphere), 40, 45, 53, 54,
66, 88, 243, 291, 302, 315, 371
Partition coefficients (Kd), 376
Pastures, 19, 263, 271, 336, 354, 355, 531533,
571
Pb. See Lead (Pb)
PbS. See Galena (PbS)
Pe, 70, 74, 264, 434, 435, 478
Peat, 5, 120, 214, 225, 226, 244, 252, 254, 255,
263, 264, 267, 323, 377, 379, 397,
400, 416, 418, 419, 421, 422, 467,
469, 501, 561
Pedogenesis, 12, 16, 20
Peridotites, 16, 21
608
Peru, 368, 369, 466, 516, 536
Pesticides, 35, 42
pH, 4, 12, 52, 109, 197, 216, 252, 291, 314,
337, 374, 397, 418, 433, 468, 499,
507, 519, 528, 538, 553, 560, 568,
582
pH effects on availability of
antimony, 500
arsenic, 260
barium, 509
cadmium, 292, 295
chromium, 318321
copper, 384
gold, 519
lead, 397, 398, 401
manganese, 337342
mercury, 418420, 422
molybdenum, 528, 529
nickel, 318321
selenium, 433, 435
silver, 538
thallium, 546
thorium, 575
tin, 553
tungsten, 560, 561, 563
uranium, 568570
vanadium, 582, 583
zinc, 468, 470, 471
Phenols/phenolic groups, 173, 255, 258
Phenotype, 145, 265
Phloem, 173, 301
Phosphate
fertilisers, 251, 288, 317, 372, 439
transporter, 164, 241, 439
Phosphorites, 1921, 33, 244, 247, 287, 440,
529, 568, 571, 594
Phosphorus (P), 16, 32, 162, 242, 270
Photography/photographic processing, 536,
539
Photosynthesis, 173, 174, 198, 322, 379, 439,
531, 582, 590, 592
Phyllosilicates, 6164, 471
Physiological based extraction tests (PBET),
113, 127, 557
Phytate, 171, 480, 594
Phytochelatins, 168, 171, 179, 254
Phytoextraction, 170, 316, 324, 325, 404,
521
Phytohormones, 167
Phytoremediation, 111, 120, 308, 316, 356,
441442, 488, 521, 553, 563, 572,
594
Phytosiderophores, 163, 166, 207
Index
Phytotoxicity, 169, 170, 172, 174, 200, 214,
414, 466, 501, 540, 594 See also
Toxicities
Pica, 36, 119, 402
Pig slurry (manure), 29, 30, 468
Plant-associated bacteria, 165167,
169170
Plant-microbe interactions, 164, 166
Plant uptake of metal(loid)s
antimony, 23, 440, 500
arsenic, 23, 242
barium, 23, 509
cadmium, 23, 284, 288
chromium, 23, 316, 317, 319, 321323
copper, 377
general, 4, 21
gold, 23, 518520
lead, 23, 196, 202, 402
manganese, 23
mercury, 23, 124, 418, 423
molybdenum, 23, 530, 531
nickel, 23, 316, 317, 319, 321323
selenium, 23, 440
silver, 23, 540
thallium, 23, 546
thorium, 23
tin, 23, 551
tungsten, 23, 561, 563
uranium, 23
vanadium, 23, 582, 583
zinc, 23, 473, 474, 482
Plastocyanin, 171, 198, 379
Platinum (Pt)/platinum group metals, 18, 63,
81
Plough layer (topsoil), 232, 308, 421, 571
Podzols, 55, 59, 68, 205, 399, 531
Poland, 18, 42, 469, 520, 567, 580, 581
Pollen, 5, 198, 199, 372, 531
Pollution, 5, 20, 2225, 28, 37, 40, 41, 44, 107,
121, 213, 216, 241, 251, 263, 271,
302, 317, 327, 397402, 412, 416,
417, 424, 448, 501, 531, 562, 580,
583, 591, 594
Polonium-210 (210Po), 572
Potassium (K), 16, 32, 257, 537, 546
Potentiation, 151
Poultry litter (manure), 29, 248, 251, 432
Precipitation reactions, 53, 6466, 76
Precision, 98, 99, 108, 125
Predicted non-effect concentration (PNEC)
values, 212, 232, 233, 304, 386,
387, 486488, 502, 555, 573
Priority toxic pollutant (US EPA list), 539
Index
