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Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments

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A special issue of Soil Systems (ISSN 2571-8789).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 January 2021) | Viewed by 48887

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Evert Elzinga

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Guest Editor

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
Interests: soil chemistry; sorption; trace metals; environmental mineralogy; spectroscopy; speciation; solubility

Dr. Yuji Arai

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Guest Editor

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
Interests: soil chemistry; aqueous geochemistry; spectroscopy; sorption; speciation; desorption; dissolution

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sorption processes at the mineral-water interface play a major role in the biogeochemical cycling of both major and trace elements in soils. Soil mineral surfaces engage in complexation reactions that may lower the solubility of trace elements and promote electron transfer reactions between sorbed and structural ions. In turn, sorbed impurities may affect mineral dissolution and (re)precipitation reactions and thus influence the mineralogical composition and reactivity of the solid phase matrix. Sorption reactions are therefore fundamental to the chemical functioning of soil systems. Our understanding of the mechanisms involved is becoming increasingly refined through the application of increasingly sophisticated spectroscopic, microscopic, and modeling tools.

For this Special Issue, we invite contributions that aim to enhance knowledge of sorption processes of inorganic compounds in soils and resulting impacts on speciation and solubility. Elements of interest include metals, metalloids, nutrients, and radionuclides. Both laboratory studies on model systems as well as field-based studies on whole soils are welcome. We particularly welcome contributions that emphasize the fundamental aspects of sorption processes through the application of spectroscopic, microscopic, and modeling techniques.

Dr. Evert Elzinga
Dr. Yuji Arai
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Sorption
Speciation
Inorganic pollutants
Desorption
Dissolution
Precipitation

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 165 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments

by Evert J. Elzinga and Yuji Arai

Soil Syst. 2021, 5(4), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems5040070 - 7 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2782

Abstract

Sorption processes at the mineral–water interface are fundamental to the chemical functioning of soils, and impact the biogeochemical cycling of both trace and major elements in soil and sediment environments [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

Research

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16 pages, 3191 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sorption and Desorption of Vanadate, Arsenate and Chromate by Two Volcanic Soils of Equatorial Africa

by Sara Gonzalez-Rodriguez and Maria Luisa Fernandez-Marcos

Soil Syst. 2021, 5(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems5020022 - 1 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3364

Abstract

Sorption of oxyanions by soils and mineral surfaces is of interest due to their role as nutrients or pollutants. Volcanic soils are variable charge soils, rich in active forms of aluminum and iron, and capable of sorbing anions. Sorption and desorption of vanadate, arsenate, and chromate by two African andosols was studied in laboratory experiments. Sorption isotherms were determined by equilibrating at 293 K soil samples with oxyanion solutions of concentrations between 0 and 100 mg L⁻¹ V, As, or Cr, equivalent to 0−2.0 mmol V L⁻¹, 0−1.3 mmol As L⁻¹, and 0−1.9 mmol Cr L⁻¹, in NaNO₃; V, As, or Cr were determined by ICP-mass spectrometry in the equilibrium solution. After sorption, the soil samples were equilibrated with 0.02 M NaNO₃ to study desorption. The isotherms were adjusted to mathematical models. After desorption with NaNO₃, desorption experiments were carried out with a 1 mM phosphate. The sorption of vanadate and arsenate was greater than 90% of the amount added, while the chromate sorption was much lower (19–97%). The sorption by the Silandic Andosol is attributed to non-crystalline Fe and Al, while in the Vitric Andosol, crystalline iron species play a relevant role. The V and Cr sorption isotherms fitted to the Freundlich model, while the As sorption isotherms conformed to the Temkin model. For the highest concentrations of oxyanions in the equilibrating solution, the sorbed concentrations were 37–38 mmol V kg⁻¹, 25 mmol As kg⁻¹, and 7.2–8.8 mmol Cr kg⁻¹. The desorption was low for V and As and high for Cr. The comparison of the sorption and desorption isotherms reveals a pronounced hysteresis for V in both andosols and for Cr in the Silandic Andosol. Phosphate induced almost no V desorption, moderate As desorption, and considerable Cr desorption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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10 pages, 1392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimony (V) Adsorption at the Hematite–Water Interface: A Macroscopic and In Situ ATR-FTIR Study

by Jerzy Mierzwa, Rose Mumbi, Avedananda Ray, Sudipta Rakshit, Michael E. Essington and Dibyendu Sarkar

