Abstract
Current knowledge of sorption processes in tropical soils is reviewed. Landscapes throughout the tropics are dominated by oxisols which occupy extensive areas of potentially highly productive soils. These soils are dominated by low-activity sesquioxide minerals and clays that have variable charge surfaces. The limited information on tropical soils available suggests that the composition of the ambient soil solution can influence sorption through changes in particle surface-charge density. Thus the observed decrease in sorption in the presence of divalent index cations may be related to the effect of ionic charge on the double-layer thickness which is manifested through a change in surface-charge characteristics. However, much work needs to be done to differentiate the effect of cation charge on surface-charge density from the competitive effect between the index cation and heavy-metal ions for the sorption sites. The effects of inorganic and organic ligands on adsorption of Cd by variable charge surfaces are also reviewed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alloway, B.J. 1990. Cadmium. In: B.J. Alloway (ed.), Heavy metals in soils, pp 100–24. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Alloway, B.J, Tills, A.R. and Morgan, H. 1985. The speciation and availability of cadmium and lead in polluted soils. In: D.D. Hemphill (ed.), Trace Substances in Environmental Health, pp. 187–201. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
Christensen, T.H. 1984a. Cadmium sorption at low concentrations: I. Effect of time, cadmium loading, pH and calcium. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 21, 105–14.
Christensen, T.H. 1984b. Cadmium sorption at low concentrations: II. Reversibility, effect of changes in solute composition and effect of soil ageing. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 21, 115–25.
Davis, J.A. and Leckie, J.O. 1978. Surface ionization and complexation at the oxide/water interface. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 67, 91–107.
Garcia-Miragaya, J. and Page, A.L. 1976. Influence of ionic strength and inorganic complex formation on sorption of trace amounts of cadmium by montmor-illonite. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 40, 658–63.
Garcia-Miragaya, J., Cardenas, R. and Page, A.L. 1986. Surface loading effect on Cd and Zn sorption by kaolinite and montmorillonite from low concentrations in solutions. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 27, 181–90.
Harter, R and Naidu, R. 1995. The role of metal-organic interactions on sorption of metals by soils. Advances in Agronomy (in press).
John, M.K. 1972. Cadmium adsorption maxima as measured by the Langmuir isotherm. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, 52, 343–50.
Lagerwerff, J.V. and Brower, D.L. 1972. Exchange adsorption of trace quantities of cadmium in soils treated with chlorides of aluminium, calcium and sodium. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings, 36, 734–7.
Levi-Menzies, R., Soldatini, G.F. and Riffaldi, R. 1976. Cadmium adsorption by soils. Journal of Soil Science, 27, 10–15.
Matos, A.T., Fontes, M.P.F. and Jordão, C.P. 1994. Mobility and retention of Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb in a Brazialian oxisol profile. Proceedings of the 15th International Soil Science Society Congress, July 1994, pp. 193–4. Acapulco, Mexico.
McBride, M.B., Tyler, L.D. and Hovde, D.A. 1981. Cadmium adsorption by soils and uptake by plants as affected by soil chemical properties. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 45, 739–44.
McNaughton, M.G. and R.O. James. 1974. Adsorption of aqueous mercury (II) complexes at the oxide/water interface. Journal of Colloid Interface and Science, 47, 431–40.
Naidu, R. 1985. Lime-aluminium-phosphate interac-tions in selected acid soils from Fiji. PhD Thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Naidu, R., Kirkman, J.H. and Morrison, R.J. 1987. Mineralogy of soils from basaltic ash, Taveuni, Fiji. Geoderma, 39, 181–92.
Naidu, R., Bolan, N.S., Kookana, R.S. and Tiller, K.G. 1994a. Ionic strength and pH effects on sorption of cadmium and charge in soils. Journal of Soil Science, 45, 419–29 (in press).
Naidu, R., Kookana, R.S., Sumner, M.E., Harter, R.D. and Tiller, K.G. 1997. Heavy metal sorption and transport in soils dominated by variable charge sur-faces: a review. Journal of Environmental Quality (in press).
Naidu, R., deLacy, N.J., Bolan, N.S., Kookana, R.S. and Tiller, K.G. 1994b. Effect of inorganic ligands on adsorption of cadmium by soils. Proceedings of the 15th International Soil Science Society Congress, July 1994, pp. 190–91.
Navrot, J., Singer, A. and Banin, A. 1978. Adsorption of cadmium and its exchange characteristics in some Israeli soils. Journal of Soil Science, 29, 505–11.
O'Connor, G.A., O'Connor, C. and Cline, G.R. 1984. Sorption of cadmium by calcareous soils: Influence of solution composition. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 48, 1244–47.
Tiller, K.G., Gerth, J. and Brummer, G. 1984a. The relative affinities of Cd, Ni and Zn for different clay fractions and goethite. Geoderma, 34, 17–35.
US Soil Survey Staff. 1992. Keys to Soil Taxonomy. 5th edn SMSS Technical Monograph No. 19. Pocahontas Press, Blacksburg, VA.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Naidu, R., Sumner, M.E. & Harter, R. Sorption of heavy metals in strongly weathered soils: an overview. Environmental Geochemistry and Health 20, 5–9 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006519009465
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006519009465