Proteins, 142, 144, 151, 163165, 171173, 175,
198, 204, 206, 284, 315, 368, 431,
439, 440, 443, 444, 446448, 452,
482, 502, 546, 582, 590, 592, 595
Q
Quartz, 16, 18, 119, 122, 252, 256, 257, 471,
517, 569, 592
R
Radioisotopes, 565
Radiotoxicity, 572, 573
Radium (Ra), 508, 566, 572
Radon (Rn), 566, 573
Rare earth elements (REE), 18, 19, 74
Reactive oxygen species (ROS), 168, 174, 178,
179, 443, 447, 451, 452, 594
Recommended daily intake (RDI), 368, 480
Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs),
202, 204
Redox potential, 4, 52, 61, 7075, 142, 266,
267, 320, 340, 344, 398, 418, 420,
433, 434, 439, 447, 500, 509, 517
Reduced/gleyed soils, 206
Remediation, 7, 8, 64, 98, 104, 110, 324, 327,
347, 353357, 388, 401, 404,
488489
Reproduction, 144, 145, 148151, 203205,
212, 381, 385, 484, 502, 540
Residual fraction, 255, 499, 537, 545
Rhizobium, 198, 595
Rhizosphere, 111, 163, 166, 167, 169, 200, 241,
265, 269271, 297, 300, 302, 322,
323, 326, 379, 520, 531, 563, 595
Risk assessment, 52, 80, 87, 212213, 218,
232, 285, 296, 300, 304308, 386,
387, 486488, 502503, 511,
521522, 531533, 539540, 547,
556557, 562563, 572575,
583584
Rivers and streams, 28
Roadside, 66, 75, 120, 250, 353, 400, 468
Road traffic, 27, 41
Rock weathering, 16, 18, 20, 319, 336, 369, 467
Rocky Mountains (Canada & USA), 561
Romans, 397, 412, 466
Roofing (Cu, Pb and Zn), 27
Root(s)
exudates/secretions, 75, 201, 207, 269, 344,
595
hairs, 162
nodules, 198, 530
609
Ruminants, 19, 196, 336, 354, 355, 379, 530,
533, 595, 596
Rural soils, 21, 37, 38, 41, 42, 45, 287
Russia, 18, 318, 497, 560, 568, 583
S
Sampling, 2527, 98102, 106, 111, 127, 251,
289, 351, 421, 521
Sandstones, 17, 18, 21, 244, 247, 316, 336, 396,
467, 517, 529, 545, 553, 554, 567
Sandy soils, 68, 82, 126, 225, 318, 323, 336,
370, 467, 481, 531, 532, 538, 569,
570, 580, 582
Saudi Arabia, 254, 556, 562
Sb. See Antimony (Sb)
Scandinavia, 397, 399, 416, 421, 437, 469, 574
Schwarzenbach classification, 290291
Scotland, 37, 39, 226, 227, 232, 354, 501
Se. See Selenium (Se)
Sea water, 18, 75, 242, 431, 432, 444, 451, 592
Sedimentary rocks, 16, 1820, 285, 316, 317,
336, 369, 396, 432, 444, 467, 529,
537, 543, 567, 592, 595
Sediments, 15, 18, 22, 2829, 35, 75, 110, 123,
126, 213, 243, 250, 262, 316, 317,
326, 327, 336, 396, 397, 413, 420,
434, 442, 444, 470, 498, 500, 508,
509, 529, 537, 547, 552, 553, 559,
560, 567, 569, 575
Seed dressings, 417, 424, 532
Seeds, 119, 164, 201, 207, 349, 350, 414, 417,
438, 439, 441, 481, 482, 489, 532,
546, 572
Selenium (Se)
adsorption, 437438
availability, 432, 437
chemistry, 430431
contamination, 437, 443
deficiency, 443, 449
essential functions, 439
geochemical occurrence, 442, 448, 451
plant uptake, 440
speciation, 433437
toxicity, 443445
uses, 441, 444
Sequential extractions, 108111, 123, 124,
126, 256, 351, 398400, 436, 470,
499
Serpentine flora, 21
Serpentine/serpentinites, 16, 21, 170, 316,
318320, 323325, 336
Sesquioxides, 255, 420, 595
610
Sewage sludge
antimony, 500, 501
arsenic, 248, 250, 251
barium, 509
cadmium, 31, 69, 146, 287, 288, 297, 432