Soil Syst. 2021, 5(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems5010020 - 21 Mar 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3052

Abstract

The environmental mobility of antimony (Sb) is largely unexplored in geochemical environments. Iron oxide minerals are considered major sinks for Sb. Among the different oxidation states of Sb, (+) V is found more commonly in a wide redox range. Despite many adsorption studies of Sb (V) with various iron oxide minerals, detailed research on the adsorption mechanism of Sb (V) on hematite using macroscopic, spectroscopic, and surface complexation modeling is rare. Thus, the main objective of our study is to evaluate the surface complexation mechanism of Sb (V) on hematite under a range of solution properties using macroscopic, in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic, and surface complexation modeling. The results indicate that the Sb (V) adsorption on hematite was highest at pH 4–6. After pH 6, the adsorption decreased sharply and became negligible above pH 9. The effect of ionic strength was negligible from pH 4 to 6. The spectroscopic results confirmed the presence of inner- and outer-sphere surface complexes at lower pH values, and only outer-sphere-type surface complex at pH 8. Surface complexation models successfully predicted the Sb (V) adsorption envelope. Our research will improve the understanding of Sb (V) mobility in iron-oxide-rich environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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31 pages, 5304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microbial Community Composition Correlates with Metal Sorption in an Ombrotrophic Boreal Bog: Implications for Radionuclide Retention

by Merja Lusa and Malin Bomberg

Soil Syst. 2021, 5(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems5010019 - 19 Mar 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4032

Abstract

Microbial communities throughout the 6.5 m depth profile of a boreal ombrotrophic bog were characterized using amplicon sequencing of archaeal, fungal, and bacterial marker genes. Microbial populations and their relationship to oxic and anoxic batch sorption of radionuclides (using radioactive tracers of I, Se, Cs, Ni, and Ag) and the prevailing metal concentrations in the natural bog was investigated. The majority of the detected archaea belonged to the Crenarchaeota, Halobacterota, and Thermoplasmatota, whereas the fungal communities consisted of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and unclassified fungi. The bacterial communities consisted mostly of Acidobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi. The occurrence of several microbial genera were found to statistically significantly correlate with metal concentrations as well as with Se, Cs, I, and Ag batch sorption data. We suggest that the metal concentrations of peat, gyttja, and clay layers affect the composition of the microbial populations in these nutrient-low conditions and that particularly parts of the bacterial and archaeal communities tolerate high concentrations of potentially toxic metals and may concurrently contribute to the total retention of metals and radionuclides in this ombrotrophic environment. In addition, the varying metal concentrations together with chemical, mineralogical, and physical factors may contribute to the shape of the total archaeal and bacterial populations and most probably shifts the populations for more metal resistant genera. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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16 pages, 1875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Lead Concentration and Speciation in Community Farms of Newark, New Jersey, USA

by Omanjana Goswami and Ashaki A. Rouff

Soil Syst. 2021, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems5010002 - 29 Dec 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4646

