Accumulation of toxic Pb(II) ions by the iron-containing minerals in the presence of ionic polyacrylamide soil conditioner

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the adsorption–desorption, surface, electrokinetic, and stability properties of aqueous suspensions of iron-containing minerals in the presence of anionic polyacrylamide (AN PAM) and lead(II) ions. Three minerals found in the soil environment, akaganeite, goethite, and magnetite, were synthesized based on the precipitation method. The interaction mechanism of heavy metal ions with polymer flocculant, which are adsorbed on the soil mineral particles, was proposed. It was shown that the best affinity to the AN PAM or/and Pb(II), adsorbed both from single and mixed solution, shows akageneite (characterized by the highly developed specific surface area). Polymer-metal complexes formed in the mixed adsorbate systems are rather stable, evidence of which is reduced desorption and consequently limited bioavailability of toxic lead ions for organisms and plants in soil environment.