chromium, 31, 146, 325
copper, 31, 32, 69, 146, 370, 372373
385386, 388
manganese, 357
maximum permitted concentrations, 32
mercury, 31, 69, 415, 417418
molybdenum, 531
nickel, 317, 325, 432
selenium, 432
tin, 554, 555
tungsten, 562
uranium, 574
vanadium, 582
zinc, 31, 32, 69, 146, 432, 466469,
484486
Sewage treatment plants (STPs), 30, 288
Shannons diversity index, 144, 146
Sheep, 29, 202204, 217, 227, 354, 533, 595
Shipham (UK), 43
Shooting ranges, 44, 66, 147, 401402, 499,
501 , 502, 562
Shotgun pellets, 44, 66, 562
Si. See Silicon (Si)
Siderophile elements, 319, 430, 431, 593, 595
Siderophore complexes, 166, 167, 179
Silicates, 13, 52, 88, 106, 107, 316, 318, 319,
336, 338, 339, 356, 396, 398, 431,
466, 519, 543, 544
Silicon (Si), 16, 62, 64, 126, 164, 196, 396,
543, 593
Silver (Ag)
adsorption, 538
chemistry, 537538
contamination, 538539
plant uptake, 540
plating, 538
toxicity
to microorganisms, 539
to plants, 537538, 540
uses, 535, 536, 538, 539
Smelting, 5, 23, 24, 39, 4244, 87, 327, 355,
368, 388, 396, 400401, 413, 423,
497, 499, 502, 516, 520, 536, 544,
551, 554, 562
Index
Smithsonite (ZnCO3), 23, 43, 470, 478
Smoke, 24, 41, 454
Smoking, 307, 308 See also Tobacco
Sn. See Tin (Sn)
Snails, 142144
Sodium (Na), 16, 59, 63, 75, 126, 216, 251,
258, 260, 321, 403, 431, 593
Soil
guideline values, 22
ingestion, 113, 397
microbial processes, 304, 573
pH, 16, 32, 55, 6669, 72, 74, 197, 205,
206, 264, 295, 296, 298, 300, 303,
306, 308, 320, 321, 326, 327, 338,
342, 349, 354356, 374, 376, 378,
381384, 420, 472, 473, 477, 488,
509, 510, 529, 532, 533, 569, 572
profiles (pedons), 15, 24, 25, 59, 66, 233,
336, 400, 518, 572, 581
solution, 4, 54, 55, 57, 59, 67, 78, 83, 109,
124, 165, 213221, 259, 261263,
284, 291295, 297, 299, 320, 322,
337, 338, 343, 344, 348, 355,
374376, 380383, 397399, 402,
418, 420, 432, 434436, 440, 470,
472, 474, 476478, 483485, 509,
519, 529, 570
tests, 13, 197, 350, 351, 354
types, 111, 125, 163, 202206, 225226,
232, 245, 267, 371, 421, 545, 570,
581583, 593
Soil-plant interface, 162167
South Africa, 413, 497, 516, 568, 583, 584
South Australia, 203, 432, 439
South Korea, 19, 248
Spain, 8, 110, 271, 412, 421, 500, 544, 584
Speciation, 53, 60, 68, 83, 84, 8688, 102, 104,
109, 122124, 128, 216, 218, 223,
225, 229232, 252266, 270, 293,
295, 300, 326, 351, 374, 375, 384,
386, 398399, 418, 433437, 440,
455, 470, 472476, 499, 561, 563,
568, 569, 581, 582
Specific adsorption/specifically adsorbed ions,
54, 63, 64, 67, 70, 84, 85, 339, 437,
438, 589
Sphalerite, 23, 65, 466, 478, 545
Spiked soils (experiments), 77, 304, 381383,
385, 473475, 483, 484, 510, 553,
554, 570
Springtails, 142, 148, 150
Stable Pb isotopes, 397, 400
Stainless steel, 101, 102, 108, 314, 315, 528
Index
Steel production, 372, 580
Stomata, 173, 322
St Petersburg (Russia), 36
Stunting, 198, 200, 379, 583
Subclinical deficiency, 200, 204
Sub-Saharan Africa, 440, 442, 449
Subsoil, 55, 58, 77, 245, 246, 259, 262, 263,
352, 369, 401, 422, 571, 593
Sulphates/sulfates, 74, 261, 418, 431, 438440,
453, 472, 483, 502, 507, 509, 529,
530, 568, 573