Abstract

Farmed urban soils often bear legacies of historic contamination from anthropogenic and industrial sources. Soils from seven community farms in Newark, New Jersey (NJ), USA, were analyzed to determine the concentration and speciation of lead (Pb) depending on garden location and cultivation status. Samples were evaluated using single-step 1 M nitric acid (HNO₃) and Tessier sequential extractions in combination with X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) analysis. Single-step extractable Pb concentration ranged from 22 to 830 mg kg⁻¹, with 21% of samples reporting concentrations of Pb > 400 mg kg⁻¹, which is the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) limit for residential soils. Sequential extractions indicated lowest Pb concentrations in the exchangeable fraction (0–211 mg kg⁻¹), with highest concentrations (0–3002 mg kg⁻¹) in the oxidizable and reducible fractions. For samples with Pb > 400 mg kg⁻¹, Pb distribution was mostly uniform in particle size fractions of <0.125–1 mm, with slightly higher Pb concentrations in the <0.125 mm fraction. XAFS analysis confirmed that Pb was predominantly associated with pyromorphite, iron–manganese oxides and organic matter. Overall results showed that lowest concentrations of Pb are detected in raised beds, whereas uncultivated native soil and parking lot samples had highest values of Pb. As most of the Pb is associated with reducible and oxidizable soil fractions, there is a lower risk of mobility and bioavailability. However, Pb exposure through ingestion and inhalation pathways is still of concern when directly handling the soil. With increasing interest in urban farming in cities across the USA, this study highlights the need for awareness of soil contaminants and the utility of coupled macroscopic and molecular-scale geochemical techniques to understand the distribution and speciation of soil Pb. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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16 pages, 1754 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Adsorption, Desorption and Bioavailability of Tungstate in Mediterranean Soils

by Gianniantonio Petruzzelli and Francesca Pedron

Soil Syst. 2020, 4(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems4030053 - 22 Aug 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3820

Abstract

The adsorption and desorption process of the tungstate ion was studied in three soils characteristic of the Mediterranean area, with particularly reference to bioavailability pathways. In the three soils examined, the tungstate adsorption was described by a Langmuir-type equation, while the desorption process showed that not all the adsorbed tungstate was released, probably due to the formation of different bonds with the adsorbing soil surfaces. The pH was found to be the main soil property that regulates the adsorption/desorption: The maximum adsorption occurred in the soil with the acidic pH, and the maximum desorption in the most basic soil. In addition, the organic matter content played a fundamental role in the adsorption of tungstate by soils, being positively correlated with the maximum of adsorption. These results indicate that the lowest bioavailability should be expected in the acidic soil characterized by the highest adsorption capacity. This is confirmed by the trend of the maximum buffer capacity (MBC) of soils which is inversely related to bioavailability, and was the highest in the acidic soil and the lowest in the most basic soil. Our data could contribute in drafting environmental regulations for tungsten that are currently lacking for Mediterranean soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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20 pages, 2872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Application of Hybrid Anion Exchange Resin for Phosphate Desorption Kinetics in Soils: Minimizing Re-Adsorption of Desorbed Ions

by Zhe Li, Suwei Xu, Ying Li and Yuji Arai

Soil Syst. 2020, 4(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems4020036 - 17 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3849

Abstract

The process of phosphate desorption from soils is difficult to measure using stirred batch techniques because of the accumulation of desorbed ions in a bathing solution. To accurately measure the apparent rate coefficient of phosphate desorption from soils, it is necessary to remove the desorbed ions. In this study, a novel hybrid (i.e., iron oxide coated) anion exchange resin was used as a sink to study long-term (seven days) P desorption kinetics in intensively managed agricultural soils in the Midwestern U.S. (total phosphorus (TP): 196–419 mg/kg). The phosphate desorption kinetics in the hybrid anion exchange resin method were compared with those in the other conventional batch desorption method with pure anion exchange resins or without any sink. The extent of P desorption in the hybrid resin methods was >50% of total desorbed phosphate in the other methods. The initial kinetic rate estimated in the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was also highest (3.03–31.35 mg/(g·hr)) in the hybrid resin method when the same soil system was compared. This is because adsorbed P in the hybrid resins was nearly irreversible. The hybrid anion exchange resin might be a new and ideal sink in measuring the P desorption process in soils and sediments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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16 pages, 2698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recycling of Waste Materials for Stabilizing Ash from Co-Combustion of Municipal Solid Wastes with an Olive By-Product: Soil Leaching Experiments

by Despina Vamvuka, Stelios Alexandrakis, George Alevizos and Antonios Stratakis

Soil Syst. 2020, 4(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems4020034 - 19 May 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3013

