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BEHAVIOR OF METALS IN SOILS
Citation:
McLean, J. AND B. Bledsoe. BEHAVIOR OF METALS IN SOILS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/540/S-92/018 (NTIS PB93131480).
Description:
Metals added to soil will normally be retained at the soil surface. ovement of metals into other environmental compartments, i.e. groundwater, surface water, or the atmosphere, should be minimal as long as the retention capacity of the soil is not exceeded. he extent of movement of a metal in the soil system is intimately related to the solution and surface chemistry of the soil and to the specific properties of the metal and associated waste matrix. he retention mechanisms for metals added to soil include adsorption of the metal by the soil solid surfaces and precipitation. he retention of cationic metals by soil has been positively correlated with such soil properties as pH, surface area, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content, clay content, iron and manganese oxide content, and carbonate content. nion retention has been correlated with pH, iron and manganese oxide content, and redox potential. n addition to soil properties, consideration must be given to the type of metal and its concentration and to the presence of competing ions, complexing ligands, and the pH and redox potential of the soil-waste matrix. ecause of the wide range of soil characteristics and various forms by which metals can be added to soil, evaluating the extent of metal retention by a soil is site/soil/waste specific. aboratory methods for evaluating the behavior of metals in soils are available in the literature. hermodynamic equilibrium computer models are also available to assist with this evaluation. he advantages and disadvantages of some of the available procedures and models have been presented in this document.
