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Oxidative removal of fluorescent components from soil DOM and its effect on heavy metals around abandoned mining areas

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Abstract

The oxidation stability of soil organic matter (SOM) plays an important role in the environmental chemical behavior of heavy metals (HMs). In this study, the oxidation stability of SOM and soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) for four soils around the mining area in Western China, including grassland (GR), forest land (FR), farmland soil (FA), and mining area soil (MA), was investigated. The oxidation effect of fluorescent DOM (FDOM) was determined by using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). The results showed that the oxidation stability of SOM for four soils follows the order: MA > GR > FR > FA. Protein-like fluorescence (A2) is dominant in soil DOM, more than 96% of which were more easily degraded. As the wavelength increases, FDOM components become more difficult to oxidize. Second derivative, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) and 1/n power transformation can identify more FDOM components, protein-like materials can be preferential removal by the oxidation process, followed by humic-like substances. The oxidation process increased the release of Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and Fe in FA soil. Therefore, the oxidation stability of SOM and FDOM can affect the immobilization and release of HMs, and this work provides scientific guidance for remediation of soil HMs around abandoned mining areas.

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Funding

This work was financially supported by Science and Technology Major Project of Sichuan Province, China (grant number 2018SZDZX0024); and the Project Funding of Chengdu University of Information Technology, China (grant number KYTZ201744).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, China

    Meifeng Zhang, Ping Yu & Xujing Guo

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  1. Meifeng Zhang
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  2. Ping Yu
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  3. Xujing Guo
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Contributions

Meifeng Zhang: Performed the experiments; Analysis data, Wrote the main manuscript. Ping Yu: Data test and analysis. Xujing Guo: Conceived and designed the experiments; Contributed reagents, materials, analysis tools or data; Revised the paper.

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Correspondence to Xujing Guo.

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Zhang, M., Yu, P. & Guo, X. Oxidative removal of fluorescent components from soil DOM and its effect on heavy metals around abandoned mining areas. Environ Geochem Health 46, 11 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01833-z

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