Abstract

In the context of the current environmental policies of the European Union promoting the recycling and reuse of waste materials, this work aimed at investigating the environmental impact of ashes produced from the co-combustion of municipal solid wastes with olive kernel in a fixed bed unit. Lignite fly ash, silica fume, wheat straw ash, meat and bone meal biochar, and mixtures of them were used as stabilizing ash materials. All solids were characterized by physical, chemical and mineralogical analyses. Column leaching tests of unstabilized and stabilized ash through a quarzitic soil were conducted, simulating field conditions. pH, electrical conductivity, chloride, sulphate and phosphate ions, major and trace elements in the leachates were measured. The results showed that alkaline compounds were partially dissolved in water extracts, increasing their pH and thus decreasing the leachability of heavy metals from the ash. Cr leached from unstabilized ash reached a hazardous level. Upon the stabilization of ash, the concentrations of heavy metals in the extracts were reduced between 9% and 100%, and were below legislation limits for disposal, apart from Cr. The latter was achieved only when meat and bone meal biochar was used as stabilizer. Entrapment of ash elements was assigned to the amorphous silica and to the phosphates of the stabilizing materials, as well as complexed silicates formed during the process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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14 pages, 1493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Density Functional Theory Modeling with Experimental Data to Understand and Predict Sorption Reactions: Exchange of Salicylate for Phosphate on Goethite

by James D. Kubicki and Tsutomu Ohno

Soil Syst. 2020, 4(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems4020027 - 24 Apr 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3470

Abstract

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are a quantum mechanical approach that can be used to model chemical reactions on an atomistic scale. DFT provides predictions on structures, thermodynamics, spectroscopic parameters and kinetics that can be compared against experimentally determined data. This paper is a primer on the basics of utilizing DFT for applications in mineral-water interfaces. In our case-study, we use DFT to model the surface complexes of phosphate and salicylate adsorbed onto the (101) and (210) surfaces of α-FeOOH (goethite), as an example of combining DFT and experiment. These three components are important in the phosphorus-organic matter interactions in soils, and by comparing the energies of the two surface complexes, the exchange energy of salicylate for phosphate onto goethite can be estimated. The structures of the surface complexes are predicted and the resulting vibrational frequencies calculated based on these structures are compared to previous observations. Upon verification of reasonable surface complex models, the potential energy of exchanging salicylate for phosphate is calculated and shown to be significantly exothermic. This model result is consistent with observations of plant exudates, such as salicylate freeing adsorbed phosphate in soils under P-limited conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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Review

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22 pages, 2931 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sorption Mechanisms of Chemicals in Soils

by Daniel G. Strawn

Soil Syst. 2021, 5(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems5010013 - 24 Feb 2021

Cited by 85 | Viewed by 15385

Abstract

Sorption of chemicals onto soil particle surfaces is an important process controlling their availability for uptake by organisms and loss from soils to ground and surface waters. The mechanisms of chemical sorption are inner- and outer-sphere adsorption and precipitation onto mineral surfaces. Factors that determine the sorption behavior are properties of soil mineral and organic matter surfaces and properties of the sorbing chemicals (including valence, electron configuration, and hydrophobicity). Because soils are complex heterogeneous mixtures, measuring sorption mechanisms is challenging; however, advancements analytical methods have made direct determination of sorption mechanisms possible. In this review, historical and modern research that supports the mechanistic understanding of sorption mechanisms in soils is discussed. Sorption mechanisms covered include cation exchange, outer-sphere adsorption, inner-sphere adsorption, surface precipitation, and ternary adsorption complexes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sorption Processes in Soils and Sediments)

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