Evaluation of four chemical extractants for metal determinations in wetland soils

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00103629509369437· OSTI ID:146514

Sistani, K R; Mays, D A; Taylor, R W; Buford, C ^[1]

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1. Alabama A&M Univ., Normal, AL (United States)

Wetland soils (hydric soils) are unique in their chemical characteristics compared to upland soils. It is known that they are capable of removing a variety of wastes from polluted water entering the wetland including metals and potentially toxic heavy metals. When these metals are determined in wetland soils, it is necessary to use the proper chemical extractant(s). Four commonly used chemical extractants (Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, 0.1 M HC1, and DTPA) for soil fertility evaluation were selected to measure metal concentrations of three different wetland soils/spoils. Soil samples were collected from the constructed wetland cells which were lined with Abernathy silt loam topsoil and two different mine spoil materials [collected from active coal strip-mined sites in Alabama (pH 5.9) and Tennessee (pH 3.2)]. Mehlich 3 extracted the most zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodiumm (Na), and aluminum (Al), while 0.1 M HCl extracted more cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). Extractants followed the same trend in removing quantities of the metals from the three soil/spoil materials, with DTPA generally extracting the least amount of the metal (the trend was Mehlich 3 > 0.1N HCl > Mehlich 1 > DTPA). However, DTPA removed large quantities of metals from Tennessee spoil compared to Alabama spoil and topsoil, suggesting the higher effectiveness of DTPA under acidic conditions. Metal concentrations in plant tissue did not show a definite trend in correlation with metals extracted by four chemical extractants. 16 refs., 7 figs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 146514
• Journal Information: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, Journal Name: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis Journal Issue: 13-14 Vol. 26; ISSN CSOSA2; ISSN 0010-3624
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
DTPA
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EXTRACTION
IRON
LAND POLLUTION CONTROL
LEAD
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE
METALS
POTASSIUM
SOILS
WETLANDS
ZINC