Salinity increases mobility of heavy metals in soils

The effect of salinity induced by CaCl2, MgCl2, NaCl and Na2SO4 on the mobility of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn was studied. An increase of ionic strength by any salts promoted a higher release of Cd than the others metals. When CaCl2 and NaCl were applied, Cd and Pb showed the highest degree of mobilization. When MgCl2 was applied, Cd and Cu were mobilized the most. Finally, an increase of Na2SO4 also promoted the strongest mobilization of Cd and Cu.

As the total heavy metal content was higher, the percentage of Pb and Cu released upon salinization decreased, indicating that these metals are strongly bound to soil constituents. An increase of carbonates in the soil promoted a higher release of Pb for all used salts and for Zn when MgCl2 and NaCl were used. This indicates that Pb and Zn are adsorbed on the surface of carbonate crystals. An increase of fine particles promoted a decrease of percentage of released Cd for all salts, indicating that Cd is strongly retained in the fine fractions.

The main mechanism regulating Pb and Cd mobility was competition with Ca2+ for sorption sites followed for metal chloro-complexation, association between the Cd/Pb-sulfates and competition with Mg2+. The main mechanism regulating Cu mobility was the formation of Cu-sulfate, followed by competition with cations (Mg > Ca) and chloride. For Zn, competition with Ca2+ for sorption sites was the most important process for its mobility; followed by Zn-sulfate association and, finally, chloride and competition with Mg with the same effect.