Assessment of Contamination Management Caused by Copper and Zinc Cations Leaching and Their Impact on the Hydraulic Properties of a Sandy and a Loamy Clay Soil

Abstract

Soil hydraulic properties are crucial to agriculture and water management and depend on soil structure. The impact of Cu and Zn cations on the hydraulic properties of sandy and loamy clay soil samples of Central Greece, was investigated in the present study. Metal solutions with increased concentrations were used to contaminate the soil samples and the effect on hydraulic properties was evaluated, demonstrating the innovation of the current study. The soil samples were packed separately into transparent columns and the initial values of hydraulic conductivity, cumulative infiltration, infiltration rate and sorptivity were estimated. In order to evaluate soil adsorption, metal concentrations were measured at the water leachate. After the contamination of the soil samples, the hydraulic properties under investigation were determined again, using distilled water as the incoming fluid; the differences at the hydraulic parameters were observed. After doubling metal concentrations into the incoming solution of loamy clay soil, metal adsorption and the values of the hydraulic parameters increased significantly. Loamy clay soil showed interaction between the clay particles and the positive charge in the incoming fluid, which led to a possible increase in aggregation. Furthermore, aggregation may led to pore generation. Contamination of sandy soil exhibited no impact on aggregation and soil structure. In order to evaluate the differences on the hydraulic properties and soil structure, the experimental points were approximated with two infiltration models.

Analysis and Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in Kosasthalaiyar River near Ennore Creek Using Geo Statistical Approach

“…In general, copper is the most crucial plant growth and development micronutrient. In addition, it helps to increase plants' photosynthesis process and respiration (Angelaki et al 2022;Scott-Fordsmand et al 2022). In this study, copper concentration varies from 8.65 to 18.9 mg/kg with a mean of 13.30 mg/kg.…”

Status of Ecosystem Services in Abandoned Mining Areas in the Iberian Peninsula: Management Proposal

“…The soil characteristics of the study area coincide with those reported in previous works in the area [ 94 , 95 , 96 ]. Hydraulic conductivity (k) coupled with the low CEC (12.7 Cmol/kg), together with the characteristics of the sludge and soils, indicate a higher concentration of metal(loid)s in the leachates generated in the sludge; however that high concentration of metal(loid)s in the leachates would not modify particle aggregation or soil structure [ 97 ]. The low CEC may be due both to the low colloid content of the soil and to the nature of the clay minerals present (chlorite and illite).…”

“…The weakly acidic character and low carbonates, CEC, and colloid content of the soils favor the mobility of contaminant elements [ 97 ]. It has been shown [ 98 , 99 ] that the accumulation of metal(loid)s in a soil is controlled by processes such as adsorption, sorption, and/or complexation in colloids (clay minerals, iron, and/or manganese oxides, and organic matter) as well as by co-precipitation with other elements.…”

Agricultural Use of Urban Sewage Sludge from the Wastewater Station in the Municipality of Alexandria in Romania

“…Having a high content of organic matter and nutrients important for plants, such as nitrogen, ammonium, potassium and zinc, improving soil fertility, urban sewage sludge contributed to improving some physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, including soil fertility, and is able to be used to condition agricultural soils. Over time, researchers have studied the effects of soil pollution with heavy metals [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. In the case of the accidental pollution of agricultural land with heavy metals, the most convenient and effective cleaning method is phytoremediation.…”