Sulphides/sulfides, 20, 23, 43, 53, 68, 71, 74,
75, 103, 107, 110, 241, 252, 296,
297, 314, 321, 355, 369, 375, 396,
414, 418, 420, 430, 431, 433, 439,
440, 445, 447, 454, 478, 498,
517519, 528, 536, 537, 544546,
580, 591, 592, 595
Sulphur/sulfur(S), 32, 56, 142, 213, 242, 316,
418, 430, 431, 436, 447448, 532,
591593
Superoxide dismutase (SOD), 171, 175178, 198
Superphosphate, 34, 440, 530, 532, 571
Surface complexation models, 88
Surface potential, 60, 258
Sweden, 41, 326, 403, 414, 416, 419, 421, 533,
555
Switzerland, 20, 26, 44, 124, 244, 306, 487, 501
Symbiosis, 164165, 179
Symptoms
deficiency, 199, 203, 351, 368, 379
toxicity, 171, 200, 414, 511, 531
T
Tailings (from mining), 8, 28, 72, 252,
265266, 403, 500, 520, 521, 570
Tajikistan, 412, 498
Tasmania (Australia), 347, 354
Technogenic materials/ substrates, 15, 3637
Terrestrial abundance, 537 See also Abundance
in Earths crust
Thallium (Tl)
chemistry, 544545
contamination, 546, 547
plant uptake, 546
speciation, 543546
toxicity
to animals/humans, 546, 547
to plants, 545546
uses, 544
611
Thorium (Th), 19, 27, 572, 575
Tin (Sn)
atmospheric deposition, 554
chemistry, 552553
contamination of soils, 555
mining/smelting, 551, 554
organometallic forms, 552
plant uptake, 551
sources, 553555
speciation, 553, 554, 556
toxicity
to animals/humans, 552, 554, 556
to aquatic organisms, 556
to plants, 553554
uses, 552
Titanium (Ti), 16, 257
Tl. See Thallium (Tl)
Tolerable daily intake (TDI), 556
Tolerance, 145, 148, 165, 168, 171, 179, 201,
203, 270, 315, 441, 482, 547
Topsoils-general, 14, 58, 73, 120, 245, 246, 262,
263, 388, 432, 554, 562, 571, 575
Total concentrations of heavy metals/
metalloids
antimony, 13, 42
arsenic, 38
barium, 13, 42
cadmium, 13, 39, 43
chromium, 13
copper, 18, 34, 44
gold, 13
lead, 13, 35, 39, 40, 45
manganese, 13
mercury, 24, 44
molybdenum, 19
nickel, 14, 1823, 26, 27, 31, 3337, 4042, 44
selenium, 42
silver, 13, 14, 16, 21, 23, 41, 44
thallium, 13, 20
thorium, 18, 19, 27, 33, 3638, 42
tin, 14, 17, 23, 32, 35, 36, 38, 41, 42, 44
tungsten, 14, 18, 23, 36, 38, 42
uranium, 14, 18, 19, 21, 23, 27, 33, 37, 38,
42, 44
vanadium, 13, 14, 1618, 22, 23, 27, 33, 36,
38, 4042
zinc, 1244
Total digestion, 106107
Toxicities See also Phytotoxicity
antimony, 4, 242
arsenic, 4
barium, 4, 508511
612
Toxicities (cont.)
cadmium, 4
chromium, 4
copper, 4
gold, 4
lead, 4, 44
manganese, 4, 348, 349, 351, 352, 530
mercury, 4
molybdenum, 4, 529, 531, 532
nickel, 4, 315, 322, 327
selenium, 4, 443445
silver, 4, 538540
thallium, 4, 545547
thorium, 4, 19, 572
tin, 4, 552, 555, 556
tungsten, 4, 561, 563
uranium, 4, 572
vanadium, 4, 582584
zinc, 4, 472473, 482489
Toxicity tests, 142, 148151, 304, 381, 382, 502
Translocation (within plants), 170172, 300,
301, 324, 379, 388, 402, 403, 500,
570
Transpiration, 172, 173
Transport mechanisms, 25, 162, 440, 451
of particulates by wind, 25
Tributyltin, 552, 555
Trimethyltin, 554
Tropical soils (ferralsols/oxysols), 66, 205,
206, 509, 533, 592, 595
Tungsten (W)
adsorption, 561
availability, 561
chemistry, 560561
toxicity
