Correlation of Cadmium Distribution Coefficients to Soil Characteristics

Peter Engelund Holm, Helle Rootzen, Ole K. Borggaard, Jens Peter Maberg, Thomas Højlund Christensen

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Cadmium (Cd) distribution between the soil solid phase and the soil solution is a key issue in assessing the environmental effect of Cd in the terrestrial environmental. Previous studies have shown that many individual minerals and other components found in soils can bind Cd, but most studies on whole soil samples have shown that pH is the main parameter controlling the distribution. To identify further the components that are important for Cd binding in soil we measured Cd distribution coefficients (K-d) at two fixed pH values and at low Cd loadings for 49 soils sampled in Denmark. The Kd values for Cd ranged from 5 to 3000 L kg(-1). The soils were described pedologically and characterized in detail (22 parameters) including determination of contents of the various minerals in the clay fraction. Correlating parameters were grouped and step-wise regression analysis revealed that the organic carbon content was a significant variable at both pH values. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and gibbsite were important at the low pH (5.3) while iron oxides also were important at the high pH (6.7). None of the other clay minerals present in the soils (illite, smectite, kaolinite, hydroxy interlayered clay minerals [HIM], chlorite, quartz, microcline, plagioclase) were significant in explaining the Cd distribution coefficient.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Environmental Quality
    Volume32
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)138-145
    ISSN0047-2425
    Publication statusPublished - 2003

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