to animals/humans, 562, 563
to plants, 561, 563
uses, 560, 562
Tunisia, 21, 412
Turkey, 30, 248, 480, 481
Tyres(tires)/tyre debris, 41, 65, 468
U
U. See Uranium (U)
UK. See United Kingdom (UK)
UKSHS. See UK Soils and Herbage Pollutant
Survey (UKSHS)
UK Soils and Herbage Pollutant Survey
(UKSHS), 21, 3739, 42, 531
Index
Ultramafic rocks/soils, 17, 2122, 316319, 321
United Kingdom (UK), 21, 22, 25, 28, 3740,
42, 5960, 66, 67, 83, 86, 100, 104,
113, 125, 127, 226, 227, 231, 232,
289, 323, 400, 421, 435, 487489,
531, 556557, 573
United States of America (U.S.A.), 42, 248,
251, 255, 259, 305, 412413, 466,
480, 583
Uranium (U)
adsorption, 569
chemistry, 567568
chemotoxicity, 572
isotope-enrichment/depletion, 8, 566, 567,
572574, 594
organic complexation, 569
precipitation, 570
radioactivity, 566, 570, 571, 573
radiotoxicity, 572, 573
reduction, 566, 567, 569, 570, 572
solubility, 568, 575
235
U, 44, 566
238
U, 566, 571, 573, 592
uses, 566, 570571, 573
Urban contamination, 24, 35, 36
Urban environment, 3641, 45, 250, 402, 511
Urban soils, 3542, 45, 68, 117, 124, 125, 246,
402, 553, 554
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA), 40, 125, 305, 306, 386,
486488, 509, 539, 547, 574
priority list of toxic pollutants, 502, 539, 547
USEPA. See U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA)
V
Vanadium (V)
adsorption, 581583
catalytic properties, 581
chemistry, 580581
pollution, 580, 583
toxicity
to animals, 583, 584
to plants, 581583
uses, 580
Index
Vermiculite, 62, 63, 170, 257, 316
Vertisols, 371, 482
Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae, 352
Vineyards/vineyard soils, 34, 35, 373
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), 203, 205, 596
Volcanoes/volcanic rocks, 317, 318, 372,
444
W
W. See Tungsten (W)
Warfare-contamination from, 4445
Wastewater/wastewater treatment plants, 30,
32, 35, 43, 64, 110, 248, 251, 288,
326, 373, 417, 432, 468, 469, 539,
562, 582, 590
Water
potential, 52, 345, 349
soluble metal(loid) compounds, 381, 385,
591
Waterlogged soils, 59, 433, 436
Weapons, 110, 315, 552, 566, 570
Weathering (of minerals/rocks), 16, 23, 594,
595
Wet deposition, 250, 416
WHAM. See Windermere Humic Aqueous
Models (WHAM)
Wilting (symptom), 199, 322
Windermere Humic Aqueous Models
(WHAM), 7, 85, 86, 218, 476
Wood
ash, 249, 251
preservative, 35, 40, 104, 249, 251, 326, 552
World Health Organization (WHO), 204, 205,
271, 285, 286, 307, 480, 481, 554,
574
Worms, 563
613
X
XANES. See X-ray adsorption near edge
structure (XANES)
Xeromorphic changes, 172
X-ray adsorption near edge structure
(XANES), 5253, 56, 5960, 63, 65,
124, 256, 262, 346, 518
X-ray fluorescence (XRF), 7, 12, 66, 103105,
124, 128, 257, 369, 370
Xylem, 169171, 173, 301, 438, 500, 501,
596
Y
Yangtze valley (China), 26, 27
Z
Zinc (Zn)
adsorption, 470472, 475477, 484
availability, 474, 479, 485, 486
chemistry, 486
deficiency
in animals/humans, 466469, 482,
486
in plants, 466, 473, 474, 479484, 486,
487, 489
human health, 480
phosphorus antagonism, 533
toxicity, 472473, 482489
uses, 468
Zn. See Zinc (Zn)

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Heavy Metals in Soils

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Heavy Metals in Soils

An understanding of the occurrence and availability of heavy metals and metalloids

Brian J. Alloway (Editor)

Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chemistry of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Methods for the Determination of Heavy Metals

Effects of Heavy Metals and Metalloids on Soil Organisms . . . . . . . . .

Soil-Plant Relationships of Heavy Metals and Metalloids . . . . . . . . . . .

Heavy Metals and Metalloids as Micronutrients for Plants

Critical Loads of Heavy Metals for Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Key Heavy Metals and Metalloids

Chromium and Nickel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cobalt and Manganese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other Heavy Metals and Metalloids of Potential

Glossary of Specialized Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Brian J. Alloway Soil Research Centre, Department of Geography and

atomic absorption spectrometry (analytical method)

Meteorological Synthesizing Centre East under the LRTAP

Langmuir adsorption constant

physiologically-based extraction test

tetramethyl arsonium ion

An understanding of the natural (geochemical) and anthropogenic sources of heavy

B.J. Alloway (*)

8. Meuser, H. (2010). Contaminated urban soils. Dordrecht: Springer.

Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

B.J. Alloway (*)

Total Concentrations of Heavy Metals and Metalloids

It is important to stress that total concentrations can be determined by two

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

England and Wales

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

Lithogenic Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

most abundant primary mineral in the earths crust. It is highly resistant to

Rock Types of Major Significance as Lithogenic Sources

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

Anthropogenic Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids

Heavy metal(loid)s from anthropogenic sources can be described as either

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

corrosion of metal structures, such as galvanised (Zn-coated) roofs. The transfer

Yangtze River Delta

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

Using different monitoring methods, Pb in suspended atmospheric particles

Flooding and Sediment Deposition

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

sediment is a very common source of heavy metal(loid) contamination of alluvial

Agriculture and Horticulture

Current EU soil limitsc

Proposed new soil limits 1d

More significant changes

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

2 Sources of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils

Table 2.7 Concentrations of heavy metals/metalloids in phosphatic and nitrogen fertilisers,

(MgCO3. CaCO3) for the same purpose. In addition to these macronutrient